The House of St Barnabas - A venue description

Entrance Hall & Staircase
The exterior and entrance hall of The House of St. Barnabas-in-Soho are relatively simple for the period (1746), revealing little of the ornate interior. The stone doorcase and the iron bolt, chain and lock on the wooden door, original to the house, are rather sophisticated for the period. The simplicity of the ground floor entrance hall is a deliberate device to attract visitors' attention to the richly decorated upper-stage of the staircase and ceiling.

Historic Rooms
The interior of the House has ornate panelling and mouldings and is a beautiful example of English rococo style.

The Council Room
The largest of the three Historic Rooms, the Council Room, was originally the Withdrawing Room of the house. The shuttered windows offer views over Soho Square and Greek Street. The ceiling is the most celebrated feature of the room. In each corner is a profile, antique head representing the four seasons. The central plaque depicts four putti among stylised clouds, holding emblems symbolising the four elements: earth, water, fire and air. The room contains a beautiful copy of the original fireplace, sold in 1864 to raise money for the charity. The over-mantle, dating from 1754, is original to The House.

The Withdrawing Room
The Withdrawing Room, overlooking Soho Square, is lined with silk wall-covering and has the original fireplace and over-mantle. The Withdrawing Room is perfect for pre-dinner cocktails, as a bar area for larger receptions or for smaller meetings. A door connects the Withdrawing Room directly to the Council Room, creating a suite of rooms appropriate for larger events.

The Records Room
Originally the main bedroom of the house, the Records' Room has rich, high-quality wood carvings and panelling and original fireplace and over-mantle. The Records' Room is ideal for intimate dinners or meetings. For larger receptions or events, the Records' Room becomes an integral part of the suite.

The Chapel
The exquisite, small Chapel adjoining The House and garden was built 1862 to 1864. Considerable war damage and subsequent restoration has resulted in a charming mixture of styles lending itself to beautiful candlelit events such as classical recitals, rehearsals, lectures and wedding blessings (the Chapel does not have a wedding licence).

The Square
Overlooking Soho Square

History of The House
The House of St. Barnabas-in-Soho, originally the home of Richard Beckford, is the second house on the site. The first was built in 1683 as the London home for Lord Crewe. In 1743, London builder John Smithers bought and demolished the house with the intention of rebuilding it, but went bankrupt and the site stood empty for three years. The existing building was erected in 1746, but was merely a shell with no internal doors, plasterwork, or balustrade to the staircase until 1754 when Richard Beckford bought it. Beckford was the youngest son of an immensely rich family of Jamaican planters who grew and exported sugar, rum, and molasses to England and was also a former member of parliament for Bristol. His older brother, Alderman William Beckford, Lord Mayor of London, lived a few yards away at 22 Soho Square. The interior work of the house—the English rococo styled plasterwork, solid wooden doors, elaborate ceilings and decorated fireplaces—was completed by Beckford between October and December of 1754.

After Beckford’s death in 1756, the House was bought by wealthy Surrey landowner, Sir James Colebroke, who lived here until his death in 1761, when George Cruickshanks, a Hertfordshire gentleman, acquired it. He in turn sold it in 1766 to William Mowbray. Following Mowbray’s death in 1808, the house stood empty for three years as Soho was no longer fashionable. In May 1811, the Westminster Commissioners of Works for Sewers (later known as the Metropolitan Board of Works) took over the property as their offices for the next fifty years, until 1861. They were responsible for the planning and implementation of the sewage system for central London.

By Tube
The House of St. Barnabas-in-Soho is accessible via the Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus, or Leicester Square underground stations.

From Tottenham Court Road:
Take the Oxford Street exit. Turn left and walk along Oxford Street. Take the first turning on the left, Soho Street, leading into Soho Square. Keep to the left side of the square and walk round, crossing Sutton Row (St. Patrick’s church on the corner). Greek Street is the next road you come to. The House of St. Barnabas is on the corner of Greek Street and Soho Square.

From Piccadilly Circus:
Take exit 4 and walk along Shaftesbury Avenue almost as far as Cambridge Circus. Greek Street is the last turning on the left before Cambridge Circus. The House of St. Barnabas is the last building on the right hand side of Greek Street on the corner of Soho Square.

From Leicester Square:
Take the Charing Cross Road exit. Walk up the hill along Charing Cross Road to Cambridge Circus, with Les Miserables on the corner. Turn left onto Moor Street and then right on Greek Street. The House of St. Barnabas-in-Soho is the last building on the right on the corner of Greek Street and Soho Square.

By Bus:
The House of St. Barnabas-in-Soho is also accessible via the bus. Take the number 8, 10, 25, 55, 73, 98, or 176 along Oxford Street or 14, 19, 29, or 38 along Charing Cross Road/Shaftesbury Avenue to Tottenham Court Road.

Hire Rates:
Fees vary depending on requirements for individual events. Standard fees for bookings are from £400 for day events and £600 for evening events.

These rates are based on room hire only. They do not include catering, themed dressing, security or staff.

The historic rooms are available for day use between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Set up for evening events is at 5:30 p.m. (earlier access negotiable). Evening events must end by 11:30 p.m. to clear and lock the rooms by 12:00 midnight. Day Rates from £400 (9:00 – 5:00 p.m.) Evening Rates from £600 (6:00 – 11:30 p.m.)

Room Dimensions & Capacity
Together, the Historic Rooms, comprising the Council Room, Withdrawing Room and Records Room, can hold up to 120 people for a cocktail canapé reception. For a formal lunch or dinner, the Council Room can accommodate up to 60 people.

Events vary depending on seating style and individual requirements.

Dimensions

The Council Room Approx. area: 536 sq. ft. (28 x 19 ft.) Approx. height: 13 ft.

The Withdrawing Room Approx. area: 336 sq. ft. (21 x 16 ft.) Approx. height: 13 ft.

The Records Room Approx. area: 367 sq. ft. (21 x 18 ft.) Approx. height: 13 ft.

Capacity 120 people cocktail canapé reception 60 seated lunch/dinner 50 theatre style 30 boardroom