The best corporate awayday activities do more than fill a day away from the office. They give people a reason to talk to colleagues outside their usual circle, build confidence and return with a clearer sense of shared purpose. The right format depends on what your team needs most: a genuine thank you, better cross-team relationships, a reset after change, or time to solve a business challenge together.
For corporate teams, the activity and the venue need to work as one. A brilliant workshop can lose momentum in a cramped room with poor acoustics, while an impressive venue can feel underused if the day has no structure. Start with the outcome, then choose an experience and setting that make that outcome realistic.
What makes a corporate away day worthwhile?
An away day is not automatically productive because it happens off-site. The strongest programmes balance purposeful content with room for people to relax. If every minute is scheduled, it can feel like a meeting in a different postcode. If the day is entirely social, it may be enjoyable but difficult to justify for a team that has limited time together.
Before considering activities, agree who the day is for, what you want attendees to take away and what would count as a successful result. For a new leadership team, that may mean clarity on priorities. For a growing department, it may mean helping people form relationships quickly. For a dispersed workforce, it could simply mean creating face-to-face time that feels valuable rather than obligatory.
Guest numbers, accessibility, travel time, dietary requirements and the appetite for participation all matter. A high-energy activity that works beautifully for 20 people may not suit 150 colleagues, particularly where confidence levels, mobility or cultural preferences vary.
12 best corporate awayday activities to consider
1. Facilitated strategy workshop
A professionally led workshop is a strong choice when there is a real business question to address. Teams can work in smaller groups on priorities, customer challenges or ways of working, then share practical recommendations. It needs an experienced facilitator and a venue with flexible breakout spaces, reliable AV and enough privacy for candid conversation.
2. Team cooking challenge
Cooking brings out communication, time management and a little healthy competition without requiring people to be sporty. It is particularly effective for mixed teams because there are many roles to play, from planning and preparation to presentation. Choose a format with dietary options and enough workstations to avoid half the group standing around.
3. Purpose-led volunteering
Volunteering can be a meaningful away day when it connects naturally to your organisation’s values. Teams might support a local charity, assemble essential packs or contribute professional skills to a community project. Be clear about the impact and avoid treating the charity as a backdrop for a corporate photo opportunity.
4. City-based challenge or treasure hunt
For teams meeting in London, a well-designed city challenge gets people moving and encourages colleagues to collaborate in unfamiliar groups. It works well as an afternoon element after a morning meeting, followed by drinks or dinner at a nearby venue. The practical detail matters: set a sensible walking route, have a wet-weather plan and avoid a finish point that creates a long cross-city journey.
5. Creative workshop
Activities such as screen printing, pottery, painting or collaborative mural-making offer a calmer alternative to competitive team building. They can be especially effective after an intense period of work, as they let people switch off while still creating something together. A creative session suits teams that may be less comfortable with physical or performance-based activities.
6. Escape room or problem-solving experience
Escape rooms create a clear shared objective and reveal how teams communicate under time pressure. They are best for smaller groups or as one rotation within a larger programme. Consider whether the experience is accessible to everyone and whether the puzzles rely too heavily on a particular type of knowledge or confidence.
7. Leadership and communication sessions
An away day can provide valuable space for managers to practise difficult conversations, presentation skills or decision-making. This is more effective when based on situations the group genuinely recognises, rather than generic role play. Combine the session with informal networking so the learning does not feel like a standard training day relocated to a hotel.
8. Sports day with inclusive options
A sports day can be great fun, but only when it is designed for the whole group. Alongside more active challenges, include options such as lawn games, scoring, judging or creative team tasks. The aim is participation, not identifying the office’s most athletic colleagues. Outdoor events also need a credible indoor contingency, not just a hopeful weather forecast.
9. Innovation lab
For organisations planning change, an innovation lab gives colleagues time to generate and test ideas away from daily demands. Provide a focused brief, good facilitation and materials that help groups make their thinking tangible. This format is often most useful when senior leaders can listen to the ideas and explain what will happen next.
10. Food and drink tasting
A guided tasting – whether chocolate, coffee, wine, alcohol-free spirits or regional food – creates an easy, sociable atmosphere. It can work as a standalone early-evening event or as a relaxed finish after more formal business content. Make the non-alcoholic offer as interesting as the alcoholic one, and never make drinking the main measure of participation.
11. Outdoor adventure day
Activities such as sailing, archery, paddleboarding or low-ropes challenges can build trust and create a memorable shared experience. They are best suited to teams that have actively welcomed a more adventurous day. Build in changing facilities, clear safety briefings, transport and alternative activities for anyone who would rather not take part.
12. Dinner with entertainment
Sometimes the right answer is simple: bring people together for a thoughtful dinner, good conversation and entertainment that fits the audience. A guest speaker, live music, quiz or comedy can add energy without demanding too much from attendees. This works particularly well for teams who have spent the day in meetings and need a genuine opportunity to connect.
Match the venue to the activity, not just the guest list
Venue choice has a direct effect on how an away day feels. For a strategy-led event, look for natural daylight, flexible furniture, quiet breakout areas and practical AV. For a social programme, atmosphere, food and an easy arrival experience may carry more weight. If the day includes both, a venue that can move smoothly from workshop to drinks reception is often worth prioritising.
Location is also a commercial and logistical decision. A Central London venue may reduce travel time and improve attendance, while a country house or activity venue can give people a stronger sense of being away from routine. There is no universal answer. A team travelling from several offices may be better served by a well-connected location than a remote setting with more outdoor space.
The Event Book’s free venue-finding service can save considerable time at this stage. Rather than contacting dozens of venues to check dates, capacities, layouts and costs, you can speak to an experienced event professional who will understand the brief and contact suitable options on your behalf. Our team has more than 20 years of venue-finding experience and direct relationships with venues in London, across the UK and internationally.
The service is completely free to clients and can support anything from private dining for 25 guests to major conferences and exhibitions. Once we have a complete brief, we aim to provide a focused shortlist of preferred venues, availability and indicative costs within two working hours. Timing will always depend on venue responses and the complexity of the enquiry, but we get to work on your event brief right away.
Plan for the parts people remember
The activity may be the headline, but arrival, catering and transitions often determine whether an away day feels well organised. Allow enough time for registration and coffee, particularly if colleagues are travelling in from different locations. Avoid placing the most important session immediately after lunch, and make sure the agenda includes breathing room rather than assuming every activity will finish exactly on time.
Good catering is not an afterthought. Ask how refreshments will be served, whether lunch can accommodate different dietary needs without making anyone feel singled out, and whether the service style supports the day. A seated three-course lunch may be right for a leadership retreat; a working lunch or food stations can keep a larger, more informal group moving.
If you need more than venue sourcing, a senior-led event management team can coordinate the activity provider, catering, production, transport, guest communications and on-site delivery. Having one experienced point of contact, one contract and one invoice can make a complex away day far easier to manage.
Your event brief is in safe hands when the activity, venue and practical details all support the same purpose. Start with the conversation you want colleagues to have, then create the conditions for it to happen.
Planning a corporate away day?
Send us your complete brief and we aim to provide a shortlist of preferred options, availability and indicative costs. Speak to a real person. Call us on 020 7523 5046 or email your event brief to events@theeventbook.uk. We respond within 2 hours, Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm.
FAQs
What are the best corporate away day activities?
Popular options include team challenges, escape rooms, cookery classes, creative workshops, outdoor adventures and collaborative problem-solving sessions. The best choice depends on your team’s goals, interests and budget.
What activities help teams build stronger relationships?
Activities that encourage communication, shared problem-solving and cooperation can help colleagues get to know one another. Choose tasks that give everyone a meaningful way to participate.
What are some indoor corporate away day activities?
Indoor options include escape rooms, cooking experiences, quiz challenges, creative workshops, interactive games and facilitated strategy sessions. These can work well when weather or travel time is a concern.
What outdoor activities work well for company away days?
Options include guided walks, outdoor challenges, city treasure hunts, team sports and charitable projects. Consider fitness levels, accessibility, weather and suitable alternatives.
How do I choose the right away day activity for my team?
Start with the purpose of the day, then consider group size, budget, location, time available and colleagues’ needs. Offer inclusive options rather than relying on activities that suit only one type of participant.
How long should corporate away day activities last?
Activity length depends on the format and objectives. A short session may suit a busy team, while a full-day programme can combine workshops, breaks, shared meals and a longer team experience.
