Bath corporate event management - planned and produced by a team that knows the city
Based around 30 minutes from central Bath we're a corporate events company that's been delivering events in the city for over 20 years. We've planned and produced many events at venues across the city for clients including Christmas in the Assembly Rooms, Theme Parties in The Pavillion and fun days at Bath Racecourse.
Read on to find out what’s special about delivering events in Bath and which formats work particularly well with the locations available.
Talk to us about your Bath event | 01793 772999
-
UK corporate events company since 2001
-
30 minutes from central Bath
-
Safe Contractor accredited
Events delivered in Bath
-
60th birthday at the Guildhall Bath
-
Christmas parties at The Pavillion for Cramer, Bath
-
Spy-Inc team building events around Bath city centre
-
Gala dinner at the Bath Spa Hotel for Profund
-
VIP 60th birthday for Dave Embleton of Cramer in Bath
-
Company country fun day at the Bath racecourse
-
Annual Christmas party for Cramer at the Assembly Rooms, Bath
What makes staging events in Bath different?
In our experience there are three main things that shape how corporate events run in Bath and how it's different from other cities.
Firstly, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which affects vehicle access, for example, for event builds. The city's clean air zone, that's been present since March 2021, charges non-compliant vehicles up to £100 per day in central Bath. Heritage permits are needed for events involving structures or signage or amplified sound near listed buildings. This is solvable - but only if your event team plans for it from week 1.
Secondly, there are several events that take place in Bath on an annual basis and can have an impact on event planning. One of these is the Bath Christmas market that runs from late November to around mid-December and inevitably pushes central venue availability through the floor. Equally, the Bath festival in May has a similar effect on a narrower set of arts venues. Book around these or prepare to pay a premium for event hosting.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Bath suits intimate corporate events well and large outdoor builds badly. Most Bath venues seat 80 to 250 for dinner. So, for events over 400, you're looking at Bath Racecourse or out-of-city options.
What we offer in Bath
Corporate event management
End-to-end planning and production for customer conferences, leadership offsites, AGMs and hospitality days. Bath suits intimate corporate events well, particularly for London-based companies running customer days 90 minutes from Paddington.
Team building events
Half-day and full-day team activities across Bath and the surrounding area, from city-centre treasure hunts using the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent as stops, to country-house activity days at venues 15 minutes from the city.
Theme party organisation
Milestone birthdays, Christmas parties, anniversaries and brand celebrations. Bath's heritage venues lend themselves to themed events few other cities can match. Georgian-themed at the Assembly Rooms. Roman-themed at the Pump Room. Country-house at Combe Grove.
Venue Finding
If you want to run the event yourself but need help finding the right Bath venue, we can shortlist, brief and book on your behalf. We know which venues suit which formats, which have hidden access constraints, and which to avoid in peak season.
Bath venues we know well
A short list of venues we work with regularly, with the kind of characteristics a website tour won't tell you:
Bath city venues and hotels
The Assembly Rooms
Impressive Georgian grandeur. Capacity for about 500 standing or 350 dining across the Ballroom and Tea room. The Octagon works well as a breakout. Heritage venue, this, so listed building constraints apply.
The Pump Room
This is an intimate dinner venue for 120, adjacent to the Roman baths. Kitchen access is tight, so menu complexity is a factor. Ideal central Bath location.
The Roman Baths
The baths offer private evening hire only, after public closing. A drinks reception around the great bath delivers a moment few other UK venues can match. Tightly controlled, though, by venue staff for heritage reasons.
Bath venues you might not know
Apex City of Bath
This is a modern conference venue with a capacity of 300 theatre-style, full AV pre-rigged. The most flexible option for mid-sized customer conferences.
Bath Spa Hotel
A hotel based corporate retreat with residential accommodation on site. Very suitable for two-day exec off-sites. Central Bath location.
Bath Pavilion
Flexible event space close to the city just across the Avon. Ideal location for theme parties, gala dinners, bespoke parties. We have 20 years experience at this venue.
One for the Shortlist near Bath
If none of these would make your short list, then we can probably still help. We've also delivered events at Combe Grove near Bath venues in the last 12 months.
Combe Grove, near Bath
Perfect retreat after the hustle and bustle of the city of Bath. Combe Grove is nestled within 70 acres of woodland overlooking Limpley Stoke Valley and is an ideal corporate retreat for those wanting a wellness-led experience.
What Corporate event formats work well in Bath?
The city is extremely suited to:
-
Customer events and hospitality days - Works very well for London-based companies who want to give clients a memorable day out that’s around 90 minutes from Paddington
-
Executive retreats and leadership offsites - Good location for two or three days at a hotel venue with breakout space
-
Small to mid-sized customer conferences - Venues like the Apex City of Bath for around 250 delegates work very well
-
Awards dinners and recognition events - The Assembly Rooms and Pump Room set a location and tone that's hard to replicate anywhere else
On the other hand, in our experience, Bath doesn't really suit large outdoor festivals, events needing significant production build, or really anything over 400 guests in central venues. For those types of events we recommend Bristol or further afield.
Featured Bath Projects
Client: Dave Embleton, Investor Cramer UK Ltd
60th birthday
We chose the stunning Guildhall in the centre of Bath for this special occasion. Its interior space was perfect for this garden theme party and its ease of access for hotels for guests to book individually, according to budget.
Client: Jerry Crook, CEO Cramer Systems
Annual Christmas Party
Cramer was one of Bath's success stories in telecommunications. Working for Robert Curran and CEO Jerry Crook we ran their annual Christmas party at the Assembly Rooms in Bath. Each year, we transformed this stunning Georgian Jane Eyre-style building into a different theme, utilising its architectural references for every new theme including A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.
Client: Charles Delamain, CEO Profund Systems
Charles Delamain CEO of Profund Systems utilised Planet Pursuits Event Management Services extensively around Bath venues for team building events, company meetings, and corporate fun days. We utilised The Pavilion for parties, the Pump Rooms for intimate shareholder dinner and the Bath Racecourse for summer fun days.
How we approach Bath events
In a nutshell 5 stages, named milestones, one project lead from kick off to debrief
-
Discovery and strategy (1-2 weeks) - What the event needs to achieve for the business
-
Venue design (2-6 weeks) - when you identified and locked in, production design signed off, budget framework agreed
-
Production (the longest phase) - Suppliers, AV, catering, delegates, comms
-
Delivery - Our team on site from the build right through to the takedown
-
Debrief (within 10 working days) -Any survey results, cost reconcile, supplier feedback
"Planet Pursuits were instrumental to our success for a number of years whilst I was the CEO. I cannot thank them enough for helping us develop and build our team"
Jerry Crook, CEO, Cramer Systems UK
Some common questions we've heard about Bath events
How does Bath's Clean Air Zone affect event production?
Vehicles below Euro VI standards (most older vans and HGVs) are charged up to £100 per day in central Bath. For event builds with multiple trips, this adds up. We use compliant vehicles as standard and factor venue access into all build schedules.
What's the best Bath venue for a 200-person corporate conference?
We feel that Apex City of Bath is probably the most flexible option at that size, with a pre rigged main room, breakout space and central location near Bath Spa station. However, the Assembly Rooms can also work as well for a more formal, heritage-led event of about the same size.
Can you organise team building in Bath for groups outside the city?
Yes. Around half our team building work in the Bath area is for companies based in London, Bristol or Reading, using Bath as a day-trip destination. Bath Spa station to London Paddington is 90 minutes direct, which makes Bath an easy reach for a half-day team event.
When should we avoid central Bath for a corporate event?
Certainly, late November to mid-December is definitely worth watching because of the Christmas market. We'd also suggest avoiding the first two weeks of May due to the Bath Festival. In practice, these tend to gobble up central venue availability in the city and push prices up. Outside of these windows then Bath is a strong year-round venue city.
Do you offer venue finding without the full event management service?
Yes. Venue Finding is a standalone service. We shortlist, brief and book the right Bath venue, and you run the event yourself or with a different team. Useful for in-house event teams who know what they're doing but don't have time to call 12 Bath venues.
Can delegates easily get to Bath from London?
Yes, it's pretty straightforward with Bath Spa station to London Paddington offering trains that run around every 30 minutes and take about 90 minutes direct. Most central Bath venues are walking distance from the station. For delegates arriving by air, Bristol airport is 15 miles away which is about 45 minutes by car.
Do you have a favourite venue in Bath?
That's a tricky one, as we've done so many events in Bath. If you're looking for sheer Georgian glamour, then I would choose The Assembly Rooms as it's retained its historical architecture. If you are looking for a flexible event space that you can dress and use as a blank canvas, then I would choose the Pavilion.
Looking for a different city?
If you're planning an event elsewhere, then call us and we can help. Alternatively try these links
-
Newbury events
-
Corporate events hub - if you want to scope by service rather than city
Plan your Bath corporate event
Phone 01793 772999 , email events@planetpursuits.com or click to email us by form
Most discovery calls run to about 20 minutes and you'll leave with a directional budget range, suggested venues and a recommended format - whether or not we end up working together.
