A historic Italianate mansion set within 110 acres, offering elegant meeting spaces, modern facilities and flexible dining for corporate events.
196 Guests
98 Bedrooms
South East
Close to London and Stansted Airport, Down Hall combines countryside tranquillity with practical accessibility for business retreats and conferences.
Sleeps 196 guests in 98 bedrooms
By car
15 minutes from Stansted Airport
45 minutes from central London
Easy access via M11 (Junction 7)
By train
10 minutes from Bishop’s Stortford station
40–50 minutes to London Liverpool Street
Whatever the event, make it one to remember with some of the brilliant activities available at Down Hall, including:
For more information, see our Activities & Events page.
Set within 110 acres of woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, Down Hall is a distinguished corporate event venue. Located in Hatfield Heath near Bishop’s Stortford, this historic Italianate mansion is just 45 minutes from central London and close to Stansted Airport, making it a practical choice for business events with guests travelling from across the UK and beyond.
With a history dating back to the 11th century, Down Hall brings together grand interiors, ornate ceilings and abundant natural daylight with the facilities expected of a modern luxury corporate retreat venue. The result is a setting that feels established, polished and highly adaptable for meetings, conferences, private dinners and residential group stays.
Down Hall offers 98 individually designed bedrooms that reflect the elegance and character of the estate. The range includes Classic Rooms, Executive Rooms, Prestige Rooms, Estate Patio Rooms, Estate Family Rooms, Feature Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Suites and a Master Suite, giving organisers flexibility for different group sizes and guest requirements.
Bedrooms are designed to balance comfort with the historic feel of the house, while selected rooms enjoy views across the landscaped gardens. For residential retreats and overnight corporate events, the accommodation supports a relaxed, high-quality stay, with complimentary Wi-Fi and parking included for guests.
Down Hall has 14 private dining and meeting spaces in total, ranging from intimate boardrooms to larger function rooms for up to 200 guests. Within the Main House, four private rooms offer high ceilings, natural daylight, open fireplaces and decorative Edwardian-style doorways, creating a formal yet welcoming setting for executive meetings, presentations and private dinners.
The West Wing adds a more contemporary option, with refurbished event space, a private entrance, lounge and bar, landscaped garden access and a choice of function rooms suited to conferences and larger group events. The Bridgeman Selwin Suite is the largest space, seating 220 theatre-style, and can host major business gatherings, while Oxford Belcamp (capacity - 160) provides another substantial meeting room with views across the grounds and integrated modern AV.
The estate’s 110 acres are a major part of Down Hall’s appeal for corporate retreats and incentive events. Guests can make use of woodland walks, formal gardens, parkland and a spacious activity field, offering plenty of room for both downtime and organised group experiences. Walking maps are available, helping teams explore the estate at their own pace.
The Terrace provides an attractive alfresco setting overlooking the landscaped gardens and fountain, with comfortable seating, heaters and an outdoor bar that make it suitable across the seasons. Charles’s Garden, a reimagined half-acre outdoor space in the West Wing, adds another strong option for celebrations and corporate gatherings, with a permanent bar, shaded seating, feature lighting and a natural flow into the Bridgeman Suite.
Dining at Down Hall is centred around seasonality, quality and flexibility. The two AA Rosette Garden Room Restaurant serves modern English dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients and produce from the hotel’s own Kitchen Garden. The Fox Bar offers a more relaxed menu of cocktails, wines, beers, champagnes, salads and bar dishes, while the Terrace is well suited to light lunches and drinks with garden views.
For group events, the hotel offers private dining, banqueting menus, buffet options for delegates, BBQ upgrades and street food experiences for larger gatherings. The Woodland Table adds a distinctive outdoor dining option for groups of 20 to 60 guests, set within the historic walled garden and surrounded by the two-acre kitchen garden. This experience includes a welcome cocktail, canapés and a four-course meal built around seasonal ingredients from the estate and trusted local suppliers.
Down Hall is well suited to conferences, leadership retreats, incentive stays, strategy sessions and private corporate celebrations. Organisers can choose between the grandeur of the Main House and the contemporary functionality of the West Wing, allowing the venue to accommodate everything from board-level meetings to large-scale delegate events.
The venue’s event offering is strengthened by its adaptable catering, modern audio visual facilities and extensive grounds for team-building. Activities available on the estate include laser clays, Segway challenges, 4x4 driving experiences and archery. With just under 100 bedrooms, it’s an appealing option for exclusive-use corporate events in Essex that bring teams together for memorable experiences.
Down Hall is located near Bishop’s Stortford, with a selection of well-suited group activities within easy reach. Hatfield Forest offers ancient woodland, open parkland and walking trails, making it ideal for informal team activities and relaxed downtime.
For more structured experiences, Lee Valley Regional Park provides a wide range of outdoor pursuits including cycling, water-based activities and organised team challenges. Nearby, Mountfitchet Castle offers a unique historical setting with its reconstructed medieval village, while Audley End House and Gardens provides expansive grounds and a grand historic backdrop for more relaxed group visits.
With London Stansted Airport just a short drive away, the location also supports straightforward access for national and international delegates, making it particularly convenient for multi-location teams.
By car: Down Hall is located in Hatfield Heath near Bishop’s Stortford, just a short drive from the M11 (Junction 7), providing direct access to London, Cambridge and the wider motorway network. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from London Stansted Airport and around 45 minutes from central London, depending on traffic.
By train: Regular direct services run from London Liverpool Street to Bishop’s Stortford, with journey times of approximately 40 to 50 minutes. From the station, Down Hall is a short taxi journey of around 10 minutes.
Down Hall works particularly well for residential conferences, training programmes and company-wide meetings where accessibility and scale are key. With a wide range of meeting rooms and strong transport links, it is a practical choice for bringing larger teams together without losing the feel of a country house setting.
The venue is well suited to groups from around 30 to 200+ delegates, depending on the format. Larger conferences can take advantage of the main event spaces, while smaller leadership groups can use more private rooms within the house.
The standout space is the Bridgeman Selwin Suite, accommodating up to 220 theatre-style, 119 cabaret or 105 classroom, making it ideal for conferences, product launches and large presentations. Alongside this, there is a mix of smaller meeting rooms, allowing for breakout sessions and multi-stream programmes.
The estate is located on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, around 45 minutes from central London and close to Stansted Airport. This makes it particularly convenient for international arrivals and London-based teams, while still offering a quieter setting once on site.
Exclusive use is less typical here than at private estates, but can work for larger bookings or where privacy is important. Most corporate groups operate effectively without full exclusivity, using dedicated meeting areas and accommodation to maintain separation.
The property is split between the Mansion House and the West Wing. The Mansion House does not have a lift, with rooms accessed via stairs. The West Wing does have lift access to all floors, along with ground floor and accessible bedrooms, making it the more practical option for guests with mobility requirements.
Yes. There are six Type 2 EV charging points located in the main car park near the spa, available for guest use.
A small number of rooms are pet-friendly, with a charge of £20 per night, including a dog bed, bowl and treats. Dogs are welcome in lounges and outdoor terrace areas, but not in the main restaurant. The grounds are well suited for walking, with some rooms offering direct outdoor access.
While there is no swimming pool included as standard, guests have access to a gym, sauna, steam room and tennis courts. The Eden Spa can be booked separately, with access to hydrotherapy pools and relaxation areas available for an additional fee.
To ask a question, check availability or book this venue, fill in the enquiry form or call us on 020 4587 9292.
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