Host at the Lapworth Museum
You don’t often get the chance to enjoy drinks with a dinosaur!
At the Lapworth Museum of Geology, extraordinary events meet billions of years of history, right at the heart of the University of Birmingham campus.
Housed in the Grade II listed Aston Webb Building, this beautiful Edwardian gallery combines grand arched windows, original parquet flooring, and fascinating collections from Earth’s past.
But the building itself has stories to tell. The Main Hall was once an engineering workshop and, during the Second World War, was transformed into an ambulance bay. Look closely, and you can still see the original engineering girders in the space today.
Surrounded by dinosaurs, fossils, and geological treasures, your guests can explore one of the UK’s most outstanding geological collections while enjoying drinks, canapés, celebrations or special occasions. With space for up to 200 guests standing, the Lapworth offers a truly memorable setting where there’s always something to talk about.
The Lapworth Museum is not a typical venue. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Host a lecture on a variety of topics.
Accomodate large crowds for seminars.
Use our space to bring your activities to life.
Day Hire (09:00 – 18:00)
Make your event a little more extraordinary with a different kind of venue at the Lapworth.
From meetings and seminars to guided tours and behind-the-scenes experiences, our flexible day hire options offer something for every occasion. Stand in sunlit galleries surrounded by over 3.5 billion years of Earth’s history, with our resident Allosaurus keeping watch. Whether you’re bringing colleagues together or welcoming guests, the Lapworth offers a setting that is as memorable as the occasion itself.
| Item | Capacity | Internal charge | External charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Room (Seminar Style) + Gallery Access (whole day) | 25 | £200 | £250 |
| Education Room (Meeting Style) + Gallery Access (whole day) | 20 | ||
| Tour of the Galleries | 30 | Free / pay what you may | |
| Tour of the Galleries + Behind the Scenes + Archive | 60 | ||
Available add-ons
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Coffee, Tea & Biscuits (up to 15 Nos) | £2.50 per person |
|
Coffee, Tea & Biscuits (more than 15 Nos) |
as per Food Fellows menu |
| Packed lunches |
Wine and dine underneath a dinosaur.
Wow your guests with our geological showpieces.
Book a private screening for your friends and family.
Evening Hire (18:00 onwards)
From relaxed gatherings to unforgettable evenings, make the Lapworth yours after hours.
As evening falls, our galleries become truly atmospheric for private events. Add colourful lights to transform the space, bringing the collections and dinosaurs back to life after dark.
Whether you’re looking for a fun-filled team game night, a movie under a dinosaur, an engaging seminar, or a more formal celebration, our evening hire options offer something special for every occasion.
| Item | Capacity | Internal charge | External charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Movie Night | 45 | £150 + license fee | £200 + license fee |
| Private Quiz / Game Night | 45 | £150 | £200 |
| Education Room (Seminar Style) + Exclusive Gallery Access | 25 | £300 | £350 |
| Education Room (Meeting Style) + Exclusive Gallery Access | 20 | ||
| Seminar in the Galleries | 50 | £350 | £400 |
| Private Gallery Access | Up to 25 | £50 | £100 |
| 26 - 50 | £100 | £150 | |
| 51 - 100 | £150 | £200 | |
| 101 - 150 | £200 | £250 | |
| 151 - 200 | £250 | £300 | |
| Drinks Reception | up to 200 | Get a quote from Conferences and Events | |
| Drinks Reception (with illumination) | |||
| Formal Dinner | up to 60 | ||
| Formal Dinner (with illumination) | |||
Available add-ons
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Private Tour of the Museum | £5 per person |
| Private Tour of the Museum + Behind the Scenes + Archive | £8 per person |
| Coffee, Tea & Biscuits (up to 15 Nos) | £2.50 per person |
|
Coffee, Tea & Biscuits (more than 15 Nos) |
as per Food Fellows menu |
| Light refreshments / snacks | |
| Packed dinners | |
| Geological mineral / fossil showpieces |
£50 |
| PA system |
£175 / £200 (incl. speakers) |
| Coloured lighting |
£150 (set of six) / £250 (set of twelve) |
| Projector + Screen |
£220 |
| Stage (2m x 4/6/8m) |
£175 - £300 (size-dependent) |
| Education Room |
£150 |