Metropolitan Bushey
A large multi-purpose Hertfordshire venue combining event spaces, sports grounds, community facilities, and outdoor hire opportunities close to Watford and the M1.
About Metropolitan Bushey
Metropolitan Bushey is a not-for-profit events and sports venue set across 36 acres in Bushey, near Watford. Originally built in 1967 by and for the Metropolitan Police as a sports and social club, the venue now welcomes everyone. It combines four function rooms with football pitches, cricket grounds, padel courts, a bowls green, a gym, bars, outdoor event space, and flexible function rooms ranging from a self-set-up studio through to a 300-capacity Ballroom.
The venue is particularly strong for community-focused events, conferences with parking, celebrations, sports-linked gatherings, and flexible private hire close to the M1 and M25. It offers up to 300 guests in the Ballroom and up to 700 total indoor capacity across the venue.
Why bookers choose Metropolitan Bushey
Large grounds and parking make logistics easy
The venue sits within 36 acres and includes 200 standard parking spaces, with overflow parking for 400+ additional vehicles on the adjacent sports fields. This is unusual for venues this close to Watford and the M1, and it makes the venue especially attractive for conferences, sports events, and larger celebrations where guest parking matters. Parking is monitored by an ANPR camera system, and spaces are not guaranteed for events unless pre-arranged and paid for in advance.
It offers both indoor and outdoor flexibility
Buyers can combine function rooms with patios, gardens, and outdoor sports grounds. The venue actively promotes grounds hire for festivals, concerts, team-building activities, and sports events.
Four function rooms support different event formats
The venue offers four function rooms ranging from a 300-capacity Ballroom through to a flexible dry-hire Studio, making it adaptable for both corporate and private use. It also offers a separate Masonic Temple for specialist private hire.
Strong value positioning for conferences and meetings
The venue positions itself on packages to suit every budget, with day delegate rates aimed at being accessible compared with many conference venues in Hertfordshire, particularly given the parking and catering options. Specific rates should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Weddings are flexible and outside caterers are welcomed
The Ballroom and the Glindon Room are licensed for civil ceremonies (confirm with venue), and the venue permits external catering, which can be particularly appealing for multicultural weddings and bespoke celebrations.
Spaces
The Ballroom
A large multi-purpose event hall for weddings, conferences, and celebrations.
The Ballroom is the venue's largest function room and supports conferences, large dinners, weddings, award ceremonies, galas, corporate functions, and charity events. It features a large stage, dedicated bar, dedicated toilets, and views across the grounds. The room is licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies and can operate across multiple layouts depending on event format.
Built-in screen and audio for hire, stage, variable lighting, dedicated fully stocked bar, private toilets, air conditioning, prep kitchen for dry hire catering, dance floor and Wi-Fi. Detailed projector and screen specifications should be confirmed with the venue.
The Aldenham
A social event space with a private bar overlooking the grounds.
The Aldenham combines booth seating, private bar access, and views across the grounds, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for celebrations, drinks receptions, and networking events. The venue references it as suitable for birthdays, weddings or drinks receptions, anniversaries, charity, networking, and team-building events.
Fully stocked bar, booth seating, DJ booth, dance floor, disco ball, variable lighting and Wi-Fi.
The Glindon
A flexible private function room with patio and garden outlook.
The Glindon is a private function room suited to both private and business events, combining a stage and bar with a private patio and outdoor seating overlooking the garden. The private patio and self-contained layout work well for more informal gatherings and networking-focused events. The room is also referenced as licensed for civil ceremonies (confirm with venue).
Bar, stage, private patio with outdoor seating and Wi-Fi. Air conditioning to confirm with venue.
The Studio
A bright, flexible dry-hire room for classes, parties, and meetings.
The Studio is hired flexibly by the hour as a self-set-up dry-hire space, with affordable three-hour packages that include catering for children's parties, baby showers, and gender-reveal celebrations. It is commonly used for classes, clubs, meetings, and presentations.
Self-set-up dry hire space with Wi-Fi. Further fixtures and AV to confirm with venue.
Masonic Temple
A specialist lodge space within the venue grounds.
The Masonic Temple is a Hertfordshire Freemason lodge available for private hire.
All spaces at a glance
| Space | Best for | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| The Ballroom | Weddings, Conferences | 300 reception standing |
| The Aldenham | Birthday parties, Drinks receptions | 120 reception standing |
| The Glindon | Parties, Dinners | 120 guests |
| The Studio | Children's parties, Fitness classes | 60 guests |
| Masonic Temple | Masonic events, Specialist private hire | Confirm with venue |
Facilities & amenities
Catering
Approach
The venue offers in-house catering alongside flexibility for external caterers. It references catering for weddings, conferences, children's parties, baby showers, and celebrations, and Monty's Bar & Kitchen offers all-day breakfasts, Sunday roasts, and afternoon teas. Detailed catering menu styles should be confirmed directly with the venue.
External caterers
Outside caterers are welcomed for weddings and private events.
Bars
Fully stocked dedicated bars in the principal event spaces. Monty's Bar & Kitchen is open to the public daily from 9am.
Dietary
Allergen and dietary information should be requested directly from the venue.
Is it right for your event?
Great for
- Weddings
- Conferences and training
- Community events
- Sports-related functions
- Team building
- Parties and celebrations
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Barmitzvahs and Batmitzvahs
- Outdoor festivals and fairs
- Networking events
Less suited to
- Luxury five-star hospitality events
- Large-scale city-centre conferences requiring rail-first access
- High-production concerts needing arena-level infrastructure
- Events requiring detailed published accessibility specifications
- Ultra-modern design-led launches
Accessibility
The venue publishes an accessibility page, but detailed operational accessibility guidance was not fully confirmed in this review. Buyers should confirm lift access, step-free routes within event spaces, hearing loop availability, and accessible bathroom arrangements directly with the venue before booking.
Weddings
Ceremonies
Metropolitan Bushey is licensed for civil ceremonies and offers wedding packages ranging from intimate celebrations through to large seated receptions. The Ballroom is licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies and seats up to 250 without a dancefloor. The Glindon Room is also referenced as licensed for civil ceremonies, which should be confirmed with the venue.
Scale
The Ballroom holds up to 300 standing, 250 seated without a dancefloor and 200 seated with a dancefloor.
Notes
Wedding inclusions referenced include civil ceremony licensing in the Ballroom and the Glindon Room (confirm with venue), outdoor photo opportunities across the grounds, a dedicated Ballroom bar, evening reception options and external catering flexibility. Outside caterers are welcomed, which can be particularly appealing for multicultural weddings and bespoke celebrations. Wedding package names and inclusions should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Location & getting there
Metropolitan Bushey is located on Aldenham Road in Bushey, close to Watford and major motorway routes.
Sustainability
Metropolitan Bushey operates as a not-for-profit organisation and positions itself as a community-focused venue supporting sports clubs, local associations, and community groups. Formal environmental or sustainability policies are not currently published on the website. Confirm with the venue.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The venue offers four function rooms, free Wi-Fi, flexible catering, and 200 standard parking spaces with overflow available.
Yes. The 36-acre grounds can be hired for outdoor events, team building, concerts, festivals, and sports-related activities.
Yes. The venue welcomes outside caterers for weddings and private events.
Yes. The venue has 200 standard ANPR-monitored parking spaces, with overflow parking for 400+ additional vehicles on the adjacent sports fields. Spaces are not guaranteed for events unless pre-arranged and paid for in advance.
The Ballroom is the venue's largest and most fully equipped event space, with capacity up to 300 standing and 250 theatre-style.
Yes. The Ballroom is licensed for civil weddings and partnership ceremonies. The Glindon Room is also referenced as licensed for civil ceremonies (confirm with venue).