Bletchley Park is easy to get to by road or rail:
• Bletchley train station is a short walk from Bletchley Park’s entrance and has direct trains to and from London Euston, with a journey time of around 45 minutes
• Bletchley Park is in easy reach of the M1, the A5 and the A421 by car
• Free parking is available on site
There is step free access to all buildings on site, except Block A which has a wheelchair lift.
With ornate décor, including a stunning gilded ceiling and historic wood panelling, the Ballroom is a beautiful space to hold atmospheric events and meetings.
This room adjoins the Billiard Room, which is used for circulation and catering.
Capacity
Banquet / Cabaret style: 55
Boardroom style: 20
Screen and lectern available
History
The Ballroom was added to the original layout of the house by Sir Herbert Leon in the 1880s. During World War Two it first housed Teleprinter machines before the Recreational Club took over the room in 1942 to host events, including film screenings.
The Ballroom appeared in the film The Imitation Game, a fictionalised version of Alan Turing’s life at Bletchley Park.
With large windows providing plenty of natural light, the Billiard Room is used as support space to the Ballroom, and where catering is served.
The Billiard Room is part of the original house as bought by the Leon family in 1883, although alterations were made to the ceiling to make it similar to a medieval banqueting hall. During WW2 the Communications Section was based in this room and the neighbouring Ballroom until 1942, when it was then used by the Codebreakers for recreational activities.
An annexe was built on the south side of the Billiard Room during WW2 to house a telephone exchange, which has since been demolished.
The elegant Dining Room brings an air of period luxury to any gathering, whether meeting or dinner. The large windows overlooking the grounds offer natural light, while the white wood panelling and Victorian fireplace delivers a hint of charming sophistication.
Capacity
Banquet style: 50
Cabaret style: 50
Screen and lectern available
History
At the start of WW2, the Dining Room housed the Military Section of the Government Code and Cypher School. After the huts were built to provide more space and the Codebreakers moved out, the room was then used by staff as a Dining Room until the end of the war.
The Head of the Military Section throughout WW2 was Col. John Tiltman, who went on to reach the rank of Brigadier. He then became Assistant Director of GCHQ, the successor to GC&CS.
The Ground Floor reception rooms (Ballroom, Billiard Room and Dining Room) can be used together out-of-hours for drinks or canapé reception, with the additional circulation space of the Hall and Ante Room.
Capacity
Up to 200 people across all spaces
ENTRANCE
RECEPTION
Our brand-new purpose-built Fellowship Auditorium can seat up to 250 delegates with comfortable tiered seating and is perfect for presentations, talks, seminars and lectures.
The auditorium contains a comprehensive state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video system, with broadcast capabilities over an internet connection for hybrid events. The system is designed to facilitate events of varying complexity, including self-operated presentations.
Block E, where the auditorium is situated, was built in 1943 and was the only block devoted entirely to communications at Bletchley Park during World War Two. Sections working here handled incoming and outgoing messages, encryption using machines such as Typex, and the distribution of material throughout the organisation.
The Morse code found on the side of the auditorium building reads: BLETCHLEY PARK GOVERNMENT CODE AND CYPHER SCHOOL 1938 1946
The adjoining Radley Room can be used for breakout opportunities, or to support activities in the auditorium such as serving refreshments.
Capacity
Up to 175 delegates depending on the style of event. Please contact us for more information.
History
The Radley Room was known as the Secret Cable Room, or the Secret Cypher Office, during World War Two. It was where cryptographic equipment was used to protect communications going to and from the USA over cable.
The Radley Room is named after William Gordon Radley, the leader of the team at the General Post Office Research Station. He was responsible for overseeing the support from the GPO to the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. This included the Bombe machine programme and the work of Tommy Flowers on Colossus, the world’s first large-scale electronic digital computer.
ENQUIRIES
01908 640404
venuehire@bletchleypark.org.uk
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
The Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity. We rely on income from visitors and upon the generous support provided by individual donors, companies, trusts and foundations. This support enables us to safeguard our historic site and buildings, deliver our awardwinning learning programme, and share the inspiring story of the Codebreakers with visitors of all ages.
Bletchley Park Trust Limited Company No 2730618. Registered Charity 1012743. Bletchley Park Company Limited Company No 2723470.
Museum opening hours are between 9.30 and 17.00 (16.00 March to November). Out of hours events can be arranged.
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