5 countryside venues where meetings and teambuilding combine

1. Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Luton

USP Its proximity to London 

Largest meeting space 120 delegates

A short hop from the capital, this grandiose Grade-I listed stately home is surrounded by picturesque parkland and manicured gardens. Business can be taken care of in one of the many meeting rooms, but it’s the team-building activities that this venue excels at: water zorbing, dragon boat racing and a Bear Grylls survival course are just some of the highlights.  

2. Centre Parcs Elveden Forest, Brandon, Suffolk 

USP Outdoor adventure

Largest meeting space 450 delegates 

The big draw with this property is its potential for outdoor incentives, which come in the form of paintballing, archery and raft building, among others. But while Centre Parcs are renowned places for play, they are also well versed in the art of corporate events – this property has nine meeting spaces to speak of, the largest of which can host 450 delegates.

3. Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, Surrey 

USP Quirky activities 

Largest meeting space 200

This rambling five-star hotel in rural Surrey is easy on the eye, but it’s not a case of style over substance. Behind the ivy-clad, 19th-century façade lies a versatile venue with more than a dozen events spaces. Once business is taken care of, delegates can partake in a range of quirky activities including duck herding (yes, really) and human skittles. 

4. Celtic Manor Collection, Newport, South Wales

USP Great games of golf  

Largest meeting space 1,500

Any golfer worth their salt will have heard of Celtic Manor, which was purpose built to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. Eight years later its hallowed fairways are still revered around the world. That’s teambuilding sorted then, but what about business? Well, that’s taken care of at the top-notch convention centre, which has 21 meeting spaces. There are also six restaurants, a spa and 400 luxury rooms for delegates to unwind in. 

5. Ackergill Tower, Wick,  Scotland

USP It’s a Scottish castle

Largest meeting space 150

Looking for a statement venue to wow your delegates? Then this 15th-century castle should fit the bill. Located in Scotland’s far north, with views across to the Orkneys, this estate specialises in grandiose meeting rooms and Celtic-themed incentives. Highlights include a mini-Highland Games, distillery tours and clay pigeon shooting. There’s also a bothy in the grounds for teambuilding barbecues.