The Best Conference Venues in the UK

Direct answer: The best conference venue in the UK depends on your delegate numbers, location, budget and event format. For large-scale conferences, purpose-built convention centres such as the ICC Birmingham can provide extensive plenary, breakout and exhibition space, while hotels, universities, sporting venues and unusual event spaces may be better suited to smaller conferences or events where accommodation, atmosphere or exclusivity are priorities.

At Function Fixers, we don’t believe there is one venue that is “best” for every conference. The right venue is the one that works for your delegates, your programme and your budget. Based on our experience of sourcing conference venues across the UK, these are some of the venues we believe are particularly worth considering.

International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham

The ICC Birmingham has been one of the UK’s leading conference venues for more than three decades.

Situated in the heart of Birmingham, it offers flexible conference halls, meeting rooms and exhibition space capable of hosting everything from executive meetings to international conventions. Its central location, excellent transport links and proximity to hundreds of hotel rooms make it a popular choice for national conferences.

Best for:

• Conferences
• Association events
• Awards dinners
• Multi-stream events

Manchester Central

Housed within the former Manchester Central railway station, this impressive venue combines Victorian architecture with modern conference facilities.

Its vast exhibition hall, adaptable meeting spaces and central location make it one of the UK’s busiest conference destinations.

Best for:

• Large conferences
• Exhibitions
• Product launches
• Corporate events

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)

Located in the heart of Scotland’s capital, the EICC is internationally recognised for hosting conferences, scientific congresses and association meetings.

Its flexible auditorium, innovative technology and sustainable design have helped establish Edinburgh as one of Europe’s leading conference destinations.

Best for:

• International conferences
• Medical congresses
• Academic events
• Executive meetings

ACC Liverpool

Set on Liverpool’s famous waterfront, ACC Liverpool combines conference facilities, exhibition space and an arena within one integrated campus.

Its striking location and excellent delegate experience have made it one of the UK’s most popular conference venues.

Best for:

• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Gala dinners
• Corporate celebrations

Olympia London

Following its major redevelopment, Olympia has become one of the UK’s most exciting event destinations.

The addition of a purpose-built International Convention Centre, alongside restored heritage spaces, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues, offers organisers an exceptional range of options for conferences and corporate events.

Best for:

• Conferences
• Congresses
• Exhibitions
• Hybrid events

Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre

Originally developed for the aviation industry, Farnborough now hosts conferences, exhibitions and corporate events across a wide range of sectors.

Large exhibition halls, extensive outdoor space and excellent road access make it particularly popular for events involving vehicles, technology and engineering.

Best for:

• Exhibitions
• Product launches
• Conferences
• Automotive events

The Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London

Located opposite Westminster Abbey and close to the Houses of Parliament, the QEII Centre is one of London’s best-known conference venues.

Its flexible event spaces, panoramic views and central location make it particularly popular with government departments, associations and international organisations.

Best for:

• Conferences
• Government events
• International meetings
• Corporate presentations

The Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow

The SEC has become one of Europe’s leading conference and exhibition venues.

Offering conference facilities, exhibition halls and an arena, it regularly hosts international congresses, major exhibitions and high-profile corporate events.

Best for:

• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Association meetings
• Large corporate events

Warwick Conferences

Set within the University of Warwick campus, Warwick Conferences combines purpose-built conference facilities with on-site accommodation, making it an excellent choice for residential events.

Its modern meeting spaces, lecture theatres and peaceful surroundings make it particularly popular for training programmes and leadership conferences.

Best for:

• Residential conferences
• Training
• Leadership events
• Workshops

Celtic Manor Resort, Newport

For organisations looking to combine business with hospitality, Celtic Manor remains one of the UK’s premier conference hotels.

The resort offers extensive meeting facilities, luxury accommodation, golf courses and leisure facilities, making it ideal for conferences that include networking and team building.

Best for:

• Residential conferences
• Incentives
• Executive meetings
• Corporate hospitality

The NEC Birmingham

The National Exhibition Centre is synonymous with large-scale events.

Alongside its exhibition halls, the NEC provides conference facilities capable of hosting thousands of delegates and benefits from direct motorway, rail and airport connections.

Best for:

• Major conferences
• Trade shows
• Exhibitions
• Product launches

What Makes a Great Conference Venue?

Every conference has different requirements, but the best venues typically share several key qualities:

• Convenient location with excellent transport links
• Flexible meeting rooms and breakout spaces
• Reliable Wi-Fi and modern AV technology
• Professional on-site event support
• Comfortable catering and networking areas
• Accessibility for all delegates
• Nearby accommodation
• Sustainable operating practices

The right venue should support both the practical needs of your event and the overall delegate experience.

How to Choose the Right Conference Venue

Before starting your venue search, consider:

• How many delegates will attend?
• Will delegates be travelling nationally or internationally?
• Do you require exhibition space?
• Is overnight accommodation needed?
• What technology will presenters require?
• Will networking or evening entertainment form part of the programme?
• Is sustainability an important consideration?

Answering these questions early will help narrow down the most suitable venues.

Our View

The UK offers an outstanding choice of conference venues, from internationally recognised convention centres to unique venues full of character.

The best venue isn’t necessarily the biggest or the newest – it’s the one that best fits your objectives, your delegates and your budget.

Taking time to define your requirements before beginning your search will help ensure you choose a venue that supports a successful, memorable event.

Carrie Larwood’s View

“After more than 35 years of finding conference venues, we’ve learned that there is no single ‘best’ venue – only the best venue for your event. Some clients need a purpose-built conference centre, while others are looking for somewhere unique that will inspire delegates. Our role at Function Fixers is to understand the brief and recommend venues that genuinely match the event, rather than simply suggesting the most well-known names.”