Outdoor Venues in Leeds

As the meetings and events industry looks towards reopening from the 17th May, Conference Leeds has been thinking about how the needs of conference organisers may have changed and which standout features they’ll be looking for when selecting their next venue as restrictions ease. The trend of meeting in outdoor spaces is certainly on the rise. As we head towards the summer months we’ve pulled together some of Leeds’ most popular venues which showcase some wonderful outdoor spaces that show off the best that city has to offer, whilst immersing you in local life.

Outdoor events and spaces can offer a solution to organisers for social distancing, rather than being completely indoors. Under the current climate, moving events outside is an option that offers further confidence to delegates, and Leeds has many great outdoor spaces that are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression…

Harewood House

Harewood House has sat in the heart of Yorkshire between Leeds, Harrogate and York for over 250 years and is one of the cultural highlights of the country. For conference organisers who want to create a memorable experience, Harewood House has three large outdoor venues available within its 100 acres of parkland and offers a quintessentially British experience for those who live in Leeds, and those who come from further afield. The venue has a range of accessible outdoor areas that are ideal for breakout sessions, team building and training activities. Why not try a team building archery activity followed by an evening of cheese and wine tasting on The North Front? The North Front is an open space which has an impressive backdrop of the house, providing a magnificent atmosphere for your conference.

The Royal Armouries

The Royal Armouries Museum has an unlikely waterfront outlook and sits on Leeds Dock, welcoming both national and international visitors for many years. Delegates can take a step back in time to explore stunning displays of arms and armour from across the world giving the opportunity to transform a blank venue space to better represent their industry and inspire delegates.

The Museum is a one of a kind venue in the quaint setting of Leeds Dock, a waterside hub of technology, culture, food and drink and a favoured destination amongst locals. The venue has capacity to hold 1,000 delegates in its suites and breakout spaces, including its newly refurbished event space and bistro, The Master’s. Crafted with local suppliers and producers in mind, The Master’s gives visitors a taste of Leeds which they can soak up with a summer BBQ on the terrace whilst overlooking the River Aire before taking the quirky River Taxi back to the town centre.

Sky Lounge

Sky Lounge stands tall in the industrial-style, waterfront development of Granary Wharfe, home to some of the city’s best restaurants and of course, one of the finest rooftop settings in Leeds.

Sitting atop waterside venue DoubleTree by Hilton, Sky Lounge is the ideal day through night venue that offers one of the best city skyline views over Leeds with plenty of outside heated space for delegates to enjoy. By day, delegates can experience a decadent, traditional afternoon tea with a modern twist whilst they discuss the high points of the conference and by night they can indulge in cocktails made in homage to Leeds whilst looking over the waterside and city-scape below.

Oulton Hall

If venue organisers are looking to escape to the country, Oulton Hall is another rural venue that is a highly regarded out-of-city destination that offers a unique delegate experience. Oulton Hall has nine flexible meeting rooms that are suitable for both intimate and large audiences with the grandest meeting room, the Oulton Suite accommodating up to 350 people.

Oulton Hall sits with 325 acres of outdoor space that is ideal for breakout sessions, to give delegates the opportunity to wind down and progress working relationships with fellow attendees, whether it be with a casual drink, a round on its 27 hole golf course or for an outdoor team building exercise.

The Terrace at Wellington Place

The Terrace is located in the heart of Leeds at Wellington Place making it an ideal location for bringing the outside in! The Terrace is an extremely modern space that has four purpose built meeting rooms that can hold over 150 delegates with brand new facilities that help to create a progressive experience for delegates and a stunning outdoor terrace that boasts amazing views of Leeds Town Hall and the city below to create a memorable experience that combines networking and wellbeing.

Dakota Deluxe

Contemporary decor, impeccable service and central location make the Dakota Deluxe a strong contender in the search for your perfect venue. The venue has a range of event spaces available, but the al-fresco experience of Salon Prive sets the bar high. The space boasts a private cocktail bar, stage for live entertainment and an outdoor terrace space where guests can overlook the colourful scenes of Greek Street below. Salon Prive can cater up to 150 delegates with a champagne reception to create the ultimate experience to start or finish your time in the city.

Situated in one of Leeds’ most vibrant nightlife destinations, Dakota Deluxe is unparalleled if you want to immerse yourself into the city’s social scene and is perfectly situated with Leeds Train Station just a short walk away.

For more information on ConferenceLeeds or any of the venues above, please visit https://www.conferenceleeds.co.uk/