Derbyshire Events Venue With Self Catering Accommodation

Flexible and unique style of meeting spaces and training rooms with versatile break out rooms. The Brackendale room is a huge event space and can be set up in any form you like for a large group and can seat 81. This room has wonderful high ceilings and an abundance of natural light looking out over the rolling Derbyshire Dales.  Our games room can be used as a multi purpose room depending on your requirements. 

Each of the 16 cottages onsite have living and dining spaces that can all offer smaller spaces which are perfect for one to one, smaller group meetings, break out rooms, workshop spaces or just quieter spaces for delegates to reflect/plan or relax.

The full site is a perfect fit for business needs. 

Our customer service is second to none, we can offer event planning and a concierge service tailored to your specific requirements. At Knockerdown our experienced events team can tailor the event and offer a flexible service with as much or as little input as required. We can coordinate an end to end service with our network of trusted suppliers including caterers, activity specialists, facilitators and trainers. We offer a vast amount of flexible business event accommodation to suit all budgets on one self contained site. 

2 - Quiet And Undisturbed

To really have quality time together as a team, you need as few external distractions as possible.

The UK countryside offers a perfect blend of tranquillity, beauty and fresh air and the National Parks are a great choice. We have an extremely private site hidden from the public surrounded by trees and lush farming fields. 

4 - More Than One Communal Space

Sometimes you need to get away from the crowd and having a few communal spaces allows small groups or individuals to "break out" for a chat or just to sit quietly and reflect.

By the same token, there should be at least one space that accommodates everyone at once and ideally where everyone can eat together. Knockerdown has the fabulous Brackendale Suite which can accommodate up to 100 persons and the smaller Carsington Room which is ideal for a break out or smaller intimate business meetings. 

6 - Excellent Catering Facilities Either On-Site Or Brought In

A great kitchen with superb dining facilities is an absolute "must have".

They say an army marches on its stomach and this holds true for retreat attendees too!

Keeping your teams fed and watered through what might be quite busy days can't be overlooked and so with larger groups, it might be necessary to bring in outside caterers for at least some of the meals.

For smaller teams, cooking a meal together and then eating it in a homely environment can be one of the most memorable and valuable aspects of a business retreat.

• Team-Building Exercises: Engage your team in problem-solving challenges, escape rooms, scavenger hunts, or interactive group activities that encourage collaboration and communication.
• Networking Events: Host a happy hour, networking game, or informal gathering where employees can socialise, build relationships, and expand their professional networks.
• Professional Development Workshops: Arrange workshops or training sessions on various topics such as time management, public speaking, leadership skills, or industry-specific skills to enhance employee growth and development.
• Outdoor Activities: Plan a company picnic, team-building retreat, hiking trip, or sports day to provide a refreshing break from the office and encourage team bonding in a relaxed environment.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Organise a community service project where employees can contribute to a meaningful cause, fostering a sense of purpose and unity among the team.

• Wellness Activities: Offer wellness programs like yoga or meditation sessions, mindfulness workshops, or fitness challenges to promote physical and mental well-being among employees.
• Keynote Speaker or Panel Discussion: Invite industry experts or influential speakers to deliver a keynote address or participate in a panel discussion on a relevant topic that aligns with your company's goals and interests.
• Product Launch or Demonstration: Organise a special event to introduce and showcase new products or services to your team, clients, or stakeholders, creating excitement and engagement within the company.
• Company Fair or Trade Show: Arrange a fair or trade show where different departments or teams can set up booths to showcase their projects, initiatives, or achievements, fostering cross-team collaboration and awareness.
• Sports Tournament or Game Night: Host a friendly sports tournament, game night, or team competition to encourage friendly competition, teamwork, and camaraderie among employees.

• Cooking or Mixology Class: Organise a cooking or mixology class where employees can learn new culinary skills or create their own signature cocktails, fostering creativity and teamwork.
• Scavenger Hunt or City Exploration Tour: Arrange a scavenger hunt or city exploration tour for employees to discover local landmarks, solve puzzles, and strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Company Talent Show or Open Mic Night: Host a talent show or open mic night where employees can showcase their talents, whether it's singing, dancing, stand-up comedy, or other entertaining performances, promoting a fun and inclusive atmosphere.
• Charity Auction or Raffle: Organise a charity auction or raffle where employees can donate items or services and participate in bidding or buying tickets, supporting a charitable cause and fostering a sense of giving back.
• Comedy Night or Improv Show: Arrange a comedy night or improv show, either featuring professional comedians or encouraging employees to showcase their improvisational skills, creating a fun and laughter-filled environment.

• Virtual or In-person Game Night: Host a game night, either in-person or virtually, where employees can participate in board games, trivia contests, or interactive online games, fostering friendly competition and team bonding.
• Fitness Activities or Fitness Challenge: Offer fitness activities or challenges such as group exercise classes, step challenges, or fitness competitions to promote physical well-being and camaraderie among employees.
• Book Club or Discussion Group: Establish a book club or discussion group where employees can explore and discuss books or relevant topics of interest, fostering intellectual growth and creating opportunities for thought-provoking conversations.
• Company-wide Volunteer Day or Community Service Project: Dedicate a day for the entire company to participate in a volunteer activity or a community service project, giving back to the community and strengthening the company's commitment to social responsibility.
• Company-wide Wellness Day: Organise a company-wide wellness day with activities such as mindfulness sessions, health screenings, fitness classes, and wellness workshops to promote overall well-being and work-life balance among employees.

• Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality Experience: Provide virtual reality or augmented reality experiences where employees can explore new virtual environments or engage in immersive simulations, fostering innovation and creativity.
• Awards Ceremony or Recognition Event: Host an awards ceremony or recognition event to celebrate employee achievements, exceptional performance, or milestones, acknowledging and appreciating the contributions of individuals and teams.
• Museum or Historical Tour: Arrange a visit to a museum or organise a historical tour where employees can learn about art, culture, or local history, fostering curiosity and team building.
• Company-wide Sustainability Initiative or Challenge: Launch a company-wide sustainability initiative or challenge, encouraging employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and promoting a culture of sustainability within the organisation.
• Wide Challenge or Competition: Organise a wide-scale challenge or competition, such as a coding challenge, design competition, or innovation challenge, to foster collaboration, creativity, and friendly competition among employees.

To discuss your ideas further for your event at Knockerdown Cottages:

Contact Our Events Team