We are open as usual: Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Contact us:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Venue hire

Bookings now open for our stunning new spaces - Venue Hire Information Pack available now!

Download A Copy Here DEI Venue Hire Information Pack

With our Next Chapter capital works completed, we are pleased to offer our stunning new spaces
for hire. Venue hire provides vital income to help us deliver our charitable causes

Our beautiful rooms are available for hire Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays  (other times upon request).

Please note we require 7 days notice for hire and for larger organisations, a purchase order number.

Upstairs, the two rooms overlooking the Cathedral Green have been merged into one stunning space, opening the room up to its original 1813 layout. We call this The Blue Room.

The cupola has been reinstated and we have uncovered some Georgian niches we didn’t know were there, both of which were boarded over when the room was divided in 1898. The 1970s decor and strip lighting
have been removed, and the striking new lighting scheme, air source heating, and fibre WiFi are a huge improvement. There is a new upstairs lavatory, as well as a service kitchen and a lift providing
access for everyone.

Downstairs, we have three new spaces available to hire: the two front reading rooms – The Green Room and The Parlour – both of which face out onto Cathedral Green and have lots of period features from the early 19th century; and our new Garden Room, which opens out onto our tranquil courtyard garden.

Our Library is available for evening hire for special events, ceremonies, and awards, and can also be offered as a location for filming and photo shoots. Various documentaries and BBC features, including the BBC One TV series ‘Who do you think you are?’, have used our library as a location. We also offer bespoke tours, talks and exhibitions for our guests.

If you’re thinking about hiring us, we welcome and recommend a site visit to discuss your requirements, so that we can arrange the best possible experience for you. There are images of the spaces and a Venue Pack available to download on our website. If you
would like to enquire about a booking, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Please note: The hire of our Venue does not carry with it any implied endorsement from the Institution and the client is not permitted to make any claim for endorsement.

Download A Copy Here DEI Venue Hire Information Pack

New Venue Hire Booking Form

New form for venue hire bookings - post development

Please provide the times for your booking, don't forget to include some time for arrival and leaving. Our rooms are available from 9.30am and we close at 5.00pm. Evening bookings can have access from 5.00pm until 10.00pm.
Please indicate the number of attendees for the event.
Please select which room you would like to book.
Select you preferred set up style. Please note not all styles are available in each room.
Extras
Catering options
If you are having caterers on site, please select use of kitchen. If you are providing you own food or caterers are dropping off pre prepared food and you would like to hire cutlery, crockery or glasses, please select as appropriate.
Accessibility(Required)
As a grade II* listed building not all of our building is accesible. Our Next Chapter project, which will greatly improve accessibility and at the Institution, is well underway. We are proud to have accessible toilets and a lift to the first floor, unfortunately until the development works are completed we aren't able to offer onsite parking to blue badge holders. Our full accessibilty information is available on our website. If you would like any further information, please get in touch.
Please provide any additional information relevant for your booking or ask any questions you have here.
Terms and condititons of hire(Required)
The Devon and Exeter Institution was founded in 1813 and is a Grade II* listed building. The library is of national importance as an intact collection in its original setting and to ensure that its unique and vulnerable nature is protected, we ask that the following hire conditions are adhered to: • All hirers must complete a booking form and agree to the conditions of hire • We reserve the right to refuse any booking that we deem unsuitable, in order to protect the delicate nature of our building and collection, or that does not align with our charitable objects • No furniture or any other item in the building or collection should be moved or handled without prior arrangement • Any damage or breakage occuring must be reported to the staff member onsite and damages must be paid for in full • Hiring hours for meetings are within our working hours 9.30 - 5.00pm weekdays (morning 9.30 - 1.00pm and afternoons 1.30 - 5.00pm). Evening hire events are available between 5.00 - 10.00pm, timings should be specified on the booking form • All catering arrangements must be agreed in advance (including tea/coffees) • If hiring the kitchen for an event it must be left as found - clean and tidy • A non refundable deposit for evening bookings will be payable in order to secure the booking • Invoices will be issued and the balance payment will be due ahead of the booking date.
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