Few cities can boast as many royal palaces as London. We have Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, and The Banqueting House to name but a few. These extraordinary buildings have witnessed lavish celebrations for hundreds of years and now they are available for you to enjoy. If you're looking for the ultimate venue, there is a choice of magnificent rooms that can accommodate anything from 15 to 500 guests.

The palaces were created to host events on a grand scale. Hampton Court Palace was a particular favourite, and would have hosted the biggest festive parties. New Year celebrations were the main focus rather than Christmas, still regarded as a religious anniversary and spent mostly in prayer. Each magnificent room carries the individual stamp of the monarch who lived there, so if you're planning a big event then the Great Hall could be the perfect answer.

Set in 60 beautiful acres by the Thames, Christmas Day at the palace would have begun with religious celebrations and worship, followed by fanfares and dances to the music of sackbut, shawm and bagpipe, as well as slapstick comedy throughout the State Apartments. There is no finer setting in which to recreate a Tudor Christmas for your corporate function this Christmas, and to be part of an illustrious tradition.

Kensington Palace is best known as being the birthplace of Queen Victoria, and of course it was the Victorians who made Christmas the familiar festive season we know today, with Christmas trees, and presents, etc. You can choose from intimate drinks receptions in elegant Saloons to grand events in the magnificent State Apartments and Queen Anne's Orangery.

Perhaps the most iconic of palaces is The Tower of London, where the most significant Christmas celebrations would have taken place throughout the Norman and medieval periods, when it was occupied by the monarch and royal family. Courtiers would have joined the royal family in the Royal Apartments to celebrate with music, feasting and games. Founded nearly one thousand years ago, it offers an extraordinary venue for events. Your guests can admire the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders can act as escorts, and you could have the ultimate Christmas function within the splendid tower walls.

So if you are planning a unique Christmas party this year why not consider a traditional Tudor Christmas at Hampton Court Palace, a classic medieval Christmas at the Tower Of London or a customary Victorian Christmas at Kensington Palace. Enjoy dining in the same banqueting halls which have witnessed the feasting and festivities of royalty throughout history.

Hampton Court Palace, which still has dates available throughout the festive season, is seeing many bookings for the "Garden Room and Palace" opportunity. This allows companies to have a prestigious reception and/or dinner in the magnificent surroundings within the palace, and then move to the Garden Room for dinner/dancing until 1am - the ultimate corporate function!

But the royal palaces pride themselves on providing truly bespoke corporate entertaining, and today you can enjoy some unique and unforgettable events. How about using the ice-rink at Hampton Court Palace, where companies can exclusively book the rink for an informal skating reception, followed by mulled wine and canapés in the Tudor kitchens. Clearly an option for companies searching for corporate events with a difference.

Overall, it is key these days to have diversity and flexibility for any function, from a private dinner for 12 to a staff Christmas lunch, from corporate ice-skating and informal dinners to grand banquets in the Great Hall.

Ultimately, as Historic Royal Palaces is a charity, any company holding their event at one of the venues will directly help to conserve the palaces for future generations.