An away day is a very effective day to help your staff relax together, perhaps recharging their batteries after a hectic work period or a heavy conference. Luckily, if you are looking to motivate your team with a corporate team bonding day out, or an away day to thank them for their efforts, there’s no need to stray too far from London.
In terms of activity options for your perfect away day, there’s plenty on offer. Whether you go for traditional country pursuits like archery or clay pigeon shooting, have a motoring adventure or organise a treasure hunt, the important thing is for the team to work together in an out-of-office environment that helps them bond, strengthen their communications and form valuable relationships.
The key to a successful team outing is finding the right venue for your company’s needs. We have suggested 5 venues in London for company away days that might just strike the perfect balance between fun and work.
Mercedes Benz World, Surrey
If you have any petrol heads in your team, this venue will definitely make their eyes light up. The home of Mercedes Benz UK, Mercedes Benz World is a huge complex with a car showroom, restaurant, shopping facilities and a Mercedes museum. Crucially, it has a test track that can be booked for experiencing a number of different Mercedes cars, either as a driver or passenger and to have a look into the Mercedes Benz engines.
With impressive buildings and extensive grounds, there’s versatile space for exhibitions and conferences, with plenty of luxury meeting venues and state-of-the-art IT and AV facilities. Situated next door to the famous Brooklands race track, the venue has bespoke events packages that cater for parties from 8 – 500 people and a dedicated corporate hospitality team that will go the extra mile!
Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire
Fancy a day at the races? The world famous Ascot Racecourse provides ample opportunities for a range of team building and motivational activities. Open spaces include the Parade Ring, Silver Ring and Old Paddock, while the triple decker marquee overlooking the saddling boxes must surely be the ultimate venue for a glittering summer ball for 500-1800 guests.
Indoors, there’s fine dining in the Parade Ring Restaurant, while the recently upgraded Pavilion has a capacity for 1,770 delegates for conferences and exhibitions as well as private functions. Overall, Ascot Racecourse has facilities for conference and training events from 10 to 3,000 people in over 300 meeting rooms equipped with cutting edge technology, all set in 179 acres of beautiful parkland.
No Man’s Fort, Hampshire
Welcome to one of the UK’s most secluded and unique venues – a manmade island in The Solent! With a fascinating military history going back over 150 years, No Man’s Fort is a venue like no other. Set just off the coast of Portsmouth, it’s the perfect place for a showstopping banquet or hospitality event.
The venue is packed to the rafters with amazing facilities, including leading edge conference facilities, fine dining, a spa, rooftop hot tubs and 2 helipads. Team building activities include RIB rides and sea kayaking, and a laser games labyrinth in the basement.
Look up at the sky through the glass roof in the atrium and admire the dramatic seascape through floor to ceiling windows, while you wow your clients or motivate your team of up to 200 people. For an extraordinary venue for your corporate event – whether you’re after peace and quiet to define your corporate strategy, celebrate a product launch or boost team morale with a sea-based away day, this is the venue that pushes the boat out!
Stanmer House, Sussex
A beautiful 18th century manor house set amongst acres of glorious woodland and parkland in the South Downs, just 10 minutes from Brighton, Stanmer House has recently been restored to its former glory and now encompasses stylish and contemporary design.
The stunning venue is the perfect place to get away from it all, and offers a wide range of conference and meeting facilities, with rooms accommodating up to 50 people, fine dining, roaring fires in the winter and outdoor spaces in the summer. It is also a popular luxury wedding venue.
Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club & Spa, Essex
For the ultimate away day for your team, Five Lakes Hotel near Colchester has it all. The Crown Plaza Resort is set in 320 acres of Essex countryside, you will find some of the finest sports and leisure facilities in South East England including a spa, pool and leisure club and 2 fabulous 18-course golf courses.
For business meetings and training events, there’s a choice of up-to-the minute executive meeting rooms and suites to suit all requirements, as well as purpose built arena for up to 2,500 delegates for a range of big events.