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Top Unusual Venues in Essex
Essex's unusual venues are ready to turn your event dreams into reality! The county offers a range of unique event spaces, whether you're looking for rooftop terraces with open-air cinemas in Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea or historic venues with sprawling gardens in Ipswich and Heybridge. From a team-building day to a birthday celebration, make your event nothing short of extraordinary at a one-of-a-kind venue!
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![Exclusive Use at The Old Parish Rooms in Essex]()
from £70
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityExclusive Use
100 guestsThe Old Parish RoomsEssexSo you're looking for an alternative to the usual venues but without the London price tag. That's where we step in - we're a unique and quirky space which we know you and your guests are going to love. -
![Screen 4 at Everyman Chelmsford in Chelmsford, Essex]()
from £620
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityScreen 4
56 guestsEveryman ChelmsfordChelmsford, EssexAAnonymous
“Lovely space and Alex the Event manager was really helpful :-)” -
![The Banqueting Hall at Fennes in Essex]()
from £2400
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Banqueting Hall
500 guestsFennesEssexThe Banqueting Hall is an exquisite room ideal for evening receptions, galas, and charity events. Featuring luxurious silk-lined walls, stunning chandeliers, and two sets of double doors opening to a patio and private garden, -
![Exclusive Dining Area at The Breakfast Club Chelmsford in Chelmsford, Essex]()
from £100
minimum spend / per morningCheck availabilityExclusive Dining Area
50 guestsThe Breakfast Club ChelmsfordChelmsford, EssexOur first floor can be hired as a PDR for Exclusive Events, Meetings or Group Dining. This Private space is located on the First Floor of our Caf on Moulsham St and can accommodate up-to 35 guests seated, or 50 in a combination -
![Indoor & Outdoor Venue Hire at The Woods Retreat in Brentwood, Essex]()
from £1000
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityIndoor & Outdoor Venue Hire
300 guestsThe Woods RetreatBrentwood, EssexThe Woods Retreat offers a truly unique venue experience, perfect for a wide range of events. Within 8 acres of serene woodlands and open fields just outside London, our venue combines natural beauty with unmatched versatility. -
![Walled Garden Pavilion at Braxted Park in Essex]()
from £4000
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityWalled Garden Pavilion
400 guestsBraxted ParkEssexThe Braxted Park Pavilion, set in the beautifully restored Walled Garden, is the ideal venue for any corporate party or event. The Pavilion can hold between 50 and 400 people and the flexible space makes it suitable for any -
![Exclusive Use at Houchins in Essex]()
from £3150
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityExclusive Use
180 guestsHouchinsEssexIndoor ceremonies are held in the oak-panelled Drawing Room or The Foundry, which later transforms into a party barn with a sprung oak dance floor for your evening reception. -
![Entire Space at Fairy Pad Studio in Essex]()
from £70
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityEntire Space
5 guestsFairy Pad StudioEssexThis stunning, purpose-built studio is designed for photography, videography, and content creation, offering a lifestyle atmosphere perfect for creatives. -
![The Orangery at Hatfield Place in Essex]()
from £75
per person / per dayCheck availabilityThe Orangery
300 guestsHatfield PlaceEssexThis beautiful room provides an ideal setting for a wide range of events, from weddings and charity balls to birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and award ceremonies. -
![The Oaks Pavilion at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre in Essex]()
from £3800
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Oaks Pavilion
200 guestsRivenhall Oaks Golf CentreEssexOur Oaks Pavilion wedding venue in Witham provides the perfect setting for all types of events. With its own private entrance, our brand new function suite can seat up to 140 people. -
![Dance Studio & Events Space at Strictly Smartz in Essex]()
from £50
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityDance Studio & Events Space
100 guestsStrictly SmartzEssexIn the heart of Leigh-on-Sea, Strictly Smartz stands as a tidy, open space perfect for different events. This year we used the venue for a number of events including wedding receptions, birthdays and anniversaries and welcome -
![Event Space at Sewardstone Park Suite in Essex]()
from £90
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityEvent Space
120 guestsSewardstone Park SuiteEssexGet ready to wow your guests in our newly refurbished event space, designed for gatherings of all kinds! With room for 25 to 100 guests and plenty of parking for 50 cars, this venue is as convenient as it is chic.
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Book Small Unique Event Spaces in Essex
from £200
hire fee / per day
hire fee / per day
The Cart Lodge
30
30
Lee Wick Farm Cottages & Glamping
Essex
There's also a private outdoor patio, offering additional space for shooting, relaxing, or al fresco dining.
from £75
per person / per day
per person / per day
Ballroom
50
60
Hatfield Place
Essex
This stylish room lends itself to small intimate weddings, parties and corporate events. Exclusively yours for the day, the house offers a true country house feel, with a welcoming Reception Hall, garden terrace and an elegant
from £350
hire fee / per day
hire fee / per day
Entire Cottage
4
30
Old Bakehouse Cottage
Essex
Enjoy the entire cottage to yourself, whether for photoshoots or simple gatherings. It features wooden interiors for a cozy country feel, along with modern bedrooms.
from £550
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
The Summerhouse
20
80
Colchester Weddings
Colchester, Essex
Located just behind Colchester Castle and overlooking the park, The Summerhouse provides a secluded setting for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception.
from £300
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
The Orangery
25
30
The Prince of Wales Stow Maries
Essex
1. An orangery room separate from the pub which is a great meeting and event space. This seats 20, has Wifi and a TV for presentations. It is a light and airy space with a terrace outside which is great for our guests in
from £250
hire fee / per hour
hire fee / per hour
Entire Venue
18
50
The Essex Mansion & Spa, Chigwell
Essex
This grand abode boasts 7 opulent bedrooms accommodating 18 guests, a heated indoor pool, a private cinema room, hot tub, and steam room for ultimate relaxation.
Find Affordable Quirky Venues in Essex
from £350
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
Cocktail Bar
40
150
Club Supreme Cocktail Bar
Epping Station
Essex
Discover the ideal location to host your next celebration, whether it's a lively birthday bash or a heartwarming baby shower. At club Supreme Roof Garden, we are dedicated to crafting unique experiences that leave a lasting
from £450
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
Screen 6
31
Everyman Chelmsford
Chelmsford, Essex
A
Anonymous
“Lovely space and Alex the Event manager was really helpful :-)”
“Lovely space and Alex the Event manager was really helpful :-)”
from £500
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
Full Venue Hire
400
Popworld Southend
Essex
Popworld is the ultimate late-night bar with a POP! We’re all about cheesy party anthems, friendly service, and fun Poptails that’ll keep the good times flowing.
from £500
hire fee / per day
hire fee / per day
Theatre
96
Royal Gunpowder Mills
Essex
Our Theatre has tiered seating, stage and lighting. It holds 96 seats complete with pull out writing boards and spaces for 4 wheelchairs. We also have a lift for easy access and disabled facilities.
from £550
minimum spend / per session
minimum spend / per session
The Castle
80
150
Colchester Weddings
Colchester, Essex
Each space offered by Colchester Weddings provides a unique setting that will keep your guests talking about your special day for years to come. And to make sure it is nothing short of perfect, the experienced events team
from £1000
hire fee / per day
hire fee / per day
Gunpowder Cafe
100
110
Royal Gunpowder Mills
Essex
The high ceilings give the space an open and spacious feel, while the abundance of natural light makes it bright and airy.
FAQs about Top Unusual Venues in Essex
The cost of unusual venues averages around £620 minimum spend per event. The final price will depend on location, size, amenities, and demand. Some venues also offer additional packages that include catering, AV equipment, or additional services. Take a look at the usual price ranges in Essex, based on Tagvenue data from February 2026:
| From £500 | to £990 | minimum spend per event |
| From £800 | to £3150 | hire fee per day |
| From £70 | to £90 | hire fee per hour |
You'll find unusual venues in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Essex, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (February 2026):
| Small | up to 50 guests | prices average £75 hire fee per hour |
| Medium | between 100 and 180 guests | prices average £90 hire fee per hour |
| Large | over 250 guests | prices average £2400 minimum spend per event |
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Page last updated in February 2026
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