Perfect playgrounds for summer events
If you shudder at the thought of hosting your annual team building or corporate summer event in another old-fashioned golf and country club, then look no further. Here’s 9 outdoor summer party venues with large grounds, perfect for adventures.
From smaller corporate retreats for a few partners to full-on festivals for all your staff we’ve got you covered in our round up of summer venues with gorgeous grounds that will make you feel like you’ve escaped to the country (even if you’re actually still in London!).
Take a look at our selection or get in touch and let us find the best outdoor summer party venue for you, as well as ideas of activities guaranteed to bring your team together in the wild.
1. Amber Lakes – a venue to slow down and breathe
Set between two picturesque lakes, the Lodge is a gorgeous unique venue where the event possibilities are endless. When you arrive, the lakes are hidden from view but as the drive sweeps round, the venue and site reveals itself as a hidden oasis of calm. This is a venue where you will leave your worries behind and won’t want to leave. Certainly London seems miles away, (though it only takes 40 minutes from Waterloo).
The venue is perfect for summer parties – think marquees on the lawn, wandering entertainment, funfair stalls, food stations and you’ve got your own summer festival happening.
With such impressive grounds the venue is fabulous for team building activities: treasure hunts, activities on the water (zorbing, fishing, dragon boat racing spring to mind) as well as the extensive terraces, lawns and gardens.
The Lodge can host up to 120 guests for a seated dinner and 200 for a standing reception however the capacity of the site allows for up to 500 guests for a summer event.
2. Shoreditch Gardens
The House of Home’s expansive luscious lawns offer a blank-canvas outdoor event venue, and an incredibly rare green space so close to the City. Shaded by impressive London Plane trees and set against the backdrop of Grade I listed almshouses, Shoreditch Gardens is a truly unique venue with which to impress your guests. The central location and excellent transport links make the lawns ideal for a broad range of events.
A purpose built marquee is erected for June and July offering clients everything they will need for their corporate summer party. Available for exclusive hire only for groups of 200-800 guests.
3. Inner Temple
Situated in the heart of London’s legal quarter, in a quiet oasis between Temple and Blackfriars stations, the Inner Temple is a private oasis for events and summer parties.
After an extensive refurbishment, the Inner Temple reopened in May 2022 with two additional floors added, a brand-new 120 person lecture theatre along with eight new spacious meeting rooms and a breakout area on the fourth floor.
During the summer months the three-acre gardens are available for evening and weekend hire. Guests enter through the 18th century wrought iron gates to explore a beautifully planted garden boasting a variety of distinctive plants and trees. Hire of the garden comes with an indoor wet weather option or can be hired together with the marquee. Up to 600 guests with marquee.
4. Grove House, Roehampton
Located close to Richmond Park, Grove House is a beautiful Grade II Georgian villa with glorious grounds that are perfect for summer parties and team building away days. The house itself retails many original features and is a great wet-weather option, whilst the four acres of grounds have the option of a large marquee and plenty of space for outdoor activities.
Guests can access the grounds by entering the main house or by arriving through the pretty rose gardens. From here guests are able to enjoy views of the lake, lily pound and fountain or explore, making their way through Wisteria Walk around the lake to discover hidden old ice caves and hundred-year-old trees.
The grounds are extensive with plenty of room for food stalls, BBQs and are a perfect setting to enjoy a drinks reception or for larger scale events (300-500 guests).
5. Knebworth House & Barns
Knebworth House is a beautiful historic house set in 250 acres of attractive parklands just outside of London and is an ideal option for summer parties or team building away days
The banquet hall has hosted Queen Elizabeth I & II, Prime Ministers and the venue has also played host to the filming of the television show, the Crown and the film The King’s Speech so your guests will be joining one of England’s most illustrious guest books.
The striking exterior features turrets, gargoyles, and domes, while inside, Victorian and Jacobean décor create an elegant and decadent backdrop. The landscaped gardens date back to the 1600s, with a sunken lawn and rose garden that was made for drinks parties, along with a maze, colourful borders, fine trees and wilderness trail making it the perfect country escape for a company away day or summer party. You will have exclusive access to a large private lawn and 2 barns which can be connected with a stretch marquee providing weather protection or an alternative space.
6. York Lawns
Situated in landscaped tranquil gardens, the York Lawns of Regent’s Conferences & Events provides five acres of lush, foliage-filled gardens, offering the perfect summer party for up to 1,200 guests. There’s plenty of space for a range of games including inflatable assault courses and fun fairs or wellness activities whilst full stalls enhance the feeling of a summer festival feeling and an elegant marquee provides wet weather contingency.
7. Alexander Palace
An award winning venue and Grade II listed Victorian building, Alexandra Palace contains nine multipurpose function rooms including a beautiful Victorian Theatre that was closed to the public for over 80 years. Nestled within 196 acres of beautiful Parkland, overlooking London’s famous skyline, Ally Pally offers several terrace and grass areas that can be hired privately for summer parties, team building and BBQs to add a twist to your away day. There are excellent transport links to Central London and 1,200 car parking spaces.
8. Oakley Hall Park
Oakley Hall Hotel is a 4star country hotel in Oakley, Basingstoke (one hour from London by train and 7 miles from the M3). This elegant 18th century Georgian Manor has 7 event spaces and 50 luxurious bedrooms in the converted courtyard or main house, plus gorgeous 3 bedroom cottages which can sleep groups of 6.
But it’s the outdoor space that’s the clincher for summer. And there’s plenty of it: 315 acres of Hampshire countryside that make it ideal for those looking for venues large enough to take up to groups of 400 for away-days and summer parties. Set across the sprawling lawns is the Garden Pavilion, a self-contained space, whilst the grounds have plenty of space for giant inflatable assault courses, motorised sports, clay pigeon shooting whilst the beautiful woodlands provide a space for calmer moments.
9. Chalkney Water Meadows
Located on an organic family farm, are Browning Bros, a company created by two brothers who are passionate about bringing people back to nature and providing unique experience with their unique festival and glamping venue, just an hour from London in Essex.
Nestled within a water meadow, amongst ancient woodland, is Chalkney Water Meadows, a magical lakeside venue. Three festival style giant tipi tents overlook the lake, providing space for a whole range of activities. The venue also sleeps up to 60 guests in the luxurious “Nomadic” Bell Tents.
For smaller events (40 guests) their second site, Teybrook Orchard provides a calm woodland space with a spacious 60ftx40ft marquee available for intimate retreats or conferences. There’s a real variety of accommodation including yurts, bell tents, a shepherds hurt and even a converted grain silo.
Activities available include paddle boarding on the lake, bush craft & survival skills, wine tasting, cocktail making, creative art classes, cooking classes, nature walks, yoga and spa treatments whilst local caterers focus on locally sourced sustainable and seasonal catering options.
Here at Evolve Events we work with some of the most prestigious and unusual venues available. If you’d like to know more about venue hire options or arrange a viewing with any of these outdoor summer party venues or would like our help finding another perfect venue for your event just get in touch with the team.
TEL : 020 7610 2808 – EMAIL : info@evolve-events.com