ARC Next-the-sea

Narborough Hall Gardens is a historic estate nestled in the valley of the River Nar in Norfolk, England. The venue is surrounded by ancient parkland, lakes, and woodland, offering a setting rich in natural beauty and history. The gardens, designed by Joanne Merrison, have been recognized by notable British publications for their romantic and wild planting style, featuring native self-seeding plants alongside herbs, fruits, and edible flowers. The main building dates back to the Tudor period and combines original 18th-century architectural features such as fireplaces and moulded ceilings with contemporary fabrics, modern art, and retro furniture. The interiors are spacious and comfortable, with guest rooms furnished with fresh flowers, tea and coffee facilities, and luxury linens. The estate includes additional rustic Scandinavian-style cottages, providing a blend of elegance and countryside charm. Seasonal changes bring distinct atmospheres to Narborough Hall. In spring, snowdrop walks and delicate flowers carpet the woods, while summer showcases overflowing borders, water lilies on the lake, and fragrant herbs in the walled garden. Winter offers a serene ambiance with open fires, frosted gardens, and reflections on the frozen lake. The grounds also feature amenities such as a tennis court, seasonal swimming pool, and a cricket pitch, enhancing the estate’s appeal for various events and retreats.

Firesyde - Exclusive-Hire Nature Venue, 1 hour from LondonNestled on a private estate among rolling hills on the Surrey/Sussex border, Firesyde is a collection of meticulously designed Wild Lodges, characterful farmhouses and a series of Wild Spaces - an exclusive-hire venue for teams seeking to think clearly, reconnect and be restored by nature, one hour from London.Launched in 2024, Firesyde offers a new vision for corporate retreats: immersive yet deeply comfortable. Days are spent between the Piglet Barn - a beautifully converted farm barn with a fireplace centrepiece, 75-inch screen, full AV and flexible seating - and breakout spaces in nature: the Wild Gardens (part of the National Garden Scheme), the Wild Mini Spa with micro sauna and cold plunge, the pergola, and nature trails through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty bordering the National Trust's Winkworth Arboretum. Evenings gather around the fire - chestnut roasting, candlelit dining, lantern-lit walks to the hilltop for stargazing.CapacityOvernight retreats for 25-35 guests, with day events for up to 200 guests across the grounds, Piglet Barn and Wild Spaces.AccommodationExclusive hire sleeps 25-35 guests in single-occupancy king rooms across the en-suite Wild Lodges (each with fire pit, outdoor dining and private outdoor bath) and our farmhouses - Langhurst, Slades Farmhouses and Gate Street Barn.SpacesAt the heart of the venue sits the Piglet Barn - a converted farm barn with a roaring fireplace, 75-inch screen and AV, shifting effortlessly from strategy sessions to candlelit dining. Around it unfold the Wild Gardens, the Wild Mini Spa with sauna and cold plunge, the pergola with its Camp Kytchen, and lawns or spaces in nature to breakout further.Food & DrinkBreakfast, lunch and dinner built around locally sourced, seasonally inspired menus, tailored to the group. Signature experiences include Guest Chef dinners, campfire feasts and BBQ experiences in the glow of the Piglet Barn fire.ActivitiesFiresyde-led: guided sunrise hikes, yoga on the grass, foraging walks, moonlight lantern walks, evening campfires with artisanal marshmallows, sauna and cold plunge sessions. Partner-led: eBiking, clay shooting and team-building games.FormatsTeam offsites, leadership retreats, strategy days, client entertaining, and large-scale day events. Typical residential bookings run 1.5-4 days midweek.

Castlebank Horticultural Centre in Lanark, Scotland, offers a bright and versatile space known as The Classroom. This multi-functional room can host up to 25 guests and is characterised by its high ceilings and two large roof windows that flood the space with natural light, creating an uplifting and airy atmosphere. The room is well-equipped with a whiteboard and a counter top featuring a sink and storage units, making it suitable for a variety of meetings, events, and activities. The venue's flexibility is highlighted by its ability to accommodate multiple room layouts, including theatre style, open meeting, classroom, or boardroom configurations. The centre supports external catering, allowing guests to arrange their own food and drink services, including refreshments and alcohol, although the venue itself is not licensed for alcohol. The venue is accessible with disabled access, public transport options nearby, and premises parking available. Additionally, overnight accommodation is offered, enhancing convenience for longer events or stays. This venue is suitable for weekday, evening, and weekend bookings, providing flexibility for different scheduling needs. The cancellation policy is generous, offering a full refund if cancelled five days before the event.

Venue Cranfield is set within the Cranfield University campus in the mid-Bedfordshire countryside, offering a blend of modern architecture and natural surroundings. The venue benefits from spacious, light-filled rooms with large windows and natural daylight, creating an inviting and professional atmosphere. Its location provides easy access to major transport links including the M1 motorway, London mainline train stations, an airfield, and four international airports, making it convenient for local, national, and international delegates. The venue features a variety of well-equipped spaces including a state-of-the-art auditorium, modern conference rooms, and private dining areas. The Blenheim Suite is a spacious conference room suitable for presentations, exhibitions, weddings, and parties. The Vincent Building Auditorium offers modern amenities on the ground level, including a café bar with Costa Coffee, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary parking. Several rooms benefit from natural light and adjacent breakout rooms, supporting networking and collaborative events. Accommodation is available with 246 en-suite single and double occupancy rooms, allowing delegates to stay close to the event. Overall, Venue Cranfield combines a professional, modern environment with countryside tranquillity, ideal for conferences, weddings, and corporate events with a capacity of up to 250 guests.

Nestled in the heart of a historic setting, this modern event space was inaugurated in 2018 and is designed to host corporate events with elegance and functionality. Featuring a spacious auditorium that can accommodate up to 158 participants, it is equipped with integrated audiovisual technology to ensure a seamless presentation experience. Additionally, ten meeting rooms spread over two levels offer unparalleled flexibility, available for individual bookings for smaller meetings or combined for collaborative working sessions. Large windows allow abundant natural light to flood in, creating an inspiring atmosphere. The contemporary facilities are complemented by award-winning catering, ensuring that every detail of your event is taken care of with precision. Whether you are organizing a conference, a strategic meeting, or a seminar, this space is designed to meet all your professional needs, combining modern comfort with historic charm.

Howgills House is a luxury 12-bedroom country house nestled between the Lakes and Dales, offering a tranquil and inspiring setting for team retreats and away days. The individually decorated rooms feature a mix of wet rooms and roll-top baths with showers, accommodating up to 20 guests in comfort. The house boasts period features, wooden floors, underfloor heating, and spacious lounges with countryside views, including a TV lounge with an open fire and a library for cosy relaxation. The venue includes a commercial kitchen and dining area, with options to pre-order home-cooked tray-bakes for convenience. Outdoor amenities such as two hot tubs under a canopy overlooking the countryside, a gas BBQ, and a wood fire pizza oven enhance the experience. Howgills House is ideal for team meetings, retreats, or summer parties, with onsite activities available including duck herding, cocktail making, ghyll scrambling, and clay pigeon shooting. For larger groups, Howgills Barn is available nearby, featuring 8 en-suite bunk rooms set in five private acres of countryside, perfect for retreats and country pursuits. The venue also offers a Corporate Christmas Party package for up to 20 people, including accommodation, a two-course Christmas dinner, and a choice of festive activities such as treasure hunts, orienteering, cocktail making, or race nights. The location is accessible by a short drive from junction 37 of the M6 and within a two-hour train commute from London and around 90 minutes from Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.