The Members’ Dining Room is the largest and most versatile event venue in the House of Commons. This impressive room is adorned with beautiful flock wallpaper, wooden relief sculptures and fascinating paintings. The ornate Royal Coat of Arms sits proudly above the main entrance signifying the connection of the Monarchy to Parliament. Once intended as a conference room known as the ‘Painted Chamber’, the Members’ Dining Room now provides the perfect space for corporate presentations, dinners and wedding ceremonies; a splendid room with exquisite detailing that is sure to impress your guests.
At one time intended as a conference room and known as the ‘Painted Chamber’ after a room in the medieval Palace, Members’ Dining Room was created in 1871 following demands for more dining facilities. In about 1930 the south wall was removed thus adding the serving room of two bays to the Dining Room. At the same time, the northern section of the room including the north entrance door was partitioned for use as the Chess Room; the ceiling was lowered here, thereby hiding the over-door of the Royal arms. Panelling was reinstated in the dining room, but the fireplace was left in the Chess Room.
The ceiling in the northern section is particularly elaborate and contains carved shields of the three kingdoms and pink and green foliage decoration. The ceiling in the southern section is grained. A small lobby in the centre which once led into the room from the corridor was converted into a serving area; this is now a wine store. The screen was set back into the arch before 1900, and later removed altogether; part of it survives in 1, Parliament Street on the first floor. A new set of cupboards was provided in its place in about 2005.
The walls were to have held fresco paintings, but these were never carried out and hardboard panels were substituted and covered in wallpaper. Over-doors were provided displaying the Royal coat of arms. ‘Kendall of Warwick’ – Thomas H. Kendall (1837-1919) – provided in 1874 the 22 wooden relief sculptures of fish, fowl and fruit.
Own or work here?
