Sometimes a change of scene and a break from the constant bustle of the capital is exactly what you need, particularly for something like a corporate away day. Below you will find some of our favourite venues suited to just such an occasion.
Found in Essex, just an hour outside London and therefore still easily reached from the city itself, Chalkney Water Meadows is a unique festival and glamping site that is absolutely perfect for getting out into the fresh air for team building exercises and suchlike. Hog roasts, pizza ovens and real ale ensure that the catering is taken care of once everyone works up an appetite. You can invite as many as 200 guests and they shouldn’t struggle to get there as the nearest tube station, Marks Tey, is a mere 6 minutes away.
Millbridge Court has a great choice of bright, airy and modern spaces at your disposal, including event space, a bar, a lounge and even 7 boutique bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms – perfect for guests who are travelling from far and wide. Surrounded by picturesque gardens and set within a rural Surrey setting, this is a tranquil venue that feels a world away from the city centre. Conveniently however, both Guilford and Farnham train stations are within easy reach.
Set within the beautiful Stanmer Park, Proud Country House feels like a proper escape, and yet it’s just a stone’s throw from the centre of Brighton, with 2 nearby rail links that are both reachable in around 10 minutes, meaning it really is the ideal compromise between country seclusion and urban convenience. The vast capacity of 1000 keeps your options well and truly open when it comes to planning activities and forming the guest list.
For those in search of something totally different, Raven’s Ait is an opportunity that should not be passed up. This enchanting island on the Thames gives you all the tranquillity of the countryside, with water surrounding you on all sides, and yet you remain close to all the amenities that you would expect from London. Only accessible via the venue’s own private boat, your guests (of whom you can invite as many as 400) will know they’re in for something special from the moment they arrive.