Venue Hire

 

The Wilberforce Institute is based in a renovated historic house, Oriel Chambers, conveniently located in Hull’s Museums Quarter. It has excellent modern facilities, designed and furnished to a high specification to suit a wide range of users.

As a venue, the institute is ideal for conferences, meetings, seminars, and all manner of functions. There are facilities for up to 110 delegates in two lecture theatres.

There is also a separate reception desk for registration, and additional space for plenary and parallel workshops. IT facilities include audio-visual equipment, PowerPoint, overhead projector, video conferencing facilities and full internet access.

The Institute is a 10 minute walk from the central railway station and neighbours Wilberforce House (birthplace of William Wilberforce), Mandela Gardens, and the Hull and East Riding Streetlife Museum. Within walking distance are the Deep, Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Maritime Museum, Hull History Centre and many other attractions.

Oriel Chambers history 

Built in 1879 to the designs of William Botterill & Son. It is a brick building with tile and terracotta detail, with dormers and shaped gables. It takes its name from the oriel window on the first floor, the window that stands proud of the façade.

 

William Botterill (1820-1903) was the leading architect of mid-Victorian Hull. He was an active Wesleyan and acted as the architect of numerous chapels in Hull, the East Riding and in Lincolnshire. He also designed many houses, banks, offices and industrial buildings in Hull and was responsible for laying out the Newland Park Estate in 1877. His son William Henry Botterill (1851-79) was a partner with his father until his early death. Botterill took his former pupil John Bilson (1856-1943), the architectural historian and architect of Hymers College, as his partner in 1881.

The Craven family in  early censuses had been housekeepers. By the 1901 Census the building was uninhabited and merely defined as offices. Trade directories state Corn and  timber merchants, marine surveyors, ship owners and wharfingers as trading from the building.

WISE is home to a growing library and archive of books and materials relating to slavery past and present. These are primarily intended for students and academics, but subject to negotiation access may be possible to other users. We welcome sponsorship for purchasing new acquisitions to the library and archive.

Rooms are available for booking throughout the year, including term time. For additional information, please contact r.bloomfield@hull.ac.uk , or call +44 (0) 1482 305176.

Catering

Please ask for further details.

Access

Oriel Chambers public entrance is found via Mandela Gardens and has full disabled access.

Parking

Parking on Lowgate (short stay) and Clarence Street across Drypool Bridge (long stay) are only a few minutes from the Institute. Disabled parking can be arranged with Oriel Chambers, please contact WISE prior to arrival.

Transport

Direct connections to Hull Paragon Interchange depart from Manchester, Leeds, York, and London stations on a regular basis. Taxis are available on the station forecourt.

 

A printable PDF of our facilities can be accessed here.

If you require assistance please contact r.bloomfield@hull.ac.uk , or call  01482 305176.