Planning a team away day in 2019?

With the New Year officially here, you’re probably planning upcoming projects for 2019 already. To make the return to work a little easier this January, we’ve compiled some top team away day venues which are sure to inspire both you and your colleagues.

Away Days can mean different things for different organisations. Whether you’re looking to host an informal session or a full-on strategic, ‘blue sky thinking’ interactive workshop, the suggestions below are a good starting point to help you break free from your typical office surroundings.

Venues with plenty of natural light

Although a simple concept, natural daylight couldn’t be more important to keep those concentration levels going. The Guild of Fine Food on Southwark Street opened earlier this year and offers a flexible space where you can present, teach, cook, create and discuss. Their main room is a bright, blank canvas to suit your Away Day needs.

Alternatively, Bankside Community Space is another modern venue that is just a three minute walk from the riverfront. The space offers affordable rates for both Corporates (£65+VAT per hour) and Not-for-Profits (£30+VAT per hour), which is ideal if you’re hosting a half-day session.

On the lookout for a room with a view? The city vistas from Fora Borough and Jerwood Space don’t disappoint. Both venues have also made some great catering partnerships with the likes of Borealis and The Gentlemen Baristas.

Unusual settings away from the office 

Why not take to the seas or rather the River Thames with MBNA Thames Clippers. Aside from their river bus services, they offer bespoke private charters for a variety of vessels. Depart from Bankside or any other pier and use London’s famous cityscape as the backdrop to your presentation, pitch or talk.

If you prefer your vessels moored to the riverside, HMS Belfast is perhaps a more suitable option. Steeped in history and full of naval charm, HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship and one of London’s most iconic venues. You can hire their meeting spaces and then incorporate your visit with a private tour of the ship.

If you’re looking for something completely different, Borough Market’s Cookhouse is an open plan kitchen and dining space available for private hire. Located above the Market’s Info Office, the space contains a top-of-the-range kitchen and a large table that can seat up to ten people. The Cookhouse is suited to a wide range of uses including chef’s table dinners, meetings, presentations and tastings.

Venues to inspire creativity 

If you intend to get creative on your Away Day, what better reason to host your session at one of Bankside’s art galleries or cultural centres?

Situated within the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, Menier Gallery has two gallery spaces which can be hired for private events (depending on availability or public exhibitions). The venue is managed by the registered charity Paintings in Hospitals and all the money raised from the hire of the gallery supports the charity’s work.

Set within two recently renovated rail viaducts at Old Union Yard Arches, The Africa Centre is a cultural hub which exists to promote African creativity and entrepreneurship. Choose from three vibrant spaces – the HUB, Gallery or the Arch, which is especially bright and spacious. What’s more, you can pop next door to either Macellaio RC or Bala Baya for an unforgettable dining experience to keep the team happy!

For those looking for a smaller creative space, citizenM offers inspiring but practical meeting rooms that break from tradition.  Perfect for brainstorming sessions, all seven rooms feature wipe-clean walls allowing you to create large mind-maps. The plush Vitra furniture and progressive art also makes you feel like you’re walking into a contemporary living room.


Need to keep it simple? Take a look at our full list of Meeting Venues.