The Dining Hall

conference@dow.cam.ac.uk

The College Hall is a beautiful and vibrant room that boasts grandeur and elegance. Seating up to 150, the Hall offers a unique formal dining experience, perfect for Gala Dinners and Wedding Breakfasts.

Neo Classical in design, yet modern and flexible, the stately Hall has in integrated audio system and a range of lighting options. From cafeteria style, finger and fork buffet lunches to formal gala dinners and wedding breakfast, the room can accommodate a variety of catering options.

Our Gala Dinner choices use fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients where possible and are cooked to perfection, with a range of accompanying wines to choose from.

The adjacent Fellows’ Garden is frequently used during the summer months for pre-dinner drinks receptions.

Dimensions

20m x 7x 140m2

Capacity

150 x Top Table and Sprigs
124 x Top Table and Herringbone

Equipment

Integrated audio system
radio controlled voice amplification and back ground music
12 speakers

Overview

Weddings

Dining

The College Hall is a beautiful and vibrant room that boasts grandeur and elegance. While it gives itself to the staff and students as cafeteria during the day for lunch, it is wonderfully transformed for a unique formal dining experience perfect for Gala Dinners and Wedding Breakfasts.

I wanted to thank you for everything you did for us while preparing the event and during the event. We felt in safe hands from the first moment till the last minute! I am really grateful to Pawel for being there for us all the time! It was a successful day and a lot of people were glad to be back to Downing this year! Inessa, EPRG

Hi Kerry-Ann Noelle and I had a wonderful time on Saturday-thank you so much for all your hard work over the past few months. Everything was so well organised and we really felt able to relax and enjoy the day. The food and evening service generally was also brilliant and I particularly liked the way the dairy free food had been prepared-my mum's special dessert was beautiful. We have memories to treasure. Many thanks again and please pass on our thanks to all who were involved. Robert Hill - Groom

I would like to say a very big thank you for the fantastic support you gave in helping us put on an exceptionally good national conference at the magnificent setting of Downing College. We have received nothing but glowing praise from the delegates, speakers and sponsors – all of them saying that it was a very high-quality event. The conference events team is a great credit for Downing College, with your superb organisational skills making everything work smoothly and like clockwork. It is a real shame that we can't hold the 2019 conference at Downing College. Neil McManus, ACES President

I'd like to thank everyone involved in making Angharad and Mark's wedding a fabulous day. Everything was so well organised and you kept me informed of what has happening along the way, and on the wedding day. All the requests we'd asked for were met. The day and arrangements were orchestrated so smoothly, without any problems even down to the signage and the Porters being informed. I'd also like to thank the catering staff on the day. They were very attentive, walking around replenishing guest's glasses, clearing away plates and rubbish, being very polite and helpful throughout the evening. Several guests commented on how well they were served. I am aware that a lot of hard work foes into organising a wedding function and i appreciate it very much. You manage to perform a very professional task, with a friendly, informal vibe. It was a beautiful day for all of us. Julie Jones, Bride's Mother

We had simply the best day on Saturday, everything went really well. The team were all exceptional and looked after us so we’ll. Jo was a constant, calm and smiling presence who kept everything running to plan and accommodated any requests easily. We had many comments about the food being ‘the best wedding food’ anyone had tasted, high praise indeed. The hall and fellows garden also both looked fantastic. Thanks for all your help organising a truly memorable day for us all! Jessica & Edward - Bride and Groom

You have just organised the wedding of my son, Buster to Santina. It was a truly wonderful event with excellent food and very good over night accommodation. The College and its facilities are of course exceptional - enhanced by a day of fine weather. What really made the whole event extra special was the staff. This included everyone we came into contact with from domestic staff to the Porters and everyone connected with the catering. Well done and thank you to every one for making a special day that bit more memorable John Harradine – Santina and Buster Harradine Wedding

I would like to give my personal thanks to you all for your help with our conference last week. Everyone I spoke to was very impressed and the event went very smoothly indeed despite the last minute changes. You have great team at Downing and you were all a pleasure to work with. I couldn’t have asked for more. Ross Duncan, Cambridge Quantum Event, December 2021

My wife, Sally, and I attended my nephew’s wedding at Downing last weekend and we just wanted to thank you and all the staff at Downing for facilitating a fabulous event. From our arrival at the Porter’s lodge to all aspects of the accommodation and the professionalism of all the catering staff, we could not have received a warmer welcome or attended more memorable wedding. Noelle and Robert looked at quite a few (!) venues when planning their wedding and clearly struck gold when they found you and Downing College; we shall be singing your praises to all who will listen. Please do pass on our thanks to all the staff concerned, notably the Porters and your excellent kitchen and bar staff. Rob Brookman - Wedding Guest

A fantastic meeting room/location, exactly what I was after Adele Scrivener, Millers' Music

On behalf of the RTPI East of England, I would like to thank everyone at Downing College for all your help and assistance at our conference. Everything ran like clockwork, thanks to the professionalism and enthusiasm of all those involved on the day. Tina Palmer,RTPI East of England

Wedding Package

Some of the inclusions of the Wedding Package

Exclusive Hire of the Main Hall, Fellows Lawn & Senior Combination Room
2 glasses of Sparkling Wine and soft drinks per guest
Four Course Wedding Breakfast with Coffee & Petit Fours served in our beautiful Hall
Half a bottle of College Own Label Wine, per person
Still & Sparkling Water throughout the Reception and Meal
One Glass of Champagne for the Toast
Silver Wedding Cake Stand and Knife, choice of Round or Square
PA System for Speeches in the Hall
College Crested Menu Cards, Place Name Cards, and Event Signage
Candelabra’s, White Linen Tablecloths and Napkins
Croquet Garden Games Set
Fellows’ Guest Room with Breakfast included on the night
On site Complimentary Car Parking for Guests (Subject to Availability)

Top Table and Sprigs

Top Table and Sprigs layout seats 150 guests

Top Table and Herringbone

Herringbone and Top Table layout seats 124 guests

Thank you so much for this weekend - it was the best day of our lives, and we are so grateful for everything you have done. Your team were fantastic - we managed to say thank you and goodbye to Reuben before we left, but could you please pass on our thanks again to him and to Sarah, both of whom were incredible. Our guests were blown away by everything, and it was exactly as we had hoped it would be! Abigail & Michael - Bride and Groom

Everything was amazing and you and your team have been superb ever since we had our first meeting all those months ago. Please thank everyone concerned - Pavel and the theatre team, Chef, Amelia, the office, servers and kitchen staff, porters, household teams and others too numerous to mention. We will not hesitate to recommend Downing as a venue - indeed many of our Cambridge friends didn't know you existed - but DO NOW!! The venue, weather and ambience were magical - thank you so much. Maggie and Ray Hill

Vikesh and I had the most incredible day on 3rd September - we got to enjoy every minute of the wedding and honestly will never forget it. All of the staff, especially Sarah, were really fantastic - helpful, accommodating and polite - and we wanted to thank them for making this day run so smoothly for us. Please could you also pass on our HUGE thank you to Chef Steve - the food was SO delicious and everyone was so complimentary on how beautiful it looked but also how unbelievably tasty it all was. Finally, thank YOU for everything you have done over the last few months to make our wedding absolutely perfect! You have been so lovely to work with, and have made wedding planning a breeze. To have been able to have our wedding in the place where we first met and studied was so special, and we are really grateful to you for helping us make it happen. Bhavna Ramachandram, The Bride

Firstly, a huge thanks to you and Lorna, we had the best day ever on Saturday. It couldn’t have been any more perfect and we are really grateful for all your help making the day possible! Maria and Agustin, Bride and Groom

Everyone was so kind and considerate. The guests were very happy and we couldn't be happier! You really made our wedding truly special. It was wonderful and we couldn't have done it without you all. Nicola & Qiming Liu – Bride & Groom

Thank you so much for your help and effort in making our wedding such a fantastic day. It all ran so smoothly (despite a protest!) and we had an amazing time. The only downside was it went far too quickly, we'd love to do it again! It was great working with you in the run up to the event - you kept us on track and thought about details we would have never considered. The team on the day were incredibly professional and organised, in particular Emilia, and the food was delicious - many of our guests have commented on this. Our day was everything we could have dreamt of and more, so thank you again! Lots of love, Fran and Charlie Fran and Charlie Greenway

Dining Package

Our Gala Dinners include silverware, candelabras, table linen as standard, as well as the personal addition of menu cards and signage created for your event.

We offer a wide variety of dishes including meat, vegetarian and fish options for you to choose from.

Sprigs and Top Table

Top Table and Sprigs layout seating 150 guests

Herringbone and Top Table

Herringbone and Top Table layout out seating 124 guests

Excellent food and table beautifully set up. Was a huge success - would definitely use again. Elizabeth Tofrias, Faculty of Education

We wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your catering team for the excellent dinner that was prepared for our event last Thursday evening. The room looked amazing and the staff were so attentive and the food was probably the best we have had at such an event. Everything worked well and thank you for your efforts with the table plan, seating cards and arrangements, we were very grateful. Julie Housden

I wanted to say what a wonderful day we had on the day of The Wedding Celebration. The whole day passed absolutely smoothly and we could just enjoy it all together. We had to all think very hard to come up with a few thoughts as to what would have possibly made things any better, but really the day was perfect. The wedding ‘package’ was excellent and the staff really knew what was happening at every moment. We have still been receiving thank yous from the guests, and they have all mentioned the absolutely delicious meal. Every course was perfectly prepared and presented, and we all know that getting scallops and beef to be perfect on the plate can be a challenge when cooking at home! Doing it for 120 is unbelievable. Thank you for your excellent and regular help with requests, enquiries and miscellaneous communications. You did a superb job keeping us informed at all stages and smoothing over all the additions and subtractions to the plan. I am sure there are many unsung heroes - housekeeping, gardening, porters, etc. - but of course they all contributed to such a memorable and happy day. Please pass on our thanks. Jane Sterling - Mother of the Bride

Jane and I want to say an enormous "thank you" to you for organising a wonderful event over the weekend. Every single part of the weekend went well: The Battcock Lodge rooms are lovely, and it was really great for us all to have our “own” corridor with such wonderful views. Our room and its balcony were fantastic (even if it was a tad wet outside on the balcony) The Porters, Neil and Rob were - as Downing Porters always are - friendly, professional, helpful and really added value to our weekend - special thanks to Neil for opening the Howard Gate early, just for us, as we walked down to the Granta for punting on Sunday morning! Frank and the catering team on Saturday were really great - and the food was excellent (which I was pleased to be able to say to Frank on Sunday morning). The dishes were well sized, tasty and innovative. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Jane and John Golding, 60th Birthday Celebration

I wanted to say a huge thank you for organising and facilitating such a wonderful evening for us at Downing. The staff were so friendly, and the food and wine were delicious. Jack - you made my life so easy on the night, and you could not have been more helpful. I will definitely be recommending Downing for future events! Robert Harle, University of Cambridge

Thank you all very much for organising such a superb lunch on Saturday. Everything went so smoothly - the food was great, wine excellent and the organisation quietly unobtrusive, but very effective. We have received many compliments on the quality of the venue and the lunch. Barrie and Sue Hunt

The event went smoothly. Everyone was amazed at the quality of the accommodation and the dinner was a very memorable occasion with delicious food. Nicky Merry, Arts Travel

I don't quite know how to thank you and all of the staff at Downing. To say our European Hoot was a complete and utter success is an understatement. From Porters to Bar Staff and everyone in between they could not have tried harder to please. The ladies were blown away with the venue itself, then having everyone at Downing going that extra mile, how could we not host a successful event. Saturday morning breakfast was delicious, the Grace Howard room lent itself for the meet and greet.In the evening pre drinks, especially the purple rain cocktail... perfect with canapes adding that extra touch. Then to be gonged for dinner and lead into the candle lite Hall it was breathtaking. Vivan, Red Hat Bees of Bardwell