Whether you're looking to inspire the team, build more comradery, or want everyone to let their hair down, a company away day is an excellent opportunity to tick all those boxes. Sometimes it's easy to fall into the same habits and go to the same places when organising a post-work evening out, an out-of-office day trip, or a mini break away. But the truth is there is an abundance of venues that have packages designed for corporate bookings, which will leave the team talking about this event for years to come.
If you've been given the responsibility to book your next team-building day out, don't fret; here are some new and exciting company away day ideas that will get everybody excited.
Escape Room
Problem-solving by day, problem-solving by night! Escape rooms have become all the rage over the last few years, and for a good reason. They're a great day or evening activity, perfect for an out-of-office day or after-work team-building treat, working on everybody's collaboration and communications skills. There are some fantastic escape rooms all over the UK, with most normally catering for corporate groups, but some of the best include Cave Escape in Nottingham, Deadlocked in Reading, and Houdini's in Southampton.
Go-Kart Racing
Get everybody's adrenaline pumping by releasing their inner F1 driver. This is a real treat of a company away day, but it's a bonding experience the team will be talking about for years. Whether you're a keen driver or you don't even have a license, anything can happen when you get onto a Go-Kart track. Much the same with other venues, lots of Go-Kart venues offer corporate packages, with renowned tracks dotted all over the UK. Some of the best tracks in the UK include Team Sport in Birmingham and Shenington near Banbury station.
Volunteering
Giving back isn't just great for the soul, it's excellent for team bonding and boosting morale. There are plenty of ways to give back, through getting stuck into place-based volunteering. Examples include:
- Litter picking in your park
- Helping at the local soup kitchens
- Delivering presents at your local children's hospital
But there is plenty of skill-based volunteering to use your expertise to give back to non-profits and those in need. Examples of these could include:
- Marketing assistance
- Construction work
- Accounting
- Anything your professional skills can be used to help others
Skilled-based volunteering is also great for helping stretch your team's expertise and knowledge.
Cooking Class
Are you bored of going out for team meals? Change the usual outing by getting everyone to work together to make a spectacular feast. From pizza to curries, many of your favourite restaurants offer group cooking classes where you can cook together, followed by a well-earned meal. Before booking, check the small print to ensure the washing up is included! Whether you're looking to stay local or travel far, cooking classes are available in most towns and cities all over the UK.
Exploring a New Place: Day Trip or Minibreak
If you're looking to ignite some inspiration, breaking the mould from your usual place of work can do wonders for you and the rest team. Exploring new cultures and cuisines and interacting with new people can be great for expanding the mind and overall improving everyone's output. If you plan well in advance, you can fit a trip in with corporate shows or events to make this trip not only inspirational but educational. Across most cities, there are even flexible office spaces, such as WeWork, which you can book so everyone can set up for the day if needs be, and if you travel by train, you can use the free Wi-Fi to work on the journey too.
Industry Events, Shows and Fairs
From travel to fashion, no matter the industry you work in, there are events for all needs and expertise. A company away day to a fair is an excellent way for the team to network with like-minded people, learn from industry experts, and understand competitors offering. Hopefully, it will result in everybody taking something back to develop themselves and the output for the team. As these events are generally annual, you can get them planned in the calendar early. The NEC, located next to Birmingham International station, is a popular venue for these events.
Ice Skating
If you're looking for a winter activity, you can't get much more wholesome than some ice skating. Whether you're a pro or need the little penguin keeping you steady, it's the perfect activity in the build-up to Christmas. There are plenty of locations to choose from, with some of the best festive ice rinks found all over the UK, from York to Cornwall, with most places offering hot food and drink for those who fancy watching from the side.
If you’ve taken some inspiration from these company away day ideas and are looking to plan a trip, don't forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or our Train Tickets app. You can also find information on how to get cheaper train tickets via our special offers page. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
The UK is bursting with fun activities. Whether you're visiting one of the best historical places in the UK, the best cities for shopping in the UK, or the best wildflower meadows in the UK, you can always travel by train. CrossCountry has services running up and down the country to ensure you can get to the places you need to be.