What Is the Best Location for a Company Away Day?
The best location for a company away day depends on what you want to achieve. If your goal is strategic planning, a quiet countryside venue may be ideal. If you’re looking to reward employees or encourage networking, a vibrant city location could be the better choice. The key is selecting a venue that supports your objectives, is easy for everyone to reach and provides the right environment for your team.
Start with Your Objectives
Before searching for venues, ask yourself one simple question: What do we want people to leave with?
Away days can have very different purposes, including:
- Team building
- Business planning
- Leadership meetings
- Employee engagement
- Company celebrations
- Training and development
- Creative workshops
- Reward and recognition
The location should help you achieve those goals rather than simply offering attractive surroundings.
City or Countryside?
This is often the first decision organisations need to make.
City Venues
A city-centre location is ideal when convenience is a priority. Delegates can travel by train, public transport is excellent and there’s usually a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and evening entertainment.
City venues work particularly well for:
- One-day meetings
- Leadership workshops
- Client-facing events
- Teams travelling from different regions
- Businesses with limited time away from the office
Cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh offer everything from modern conference venues to unique event spaces.
Countryside Retreats
If your objective is to remove people from everyday distractions, a rural venue can be incredibly effective.
Being away from the office encourages fresh thinking, deeper conversations and stronger team relationships.
Countryside venues are perfect for:
- Strategy sessions
- Leadership retreats
- Team building
- Wellbeing events
- Multi-day away days
Many also offer outdoor activities, walking trails, wellness facilities and flexible spaces for informal discussions.
Think About Travel Time
One of the biggest mistakes companies make is choosing somewhere that’s difficult to reach.
Even the most impressive venue can lose its appeal if delegates spend several hours travelling.
As a general guide:
- Aim for journeys of no more than two hours where possible.
- Choose locations close to motorway networks or major railway stations.
- Consider airport access if colleagues are travelling internationally.
- Check parking availability if delegates are driving.
The easier the journey, the more positive the experience is likely to be.
Consider Overnight Stays
If your agenda includes evening dining, networking or team-building activities, staying overnight often makes sense.
Residential away days allow delegates to relax, continue conversations after formal sessions and avoid long journeys home.
Look for venues offering:
- Comfortable accommodation
- Private dining
- Informal breakout spaces
- Outdoor terraces or gardens
- Leisure facilities
- Exclusive-use options where appropriate
Match the Venue to Your Company Culture
Your venue says something about your organisation.
A creative agency may feel inspired by an industrial warehouse, gallery or design-led venue.
A financial services firm may prefer a premium hotel or dedicated conference centre.
A technology business might choose an innovation hub or contemporary workspace.
The venue should reflect your company culture while making delegates feel comfortable and engaged.
Think Beyond the Meeting Room
The best away days include opportunities for informal interaction.
Look for venues with:
- Outdoor spaces
- Gardens or terraces
- Private dining rooms
- Team-building facilities
- Fire pits or BBQ areas
- Walking routes
- Relaxation areas
- Sports or wellness activities
Often it’s the conversations over coffee or during a walk that generate the best ideas.
Don’t Forget the Budget
A great away day doesn’t have to be expensive.
When comparing venues, consider the total cost, including:
- Venue hire
- Catering
- Accommodation
- AV equipment
- Team-building activities
- Transport
- Parking
Sometimes a venue with a slightly higher hire fee offers much better overall value because more services are included.
Carrie Larwood’s View
One of the best away days we’ve organised wasn’t at a luxury resort – it was at a venue less than an hour from the client’s office. The location was easy to reach, surrounded by green space and offered excellent meeting facilities alongside outdoor areas for informal discussions. Because delegates weren’t tired from travelling, they arrived engaged, contributed throughout the day and left feeling genuinely energised.
The most successful away days aren’t necessarily held in the most spectacular locations. They’re held in venues that make it easy for people to think clearly, collaborate naturally and enjoy spending time together.
Let Function Fixers Find the Right Away Day Venue
Whether you’re planning a leadership retreat for 20 people or a company away day for 300 employees, choosing the right location can make all the difference.
At Function Fixers, we’ve been helping organisations find exceptional venues for over 35 years. Our free venue finding service compares hotels, country houses, conference centres, unique venues and retreat locations across London, the UK and Europe. We’ll recommend a tailored shortlist based on your objectives, budget and delegate requirements, saving you valuable time while helping you find the perfect setting for a successful away day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we choose a city or countryside venue?
It depends on your objectives. City venues are ideal for convenience and one-day events, while countryside venues are often better for strategy sessions, team building and residential retreats where delegates can focus without everyday distractions.
How far should people travel for an away day?
Where possible, keep journeys to under two hours. Choosing a venue with good road and rail links helps maximise attendance and ensures delegates arrive refreshed and ready to participate.
Are overnight stays worth the extra cost?
If your programme includes evening networking, team building or multiple sessions, an overnight stay can add significant value by giving delegates more time to connect and collaborate.
Can Function Fixers help us find away day venues?
Yes. Our free venue finding service recommends hotels, country houses, conference centres and unique venues that match your objectives, budget and preferred location. We’ll negotiate the best available rates and provide a tailored shortlist to make planning your away day as straightforward as possible.