A large group of people are seated and standing in a modern lecture hall, attentively listening to a speaker. The audience spans multiple tiers, with many individuals looking forward and some taking notes.

Before You Leave

Still considering your options? We're here to help. If you have any questions or would like to speak to our team, we’d be happy to assist.

Let’s start a conversation — we’d love to hear from you.

Enquire Now
A minimalist black line drawing of a building above bold black text reading FRIENDS HOUSE and smaller text below reading HOSPITALITY & EVENTS on a light background.
Make a Booking Enquiry
The Light Auditorium at Friends House, one of the premier large event spaces in London, is filled with people seated in tiered rows, facing a stage with speakers at a podium. The room features a high, uniquely designed ceiling and multiple large screens displaying presentation slides.

10 Years of Events at Friends House

Cecilia B Avatar
Kayode Balogun
The auditorium at Friends House, known for hosting large event spaces in London, boasts wooden paneling and a sea of attentive faces. The diverse audience listens intently to the unseen speaker as rows of seats rise toward the back, reminiscent of venues near Kings Cross and London Euston.
A university graduation ceremony unfolds in a large versatile events venue near London Euston & Kings Cross. Graduates in caps and gowns fill the auditorium, while officials in academic robes grace the stage at Friends House, enhanced by colorful lights and a screen displaying "Graduation 2022, University of London.
The LIGHT auditorium at Friends House features tiered seating with rows of green chairs, each draped with a blue tote bag labeled Bloomberg. Wooden accents and a large clock adorn the space, conveniently located near London Euston & Kings Cross.
The Light Auditorium at Friends House, one of the premier large event spaces in London, is filled with people seated in tiered rows, facing a stage with speakers at a podium. The room features a high, uniquely designed ceiling and multiple large screens displaying presentation slides.
The LIGHT auditorium with rows of green cushioned chairs arranged on a wooden floor. The seating extends up the tiered levels, and the ceiling features modern lighting. Large windows allow natural light to enter from the left, making it ideal for large event spaces in London.

This November marks the 10th anniversary of The Light auditorium at Friends House. Over the past decade, our auditorium has become one of the most sought-after event spaces in central London. From conferences to fashion shows, graduations, and most recently, an international chess tournament, we have hosted many amazing events. Let’s look back at its unique history and major transformations.

A legacy of historic gatherings

The Light auditorium was previously known as the large meeting house. Quakers met and worshipped in the space. Dating from 1927, the year Friends House was completed, the space hosted important events and figures throughout the 20th century. Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, Norman Manley or more recently Greta Thunberg all attended and/or led events in the space.

In December 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. attended a reception organised by Bayard Rustin at Friends House. He was on his way to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his leading role in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Bayard Rustin meeting room is named after the Quaker, Civil Rights leader, peace and LGBTQIA+ activist.

Creating The Light, the largest event space in Euston

The large meeting house had very few alterations for about 80 years. Following a growing demand for tech-enabled events, the need for modernization was clear. A major refurbishment project started in 2014 to reimagine the space, creating The Light auditorium. The transformation was led by John Mc Aslan & Partners, who designed a 1,000-seater event space, the largest of its kind in the Euston area. The one-year-long refurbishment focused on accessibility, AV improvements, better light, and more flexible configurations.

The auditorium’s design now includes a stunning skylight in a vaulted roof, the latest AV equipment, and a unique wagon system. The latter offers flexible configurations: cabaret, theatre, banquet, and exhibition. With sustainability in mind, the refurbishment also incorporated existing fabric and materials, consequently blending modernity and heritage. The Light won a RIBA Regional award in 2015 for its innovative design.

The Light auditorium: a decade of success

Since opening in 2014, our auditorium has generated over £7.41 million in sales. As a result, this significantly supported the charity of Quakers in Britain. In 2024 alone, we welcomed thousands of delegates to the auditorium. Now a well-established event space, the auditorium has hosted diverse events, from graduations, conferences, AGMs to fashion shows. The Bloomsbury Publishing Highlights Event and the Tech Mahindra Chess Tournament were some of the major events to take place in The Light recently. Diversifying the events we host, always offering a tailored experience with enhance AV is where we’re taking The Light forward. And it’s working.

Tash Payne, Corporate Communications Manager at Bloomsbury Publishing, organised her company’s event in the Light: “I absolutely love working with the team at Friends House! This year was the second time we’ve hosted Highlights at Friends House because we knew we’d be in incredibly safe hands. The venue is lovely and has a real sense of calm and community about it. The staff are all friendly and helpful and want to do everything they can to make your event a success. It’s very good value for money and everything is done to the highest standard.”

Are you ready to experience The Light? Contact us at events@quaker.org.uk to create your perfect event in our beautiful space or make a booking enquiry.