RSA House

Originally river-front warehouses, the Vaults display exposed 18th-century brickwork, offering a striking contrast to the splendor of the rooms above. There are 4 Vaults at RSA House with 2 - 4 interconnecting providing a great backdrop for parties, dinners and product launches; and the larger Vault 1 ideal for dinners and drinks receptions or to provide that "chill out" space when using the rest of the Vaults. There is a separate entrance on Durham Street available for events in the Vaults and provides a more exclusive feel to any event.

Did you know?
For many years, the Vaults were used as wine cellars by Sichel & Sons. Wine was brought up the river in casks and bottled in adjoining cellars before being laid down in these vaults. Before the Vault's wine days, it was home to many cattle and livestock.

The Great Room is our largest space in the building playing host to awards dinners, large conferences, and meetings, drinks receptions, and weddings. This iconic room is fully air-conditioned, with natural daylight streaming in from the glass-domed ceiling. With full AV built-in, this room is ideal for most event types.

Did you know?
In 1877 RSA fellow Alexander Graham Bell gave the first practical demonstration of his new invention, the telephone, in the Great Room. This was the first to take place anywhere in Britain. Bell was later the recipient of the Albert Medal for his ground-breaking invention.

The Benjamin Franklin Room is a spacious and elegant ground floor room ideal for drinks receptions, dinners, conferences and wedding ceremonies. The large window floods the room with daylight and provides a stunning view of the Strand. The dramatic Troika chandelier reflects geometric patterns on to the ceiling and the room also hosts two original Adam fireplaces.

Did you know?
Until the mid-19th century, this was the Model Room and was used to exhibit models of prize-winning inventions. It was later converted into a library and a reading room and is now a very popular event space. It was named the Benjamin Franklin Room in 1967 to mark the Society's long association with the USA. Franklin was an active member and supported the institution in its early years. 

The Durham Street Auditorium is a purpose-built theatre ideal for screenings, conferences and meetings. Whilst there are 60 fixed chairs the DSA can accommodate up to 70 guests.

The Durham Street Auditorium has a high specification for in house AV with a 3 meters screen and a PA system. The stage is a permanent fixture and makes video recording and conferencing an option in this space. Other features available in this room:
- Full video recording
- Live streaming
- Audio recording

Did you know?
The DSA was built on the last remaining stretch of an 18th-century cobbled roadway which was part of a tunnel beneath the House leading down to the Thames. 

The Prince Philip Room is a first-floor event space directly above the Tavern Room and provides an ideal backdrop for conferences, meetings, dinners and drinks receptions. Located next to the Romney Room, Shipley Room and Folkestone Room these series of rooms can work well together as break out spaces or independently. The Adam ceiling with painted roundels offers a stunning focus to the room.

Did you know?
Formerly named the Adelphi Room this room was originally the dining room of the Adelphi Tavern, making up number 18 Adam Street. As the Adelphi Hotel, it featured in Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers.

A simply decorated room with a polished wooden floor and plain Adam ceiling which currently houses 4 screenprints of an Indian view by Howard Hodgkin on loan from the Arts Council.

Did you know?
Originally William Osborn's Adelphi Tavern opened in 1772 as part of the Adelphi Hotel. It features in Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers, and Dickens himself was a member of the Society, serving as a Vice-President and on two of its committees.

An elegant room with a magnificent original Adam ceiling, this was once the main drawing room of number 2 John Adam Street. The Romney Room now offers space for meetings, conferences, small dinners and break out spaces. The Romney Room has adjoining doors to both the Prince Phillip and Shipley Rooms which can work well for interconnecting break out spaces.

Did you know?
The contemporary artwork on the walls is by Jane Harris and Craigie Aitchison and is on loan to the RSA from the Arts Council.

The Folkestone Room is a traditional boardroom with a central table, designed for smaller meetings or intimate dinners for up to 14 people. It is ideal for small events or a good break out space when used in conjunction with the Prince Phillip Room, Shipley or Romney Room. The room is flooded with natural day light and has a 52" screen permanently in place which is included in the venue hire.

Did you know?
This room is named after Viscount Folkestone, Jacob Bouverie, who was the first President of the RSA. His portrait, by Thomas Gainsborough, hangs in our famous Great Room.

The Shipley Room is a first floor, classically decorated room with a beautiful Adam ceiling and a Regency chandelier. The chimneypiece and doorcases are from Bowood House and were installed in the 1950s. There is a linking door to the Drawing Room for holding pre-event drinks or for catering during boardroom meetings.

Did you know?
During the interwar period, the Society rented Shipley as additional office space and created the communicating door between it and the Drawing Room, which was then the Secretary's room.