Team away days have changed a lot over the years.
They’re no longer just about sitting in a meeting room all day and rushing back to the office afterwards. More businesses are using team days as a chance to properly reconnect, step away from the usual routine and create space for clearer thinking, collaboration and conversation.
And honestly, Cornwall is a pretty good place to do that.
With coastal walks, great food, outdoor activities and a slower pace away from the usual office environment, it offers the perfect balance between productivity and switching off for a few hours.
At Venton, we’re increasingly seeing businesses combine meetings, strategy days and conferences with team activities, lunches and overnight stays to create more enjoyable and productive away days.
Here are a few things worth thinking about when planning one.
Start with the Right Base
The venue itself can make a huge difference to how the day feels.
You want somewhere that’s easy to get to, flexible enough to suit your team and practical enough that everything runs smoothly without people having to think about it too much.
Located just off the A30 near Summercourt, Venton Conference Centre is designed to make team days straightforward, whether you’re hosting a small planning session, training workshop or larger company conference.
With a range of flexible meeting spaces, breakout areas, hybrid conferencing technology, on-site catering and complimentary parking, it gives teams the space to focus without feeling overly corporate or formal.
For businesses travelling from different parts of Cornwall (or further afield), the central location also makes things far easier logistically.
Build in Time Outside the Meeting Room
One of the biggest mistakes with team away days is trying to pack every minute with meetings.
Often, the best conversations happen during the in-between moments, whether that’s over coffee, on a walk or simply getting some fresh air between sessions.
Being based in Cornwall makes that easy.
Within a short drive of Venton, you’ve got beaches and coastal spots like Watergate Bay, Crantock and Fistral, all ideal for a reset after a busy morning of meetings or workshops.
Even a quick change of scenery can help people come back feeling more energised and engaged for the rest of the day.
Add an Activity to Bring People Together
For teams looking to make more of a trip away, adding an activity can be a great way to break up the schedule and get people interacting in a different environment.
We’ve recently partnered with Cornish Adventure, who offer a range of outdoor team activities including paddleboarding, kayaking, coasteering and surf experiences.
It’s something completely different from the normal working day and can work really well for team bonding, especially during the spring and summer months.
As part of the partnership, Venton clients also receive 10% off selected Cornish Adventure activities when you make a booking with us.
Don’t Forget the Food
Good food always helps.
After a full day of meetings or activities, many teams choose to continue the conversation over dinner rather than rushing straight home.
One local favourite is the Plume of Feathers, a welcoming Cornish pub and restaurant just a short distance from Venton. It’s a great option for relaxed team dinners, informal networking or overnight stays for those travelling further.
For daytime events, Venton also offers on-site catering options to keep things simple and convenient throughout the day.
A Few Other Ideas While You’re Here
If your team is travelling from further afield or making a full day of it, there are plenty of simple ways to make the experience feel a little more memorable.
A few ideas include:
- Early morning coffee stops before the day begins – we highly recommend Gorse Bakery, Da Bara Bakery and The Potting Shed, all just a ~10 minute drive from Venton
- Coastal sunset walks after meetings finish
- Local independent shops and galleries
- Seasonal events and markets happening nearby – we highly recommend checking out Newquay’s BIG Shop Small Market that runs every month
- Overnight stays to turn a busy day into a more relaxed team trip
We also work with two local accommodation providers, the Holiday Inn Express at Cornwall Services and the Plume of Feathers in Mitchell, who both offer exclusive discounted rates for Venton clients, including additional extras such as free overnight parking.
For many teams, staying overnight can make the day feel far more relaxed, especially for those travelling longer distances across Cornwall or beyond.
Bringing Teams Together, Properly
The best team away days are usually the ones that feel balanced.
A productive meeting space, good food, fresh air and time away from the usual routine can go a long way in helping teams reconnect and work more effectively together.
At Venton, we’re seeing more businesses use Cornwall not just as a meeting location, but as a place to step back, refocus and create more meaningful time together as a team.
If you’re planning a team day, workshop or conference in Cornwall, our team would be happy to help you put something together that works for your business.