If you are comparing conference rooms with more open conference spaces in London, the decision usually comes down to three things: the size of your group, the style of session you are running, and how much flexibility you need on the day. This guide walks through both options so you can make a confident choice before you enquire.
What is a conference room?
A conference room is a dedicated, enclosed space designed for focused group work. It typically seats a set number of attendees in a fixed or easily adapted arrangement, such as boardroom style or classroom style, and comes equipped with the audio-visual tools needed for presentations and structured discussion. The enclosed setting reduces distractions and gives your meeting a clear boundary, which works well for formal agendas, training sessions, or events where a presenter needs to hold the room’s attention throughout. At Space at Kingston, conference rooms are available across multiple campus locations including Kingston Hill and Penrhyn Road. Rooms support configurations from boardroom style through to classroom layouts and come with built-in sound systems, microphone facilities, and keypad-controlled AV for straightforward presentation delivery. Disabled access and induction loop systems are fitted as standard.
What is an open conference space?
An open conference space offers a larger footprint with fewer fixed walls. The layout can shift to serve different purposes across the course of a single event, moving from a theatre-style welcome session into cabaret groupings for workshops, then into a standing exhibition layout for networking. This kind of space suits events where the programme changes across the day or where you want attendees to move freely between activities. Larger venues at Space at Kingston, such as the Pavilion Room and the Courtyard, reflect this model. The Pavilion Room accommodates up to 110 people across a range of layouts including adaptable, cabaret, and opera space configurations. The Courtyard scales up to 308 people in tiered lecture theatre format. Both venues are suited to events that require more than a single room style.
How to decide which format suits your event
Group size is the most immediate factor. A team of 12 working through a strategic agenda will feel purposeful in a well-equipped conference room. A 200-person annual conference needs a venue that can flex across keynote, workshop, and break formats without the logistics becoming complicated. Session structure matters just as much. If your event has a single facilitator presenting to a seated group for the majority of the day, an enclosed conference room with integrated AV will serve you well. If your event moves between formats, involves breakout groups, or requires exhibitor or catering space within the same footprint, an open space with reconfigurable layouts is the more practical choice. Consider also what happens between sessions. Open conference spaces often accommodate catering, registration areas, and informal networking within the venue itself, reducing the need to move groups between separate rooms. This keeps the day flowing and reduces the logistical burden on your team. Finally, think about the experience from an attendee’s perspective. An enclosed room signals focus and structure. A more open environment encourages conversation and movement. Neither is universally better; the right choice is the one that matches what you want people to do and how you want them to feel.
Why location matters for London conference bookings
For groups travelling into London, venue location can affect attendance rates and the overall impression of the event. Space at Kingston sits within Kingston-upon-Thames, with venues across several campus sites. The location gives event organisers access to well-maintained, professionally equipped spaces outside of central London, which can reduce cost pressure without compromising on facilities. Free WiFi is available through Sky and The Cloud across the venues, which removes a common logistics headache for hybrid sessions or attendees who need to stay connected. For organisers looking for conference space in London that goes beyond a single meeting room, the range of capacities from small group rooms through to spaces seating over 300 gives genuine choice within one venue portfolio.
Ready to enquire?
Once you have a clear sense of your group size, session format, and layout needs, the next step is to check availability and get a quote. Use the search tool on the Space at Kingston website to filter by capacity and layout type, or send an enquiry directly to discuss your requirements with the team.
FAQS
A conference room is typically an enclosed, fixed-purpose space suited to focused group meetings and structured presentations. A conference space is a broader term that can include open or flexible venues capable of hosting larger events across multiple layout formats within the same footprint.
Venue capacity at Space at Kingston ranges from smaller meeting rooms up to spaces that seat over 300 people. The Courtyard accommodates up to 308 in a tiered lecture theatre layout, the Clattern Lecture Theatre seats up to 208, and the Pavilion Room holds up to 110 across various configurations.
Conference venues at Space at Kingston include built-in sound systems with microphones, keypad-controlled touch systems for AV management, and free WiFi available through Sky and The Cloud. Disabled access and fitted induction loop systems are also in place.
Yes. Space at Kingston offers venue hire throughout the year and welcomes enquiries for one-day events, training sessions, conferences, and larger occasions. Use the enquiry function on the website to check availability for your preferred date.
Kingston-upon-Thames is well connected by public transport and sits within Greater London. Space at Kingston operates across several campus sites in the area, making it a practical choice for groups travelling from across the city or from further afield.
Yes. Space at Kingston offers accommodation to complement event bookings, which can be particularly useful for multi-day conferences or for attendees travelling from outside the local area.
