Whether you’re organising a conference, corporate event or special occasion, Keble College provides a truly unique Oxford dining experience for your delegates or guests.
With over 150 years of history, your guests will be impressed as soon as they enter the college. The striking, polychromatic brickwork designed by architect William Butterfield provides spectacular views over the Liddon Quad, from the immaculate lawns to the imposing Chapel, one of the most distinctive buildings in Oxford. The spacious Liddon Quad is an ideal setting for receptions with space for a marquee, canapes and garden games before guests move into the Dining Hall.
Keble’s Dining Hall dates back to 1878 and its Neo-Gothic, Grade 1 listed building provides a magnificent setting for any occasion. Featuring a substantial banqueting space with awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, long tables and high ceilings, it’s no surprise that it’s rumoured to be the inspiration for the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films.
Steeped in history, Keble’s Victorian Dining Hall serves as the heart of the College, where students eat together every day, a tradition that remains to the present day. Today, the Dining Hall has become a destination for fine dining, with our dedicated team hosting a variety of reputable events each year.
Guests can marvel at oak panelled walls adorned with impressive oil portraits of benefactors and wardens from as far back as the 1800s. Creating a unique talking point for your guests, the picturesque setting also includes an imposing stained-glass window over the High Table which depicts Caravaggio’s ‘Supper at Emmaus’. The Minstrel’s Gallery situated opposite the large, original stone fireplace is also perfect for entertaining guests.
The Dining Hall’s scalability is just one of many attributes. The sizeable hall is the longest in Oxford, seating up to 300 guests, accommodating anything from intimate celebrations to exclusive, corporate events. Receiving excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, the Dining Hall continues to wow parties of any size from bed and breakfast visitors to wedding parties, conferences and banquet guests.
The Hall also boasts an in-house speaker system, making it the perfect setting for an awards evening or Gala dinner. The College Bar, a Grade 2 listed glass building is also ideal for guests wishing to meet, network and celebrate together either before or after dinner.
The Dining Hall’s beautiful setting isn’t the only thing that will provide lasting memories for your guests. Keble College offers over 50 years of event catering experience, with its team priding themselves on their high standards of service and the quality of the food served.
The Conference team understand that every event is unique with its own character. Whatever your requirements, Keble’s experts will be on hand to ensure your event is exactly as you had imagined. Whether you’re looking for a unique breakfast, memorable lunch or magical dinner, Keble College will leave a lasting impression.
Menus are tailor-made to ensure that each course exceeds your expectations, whether that’s pre-dinner canapes or an exquisite dessert. Keble’s experienced chefs delight in demonstrating their creativity and will cater for all tastes and preferences to create the perfect menu for your event.
Guests can expect imaginative cuisine of the highest standard with Instagram worthy plates on display for every occasion. The catering team use fresh, locally sourced ingredients inspired by the seasons to create delicious dishes for every palate. Keble’s stewards will also happily offer suggestions on our wide variety of wines available, including Keble’s own brand of Champagne – the perfect way to toast your event!
If you’re looking for an exceptional Oxford dining experience to enhance your next event, few venues can compete with the grandeur of the oak panelled, portrait lined Dining Hall. Bookings are accepted throughout the year, with limited availability during term-time. For more details on how to host your next event at Keble click here and one of the team will get back to you shortly.
