Strange London places for hire

It's not just the Beckhams splashing their cash. Yoko Ono blew a reported £150,000 to rent a digital billboard on the Piccadilly lights, which urged us to "Imagine all the people living life in peace".

But if these sound like rich man's games, think again. On closer inspection, many are options available to shallower London pockets, albeit still at a price. In fact, there are plenty of locations throughout the capital just waiting to be transformed into your own personal party space. Here is a selection:

Aldwych Station, The Strand, WC2

Have you got a train to catch? An old offshoot of the Piccadilly Line, Aldwych station closed in 1994 but can now be booked for parties, oneoff pop happenings and film shoots by those with the stamina for the 119 steps that take you down to this blast from the past.

Call 020 7222 5600 for details

London Eye, SE1

Crane your neck and you might be able to see what Leo Blair is having for his supper. Bookable after 8pm (until 30 April), after 10pm (May-Sept); the minimum booking of 10 of the 32 capsules costs £3,500, at 25 people per capsule (20 if champagne is being served on board). Hiring the whole thing costs £10,000, which includes a cocktail reception in County Hall.

Call: 0870 500 0600 (www.londoneye.com)

London Zoo, Regent's Park, NW1

Thumb your nose at an alligator while knocking back the champers. In addition to two restaurants, five of the animal houses are bookable for cocktail receptions, at £550 each, excluding food, drink and security.

Call: 020 7449 6381 (www.londonzoo.co.uk)

Madame Tussaud's, Marylebone Road, NW1

Try to work out who's real and who's wax after one Sea Breeze too many. The museum is bookable out of hours from 7-11pm. Options include the Garden Party ("where guests can enjoy cocktails, canapÈs and even dinner in the company of sport, television and film personalities"; er, they're made of wax), and Premiere Nights ("sip champagne and mingle amongst a host of A-list celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brad Pitt"). Lay out £7,250 and it buys 350 of you a reception and dinner in the Garden Party and Grand Hall. Call: 020 7487 0224 (www. madametussauds.com)

The Undercroft at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1

Get lost in one of the dark passageways - and hope that someone finds you. Built in 1846 as a steam-engine repair and turning shed, the central circular space is encircled by a vaulted corridor, off which run 24 arched passageways like the spokes of a wheel. Anything from 100 to 500 guests can book it; rates are negotiable.

Call: 020 7424 9991 (www.roundhouse.org.uk)

The Sanctuary, 12 Floral Street, WC2

Bookable after 7pm Mon/Tue, by a maximum of 200 people, at £450 per hour excluding drink/food. This traditionally women-only beauty centre will take a unisex booking if the party is restricted to the koi carp lounge and restaurant. For groups of women only, a minimum of 40 can use the facilities, including saunas, pools and relaxation chairs, but not have treatments. Call: 08700 630300 (www.thesanctuary.co.uk)

The Screen Cinemas

These traditionally arthouse cinemas can all be hired, out of hours, for a one-off film showing. Rates are negotiable; catering can either be provided by the cinema or brought in by the bookers. The cost rises steeply if you want to book the cinema for a whole evening, though this does occur. Screen on Baker Street, W1 (capacity 100); Screen on the Green, N1 (capacity

300); Screen on the Hill, NW3 (capacity 339). Call: 020 7242 5523

Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1

One of several options, the Rex Whistler restaurant, with the artist's famous 1925 mural stretching the length of one wall, can be booked by a maximum of 80 people for £2,800 for a buffet or sit-down dinner. Other possibilities include the new Manton Entrance (600 capacity/£5,400) and Room 15 (400 capacity/£5,400), which is full of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Call: 020 7887 8008 (www.tate.org.uk)

Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, SE1

Quaff bubbly while the rush hour builds up below you. A heady 140ft above the Thames, a covered walkway and dining area can be hired by up to 100 for dinner, up to 250 for a reception: £2,500 books you the first four hours.

Call: 020 7407 9222 (www.towerbridge.org.uk)