One of Kent's most historic event venues has officially reopened following a £3.8 million restoration, with the beautifully restored Commissioner's House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham welcoming bookings for corporate events, private celebrations and weddings.

Originally built in 1704 for the Commissioner of the Royal Dockyard, the Grade I listed mansion is the oldest surviving naval residence of its kind in Britain. Following an 18-month restoration project, the building has been carefully preserved while being transformed into a modern events venue that blends over 300 years of history with contemporary facilities.

A key feature of the redevelopment is the addition of a striking new Orangery. Flooded with natural daylight and opening directly onto the private terrace and gardens, the new space has been designed to accommodate larger receptions, gala dinners, networking events and celebrations, increasing the venue's overall capacity to 200 guests.

The restoration has also brought previously inaccessible areas of the building back into use, creating additional event spaces while preserving many of the property's original architectural features and uncovering fascinating historical artefacts during the renovation. Set within the wider Historic Dockyard estate, the venue combines heritage surroundings with in-house catering and modern event facilities, making it suitable for everything from board meetings and conferences to private dining and exclusive hire events.

What This Means for Event Organisers

The reopening of Commissioner's House provides event organisers with another distinctive heritage venue in the South East. Combining historic Georgian architecture with contemporary event facilities, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces and a brand-new Orangery, the venue offers a memorable setting for conferences, networking events, gala dinners, private celebrations and corporate hospitality, all within the unique surroundings of The Historic Dockyard Chatham.