Porchester Hall

Porchester Hall is an art deco events hall in Bayswater, west London, dating from the late 1920s. Behind its entrance you will find marble walls, bronze and wrought iron banisters, a sweeping staircase and a main hall lined with oak and walnut panelling under crystal chandeliers. It is one of the few central London spaces that can hold a really large wedding under one roof.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Porchester Hall is hired dry, so you are not tied to a fixed package. You can bring in your own caterers and suppliers or pick from the venue's recommended list, and shape the day exactly as you want it. For couples with a big guest list, a large chosen family or a party in mind, the scale of the main hall is hard to match in this part of London.

Ceremonies

The hall is licensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships. The main hall seats up to 450 for a ceremony, and smaller rooms, including the Small Hall and the Duchess of York Suite, give you other options for a more intimate service. Confetti is allowed.

Receptions and food

The main hall seats up to 450 for a wedding breakfast and has a dance floor and an oak-panelled stage with an art deco skylight, ready for a band. You can use the venue's preferred caterers or your own, and the venue has experience with halal, kosher and Asian menus. There is a fully licensed bar, or you can bring your own drinks for a corkage fee. The Blue Room works as a changing room or backstage space for performers.

Getting there and the area

The hall is on Porchester Road, a short walk from Royal Oak, Bayswater and Queensway Tube stations, and close to Paddington for mainline and Elizabeth line trains. There is parking nearby. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a few minutes away for photographs, and the streets of Bayswater and Notting Hill are full of hotels for guests.

Good to know

• Dry hire, with preferred caterers or your own
• Main hall seats up to 450
• Listed as fully accessible