HMS President

History The Ball Room The Gun Room The Ward Room The President Suite Board Rooms

Open Air Decks Quarter Deck And Front Deck Exclusive Events Mouth-watering Cuisine Weddings Location

History

HMS President is an Anchusa class corvette of the Royal Navy, completed in 1918. She was originally named HMS Saxifrage, from the Saxifrage genus of plants which includes the variety London Pride and has been permanently moored at Victoria Embankment for over 80 years.

Commissioned as a 'Q' Ship (or Mystery Ship), she was originally part of the flower class built in World War 1 and was known as Saxifrage (The pride of London). Saxifrage was built in Renfrew, part of a small class of convoy protection ships built to look like merchant ships for use as Q-ships in World War I. Disguised as a merchant ship, she was designed to attract German U boats that she would then try and destroy with hidden weapons. HMS President is listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

The Ball Room

This magnificent spacious room is unique amongst Thames river venues in that it offers 2500 square feet without columns.

This room was originally the Drill Hall, used by the RNR and RNVR when the ship was part of the Royal Navy fleet.

Elements of this rich heritage have been retained, such as the hammock hooks, the gun racks and the original parquet flooring. The room is a spacious 2500 sq foot. with no columns, making it a remarkably versatile and unusual space on the Thames. Floor to ceiling south facing windows look directly out over the Thames creating an idyllic sunrise to sunset backdrop.

The versatility and adaptability of this spectacular room makes it perfect for formal dinners, weddings or conferences, as well as being the venue that you and your friends will never forget.

This floor can hold up to 350 guests, with a maximum of 210 for a sit-down formal dinner.

The Gun Room

With a large bar and access to the Quarter Deck, the gun room offers panoramic views of the city, Tate Modern and the South Bank

The Gun Room and the Quarterdeck are usually both included in the hire of the Ballroom. The Gun Room has large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Thames and a full service bar. The thousand square foot Quarterdeck offers panoramic views of the City of London, the Tate Modern and The South Bank and is the ideal location for informal outdoor buffets, barbeques or drinks reception.

 

 

The Ward Room

Retains much of the original character of the Officer's Mess with a fully equipped bar and an annexe for dancing or syndicate meeting area.

Originally the Officers' Mess, the Ward Room has retained much of its original character and is the ideal space to host receptions, dinners, meetings, product launches, etc for parties of up to 120 guests.

The Ward Room has a fully equipped bar, and an annexe which can be used for dancing or as a syndicate meeting area.

Large windows provide the room with natural daylight, and offer excellent views of the river and its ever-changing scenery. For the warmer days, the Quarterdeck can be accessed from the Ward Room via an external staircase.

The President Suite

The newly-opened area at the front of the ship, comprising a large meeting room linked to a bar with breathtaking views.

The President Suite is an exciting, newly-opened area at the front of the ship, comprising a large meeting room on the main deck, linked by a staircase to a bar on the upper deck.

The bar has large windows and offers breathtaking views up-river, as well as access to the fore deck.

The décor in this area is modern and stylish, making it the ideal self-contained venue for holding conferences, meetings, parties and any other event where something different is required.

Board Rooms

We have a variety of rooms available for hire for 10 - 20 delegates. These can be supplied with full audio visual and conference equipment.

HMS President (1918) also offers small Training / Meeting rooms for between 8 and 20 people. Hire prices are available on request.

Open Air Decks

From our decks you can view most of London’s famous landmarks views. Heaters and canopy provided in winter.

Reflect London's vibrant surroundings on one of our open air decks; from our decks you can view most of London's famous landmarks. Our decks are ideal for summer corporate BBQ's, formal summer alfresco dining, family celebrations or just a wonderful way to start your evening with your guests enjoying Champagne and canapÈs before dinner is served.

Beat the smoking ban for your guests: Smoking is permitted on all our decks - heaters and canopy provided in winter.

Quarter Deck And Front Deck

Give your guests a unique open air experience; invite them to dine outside with 360 degree panoramic views of London. HMS President's open air decks are ideal for alfresco dining, whether it is a formally seated lunch or dinner with full table service or one of our succulent BBQ menus, it will give your guests a dining experience they will never forget. You can choose between the Front and the Quarter Deck. Both spaces boost amazing views of the river surrounded by London's famous landmarks such as the London Eye, South Bank, The Gherkin & Tate Modern. While having a glass of champagne your guest can enjoy the sunset and our mouth-watering cuisine.

We can also provide any styles of marquee for London's temperamental weather - ideal for your London wedding reception.

Exclusive Events

We can provide you with a full event planning service and can help your event come alive with props, dÈcor and a touch of magic.

Mouth-watering Cuisine

We pride ourselves on fresh quality catering of the highest standards. Whether you are getting married, want to impress your delegates with an exotic menu, director's luncheon, breakfast meeting, product launches or provide food that will bring your theme alive - we guarantee to impress you with our cuisine.

Let us take all the worries from you, and leave you to enjoy your event.

We take inspiration from each season for the ingredients of our cuisine. Our succulent menus should satisfy even the most discerning palate. The menus we offer are only a guide; our chefs are very experienced and can design your meal to perfection. Our speciality is to create and design a menu that will suit the flavours and themes to make your event special.

Listed below are a few themes that we have provided. Ask for further details today.

Mexican Fiesta, Night in Havana, Moulin Rouge, School Disco, Arabian Nights, Molls & Mobsters, Venetian Masked Ball, 5 Continents, James Bond, 50's rock around the clock, Country Western Buckaroo Party, 60's 70's flashback retro, Everything BBQ, Mardi Gras...

We can also arrange discos, jazz bands, look-a-like entertainers and, for the really bold, high speed boat trips on the Thames.

Conferences

Tailor make your own conferences and away days

• Arrange your your corporate conference around our unique venue.
• We can accommodate up to 200 delegates.
• An event tailored to your requirements.
• Flip charts, video/data projection systems plus full wireless broadband internet connections.
• Catering to suit your needs, from full silver service to finger buffet (minimum numbers may apply).
• An Ideal venue to take your employees or colleagues out of the work environment.
• Entertainment and activities can be arranged.
• Local accommodation can be arranged.
• Colour schemes and corporate backdrop and staging arranged.
• Break-out seminar rooms available.

 

Weddings

Fabulous wedding location.

HMS President (1918) is moored amidst some of London's most famous landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, the London Eye, the Southbank and the National Theatre. She boasts breathtaking river views which make the perfect backdrop for any wedding reception. Whether your reception is formal or fun, intimate or grand, HMS President is a stunning location for your special day.

We can collect your wedding party at any central London pier, and bring you and your guests by river to our venue.

Our adept & original in-house team are devoted in creating events which are as unique and varied as our clients.

Sample package below:

Wedding Package

• Exclusive Upper Deck hire
• Personalised directional signs
• Changing Room for the Bride and Groom
• Secure storage areas for presents
• Secured Cloakroom
• Event Co-ordinator
• All staffing and service
• 1 glass sparkling wine per guest on arrival inc. soft drinks
• 3 course seated dinner
• Half bottle of house wine per guest
• Table layout and diagrams
• Linen table cloths
• Fresh flowers arrangements in the reception areas
• PA system for speeches

Location:

The President is moored right in the heart of the City of London, on the Victoria Embankment. Alongside the ship are the Inns of Court, on the opposite bank are the OXO Tower, The National Theatre, The Tate Modern, The London Eye, and the re-created Globe Theatre, St Paul's Cathedral, Somerset House and Fleet Street are a short walk.

Nearest Tube stations are Blackfriars (exit 7), Temple, (District or Circle lines), all a 5 minute walk.

Nearest mainline stations are Blackfriars Mainline and Thameslink.

Or if in doubt, simply look in any London street map where you will find us listed.

Parking

Parking is very easy in the side roads opposite the boat; Temple Avenue or John Carpenter Street. You can't access these from the Embankment directly as they are no entry, so turn left at Blackfriars roundabout and then take either of the next two lefts and effectively drive until you are opposite the boat and park in either Temple Avenue or John Carpenter Street.

Please note that you can park in Solo Motorcycle bays every day. Cars can park on Saturday after 1.30pm and all day Sunday free of charge.