Newbury Racecourse leads the pack with its Grandstand spaces accommodating up to 1,000 standing or 550 seated in the Second Floor suite, while the Hampshire Stand handles 300 comfortably. The Post Barn welcomes up to 200 evening guests in its contemporary oak-beamed space, and Newbury Rugby Club's Wickens Suite fits 200 with its own private bar and balcony. Donnington Valley Hotel offers the Cromwell Suite for 150 seated dinners with overnight accommodation for guests. For something different, Arlington Arts Centre's theatre space holds 380 mixed standing and seated, perfect for live music celebrations.
The Post Barn operates on an exclusive-use basis, giving you full run of their architectural space and terraces from ceremony through to carriages. Shaw House offers private hire of its Grade I listed Elizabethan rooms including the atmospheric Great Hall for up to 100 guests. The Newbury Pub lets you take over their entire upstairs including bar and terrace for 65-115 guests, while Slug & Lettuce offers full venue hire for up to 290 standing. For smaller gatherings, Greenham Control Tower provides quirky exclusivity in a Cold War heritage building for up to 60 people.
Community halls like 1st Newbury Scout Hall start from £15 per hour, while Newbury Rugby Club rooms begin at £25+VAT hourly. Mid-range options like town centre pubs typically work on minimum spends from £500-1,500 rather than hire fees. Premium venues vary significantly: The Post Barn's wedding packages start from £8,995 for 60 guests, while Newbury Racecourse's larger suites range from £3,000-8,000 hire fee or £55-85 per person for banquet packages. Donnington Valley Hotel offers complete party packages from £120 per person including dinner and entertainment.
Vue Cinema Newbury transforms into a private screening venue with seven screens available for film parties or gaming tournaments. Greenham Control Tower offers a genuine Cold War relic with its heritage café space for themed celebrations. Corn Exchange combines theatre and party with its 410-seat auditorium plus Balcony Bar, offering everything from private film screenings to children's stage parties from £170. West Berkshire Museum provides cultural sophistication with The Long Room and Cloth Hall for intimate gatherings surrounded by local history.
Newbury Racecourse provides extensive free parking for hundreds of cars, making it stress-free for large gatherings. Donnington Valley Hotel and Donnington Grove both offer substantial on-site parking alongside their party suites. Newbury Rugby Club at Monks Lane has free parking for party guests, as does Newbury & Crookham Golf Club. For town centre celebrations, The Kennet Centre car park serves Vue Cinema, while West Berkshire Museum sits near The Wharf's public parking. Most outlying venues like Park House School and community halls include dedicated parking areas.
The Waterside Centre sits just 5 minutes' walk from Newbury station, offering flexible riverside spaces for celebrations. Vue Cinema in The Kennet Centre is similarly close at 5 minutes, perfect for private screenings. The Newbury Pub on Bartholomew Street takes 6-8 minutes on foot and offers private dining plus upstairs exclusive hire. Corn Exchange in Market Place is 8-10 minutes' walk with its theatre and Balcony Bar options. For race day themed parties, Newbury Racecourse station connects directly to the venue in just 3-5 minutes' walk.
The Post Barn flows seamlessly onto landscaped terraces and lawns, licensed for outdoor celebrations within Donnington Valley's grounds. Lock, Stock & Barrel features a refurbished roof terrace overlooking the Kennet canal, while The Newbury Pub includes a terrace with their upstairs exclusive hire. Newbury Racecourse offers multiple panoramic terraces alongside their suites, and Shaw House provides tranquil grounds around the Elizabethan manor. For active parties, Newbury Rugby Club has outdoor grounds suitable for BBQs and family fun days alongside their function suites.
Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa leads with the 150-capacity Cromwell Suite plus Castle and Greens suites for 50-60, all with 111 bedrooms for overnight guests and packages from £120 per person. Donnington Grove provides a country house setting with ornate rooms and heated marquee option for up to 120 beside their golf course. The Elephant at the Market in Market Place offers boutique inn atmosphere with bookable dining areas for seated celebrations. Each provides full catering, bars and accommodation packages, making them ideal for milestone birthdays or corporate parties where guests travel from afar.
Community venues offer excellent value: 1st Newbury Scout Hall suggests £15 hourly donations, while ACE Space charges £20-35 per hour for their music-friendly hall with bar. School halls like Park House provide large spaces from £30-60 hourly with stage and projection included. Greenham Control Tower offers quirky character at £20-60 per hour depending on space. West Berkshire Museum rooms start from £30 hourly for intimate gatherings. Many pubs like The Bacon Arms or Lock, Stock & Barrel waive hire fees entirely with reasonable minimum spends, typically £300-500 for smaller groups.
Most venues provide in-house catering: Newbury Racecourse offers comprehensive packages through their events team, while The Post Barn includes bespoke menus in their packages from £8,995. Donnington Valley Hotel provides full banquet service from £120 per person, and Newbury Rugby Club offers buffet menus alongside room hire. Pubs like The Newbury and Slug & Lettuce have party platters and set menus from £16-45 per person. Shaw House and community halls allow external caterers, giving you flexibility to bring your preferred suppliers. Corn Exchange even offers party bags at £7 per child for kids' celebrations.