Pride of Britain: Exploring the UK as a conference and incentive destination
A huge positive that we can take from the challenging period of Covid-19, is our rediscovery of the UK as a perfect destination for all manner of corporate events. Whilst you needn’t look far for top quality hotels, exhilarating activities, stunning surroundings, and inspiring venues, scratch the surface a little deeper and you can discover even more then you had first imagined. In fact, there is a plethora of luxurious suppliers right on our doorstep. Here, we highlight just a slither of the high-end venues and experiences available across the UK that will inspire you to make your next corporate UK event an unforgettable one.
Luxurious London – the perfect destination for executive events
Our capital has so much to offer as a destination for executive corporate events. With palaces nestled amongst glistening sky-scrapers and cuisines from around the World that will blow the minds of even the most veteran foodies. Yet with all the hustle and bustle the city still provides ample green spaces to escape the hubbub of urban life and seek your inner zen. When planning executive meetings and conferences in London, don’t settle for magnolia walls within windowless rooms. We previously spoke about some of the city’s latest opening hotels for 2021, one of the most exclusive being Beaverbrook Townhouse featuring two beautifully restored Georgian townhouses in central Chelsea. There are just 14 luxurious suites available here along with fantastic spaces for private dining and top tier executive events. Another favourite of ours is the Hari Hotel offering a stylish corporate retreat in the heart of the city. Hari is home to 85 designer bedrooms as well as dedicated dining and meeting spaces, the most special perhaps is the Garden Terrace providing a year-round alfresco escape!
Speaking of alfresco dining, London is famous for its multitude of rooftop bars and one of our favourites for corporate groups is Aviary, located atop the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel. Aviary can be hired exclusively, installing igloos during the winter months so that you can soak up the panoramic views year-round! If you’re in search of private dining in the city, then do not miss Hide with Michelin-starred chef Ollie Dabbous at its helm. The restaurant offers three unique spaces for hire, seasonal tasting menus, and an in-house sommelier to perfectly pair a tipple with each dish.
Of course, there’s far more to London than just wining and dining. To really take in all the city’s offerings why not explore the streets in an unforgettable way, how about a convoy of mini coopers, or even penny farthings!? Groups can also enjoy a behind the scenes private tour of one the many theatres in the West End before exclusive boxes for the show. Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies could head over to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the East of the City for white water rafting, cycling in the Velodrome or even a ride down the World’s longest and tallest tunnel slide – The Arcelormittal Orbit.
Wonderfully Wild – explore the countryside for your corporate retreat
We are so blessed to have such varying landscapes across the UK. There is no better way to reward and motivate leaders and their teams alike than getting back to nature with once in a lifetime experiences. In fact, contact with nature is proven to reduce stress, obesity and depression! Whether its discovering scrambling in the Scottish Highlands or ziplining over Welsh quarries, our countryside is sure to thrill and challenge. But of course, being outdoors doesn’t have to involve an adrenaline high. Authentic experiences are increasingly sought after by younger generations entering the workforce and what could be more genuine than a woodland retreat in the heart of the lake district! Guests can forage for their ingredients before whipping up a feast on the campfire, and even better the proceeds contribute towards a charitable project, another boost for your CSR policy!
Whilst you may link ‘Wild’ with rustic and homegrown experiences, it doesn’t mean that the countryside lacks luxury. Far from it in fact! There are some wonderful high-end venues nationwide that allow you to get close and personal with nature, while sitting in the lap of luxury. Another Place is the first in a new collection of hotels from the team at The Watergate Bay Hotel. It spans across 18 acres of the Lake District, with exclusive use an option, making use of all 40 bedrooms will put nature right on your doorstep with open water swimming, sailing and so much more available on the lake. If it’s coastline that you’re after then why not visit Carbis Bay Estate in Cornwall with its private blue flag beach. Horse riding, helicopter rides and ocean safaris await, along with a range of ultra-chic accommodation and modern spaces ideal for any leadership conference.
Glorious Gastronomy
The success of any event can often rely heavily on the food and drink offered throughout; the UK has a bountiful array of cuisines available to tantalise those tastebuds! Each corner, nook and cranny of the UK is bursting with local delicacies to explore. Craft and bottle your own unique gin at Hensol Castle Distillery in Wales before learning from the experts in a private tour and masterclass. Or, if you prefer a more hands off approach, tuck into a traditional afternoon tea aboard the Belmond British Pullman with exclusive hire or a private carriage – it really is the best way to experience the golden age of travel and re-visit the traditions of luxury.
Just a hop outside the UK, The Wild Atlantic Way on the West Coast of Ireland provides the perfect incentive trip itinerary. Travelling through 2500 km of rugged coastline peppered with charming villages and vast national parks, encounter a plethora of local delicacies. Those with a penchant for the fruits of our oceans can expect to taste some of the finest lobster, oysters, seaweed and smoked salmon that grace this planet, which can be finished off perfectly with local whiskey tastings.
Whether you are planning a corporate conference, leadership retreat, or sales incentive trip you needn’t look far to achieve the wow factor. The UK is simply teeming with top-end venues, restaurants, activities, and encounters that so many of us haven’t explored yet.
Here at Eventful, we specialise in luxury experiences for executive events and incentives. Contact us today for more inspiration regarding your next event.