Space Hire
Overview
About
The Custom House is possibly the earliest surviving brick building in Exeter and the earliest purpose-built Custom House in England.
Located on Exeter’s thriving quayside area, today it operates as an exciting centre for arts and culture, offering exhibitions, activities and performances across the seasons. With world-renowned architecture and unrivalled views, it makes a truly unique setting to host your meeting, workshop or conference.
With a number of character rooms that can seat up to 50 people, the venue can also offer refreshments/bar facilities and is fully accessible via a lift along with having disabled toilet facilities. A large number of hospitality venues are on the doorstep, helping to cater to any needs.
Available Spaces
The Gallery
The quay area is very a very popular destination, so The Gallery, immediately accessible from the entrance to the building, offers a splendid accessible opportunity for artists and others to display their works. A full hanging system is in place and there is a small servery directly off the room that can be used to service any private viewings, or simply to support those staffing exhibitions.
The Long Room
The heart of the building. This beautifully proportioned, first floor room, room has unrivalled views over the River Exe and the bustling key-side. Beneath the spectacular John Abbot ceiling the room can accommodate up to 60 people seated and provide a venue for a variety of activities. These include conferences, performances, exhibitions, even pop-up restaurants and private functions of all kinds.
From the Long Room there is direct access to the main kitchen/servery.
The Surveyor’s Office
This is another wonderfully historic room, with its beautiful John Abbot ceiling and a range of unique seventeenth century storage cupboards, now re-purposed as ‘cabinets of curiosities’. The same splendid views of the river and quay are available for smaller groups of around twenty people to enjoy a meeting or event in this unique venue.
Also on the first floor can be found:
· West Room: A meeting room for up to 20 people
· Committee Room: A meeting room for 10 people.
· Wharfinger’s Room: A meeting room for 8 people.
These rooms can be hired individually, or are ideal ‘break-out’ spaces to be utilised in conjunction with the principal rooms.
In addition, access can be arranged to the East Room and the West Bond Store with their fascinating exhibitions of items relating to the historic use of the building.
The Transit Shed
If you would like to have use of a covered outdoor area, either to compliment your use of the Custom House, or for a stand-alone event, then the Transit Shed is available. Constructed in the mid-nineteenth century, this large open-sided building still contains the ‘King’s Beam;’ the scales once used by the ‘Revenue Men’ to determine the amount of duties to be levied on goods.
Situated opposite the Custom House, immediately adjacent to the river, this atmospheric space has its own electrical connection and a small number of outside tables and chairs can be made available.
Please contact us if you interested in hiring this space as certain restrictions apply.
Facilities
Wil-Fi
Equipment hire available
Multimedia/Digital Projector
PA System
Flipchart and Pens
Servery
Licensed for alcohol
Own catering allowed
All rooms offer natural daylight
Accessibility
All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Guide Dogs Permitted
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
Toilets for Disabled Visitors
Road Directions
It’s simple to visit Exeter Custom House by car from either side of the River Exe. Our nearest car parks both provide step-free access to our venues.
City centre side – Cathedral and Quay car parks.
St Thomas side (recommended if accessing from the M5 and A30) – Haven Banks car park.
Public Transport Directions
Exeter St Thomas station is less than ten minutes walk away, linking Exeter Canal and Quayside to all areas of the city, beaches and further afield. The G bus service runs every hour on the half hour from the Quay to Exeter High Street, and the Green bus service also runs nearby.
Get in Touch
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to visit, or would like to check provisional dates. You are also welcome to come and view the space at your own convenience during our usual opening hours.
Phone: 01392 271611
Email: customhouse@exeter.gov.uk
Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch soon:
Floorplan
Whilst our rooms are not vast, they are certainly beautiful. Each has a story to tell, and we’d love to add yours through hiring one of our spaces. Please contact us on customhouse@exeter.gov.uk to discuss your event and how we can help.
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Uses for our space
Small Performances
The Long Room is often used for small live performances and events. It is a beautiful, intimate space that can hold approx 60 guests, depending on your layout. Some basic equipment is available to hire.
Private or public meetings
It is possible to use the smaller rooms for closed meetings, especially during our non-opening hours.
Workshops
The smaller rooms are ideal for workshops – some of the rooms are inter connecting and can be shut off even when the building is open to the public.
Ceremonies
If you are looking for a unique venue for a special event, why not consider the Custom House? We aren’t currently licensed for weddings, but are exploring this possibility for the future.
Drinks receptions
The beautiful Long Room offers a unique space for drinks receptions. A new servery space is now available to make things a little easier for caterers, while there are many excellent local suppliers on the doorstep.
Readings & presentations
Regular events including readings and presentations are held at the Custom House, which is ideally situated in central Exeter, close to bus and train links.
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