With 89 venues working with us here at Unique Venues of London, it’s no surprise that there’s an abundance of stunning architectural features to be seen. So, this week we’ve proudly gathered together some of the most impressive staircases in London.
The Queen’s House, Greenwich contains the famed Tulip Stairs, a delicate spiral stairway that ascends up through the building, beneath a glass lantern. The first centrally unsupported spiral stair in Britain, each tread is cantilevered from the wall and supported by the stair below. It was used by members of the royal family until 1805, when George III granted the Queen’s House to a charity for the orphans of seamen, called the Royal Naval Asylum. This remained until 1933, when the school moved to Suffolk. It was taken over by the National Maritime Museum in 1934. Not only a great spot for the tourists to get their selfie, but a romantic spot for wedding couples to capture the day.
The breathtaking mahogany staircase at Two Temple Place creates the perfect ‘wow’ factor for any event. The stairs are adorned with carvings of celebrated literary figures including characters from The Three Musketeers, William Astor’s favourite novel, as well as four stunning friezes depicting famous Shakespearean plays. Guests marvel at the spectacular stained glass ceiling that crowns the staircase, flooding the unique marble floor with natural daylight as they discover the secrets of one of central London’s ‘hidden gems’.
The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
The sleek, sweeping staircase of the Underglobe brings guests into the dramatic event space. With the life-sized model of an Oak Tree at the foot of the steps, it’s an enchanting feature of the room and can even be used as the focal point of a wedding – a number of couples have made their vows on the staircase itself.
If you’re looking for your event to have an entrance with a wow factor then look no further than The Tanks Foyer at Tate Modern. Entering through the Blavatnik Building Entrance, guests will make their way down the stunning concrete spiral staircase before emerging into the iconic Tanks Foyer – the perfect space to entertain friends, staff or clients.
The enchanting Mosaic Terrace at the National Gallery, with stunning architecture, a soaring domed ceiling and beautiful mosaic floors, is full of drama and intriguing detail. Start your event by ascending these iconic stairs straight from Trafalgar Square as you enter one of the best loved art galleries in the world. With many more treasures waiting inside, this unforgettable entrance is only the first opportunity to impress your guests at the National Gallery, but by incorporating a dramatic setting for their arrival you can ensure that your guests will be captivated from the very start.