Supercharging Corporate Retreats for Large Groups

Scaling Elsewhere’s Corporate Retreats Experience

When firm’s grow, the challenge at offsites is to retain all of the Elsewhere DNA without anything getting watered down. The event needs to still be a light-year away from all of those corporate hotels, that’s a given. Handling bigger groups of 250 and up was a challenge that we met head on… and won.

Here’s what we learnt.

Organising a corporate retreat for a sizable team requires more than just ample space; it demands venues that spark creativity, activities that foster genuine connections, and seamless planning that lets you focus on what truly matters…. your people. That’s the whole point after all and here’s what we learnt.

1. Special places

Forget the monotonous conference rooms and generic hotels. Our portfolio boasts venues that are anything but ordinary. Take, for instance, The Amersham Campus- a collection of designer-styled coaching inns, townhouses, and expansive outdoor spaces, all exclusively yours. These settings not only accommodate large groups comfortably but also inspire innovation and camaraderie.

Osea Island and The Blazing Donkey can also handle bigger groups. As the groups size gets bigger, the incumbant offerings in the market get more and more corporate- a trap to avoid like the plague!

The Blazing Donkey: The Kent holiday village by the sea

Tucked away in the rural charm of Kent, The Blazing Donkey offers a relaxed yet distinctive setting for corporate events. With exclusive-use options, stylish accommodation, and expansive outdoor spaces, it’s ideal for team away days, strategy sessions, or company celebrations. The laid-back atmosphere fosters creativity and camaraderie, while bespoke catering and on-site support ensure a seamless experience. Whether you’re hosting a leadership retreat or a full team offsite, The Blazing Donkey delivers character, comfort, and just the right dose of countryside escapism—only 90 minutes from London.

Osea Island: Your own private island

Osea Island is one of the UK’s most extraordinary destinations for corporate events: a private island in the Blackwater Estuary, accessible only at low tide or by boat. With historic manor houses, luxury cottages, and vast open space, it’s a true escape for teams looking to reset, reconnect, and rethink. From wellness retreats to large-scale activations, Osea offers total privacy and a cinematic backdrop for unforgettable gatherings. Whether it’s beach-side bonfires or creative strategy workshops, this off-grid haven turns your event into a full experience- bold, bespoke, and beautifully Elsewhere.

Hill House Norfolk: For private-festival field events

Hill House is a beautifully restored Tudor manor tucked away in the Norfolk countryside, offering an inspiring setting for private festival-feel offsites in the events field. Hill House is set three acres of private grounds, it combines historic charm with a creative backdrop- perfect for strategy sessions, leadership offsites, or team getaways. And for Manor House events, you’ll find thoughtfully styled meeting spaces and cosy lounges; outside, there’s room to roam, reflect, and reconnect. With the option to glamp on-site and tailor every detail, from workshops to campfire dinners, Hill House is a place that is very easy to relax into.

Larger corporate retreats with all the Elsewhere DNA intact

2. Tailored and on-brand

Large groups thrive when engaged in activities that resonate. We work with clients to ensure that team building, activities and the general look and feel is completely on brand, with the right tone of voice, vibe…. whatever you want to call it. Culture fit is everything. It’s all about engaging and locking in client interest, attention and that general feeling of loving being part of it all- it’s all about the community.

You can’t team build with 300 people and expect 300 people to interact. This is an art form in itself- to allow for great connections and moments between smaller groups and at the same time keeping the larger firm experience front and centre.

3. Structure, structure, structure

Managing the intricacies of a largeer group retreat can be daunting. That’s where we come in. From the initial brainstorming session to the final farewell, our dedicated team handles every detail. Transportation, accommodations, activities, dining… we’ve got it all covered, allowing you to immerse yourself fully into your team experience.

The plan is vital. Whilst we all know that big events with 10,000 moving parts require flexibility and overcoming/ tweaking as we go- the plan really is vital. When attendee numbers are in the 200s, 300s, 400s - the structure is your friend. You simply can’t freestyle your way through an event with that many people.

4. Inclusivity, wellness and check-ins

We believe that retreats should rejuvenate both the team and the environment. By selecting venues within close proximity to London, we minimise travel stress and environmental impact (there’s a lot of people on the move here). Additionally, our retreats often incorporate wellness activities, ensuring your team returns refreshed and recharged.

Lots of drop in places really help. Putting on classes and smaller sub-events which are advertised to everyone to drop in and out of make everything much more manageable. Also, ensuring that over the event that there are lots and lots of opportunities for smaller groups to interact is incredibly important. Big groups can be overwhelming and shifts of gear as we move through the event keeps engagement up and allows energy levels to remain high.

At Elsewhere, we understand that offsites for large groups is more than just a gathering of people, it’s an opportunity to inspire, connect, and grow. It’s a tool for future goals and with our unique venues, tailored activities, and meticulous planning, we ensure that your offsite is not only successful but truly unforgettable.

Ready to transform your next corporate retreat? Time to go Elsewhere….