Team Wellbeing Event near London for Virgin StartUp
A hybrid team booked an exclusive Hertfordshire retreat to strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing and reconnect away from the workplace.
Virgin StartUp chose Home Farm Glamping for a one-night team retreat near London aimed at strengthening connections across its hybrid workforce.
Set within a peaceful countryside environment, the event combined wellbeing activities, time in nature and shared experiences that encouraged authentic conversations and relationship-building.
By the end of the retreat, attendees reported feeling more connected, re-energised and better equipped to collaborate across the organisation.
Here’s how we made it happen.
The Brief
As a hybrid team, Virgin StartUp wanted to create dedicated time for colleagues to reconnect in person and strengthen relationships that had become more difficult to maintain through remote and hybrid working.
The employee wellbeing event needed to:
Bring the team together away from everyday work distractions
Create opportunities for meaningful conversations and relationship-building
Support employee wellbeing and work-life balance
Help colleagues feel refreshed, energised and more connected
Encourage informal interactions between people who do not regularly work together
Planning challenges:
The team faced several challenges when searching for a venue. They needed somewhere that felt like a genuine escape from work while remaining accessible for attendees travelling from different parts of the country.
Budget considerations were also important, alongside finding a venue that could accommodate their group size on an exclusive-use basis.
A key requirement was an outdoor environment that encouraged people to disconnect from screens, spend time in nature and enjoy a slower pace. They also required good transport links and a practical contingency plan for unpredictable British weather.
Quick Facts
The Client
Virgin StartUp - London-based business mentoring company
No. of Guests
20-25 employees
Hybrid team from all over the UK
Location
1-night wellbeing retreat in Hertfordshire;
Within easy reach of London and the rest of the UK
Activities
Time spent outdoors in nature
Mindfulness workshop
Campfire gatherings
Informal networking
Social time to mix with colleagues
Facilities
Glamping accommodation
Outdoor gathering spaces
Campfire area
Wellbeing activity space
Delicious meals prepared by local caterers
Why They Chose Our Hertfordshire Venue
The team selected Home Farm because it offered a unique combination of accessibility, comfort and immersion in nature.
Key reasons included:
Convenient rural location within easy reach of London. The team walked from Elstree and Borhamwood station adding to the sense of adventure.
Exclusive use of the site for privacy and flexibility
Natural surroundings that encouraged relaxation and connection
Comfortable accommodation combined with an authentic outdoor experience
Ideal setting for a short one-night team offsite
Strong transport links for attendees travelling from across the UK
The Experience
From the initial enquiry through to the event itself, the planning process was designed to be straightforward and stress-free. The organisers at Virgin worked closely with the Home Farm team to coordinate logistics, accommodation and activities for a group of 20–25 employees.
Throughout the planning process, our friendly team provided responsive communication, flexibility and practical support, ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day and the stress was taken out of the planning process.
Team Wellbeing Event Programme
During the retreat, attendees enjoyed uninterrupted time together in a relaxed outdoor setting. The programme included opportunities for informal networking, a 2 hour mindfulness workshop and social time around the campfire as well as scrummy meals cooked by a local catering team.
Highlights included:
Time spent outdoors in nature
Campfire gatherings and informal team conversations (including some singing around the campfire which went on into the evening)
High-quality catering throughout the stay
A mindfulness workshop that received exceptional feedback
Comfortable accommodation in an exclusive-use setting
The venue's flexible approach and weather contingency planning also helped ensure a seamless experience regardless of conditions.
The Outcome:
Stronger Team Engagement & Collaboration
The retreat successfully achieved its objectives. The natural setting encouraged attendees to slow down, switch off from daily pressures and engage in conversations they might not otherwise have had in an office or virtual environment.
Benefits included:
Stronger relationships across the team
Improved morale and employee wellbeing
Increased engagement and connection between colleagues
More meaningful conversations and collaboration
Greater opportunities for networking between teams
Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants particularly valued the opportunity to spend time outdoors, gather around the campfire, enjoy excellent food and connect with colleagues in a relaxed environment.
The mindfulness workshop was repeatedly highlighted as one of the most memorable and impactful parts of the retreat thanks to our wonderful partner, Nick Hammond from Mindfulness Matters.
We’ve hosted corporate events since 2015
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