One of Britain’s most important maritime sites, The Commissioner’s House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set to reopen this July following a remarkable £3.5 million restoration, unveiling a refined heritage destination for corporate events and celebrations.
A grand mansion built in 1704 for the Commissioner of the Royal Dockyard, the house is the oldest intact naval example of its kind in Great Britain. The extensive renovation has sensitively transformed the property into a flexible, design-led venue, seamlessly blending original architectural details with modern event functionality whilst maintaining its elegance and charm across both indoor and outdoor spaces.
The venue now offers 12 distinctive indoor event rooms alongside an expansive garden with private terrace, accommodating everything from small private meetings to team building, conferences and receptions for up to 120 delegates, with outdoor capacity reaching 200 attendees.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the splendid new Orangery, a light-filled, contemporary space designed to host larger gatherings. Positioned within the Commissioner’s House grounds, it connects seamlessly to the terrace increasing overall event capacity and enhancing the flow of the venue, making it ideal for breakout sessions, networking and summer receptions.
The restoration has also unlocked the previously unused second floor, introducing four additional meeting spaces. These include three boardrooms equipped with the latest AV facilities including Samsung QET professional displays and Yealink integrated video conferencing technology, alongside an informal lounge-style room designed for more private discussions.
Catering has been reimagined and is delivered in-house under the direction of Head Chef Dan Austin. Menus focus on seasonal, local Kent produce and cater for daytime or evening event formats from working lunches and conference dining to banquets and outdoor BBQ experiences. The menus have been designed to re-establish The Commissioner’s House as one of the region’s most distinctive and sought-after hospitality venues for considered events.
Olivia Horner, director of commercial and operations at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, said:?
“The Commissioner’s House has been transformed into a unique venue for gathering, in keeping with its 322-year tradition of being a place where guests are welcomed, decisions are made and stories are shared.
“Throughout the renovation, several remarkable historical features were uncovered, offering a deeper glimpse into the building’s past and helping to shape how it has been thoughtfully restored today.
“We have carefully preserved its character and charm alongside the introduction of contemporary capabilities to create a menu of impressive meeting spaces where connection and shared experiences take centre stage, just as they always have done.”
Set within the wider landscape of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, The Commissioner’s House can stand alone as a private venue or be combined with the Dockyard’s many event spaces to create truly bespoke experiences rooted in heritage and brought to life with modern hospitality.
For more information on booking The Commissioner’s House for your corporate event, please contact ch-events@chdt.org.uk.
