— From Foraging to Firesides: 5 Autumn Retreat Ideas for Teams —

As the leaves turn and crisp autumn breezes settle in, it’s the perfect time to reimagine your corporate events. Swap stuffy boardroom sessions for immersive, inspiring experiences in some of the UK’s most captivating venues. Here are five creative ways to host an unforgettable autumn retreat — featuring Rise Hall, The Mansion, and Sefton Park Palm House.

1. Harvest-Inspired Wellness & Strategy Day at The Mansion

Inspire creativity and clarity with a wellness day rooted in autumn’s bounty. Begin with a brisk outdoor yoga or mindfulness session in the stunning surroundings of Roundhay Park—think calming breathwork amid the stunning coloured foliage. Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice of spending mindful, sensory-rich time in nature, particularly forests, to enhance well-being. It involves immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere and connecting with nature through all five senses; Roundhay Park has multiple quiet areas of woodland perfect for this- and yet just 15 minutes from central Leeds.

Transition into a strategy workshop indoors, perhaps using a long table decked with seasonal produce (pumpkins, berries, crisp apples). The Mansion’s stately elegance and luxurious interiors are the perfect spot.

2. Great British Cook Off at Rise Hall

Channel some friendly competition by hosting a cook-off competition. Make the most of autumn’s harvest with a cooking competition based on the Tv programme. Split teams, assign some hallmark autumn ingredients—like butternut squash, mushrooms, blackberries or sage—and have some of the Dine chefs guide the action. A shared meal afterwards, set in Rise Hall’s historic grand dining room, turns the event into a warm, communal harvest feast that sparks both camaraderie and creativity.

3. Terrarium Building Workshop at Sefton Park Palm House

Create a balanced ecosystem under the tropical canopy of Sefton Park Palm House! Each team is given a set of materials—such as glass containers, moss, soil, stones, and tropical plants—along with autumn-inspired decorative accents like miniature pumpkins, dried leaves, and pieces of natural bark. The challenge is for the group to design and assemble a terrarium that not only thrives as a miniature ecosystem, but also reflects the values of resilience, balance, and collaboration. As participants work together, they learn how to layer their materials, where to place each plant, and how to incorporate the autumn elements into the tropical setting, mirroring the way diverse ideas and skills combine in the workplace. The finished terrariums are a lasting, living reminder of the event.

4. Bivouac & Bonfire at Rise Hall

Autumn is a great season to be out in the woods, and a bivouac workshop is a great way to discover new skills. Channel your inner Bear Grylls as you work in teams to create a survival shelter in the woods, using natural materials you’ll find in the grounds of Rise Hall. As dusk falls, gather your team around the outdoor firepit at Rise Hall, mugs of spiced cider or hot chocolate in hand. Begin with lightning-round creative challenges—conceptualising new projects or solving team hurdles—and encourage bold, out-of-the-box thinking. Add marshmallows for added cosiness!  Then retreat indoors for supper- and a cosy bed indoors in one of our 31 bedrooms.

5. Foraging & Outdoor Team Building in Roundhay Park

Embrace the crisp autumn air with an outdoor foraging experience in the vast green expanse of Roundhay Park. Led by an expert guide, your team can discover edible plants, herbs, and seasonal fungi while learning about the natural ecosystem. This hands-on activity encourages teamwork, curiosity, and a deeper connection with the environment. Once the baskets are full, finish with a tasting session or a cooking demo back at The Mansion, just steps away, where the day’s finds are transformed into simple, seasonal dishes. It’s a refreshing way to balance learning, adventure, and shared achievement.

Why These Ideas Are Perfect for Autumn

• Feel the Season, Fuel the Mind: From crisp outdoor air to warm indoor comfort, each event taps the seasonal mood—boosting engagement through multisensory experience.

• Venues That Speak Volumes:

  • Rise Hall: A historic estate full of charm and hidden corners—perfect for intimate and playful retreats.

  • The Mansion: Sophisticated and timeless, it balances formality with comfort—a natural choice for impactful planning and narrative-driven events.

  • Sefton Park Palm House: A tranquil glasshouse oasis; its natural beauty enhances creativity and reflection.

• Creative Formats, Lasting Impact: Mixing cooking, storytelling, puzzles, and wellness—inspired by harvest and connection—keeps energy high and memories vivid.

• Cultural Resonance: Autumn is a season of gathering and renewal. These ideas harness that resonance to strengthen your team’s bonds and ignite new directions in a way that “just another day at the office” never could.

Final Thoughts

Autumn offers the ideal balance of beauty and introspection—perfect for events that stretch beyond mere productivity into the realms of connection, creativity, and memory-making. Whether you’re gathering for strategy, storytelling, or spa-like reflection, designing your retreat around the season’s rhythm—and choosing a venue that brings it to life—makes all the difference.