Park Hall Community hall

Regular Hirer Availablity

The following times are available for hiring on a regular basis.

Charges are: Monday to Friday before 6:00pm - £23 per hour.

If you are interested in any of this availability, please contact Heather Scott on Tel: 01582 463664 or email: heather.scott@harpenden.gov.uk.

Managed by Harpenden Town Council, Park Hall is the ideal venue for all types of functions including wedding receptions, dinner/dances, children's parties, craft fairs, sales and exhibitions. Many clubs hold their meetings in the hall and several dance and exercise classes take place weekly. The hall is decorated annually to keep it to the highest possible standard. Located opposite Harpenden Common and adjoining Rothamsted Park it provides exceptional photographic opportunities for wedding receptions, christenings, etc.

The main hall is 36' x 33' (10m x 11m) and can hold 155 people for a standing reception, 85 for a Dinner Dance and 110 for a seated meeting. The hall is on one level throughout making it fully accessible to wheelchair users and it also boasts a disabled toilet with baby changing facilities. We suggest you have no more than 100 guests for a disco or formal dinner. It is non-smoking throughout. The hall is licensed for entertainment but does not hold an alcohol licence (you can serve alcohol but you cannot sell it) or have a bar. Outside bars can be brought in as well as a disco or other entertainment if required. 

The professionally furnished kitchen has direct access to the hall and is equipped with six gas rings, large oven, urn, freezer, fridge, warming cupboards, microwave, adequate sinks and preparation tables. There are also 80 cups, saucers and side plates, 60 beakers, 5 jugs for juice and approximately 80 knives, forks and teaspoons. The hirer must provide all other crockery, cutlery utensils and wine glasses. Portable staging is available for hire for a small fee of £20.00. This can be used for receptions, plays, etc or to raise speakers or a band. The hall has an induction loop for hearing aid users and there is also a projector and screen and a microphone available.

The Hall offers private, secure parking for 2 cars in the weekday daytime and 15 cars during the evening and at weekends.

*Park Hall also has free Wi-Fi access* 

Approximate charges (community) for Park Hall are as follows:

• Sunday - Thursday before 6.00pm - £21.00 per hour
• Friday & Saturday before 6.00pm - £26.00 per hour
• 6.00pm - 12 midnight, party on Friday/Saturday - £245.00
• 6.00pm - 1.00am party, on Friday/Saturday - £277.50
• 9.00am - 12 midnight, all day wedding reception on Saturday - £479.00

Commerical charges are:

• Monday - Friday before 6.00pm - £22.50 per hour
• Monday - Thursday after 6.00pm - £23.50 per hour
• Friday after 6.00pm - £32.50 per hour

Please note:

• 15th - 18th birthdays are not permitted in Park Hall due to licence restrictions.
• A separate bond fee (£100) is taken for all evening bookings against any damage or extra cleaning above and beyond what is expected, which is reimbursed if no problems occur.
• There is a cancellation policy in place for all confirmed bookings in the hall. This policy can be viewed here. 

The Booking Guide for the hall which goes into more detail can be viewed here.

For further details or to arrange a viewing of the hall please telephone Heather Scott on Tel: 01582 463664 or you can complete the online Park Hall Enquiry Form here. 

Background Information

Originally built in 1850 as a school, Park Hall was for many years allowed to deteriorate and consequently, its use as a community use building was diminished. In 1988 there was a proposal to demolish it and to sell the land, but because of its historic importance to Harpenden, this proposal was rejected and instead the District Council placed a Conservation Order on the building and in 1994 Harpenden Town Council secured a 99-year lease for it to be used as a community hall. Park Hall was opened by the Right Honourable Peter Lilley, M.P. Secretary of State for Social Security, on the 8th October 1994. The hall is now managed by Harpenden Town Council and is licensed for music and dancing, plays and cinematographic performances.

Regular Hirers & Activities