The best meetings don’t end when the laptops close. Your clients want more than a boardroom and a coffee break: they want a shared experience their teams will still be talking about long after they fly home.
That’s why this month we’re sharing five iconic venues across England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland where business and fun share the same address. Each follows a simple formula: Meet. Play. Toast.
englAND: castle howard, north yorkshire
Just 15 miles from York, Castle Howard is one of England’s finest historic houses, set in 1,000 acres of parkland with temples, lakes and fountains. Famous as a filming location for Brideshead Revisited, Bridgerton and The Crown.
- MEET: The Chinese Dining Room for intimate meetings of up to 12, or the Grecian Hall for up to 50 theatre-style.
- PLAY: A private tour with a resident curator, with access beyond the public route, or a guided tour of the landscape and the Temple of the Four Winds.
- TOAST: Private dining in the Grecian Hall, for up to 80 guests banquet-style.
Imagery Credit: Castle Howard
ENGLAND: The Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
Around an hour from London in the South Downs, the 11,000-acre Goodwood Estate has been home to the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years. Strategy in the morning, the racetrack in the afternoon and dinner afterwards in a stately home.
- MEET: The Kennels, an intimate and stylish clubhouse (16 for meetings, 24 for dinner), or Goodwood Racecourse, “the most beautiful racecourse in the world”, with roof terraces and views of the South Downs (100 for meetings, 150 for dinner).
- PLAY: Corporate driving on the Goodwood Motor Circuit (10 to 40 guests) or clay pigeon shooting (8 to 30 guests).
- TOAST: A private dinner in the Ballroom of Goodwood House (exclusive hire, up to 180 for dinner and 440 across the State Apartments), or exclusive use of Hound Lodge, tucked away in ancient woodland with its own chef and butler (up to 20 guests overnight).
Imagery Credit: The Goodwood Estate, Mike Caldwell, Jayson Fong
ireLAND: guinness storehouse, dublin
Seven floors of Guinness heritage in the heart of Dublin, hosting groups from 10 to 2,000 guests. Business by day, the perfect pint by evening.
- MEET: A conference, product launch or awards ceremony in the Arrol Suite (up to 600 guests).
- PLAY: Learn to pour the perfect pint at the Guinness Academy, or see your face printed on the foam at STOUTIE.
- TOAST: Dinner in the Gravity Bar, with views across Dublin’s rooftops.
Imagery Credit: The Guinness Storehouse
northern ireLAND: titanic belfast
Located on the historic slipways where RMS Titanic was launched, Titanic Belfast is one of Europe’s most remarkable event venues, from intimate dinners to large-scale conferences and events.
- MEET: The Titanic Suite: an iconic, flexible setting with natural light and integrated AV, for 50 to 1,500 guests.
- PLAY: The Titanic Experience, the world’s most authentic retelling of the Titanic story, located precisely where the ship was built. Or drinks aboard SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel.
- TOAST: A gala dinner beneath the replica of Titanic’s Grand Staircase, with menus crafted by the in-house culinary team from the best locally sourced, seasonal Northern Irish produce.
Our team is in Northern Ireland this November. Ask us for first-hand tips on the destination!
Imagery Credit: Titanic Belfast
scotLAND: The scotch whisky experience, edinburgh
Right next to Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile, the Scotch Whisky Experience is the only attraction in the world to take visitors on a grand tour of all five Scotch whisky regions. It has eight private event spaces for up to 80 guests, and up to 240 with full venue hire.
- MEET: The Castlehill or Blenders Room, both with the latest AV, smart cameras and electronic whiteboards for hybrid meetings. Gold-certified for Green Meetings.
- PLAY: Blend Your Own Whisky: a tutored tasting of four regional single malts, then every guest becomes a Master Blender and takes home their own 100ml bottle with a Certificate of Blending (up to 80 guests).
- TOAST: Collection Dining: a five-course Scottish tasting menu paired with whisky, served inside the glass-and-marble vault of the world’s most famous whisky collection, surrounded by 3,384 bottles (up to 10 guests).
Imagery Credit: The Scotch Whisky Experience
MORE ASA MICE FAVOURITES
- The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh: private dinners for 8 to 196 and receptions for up to 450 in the State Apartments aboard the former royal yacht.
- Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire: a UNESCO World Heritage setting for inspiring meetings, conferences and spectacular private events, find out more here.
- smallcarBIGCITY, London: explore London by classic Mini Cooper, from city tours to corporate team challenges. Find out more here.
WHY ASA FOR MICE
For more than 45 years, ASA has delivered meetings, incentives, conferences and events across England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and France. One dedicated team handles everything, from venue sourcing and hotels to transfers, exclusive experiences, gala dinners and on-site support. You focus on the impact; we’ll take care of everything else.
- One dedicated MICE team and one point of contact across all our destinations
- Long-standing relationships with iconic venues, including exclusive and after-hours access
- End-to-end delivery: venues, hotels, transfers, activities, gala dinners and on-site support
- Every group size, from 10-person board retreats to large-scale conferences
- Bespoke proposals built around your client’s objective and budget
Ready to plan your next programme? Send us your dates, group size, budget, objective and any other requirements for your tailored proposal.
Send us your brief, visit our MICE page, or speak with Michaela, our Senior Business Development Manager and resident MICE-expert!
