Kent Event Centre

Detling

Conference and exhibition centre
1 / 3
Up to 3,000
people
9
meeting rooms
On site
parking

In short

Kent Event Centre at Kent Showground, Detling, near Maidstone, is Kent's largest conference and exhibition venue, with 7,000 square metres indoors and 200 acres outdoors. The Clive Emson Hall seats 1,200 theatre style, the Brachers Building covers 3,000 square metres, and six meeting rooms hold 8 to 100.

At a glance

  • 7,000m² indoor space; 200 acres outdoors
  • Clive Emson Hall: 1,200 theatre, 900 dinner
  • Brachers Building: 3,000m²
  • Meeting rooms for 8 to 100
  • Commercial kitchen catering for up to 900

About the venue

Kent Event Centre, at Kent Showground in Detling, describes itself as the largest and most flexible conference and exhibition venue in Kent. It has 7,000m² of indoor space and 200 acres outdoors.

It suits everything from a 12-person meeting to trade shows, conferences and gala dinners for hundreds.

Halls

  • Clive Emson Hall: 1,700m² clear-span hall, 48m by 36m with a 6m ceiling. Up to 1,200 theatre, 900 reception, 900 dinner or 600 cabaret.
  • John Hendry Pavilion: 1,752m², for 800 to 1,700.
  • The Brachers Building: 3,000m², for 50 to 3,000.

Meeting rooms

  • Astor Pavilion: 151m², for 30 to 100
  • Cornwallis: 110m², for 24 to 80
  • Detling: 80m², for 20 to 60
  • Bredhurst and Chilham: 60m² each, for 20 to 60
  • Stockbury: 20m², for 8 to 16

Facilities in the Clive Emson Hall

  • Carpeted hall with underfloor power
  • Cargo doors 5m high for loading
  • Commercial kitchen catering for up to 900
  • Platform lift to first-floor meeting rooms and accessible toilets

Parking

Hard-standing parking for 100 cars outside the Clive Emson Hall, including disabled bays, with grass overflow parking.

Good for

  • Exhibitions and trade fairs
  • Large conferences
  • Awards dinners and gala events
  • Team building and away days

Booking

Call 01622 630975 or email info@kenteventcentre.co.uk.

Rooms and capacity

Clive Emson Hall

Size (m²)
1700
Theatre
1200
Cabaret
600
Dinner
900
Reception
900
Notes
48m x 36m; 6m ceiling; cargo doors 5m

John Hendry Pavilion

Size (m²)
1752
Notes
800 to 1,700

The Brachers Building

Size (m²)
3000
Notes
50 to 3,000

Astor Pavilion

Size (m²)
151
Notes
30 to 100

Cornwallis

Size (m²)
110
Notes
24 to 80

Detling

Size (m²)
80
Notes
20 to 60

Bredhurst

Size (m²)
60
Notes
20 to 60

Chilham

Size (m²)
60
Notes
20 to 60

Stockbury

Size (m²)
20
Notes
8 to 16

Capacities are the maximum for each layout. Check numbers with the venue when you enquire.

Facilities

  • Parking (100 hard-standing spaces at Clive Emson Hall plus overflow)
  • Catering (kitchen for 900)
  • Step-free access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Breakout spaces
  • Accommodation
  • Outdoor space (200 acres)
  • Leisure or spa

Location and travel

Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3JF

Kent Showground, Detling, near Maidstone

Detling

Open in Google Maps

Accessibility

Full disabled access in Clive Emson Hall, platform lift, accessible toilets

Frequently asked questions

How big is Kent Event Centre?

It has 7,000 square metres of indoor space and 200 acres outdoors.

What is the largest hall at Kent Event Centre?

The Brachers Building at 3,000 square metres. The Clive Emson Hall seats 1,200 theatre style.

Does Kent Event Centre have small meeting rooms?

Yes, six rooms for between 8 and 100 people.

Is there parking at Kent Event Centre?

Yes. There is hard-standing parking for 100 cars by the Clive Emson Hall, with grass overflow.

Can Kent Event Centre cater for large events?

Yes, its commercial kitchen caters for up to 900.

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Details checked 8 November 2026

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