Lime Venue Portfolio has expanded its collection with the addition of Rugby School in Warwickshire, reflecting growing demand from organisers for immersive, self-contained campus-style environments that combine heritage, outdoor space and residential capability.
The 400-acre site, located just 50 minutes by train from London, offers planners a setting that blends landmark architecture with contemporary event infrastructure – a combination increasingly sought after for leadership conferences, residential courses and large-scale gatherings.
As the birthplace of rugby football, the school is home to a number of architecturally significant buildings and event spaces. The Temple Speech Room, with its Corinthian pillars and capacity for up to 700 theatre-style, provides a high-impact setting for conferences, concerts and product launches. The historic Old Big School, 250-seat Macready Theatre, Foxcroft Lecture Theatre and Science Atrium (120 capacity), Collingwood Hall and Collingwood Board Room offer additional flexibility across plenary, breakout and board-level formats.
Extensive outdoor space, including sports fields and open terrain, allows for exhibitions, team building, marquees and experiential activations. The Close — the historic pitch where William Webb Ellis first ran with the ball in 1823 — is also available for high-profile outdoor events.
Catering across the campus is delivered by Lodestone House, Rugby School’s professional hospitality partner and part of Compass Group UK & Ireland. Lodestone House provides tailored event catering ranging from canapés and formal private dining to street food concepts for outdoor activations, ensuring organisers can align food and beverage provision with the tone and objectives of their event.
The school offers traditional boarding house accommodation during school holidays, making it particularly well suited to residential conferences, training programmes and large group events requiring delegates to stay on site.
The addition comes at a time when campus venues are seeing renewed interest from organisers seeking contained environments that support collaboration, networking and extended dwell time. For Lime Venue Portfolio, it also strengthens an already expanding presence in the convention and exhibition market.
Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio, said: “Rugby School is one of the most recognisable educational institutions in the UK, with a heritage and atmosphere that immediately elevates any event. Campus venues with plenty of outdoor space are increasingly attractive to organisers who want focus, flexibility and a sense of place, alongside modern facilities that support contemporary event delivery. This move broadens our Midlands footprint and enhances the choice available to planners looking for something distinctive yet practical.”
Rachel Watson, Commercial Business Development Manager at Rugby School, added: “Our campus provides a rare combination of history, space and modern infrastructure. From the Temple Speech Room to The Close, organisers can create events that feel both prestigious and immersive. Working with Lime Venue Portfolio allows us to reach a wider audience of conference and exhibition organisers seeking a memorable setting.”
To find out more about Rugby School, visit Lime Venue Portfolio’s website here.
