Whether you’re looking to bond with colleagues over a spot of healthy competition or get to know your co-workers a little better, discover some of the best venues for hosting team building activities in and around Gloucestershire with SoGlos’s dedicated guide.
With a choice of activities spanning clay shooting to world-class sports, our handpicked selection of corporate away days provides just the inspiration for businesses hoping to escape the boardroom and boost team morale and productivity.
Team building activities at Go Ape
The lowdown
Outdoor adventure specialist Go Ape has two incredible locations nestled in the Forest of Dean – at Beechenhurst and Mallard's Pike – and is set in one of England's largest ancient oak woodlands.
Activities on offer
Go Ape offers anything from adrenaline-boosting adventures in the skies to ground-level challenges for land lovers – there's something for all tastes, come rain or shine.
Spend an away day navigating the rope bridges and zip wires in the Treetop Challenge, followed by a delicious forest barbecue, then finished off with an all-terrain Segway cruise through the woodlands.
Facilities
The facilities are predominantly based in the great outdoors, with activities taking part either in the trees or below them, but there are outdoor forest shelters, a café and visitor's centre located at Beechenhurst, as well as a café at Mallards Pike.
Parking
There's plenty of parking for the whole team at both sites in the Forest of Dean. Please note that parking is pay and display, but free for Forestry England members.
Accommodation
While there isn't any accommodation on-site at Go Ape, nearby Forest Holidays has 120 cosy cabins in the woods, each boasting its own outdoor hot tub. There is an on-site bar and restaurant, plus the use of a personal chef and pre-bookable bike hire.
Perfect for
Adventure loving teams who enjoy being active in the great outdoors.
SoGlos loves
Getting active in the fresh air after long days at your desk, combined with a picnic lunch or forest barbecue, makes for an awesome team day out!
For more information
Call Go Ape on (01284) 852210 or visit goape.co.uk
Team building activities in Cheltenham
Team building activities at Cheltenham Racecourse
The lowdown
The leafy green surroundings of Cheltenham Racecourse might feel miles from anywhere, but its proximity to both Cheltenham Spa train station and the M5 ensures easy access.
World-famous race days are just part of what the expansive venue, with its multiple restaurants and event spaces, can offer corporate clients.
Activities on offer
Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to multiple race meetings during the season, including the Cheltenham Festival and world-famous Gold Cup.
With world-class restaurants and private boxes available, too, it can make any race day extra special with its hospitality packages - perfect for treating your colleagues to a team building day they won't forget.
Facilities
On top of race days and hospitality, Cheltenham Racecourse offers conference facilities and large-scale exhibition and event spaces, all with state-of-the-art audio visual technology, as well as acres of outdoor space and incredible views.
Parking
With multiple parking areas available on race days, you won’t have to worry about where to leave your car when you get to the racecourse.
Accommodation
While there is no accommodation on-site, Cheltenham Racecourse can recommend plenty of approved Jockey Club venues to stay at in and around Cheltenham, for all budgets and needs.
Perfect for
The races provide a thrilling day out where teams can bond, while the option to create bespoke packages means Cheltenham Racecourse can cater for everyone.
SoGlos loves
Discounts are available when booking race day tickets in groups of 10 or more – you can also add additional tickets at the same group rate, with no additional charges.
For more information
Call (01242) 539538, or visit thejockeyclub.co.uk/venues.
Team building activities in Stroud
Team building activities at Eastwood Park
The lowdown
This dedicated conference and training centre near Wotton-under-Edge boasts in-house catering, on-site accommodation and 200 acres of grounds within easy reach of Bristol, Gloucester, South Wales and the Midlands.
Activities on offer
Eastwood Park works with various external partners to provide teambuilding activities both indoors and out, from rage buggy driving to hovercrafts and crossbow shooting – along with some slightly more sedate options, such as Segway challenges.
Partnering with third parties for its teambuilding activities means Eastwood Park can give people plenty of choice, so those who want to try something new won’t be disappointed.
Facilities
There are 10 meeting rooms within the conference venue, ranging in capacity from 10 to almost 200 people, whilst the expansive grounds on which it sits allow even more to try their hand at teambuilding activities like goose herding.
Parking
Eastwood Park has 200 parking spaces available.
Accommodation
Eastwood Park has 70 ensuite bedrooms for delegates, including ramp accessible accommodation, for turning corporate away days into fully-fledged breaks.
Perfect for
The sort of companies and activities that require serious space – with 200 acres to explore, running out of room won’t be an issue, especially outside.
SoGlos loves
With indoor and outdoor facilities, Eastwood Park makes an excellent year-round, all-weather venue!
For more information
Call Eastwood Park on (01452) 260207 or visit eastwoodpark.co.uk.
Team building activities at Woodchester Valley Vineyard
The lowdown
Woodchester Valley is an award-winning vineyard and winery in the Cotswolds. The family-run business produces a range of white, rosé and sparkling wines at its sites in Amberley, Woodchester and Doverow Hill.
Activities on offer
Throughout the year, guided tours are available at the Woodchester site, which offers groups the chance to learn more about the wine making process for still and sparkling wines, before enjoying a tutored tasting of five wines. With a choice of a classic or sparkling vineyard tour, group bookings make for a fantastic day out.
Facilities
The venue can arrange private group tours, making it the perfect choice for corporate away days. Meanwhile, the tasting room is available for exclusive hire, giving teams the chance to wrap up their meeting or training session with a private wine tasting – with cold buffet-style lunches available on request, too.
Parking
There is plenty of on-site parking.
Accommodation
There are three separate barn guest rooms adjacent to Woodchester vineyard, along with a two-bed farmhouse that sleeps four and a holiday house that sleeps 12.
Perfect for
Foodie colleagues that love to support local producers.
SoGlos loves
Don’t miss the chance to stock up on a selection of wines before you head home. The Cellar Door shop stocks the whole range of Woodchester Valley Vineyard wines, including some exclusives.
For more information
Visit woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk.
