How to Plan a Corporate Retreat: Top Tips on Location & Activities

Let’s be honest – after a few years of remote working, endless Zoom calls, and barely seeing your team in person, it’s no wonder so many companies are turning to corporate retreats. When everyone’s working from different places, it can be hard to stay connected, build strong relationships, or feel like part of the same team.

That’s where a well-planned retreat really makes a difference. It gives your team a chance to step away from their screens, spend real time together, and actually talk – not just about their day-to-day work, but about ideas, goals, and everything in between.

Whether you’re planning something creative, restorative, or just fun, a good retreat brings people together in all the right ways. It boosts morale, helps with team bonding, sparks fresh ideas, and gets everyone re-energised for what’s next.

If you’ve been asked to plan a retreat and don’t know where to start – don’t stress. We’ve got you. Here are our top tips for choosing the right location, planning the best activities, and making sure everyone leaves feeling inspired.

Before You Start: What to Think About First

Before you book anything, it’s worth asking a few key questions to help shape your retreat:

How many people are going?
Think about numbers early on – are you planning an intimate team reset or something bigger? Properties like Charingworth Manor, which sleeps up to 55, are ideal for full-company retreats or large department gatherings.
Who’s coming?
Think about the mix of attendees – execs, junior team members, middle management – and how that might shape the vibe.
Any specific needs?
Dietary requirements, accessibility needs, or childcare requirements? Make sure everyone feels considered from the outset.
Where are people based?
A central location might make more sense for a scattered team, or you might want to treat a local office to something closer to home.
What’s the goal?
Is it about team building? Celebrating success? Strategic planning? Getting clear on your “why” will guide everything else.

Choosing the Right Accommodation

When it comes to choosing a venue, the type of property you go for can really shape the vibe of your retreat. Here are a few styles to think about — with real properties that tick all the right boxes:

Large Country manor houses – Think high ceilings, grand staircases, and plenty of space to breathe. These are great for bigger teams or leadership retreats where you want breakout rooms and a sense of occasion.
Try: Kiftsgate Court – a historic house full of charm, with expansive grounds and plenty of room to plan, meet and unwind.

Holiday cottages or barn conversions – If you’re after something more laid-back and intimate, a collection of cottages or a converted barn gives off warm, relaxed energy while still offering plenty of space.
Try: Bogee Farm Cottages – set on a working Cornish farm, these beautifully restored cottages blend rustic charm with luxury touches.
Treehouses, lodges, cabins – Want to give people a little personal space while keeping everyone together? A collection of lodges or cabins on the same estate is ideal – especially if your team values nature, simplicity, and the occasional campfire moment.
Try: Brook House Woods – A collection of cabins and treehouses tucked away in private woodlands with shared outdoor space, they offer both privacy and the perfect setting to reconnect.
Hotels with exclusive hire options – For more structured retreats, hotels with exclusive hire give you the bonus of on-site catering, housekeeping, and often a meeting space or two. Perfect if you’re planning something a little more polished.
Try: Dorset Square Hotel – a chic boutique hotel that can be booked for private use, offering style, service, and a central location.

Things to Think About:

Catering – Are you going self-catered? Hiring a private chef? Or do you want all meals sorted for you?
Sleeping arrangements – En-suite bedrooms? Twin beds or doubles? Any rooms that need to be accessible?
Exclusivity – Do you want exclusive hire of the venue?
Communal spaces – If you’re planning presentations, workshops, or breakout sessions, make sure your venue has enough shared space. A place like Temple Guiting Manor, with three separate lounges, works perfectly as informal classrooms or smaller group breakout rooms.
Outdoor space – Gardens, terraces, or fire pits can be great for informal hangouts and breakout sessions
Extras – WiFi (non-negotiable), hot tubs (fun bonus), and proximity to walks, pubs, or activities for downtime

Choosing the Right Location

Once you know the size and purpose of your retreat, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to hold it. The right setting can shape the whole experience — whether you’re aiming for inspiration, relaxation, collaboration, or a bit of everything.

If your team is mostly London-based or coming from different parts of the UK, easy access is key. Our Cotswolds and close to London collections are perfect for countryside calm within a couple of hours’ drive (or train ride) from the city — ideal for 2-3 night getaways where travel time is limited.

For something a little more adventurous, coastal retreats in Cornwall or Devon are brilliant if you’re leaning into wellness, creativity, or just want to give your team a serious change of scene. Think sea views, coastal walks, and evenings around the firepit.

Planning something further north? Peak District, Lake District and Scottish Highlands collections offer wow-factor landscapes and loads of space – perfect for leadership getaways or full-company events where you really want to make a statement.

Want privacy, space and flexibility for a big group? Look out for private estates and exclusive-use venues, which often come with multiple buildings or cottages, meeting spaces, and plenty of outdoor space for breakout sessions or group activities.

Wherever you’re headed, think about:

How far your team is travelling
How they will travel to the destination
Access to activities or attractions (on- or off-site)
That all-important first impression when people arrive

Planning Corporate Team Building Activities That Actually Work

Not all corporate team building activities need to involve trust falls or awkward icebreakers (thankfully). The key is choosing things that feel natural, relevant, and a little fun.

Start with Purpose

Think about why you’re gathering:

Team bonding?
A strategy reset?
Wellness and recharge?
Creative thinking?

This will help guide what kind of sessions you include and how structured things need to be.

Activity Ideas by Vibe:

Outdoor adventures – Want to head outside? The Laurels hosts outdoor activities with ideas the whole team will love.
Unique experiences – Henge Estate is all about unique experiences, from sheep herding to pottery painting – a brilliant way to shake up the usual routine and encourage team bonding.
Creative workshops – Looking to inspire creativity? Mill End hosts on-site arts and crafts sessions and cooking classes – perfect for relaxing while getting hands-on.”
Wellness-focused – If it’s about switching off and slowing down, Well Furlong Retreats is ideal, with a beautiful indoor fitness studio and peaceful outdoor spaces perfect for group yoga or meditation.
Classic team building – Want a mix of fun and connection? City to Country Farm Woodland Lodges feature a private tennis court, games room, and hot tub — great for teams that want a bit of everything.

Don’t Overschedule

Leave space for downtime, spontaneous chats, and unstructured fun. Some of the best ideas happen when people are relaxed. Having a loose plan is great – but don’t pack every moment.

The Best Business Retreats Mix Purpose With Play

The most memorable company away days aren’t necessarily the ones with the slickest agendas or wall-to-wall meetings – they’re the ones where people really connect. Where conversations flow naturally, new ideas bubble up over coffee or countryside walks, and people leave feeling not just recharged, but truly part of something.

A great corporate retreat strikes a balance between structure and spontaneity. It gives your team space to talk, create, unwind, and have a bit of fun together outside the office (or Zoom grid). It also shows them they’re valued – not just as colleagues, but as people.

Whether you’re planning a strategic off-site for a tight-knit leadership team or a big company celebration, the right setting can do a lot of the heavy lifting. Get the location, accommodation and vibe right, and you’re already halfway there.

Ready to start planning?

We’ve got a handpicked collection of large properties across the UK – from cosy countryside cottages to epic estates with plenty of space for meetings, activities and downtime.

Explore our handpicked corporate retreat properties here