Incorporating Conferences, Meetings, Seminars, Exhibitions, Group Travel, Banquets, Event Catering, Sport and Leisure
Contents
Welcome to the University of Birmingham 2
City of Birmingham – A City with Heart and Soul 3
Shackleton Hall 5
The Manor House 6
Chamberlain Hall 7
Elgar Court and Self-Catering Accommodation 8
Conference Park 9
Wast Hills House 10
University Catering 11
The Great Hall 13
Edgbaston Campus Facilities 14
Barber Institute and Botanic Gardens 16
Munrow Sports Centre and Priestley Centre 17
2
When it comes to venues the University
of Birmingham is most versatile, as
well as its convenient location, ease
of access and generous facilities it can
provide for all types of accommodation,
conferences, events and exhibitions.
All this against a backdrop of landscaped
grounds, the beauty of our original
red-brick campus and jewels like the
Barber Institute, one of the world’s
finest art galleries.
Our dedicated team in the Conference
Office are available to offer advice
and information on the full range
of services we have to offer. The team
have extensive experience in hosting
conferences, meetings and events and
will be able to assist in ensuring you
choose the right venue for your event.
Our choice of venues guarantees that
whatever your budget we can offer
value and quality of service.
With the achievement of the Investor
in People standard in 2001, Hospitality
and Accommodation Services became
the first department at the University
of Birmingham to obtain this
prestigious award.
By investing in our staff through
training and development you can be
assured that your event is managed by
a highly trained and committed team
of professionals.
Welcome to the University of Birmingham
conferences seminars meetings exhibitions accomodation celebrations events
Home to the renowned City of
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
and the internationally acclaimed
Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham
also boasts contemporary and
avant-garde works at the Ikon Gallery
and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art,
while the Birmingham Museum and
Art Gallery is home to the worlds finest
collection of Pre-Raphaelite art.
The City of Birmingham
3
Birmingham is a unique and thriving
cosmopolitan destination which
has built to great effect on its deep
historical roots and multicultural past
and present. The cultural scene of
galleries, music venues and theatres
is complemented by a bustling nightlife
that comprises a mix of bars, clubs and
restaurants of every variety.
A City with Heart and Soul
4
It does not stop here, future developments include the opening of the Bullring
adding new shops, such as Selfridges and Debenhams, cafés and restaurants.
Birmingham is a wonderful place
to party, relax and unwind with your
colleagues. Broad Street is a great place
to start , you’ll find pubs, clubs and
restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets.
Brindley Place – just off Broad Street – is
a lively complex of bars and places to
eat set in the heart of the City’s award
winning canalside.
Shopping has become a speciality with
its mix of restored arcades, modern
malls, friendly markets and designer
stores. The Mailbox is Birmingham’s
elite designer shopping mall with
brand names including Harvey Nichols,
Emporio Armani and Hugo Boss.
Not far away is the famous Jewellery
Quarter where you can take home
exquisite and unique jewellery at
realistic prices.
Development also continues on Eastside
with a new learning, technology and
heritage quarter; a city park is to be
created in front of Millennium Point.
A new Central Library will form the
focus of Eastside’s Learning Quarter.
There are also plans to create a Media
Village to house some of the creative
and media industry in the City.
Broadway Plaza at Five Ways is the
biggest commercial leisure project
to open in 2003, home to a twelve
screen cinema, twenty-lane bowling
complex and a health and fitness club.
All this and more will make the City of
Birmingham a thriving and exciting city
even more dynamic and spectacular.
When you travel a few miles out of
Birmingham a whole new world of
attractions opens up. Stratford-upon-
Avon, the birthplace of William
Shakespeare is just under an hour away;
you can also visit the World Heritage site
of Ironbridge Gorge in rural Shropshire.
The Potteries of Stoke-on-Trent and
the beautiful countryside and villages
of the Cotswolds are a little further but
easily reached.
Further Afield
Situated in landscaped grounds of the
Vale in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston,
Shackleton Hall is undergoing major
refurbishment to create 346 en suite
bedrooms in cluster flats of four to
eight people and will be available
during the summer vacation periods
from July 2005 onwards.
The ground floor will be converted
into a hub to provide a variety of
branded catering outlets, bars and
a convenience store.
The main dining room will hold up to
500 diners and the various bars can be
used for entertainment.
The light and spacious Juice Bar will be
an ideal venue for year-round meetings
and conferences.
Shackleton Hall
5
University Accommodation
In Brief
❚ 346 single en suite bedrooms
❚ Largest meeting room seating up to 230
❚ Seminar rooms seating 20-30
❚ Dining for every occasion – seating up to 500
❚ Disabled access
❚ Full range of audio/visual equipment
❚ 24-hour reception
❚ Free car parking
❚ Available during summer vacation periods
6
Formerly the family home of the late
George and Dame Elizabeth Cadbury,
the Manor House is set in attractive
grounds and is an ideal location for
self-contained conferences for up
to130 delegates.
A licensed bar is available.
In 1890, George Cadbury, the founder
of the chocolate firm, purchased
what was then known as New House.
Extensive alterations were made
involving the rebuilding of the main
house into a rambling Tudor mansion.
The Cadbury family renamed it the
Manor House and resided there until
the early 1950s when it was sold to
the University of Birmingham.
In February 1954 the Manor House
opened as a hall of residence.
The Manor House is available during
the Christmas, Easter and summer
vacations.
The Manor House
University Accommodation
In Brief
❚ 123 Single en suite bedrooms
❚ 5 twin en suite bedrooms
❚ Tea/coffee-making facilities available in
all bedrooms
❚ Largest meeting room seating up to 130
❚ 5 seminar rooms seating from 15 to 60
❚ Dining for every occasion seating up to 130
❚ Bar
❚ Partial disabled access
❚ Full range of audio/visual equipment can
be provided
❚ Free car parking
❚ Available during the Christmas, Easter and
summer vacation periods
In Brief
7
Situated in the grounds of the
Vale, Chamberlain Hall is ideal for
conferences and groups who wish
to be self-contained in a hall with its
own dining and meeting facilities.
Alternatively a short walk through
landscape grounds to our picturesque
campus are the many tiered lecture
theatres and seminar rooms seating
from 10 to 520 delegates.
All the standard bedrooms are fitted
with hand washbasins. Showers,
baths and toilets are provided for each
corridor which accommodates some
twenty rooms.
Chamberlain Hall is available during
the Christmas, Easter and summer
vacation periods.
Chamberlain Hall❚ 125 single standard bedrooms
with washbasin
❚ 50 single en suite bedrooms
❚ Tea/coffee-making facilities in all bedrooms
❚ Largest meeting room seating up to 80
❚ 4 seminar rooms seating from 20 to 60
❚ 2 dining rooms seating 100 and
250 respectively
❚ Bar
❚ Partial disabled access
❚ Full range of audio/visual equipment can
be provided
❚ 24-hour reception
❚ Limited free car parking
❚ Available during the Christmas, Easter and
summer vacation periods
University Accommodation
In Brief
8
The accommodation will be let on a
bed and breakfast basis during summer
vacations from July 2004 onwards. A
continental breakfast will be delivered
to the kitchen areas daily.
From July 2005 breakfast and other
meals can be taken in nearby
Shackleton Hall.
The bedrooms can be booked by groups
or on an individual basis.
Elgar Court
Self-CateringAccommodation
Situated on the Vale, a brand new development of 236 en suite bedrooms in cluster flats of six to
eight people. All flats have their own kitchen area where tea/coffee-making facilities are provided.
Each bedroom is provided with bed
linen and towels and the kitchen is
equipped with fridge/freezer, cooker
and basic utensils such as pots, pans,
crockery and cutlery. Coin operated
launderettes and public telephones
are on site.
The flats are popular with young people
on a budget or for groups who want
independence.
During the summer vacation rooms
within the University’s self-catering
flats are available for bookings. The
flats are self-contained within units
each consisting of five or six single-
study bedrooms some with en suite
facilities. The kitchen/dining area is
shared by all of the residents in the flat.
❚ 236 single en suite bedrooms in clusters
of 6-8 people
❚ Kitchen/dining area to be shared by all
residents in the flat
❚ Tea/coffee-making facilities provided in
the kitchen
❚ Disabled access
❚ Limited free car parking.
❚ Available during summer vacation periods
University Accommodation
In Brief
9
The University of Birmingham has
superb residential and non-residential
conference facilities adjacent to the
campus. The Conference Park has four
principal buildings: Lucas House, Peter
Scott House, Hornton Grange and Garth
House (grade II* listed). A pleasant
working environment is provided in
individually designed buildings, each
with its own character and all standing
in their own peaceful grounds with
ample free car parking space.
The high standard of catering has
been the subject of many glowing
reports from guests. There are two
bars in which to relax and meet friends
and colleagues.
The professional and friendly staff are
always on hand to make life easier for
you and your conference delegates.
Hornton Grange with its conservatory
dining room is also available for
wedding receptions.
The Conference Park
Year-round Training and Conference Facilities
❚ 105 en suite bedrooms with telephone,
television, hairdryer, radio clock alarm,
ironing facilities and full welcome tray
including fresh fruit
❚ Largest meeting room seating 85
❚ 9 well-equipped meeting rooms
seating 10-60
❚ 12 syndicate rooms seating 2-10
❚ Most meeting rooms are air conditioned
❚ 2 dining rooms
❚ 2 bars
❚ Full range of audio/visual equipment can
be provided
❚ In-house health and fitness suite comprising
sauna, solarium and small multigym
❚ Disabled access
❚ 24-hour reception
❚ Free car parking
❚ Available all year-round
In Brief
10
A country house style residential
and non-residential Conference Centre
commanding fine views over the
Worcestershire countryside situated
on the edge of Birmingham. Wast Hills
House was formerly the residence of
the late William Adlington Cadbury
and family.
Wast Hills House provides residential
accommodation for up to thirty-nine
guests in single-study bedrooms, a third
of which have en suite facilities.
There are four conference rooms
of varying sizes comfortably seating
up to fifty-five delegates with an
additional four syndicates for up to eight.
All meeting rooms are equipped with a
full range of audio-visual equipment.
The main dining room seats up to
fifty-five and other rooms are available
for smaller functions.
The house and grounds provide a
wonderful venue for weddings with
exclusive use of all its facilities at weekends.
Wast Hills House
Year-round Training and Conference Facilities
❚ 12 single en suite bedrooms
❚ 27 single standard bedrooms with hand
washbasin
❚ Each bedroom is equipped with a radio clock
alarm, ironing facilities, direct dial telephone
and a welcome tray including fresh fruit
❚ Largest meeting room seating 55
❚ 7 seminar/syndicate rooms seating 8 to 30
❚ Dining for every occasion seating
❚ Bar
❚ Full range of audio/visual equipment can
be provided
❚ Partial disabled access
❚ Free car parking
❚ Available all year-round
11
There are over seventeen catering outlets
providing anything from a cup of coffee
and a sandwich to a banquet and wedding
reception for 520 people. Food for
Thought the University’s delivery
service, can provide a wide range of
fork and finger buffets and beverage
services catering from 5 to 500 people.
Our recently launched Event Catering
enables us to cater at remote locations
both on and off campus from 50
to 520 people. Temporary bars can
also be provided.
Conveniently located in the centre of
campus, Staff House provides an ideal
venue for conferences, seminars,
corporate hospitality, lunches, dinners
and wedding receptions.
The venue boasts an extensive range
of menus that are professionally and
imaginatively designed by our expert
chefs. The menus are complimented
by our comprehensive wine list.
Our professional, yet warm and friendly
team will ensure that your function is
one to remember.
University Catering Staff House
University Catering offer a wide range of
services that will meet all your needs.
In Brief
❚ Noble Room dining for up to 400
depending upon type of function
❚ Astor Suite with private rooms for
conferences, seminars, exhibitions and
dining from 10 to 100.
❚ The Bratby Bar ideal venue for private
parties and functions
In Brief
12
❙ AVANTI – a 160-seat restaurant –
provides a wide range of fast food.
❙ GO – a very popular sandwich
shop – provides a large range of
sandwiches, pastries, speciality coffee,
confectionery and cakes.
❙ Freshly made sandwiches can be
made while you wait at CAFÉ GO
❙ University Centre also houses a
‘shopping centre’ with a number of
retail outlets including a supermarket
with an off-licence, bookshop,
hairdresser, travel agent, computer
supplier, card shop, optician and
several banks.
University Centre
Edgbaston Cricket CentreFor an alternative venue the Edgbaston
Cricket Centre next door to the
Warwickshire County Ground can
offer excellent facilities for conferences
and functions.
Bar 6 is managed by University Catering
in partnership with the Cricket Centre
to ensure that all your catering and bar
requirements are met.
❚ Meeting room seating 20 classroom-style
or 45 theatre-style
❚ Bar area can be used for meetings for
up to 80 people theatre-style
❚ Main hall area for exhibitions, conferences,
presentations and themed parties
❚ Free on site car parking
In Brief
13
The Great Hall is the University’s
ceremonial hall. It may be booked for
lectures, meetings, concerts, exhibitions
and banquets.
The Hall and the magnificent marble
foyer are part of the original University
buildings designed by the architect
Sir Aston Webb at the beginning
of the twentieth century. He was
responsible for the Victoria and Albert
Museum, Birmingham’s Law Courts, the
Royal College of Science and Admiralty
Arch. One of the main features of the
Great Hall is the stained glass window
behind the stage. The domed ceiling
of the foyer is a wonderful example
of trompe l’oeil painting.
The Great Hall
❚ Raised stage
❚ Flat floored seating for up to 520 for
lectures, meetings and concerts
❚ Full audio-visual equipment can be provided
❚ 900 sq metres exhibition space
❚ Banquets provided by our Event Catering
from 300 to 520 people
❚ Rotunda area above the foyer can be used
for reception, finger buffets and light
refreshments for 150 people
14
The Avon Room and Avon Coffee Lounge
The Avon Room is a multi-functional
venue that provides high quality
facilities for lectures, conferences and
exhibitions. It is a 350-seat lecture
theatre with a combination of tiered
and flat floored seating. The tiered
seating can be retracted to leave
500 sq metres of flat floor suitable
for exhibitions, poster displays and
receptions. Adjacent to the Avon Room
is the coffee lounge – the ideal place
to serve light refreshments and finger
buffets provided by University Catering.
It can also be used for poster displays
and small exhibitions.
The Haworth Building
❙ 2 lecture theatres seating 383
and 175
❙ Teas/coffees can be served in
the foyer
Manufacturing and
Mechanical Engineering
❙ 5 lecture theatres seating from
72 to 300
❙ 2 seminar rooms seating up to 50
❙ The Shell Lounge can be used for
teas/coffees and finger buffets
Edgbaston Campus Facilities
There are over 100 lecture theatre
and seminar rooms of varying capacities
on the Edgbaston Campus offering a
wide choice of venues. High standard
audio/visual equipment can be provided
in all meeting rooms.
Lecture theatres and seminar rooms
are available during the vacation
periods with limited availability
during term-time.
15
The Learning Centre, close to the
University train station, is a new facility
providing ten teaching rooms seating
from twenty to eighty-eight people.
The Learning Centre
School of Chemical Sciences
❙ 2 lecture theatres seating 180 and 49
❙ 1 lecture room seating 104
❙ Atrium for the service of
refreshments and finger buffets
Winterbourne House
❙ 4 lecture rooms seating from 15 to 30
❙ Light refreshments can be served
just off the foyer.
❙ The adjacent Botanic Garden can
be booked separately.
The Arts Building
❙ 1 lecture theatre seating 215
❙ 6 seminar rooms seating from
24 to 128
❙ The ground floor Mason Lounge
can be converted into a Cyber
Café with space for catering for
up to 50 people
The Gisbert Kapp Building
❙ 4 lecture theatres seating from
95 to 200
❙ 5 seminar rooms seating up to 20
❙ The large common room is ideal
for registration, refreshments
and buffet lunches and small
exhibition/poster space
16
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is
known world-wide for its outstanding
collection including masterpieces
by Botticelli, Rubens, Poussin,
Gainsborough and Turner.
The galleries are open daily and
visitors can enjoy a range of
exhibitions and events throughout
the year. The Institute is available
for hire, providing a unique venue
for high quality social occasions.
For further information, visit
www.barber.org.uk or
telephone 0121-414 7333
The Barber Institute of Fine ArtsIt also holds the NCCPG History of
the Rose Collection. Bequeathed to the
University in 1943, the Garden acts as a
focus for horticultural teaching, research
and conservation.
Open weekdays from 11 am – 4 pm,
special weekend events run throughout
the year. Guided tours or after-dinner
speakers can be arranged for delegates.
The Botanic Garden – The Edwardian Arts and Crafts
style garden covers six acres and combines themed
gardens and botanical plant collections ranging from
scree and alpine areas to herbaceous borders, perennial
meadow, bog garden and arboretum.
The Botanic Garden
17
There is a swimming pool, a well-
equipped gym, health suite with sauna,
steam room, spa pool and sun beds,
squash and badminton courts and even
a sports shop and café bar.
Outdoors, there are synthetic pitches for
a game of six-a-side football, an athletics
track, tennis court and grass pitches.
Conference delegates and other visitors
resident at the University are welcome
to use the facilities for a modest fee.
Whether you just want an early
morning swim, or a whole day full of
sport with coaching and catering for
your group, you can do it here at the
Munrow Sports Centre.
The Munrow Sports Centre
The Munrow Sports Centre has an exciting array of sport
and leisure facilities – everything you need to help you
unwind after a hectic day.
A jewel in the University’s crown, the
Priestley Centre is located literally on
the shore of Coniston Water in the
Lake District.
It is fully equipped and staffed for a
wide variety of outdoor activities, and
is also able to tailor-make development
courses (including for example,
teamworking, leadership skills, effective
communication) for your organisation.
The Priestley Centre
Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT, United KingdomDesigned and produced by the Design and Publications Office
Conference OfficeUniversity CentreEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TT
Telephone:0121-415 8400Fax:0121-415 8406
Email:[email protected]
www.conferences.bham.ac.uk
Contact Details