RCP London Events hosted the third edition of its annual Secret Garden Fest in early July, welcoming clients, suppliers and industry partners to an evening of summer celebration at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
Held in the venue’s historic Medicinal Garden and adjoining spaces, the event brought together over 130 guests for an experience designed to showcase the venue’s capabilities, seasonal catering and newly refurbished facilities. A key theme of this year’s gathering was the connection between place, people and purpose.
A focus on local tastes
Guests were treated to live catering from RCP London Events’ F&B partner Company of Cooks, including freshly made pizza served from an outdoor wood-fired oven, paella and street food-style treats. A strong focus on local and independent suppliers shaped the food and drink offering, with products from REAL Sparkling Tea, Two Tribes Brewery, Hackney Gelato, and Luminary Bakery on hand throughout the evening.
The venue’s Secret Garden Bar served a selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives inspired by the surrounding planting schemes.
Entertainment and innovation
Entertainment included live music, interactive food and drink stations, and eco-glitter designs from The Glitter Bar.
Guests were invited to explore the venue’s Medicinal Garden – home to over 1,000 plants linked to the history of medicine. Staff from the RCP’s museum and gardening teams hosted interactive experiences, including a ‘guess the herb’ game, inspired by recipes found in the organisation’s extensive archives and rare book collections.
Inside the building, the AV and production team delivered an immersive light and sound installation in the Seligman Theatre, designed to demonstrate the venue’s technical infrastructure and storytelling potential. The recently refurbished Wolfson Theatre was also on show, having been redesigned with neurodiversity, accessibility, and sustainability in mind. The space has since won Gold for Best Theatre-Style Venue (up to 500 people) at the Conference & Events Awards 2025.
More than an event
Secret Garden Fest has become an annual fixture for the events team at RCP London Events, blending networking with a showcase of the venue’s spaces and ethos.
However, the venue was keen on making sure this year’s showcase was more than just an event. Secret Garden Fest had to make a difference. Funds and awareness were raised on the night for UK education charity Action Tutoring, which provides free English and maths tuition to disadvantaged young people.
Making environmental choices was also key. Thanks to a partnership with First Mile, the bamboo baskets used to serve food on the night were treated and collected to become nutrient-rich compost. Bunting and decorations embellishing the garden was hired and made from repurposed textiles, whilst the flowers dotted around were freshly picked from the Medicinal Garden and composted following the event.
