About Away Day Activities

### Why London's Away Day Scene is Perfect for Your 50-Person Team (And What Makes It Special) There's something magical about hitting that 50-person sweet spot for away days in London – you're large enough to create real energy and buzz, but still intimate enough for everyone to genuinely connect. After organising countless [corporate days out in London for 50 people](https://hirespace.com/GB/London/Corporate-Days-Out), I can tell you that this group size opens doors to some of the capital's most exciting venues and experiences. London's away day scene has evolved dramatically over the past few years. We're seeing venues specifically designed for mid-sized teams, with spaces that can comfortably accommodate 50 people without feeling cavernous or cramped. The typical venue size ranges from 100-150 m², which gives you that perfect balance of space for activities whilst maintaining an intimate atmosphere where conversations can flow naturally. #### What Makes London Uniquely Suited for Your Team Size The city's transport infrastructure is your secret weapon here. With major hubs like King's Cross, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf all within 25 minutes of each other, you can choose venues based on what works best for your team rather than being limited by location. I've found that teams of 50 can easily navigate London's transport system together – large enough to warrant coach hire if needed, but small enough to split into smaller groups for tube journeys. The venue options are genuinely impressive. From converted Victorian warehouses in Shoreditch to sleek modern spaces near the Thames, London offers venues that can handle your group's dynamics perfectly. Many of these spaces come with flexible layouts – theatre style for presentations (perfect for your 50), cabaret rounds for 40 when you want smaller group discussions, or completely open spaces for team-building activities. #### The Commercial Sweet Spot Here's where it gets interesting from a budget perspective. With 50 people, you're looking at day delegate rates ranging from £70-£120 per person in Greater London, scaling up to £150-£250+ for premium central locations. The beauty of this group size is that you can often negotiate better rates – you're substantial enough to be taken seriously by venue managers, but not so large that you're competing with major conferences for space. What really sets London apart is the sheer variety of [away day activities](https://hirespace.com/blog/best-away-days-venues-in-london/) available. Whether you're after creative workshops, outdoor adventures, or immersive experiences, the city delivers options that simply don't exist elsewhere in the UK. Your next step? Start by identifying what type of experience will resonate most with your team's culture and objectives. ### The Smart Planner's Guide to Choosing Activities That Actually Work for Mid-Sized Groups ### The Smart Planner's Guide to Choosing Activities That Actually Work for Mid-Sized Groups The biggest mistake I see with 50-person away days? Choosing activities that work brilliantly for 20 people or 100 people, but fall flat in that middle ground. Your group size is actually your superpower – you just need to know how to leverage it properly. With 50 people, you've got the perfect number for what I call "dynamic splitting" – activities that can seamlessly move between full group engagement and smaller breakout sessions. Think escape rooms that can handle multiple teams simultaneously, or [creative workshops](https://hirespace.com/blog/five-inspiring-workshop-venues/) where you can rotate through different stations. The key is choosing venues with flexible spaces that can accommodate both scenarios. #### Activities That Scale Perfectly for Your Numbers Here's what works exceptionally well: competitive team challenges where you can create 5-6 teams of 8-10 people each. Venues like those featured in our guide to [making your next away day an experience to remember](https://hirespace.com/blog/make-your-next-away-day-an-experience-to-remember/) often have multiple breakout areas specifically designed for this dynamic. Cooking classes are absolute gold for 50-person groups – most professional kitchens can handle 4-5 cooking stations comfortably, and there's something magical about everyone coming together for the final feast. Budget around £85-£120 per person for quality venues with proper facilities. Interactive workshops hit differently with this group size too. You can run parallel sessions – perhaps half your team doing leadership development whilst the other half tackles creative problem-solving, then switching. This approach keeps energy high and prevents the dreaded "death by PowerPoint" syndrome. #### The Logistics That Make or Break Your Day Here's an insider tip: always book venues with multiple access points and good flow between spaces. With 50 people, you need venues that can handle natural movement without bottlenecks. Look for spaces with minimum 3m ceiling heights – trust me, the acoustics and atmosphere are noticeably better. Consider venues near major transport hubs where your team can easily regroup. Areas around King's Cross or Canary Wharf offer excellent connectivity, and many venues provide dedicated parking for coach drop-offs if you're bringing everyone together. The sweet spot for timing? Start activities around 10am after a proper welcome coffee, and plan for natural energy dips around 2:30pm – that's when you want your most engaging, interactive elements. Your next move should be identifying which type of experience aligns with your team's current dynamics and business objectives. ### Navigating London's Logistics: Transport, Timing, and Territory for Your Away Day Success ### Navigating London's Logistics: Transport, Timing, and Territory for Your Away Day Success Getting 50 people across London smoothly isn't just about picking a venue – it's about understanding the city's rhythm and working with it, not against it. I've learned this the hard way after watching teams arrive frazzled and 45 minutes late because someone underestimated the Northern Line during rush hour. The golden rule for 50-person groups? Always have a Plan B for transport. Your team will naturally split into smaller groups of 6-8 people, which means multiple tube journeys or a mix of transport methods. I typically recommend venues within 15 minutes' walk of major stations like Liverpool Street or King's Cross – these hubs offer multiple line options, so if one's disrupted, you're not stuck. #### Timing Your Day Around London's Natural Flow Here's something most planners miss: London's energy shifts dramatically throughout the day, and your away day should flow with it. Start times between 9:30-10am work brilliantly – you avoid the worst of rush hour, but people are still fresh and energised. Peak congestion runs 7-10am and 4-7pm weekdays, so plan your venue access around these windows. For venues in areas like Shoreditch or Southbank, factor in an extra 10-15 minutes for group navigation. These areas are fantastic for [team building activities](https://hirespace.com/blog/ways-to-level-up-your-team-away-day/), but the street layouts can be confusing for larger groups. #### Territory Selection That Actually Makes Sense Central London venues (£150-£250+ per person) offer prestige and convenience, but Greater London options (£70-£120 per person) often provide better value and more space. Areas like King's Cross and Canary Wharf hit the sweet spot – excellent transport links with venues specifically designed for corporate groups. Consider venues with dedicated loading bays if you're bringing equipment or promotional materials. Many spaces in converted warehouses around Bermondsey or Hackney offer this, plus the bonus of unique character that makes your away day memorable. #### The Practical Bits That Save Your Sanity Always book venues with multiple accessible entrances – with 50 people, you need good flow management. Look for spaces offering coat storage and secure bag areas; these details matter when you're managing a larger group. Weather contingency is crucial. London's unpredictable climate means having indoor backup options, even for outdoor activities. Many of the [best away day venues](https://hirespace.com/blog/best-away-day-venues-to-bring-your-team-back-together/) offer flexible indoor-outdoor spaces that adapt to conditions. Your next step should be mapping out your preferred areas based on where most of your team travels from, then shortlisting venues that offer the right balance of accessibility, space, and budget for your specific requirements. ### Budget Realities and Booking Strategies That Save Money Without Sacrificing Impact Let's talk numbers, because I've seen too many brilliant away day concepts crash and burn over unrealistic budgeting. The truth about London pricing for 50-person groups? It's more nuanced than most people expect, and there are genuine opportunities to maximise your impact without breaking the bank. Your baseline budget should start around £4,000-£6,000 for a quality day experience (£80-£120 per person), but here's where it gets interesting – venues often have different pricing structures for mid-sized groups like yours. You're not quite large enough for the bulk discounts that 100+ person events receive, but you're substantial enough to negotiate beyond standard rates. #### The Hidden Costs That Catch Everyone Out Equipment hire is where budgets often spiral. Basic AV setup (projector, sound system, microphones) typically adds £300-£500 to your venue cost, but many [inspiring workshop venues](https://hirespace.com/blog/five-inspiring-workshop-venues/) include this in their day rate. Always clarify what's included upfront – I've seen teams hit with surprise charges for flip charts and markers that cost more than the actual stationery. Catering represents roughly 30-40% of your total budget. For 50 people, expect £25-£45 per person for quality lunch and refreshments. The smart move? Book venues with in-house catering teams – they understand the flow of away day activities and can time service perfectly around your schedule. #### Booking Strategies That Actually Work Here's an insider secret: Tuesday and Wednesday bookings often come with 10-15% discounts compared to Thursday and Friday peak rates. If your team can be flexible, this single change can save £500-£800 on your total budget. Book 8-12 weeks ahead for the best rates and venue selection. Last-minute bookings (under 4 weeks) typically carry premium pricing, especially for quality venues that can properly accommodate 50 people with the right mix of presentation and activity space. Consider venues slightly outside Zone 1 – areas like King's Cross or Bermondsey offer excellent transport links with significantly better value. You might save £30-£50 per person whilst gaining more space and unique character. #### Making Every Pound Count The venues featured in our [7 tips to level up your away days](https://hirespace.com/blog/ways-to-level-up-your-team-away-day/) often offer package deals that bundle venue, activities, and catering. These packages typically offer 15-20% savings compared to booking elements separately. Always negotiate payment terms – many venues offer early payment discounts of 5-10% if you can settle invoices within 14 days rather than the standard 30. Your next step should be requesting detailed quotes from 3-4 venues, ensuring you're comparing like-for-like inclusions, then using the best quote as leverage for negotiations with your preferred choice. ### Avoiding the 7 Most Common Away Day Pitfalls (Plus Expert Tips for Flawless Execution) After fifteen years of organising away days, I can spot the warning signs of a disaster from a mile off. The good news? Most pitfalls are entirely preventable when you know what to look for. With 50-person groups, the stakes feel higher because everyone notices when things go wrong, but the solutions are often simpler than you'd expect. The biggest mistake I see repeatedly? Underestimating the complexity of managing group dynamics at this scale. You're not just booking a venue – you're orchestrating an experience for a group large enough to have multiple personalities, energy levels, and engagement preferences, but small enough that every individual's experience matters. #### The Seven Pitfalls That Derail Away Days **Pitfall #1: Choosing venues without proper flow management.** With 50 people, you need spaces that handle natural movement between activities. I've watched teams get bottlenecked trying to move from presentation spaces to breakout areas because someone booked a venue with a single narrow corridor. Always visit venues and walk the routes your team will take. **Pitfall #2: Ignoring the 2:30pm energy crash.** This hits every group like clockwork. Plan your most interactive, engaging activities for this slot – not your heaviest content. The [venues that create genuinely engaging experiences](https://hirespace.com/blog/the-year-of-the-employee-creating-genuinely-unique-experiences-to-engage-your-team/) understand this rhythm and structure their day accordingly. **Pitfall #3: Underestimating catering logistics.** Feeding 50 people isn't just about ordering more food – it's about service flow, dietary requirements, and timing. Budget an extra 15-20 minutes for meal service compared to smaller groups, and always confirm the venue can handle your specific dietary needs without compromising the experience. **Pitfall #4: Poor backup planning for activities.** Weather, transport delays, or technical issues can derail outdoor activities or tech-dependent workshops. The smartest planners book venues with flexible indoor-outdoor options and always have low-tech alternatives ready. #### Expert Strategies for Flawless Execution Here's what separates successful away days from mediocre ones: detailed run-of-show documents shared with venue staff 48 hours before your event. Include timing, group movements, technical requirements, and contact details for key team members. Create a WhatsApp group for your core planning team and venue contacts. When issues arise (and they will), instant communication prevents small problems becoming major disruptions. Always arrive 45 minutes early to walk through the space and test all equipment. With 50 people, you can't afford technical glitches during key moments. Your next step should be creating a detailed timeline that includes buffer time for group movements, technical checks, and the inevitable questions that arise when managing a group this size. The [best away day venues](https://hirespace.com/blog/best-away-days-venues-in-london/) will work with you on this planning – if they don't offer this support, consider it a red flag.

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