We all love a big group getaway. Gathering up all of your loved ones and spending quality time together in a fabulous setting, catching up over hearty meals, and reminiscing about old times. Whether you’re all off to a beautiful cottage in the countryside or heading to the city for an urban escape, big group holidays are always so much fun.
No matter where you choose to go, a group break can always be enhanced by an activity or two. But what large group activities should you consider? Well, we’ve put together this handy guide listing eight activities that you should think about on your next group retreat in the UK.
Escape Rooms
What to expect: Work together to solve puzzles in a fun-filled activity for the whole family.
By now, most people know what escape rooms are, such is their rise in popularity over the last decade or so. But in case you’re not aware, escape rooms are a group activity that sees you and your companions work together to unravel clues, crack codes, and complete challenges in order to “escape” from a room. These fun activities are designed to get you working together, testing your ability to use logic and creativity to solve puzzles.
Escape rooms range in style and design. Some take you to an eerie crime scene as you bid to crack the case, whilst others offer fantastical quests or funny adventures. While escape rooms are often associated with corporate team-building exercises or groups of adults seeking a thrilling night out, they’re equally well-suited to families with children, offering age-appropriate puzzles that encourage collaboration and critical thinking. Whether you're strategising with friends or engaging in a family-friendly challenge, an escape room can deliver excitement, camaraderie, and a satisfying sense of achievement!
By now, most people know what escape rooms are, such is their rise in popularity over the last decade or so. But in case you’re not aware, escape rooms are a group activity that sees you and your companions work together to unravel clues, crack codes, and complete challenges in order to “escape” from a room. These fun activities are designed to get you working together, testing your ability to use logic and creativity to solve puzzles.
Escape rooms range in style and design. Some take you to an eerie crime scene as you bid to crack the case, whilst others offer fantastical quests or funny adventures. While escape rooms are often associated with corporate team-building exercises or groups of adults seeking a thrilling night out, they’re equally well-suited to families with children, offering age-appropriate puzzles that encourage collaboration and critical thinking. Whether you're strategising with friends or engaging in a family-friendly challenge, an escape room can deliver excitement, camaraderie, and a satisfying sense of achievement!
Cooking classes
What to expect: Have lots of fun with your loved ones as you all learn to master a specific cuisine.
If your trip consists of adults only, and there are no little ones to worry about, then you may want to consider booking a cookery class. These are a fantastic way to bring your group together, and it can be great fun watching loved ones chop, stir, and season their way to a delicious meal - some with surprising skill, others with endearing enthusiasm. Many venues offer private classes for larger groups, ensuring you can make the most of an exclusive experience that’s tailored to your needs.
From Italian pasta-making to fragrant Thai curries, there’s a class to suit every taste. And, best of all, you often get to take your creations home, meaning the fun doesn’t end in the kitchen. Arrive back at your big group retreat and gather round the dining table to have a taste of everyone’s culinary creations.
If your trip consists of adults only, and there are no little ones to worry about, then you may want to consider booking a cookery class. These are a fantastic way to bring your group together, and it can be great fun watching loved ones chop, stir, and season their way to a delicious meal - some with surprising skill, others with endearing enthusiasm. Many venues offer private classes for larger groups, ensuring you can make the most of an exclusive experience that’s tailored to your needs.
From Italian pasta-making to fragrant Thai curries, there’s a class to suit every taste. And, best of all, you often get to take your creations home, meaning the fun doesn’t end in the kitchen. Arrive back at your big group retreat and gather round the dining table to have a taste of everyone’s culinary creations.
Life drawing classes
What to expect: Learn a new skill alongside friends and family.
Life drawing classes offer a creative and unexpectedly entertaining group activity, perfect for those travelling with friends or family. There’s something uniquely bonding about sketching together - whether you’re a seasoned artist or can barely manage a stick figure.
The experience is both relaxing and amusing, as everyone interprets the model in their own way, often with hilarious results. Many classes cater to private groups, making it an ideal option for birthdays, hen parties, or just an alternative night out. Plus, you’ll leave not only with a newfound appreciation for figure drawing but also with personal artwork as a memorable souvenir.
Life drawing classes offer a creative and unexpectedly entertaining group activity, perfect for those travelling with friends or family. There’s something uniquely bonding about sketching together - whether you’re a seasoned artist or can barely manage a stick figure.
The experience is both relaxing and amusing, as everyone interprets the model in their own way, often with hilarious results. Many classes cater to private groups, making it an ideal option for birthdays, hen parties, or just an alternative night out. Plus, you’ll leave not only with a newfound appreciation for figure drawing but also with personal artwork as a memorable souvenir.
Private dining experiences
What to expect: Take a night off the cooking and washing up and enjoy a grand, celebratory feast with your loved ones.
Private dining is becoming a popular way to celebrate special occasions or enjoy a more intimate dining experience with your loved ones. Found in many restaurants and venues, private dining spaces offer the opportunity to dine away from the main crowd, with only your invited guests, creating an exclusive atmosphere, with the evening often fully customised to suit your specific needs.
If you’re off on a group break with your loved ones, taking all of your friends and family along for a holiday in the country or a city, then private dining allows you to add a special celebratory evening or afternoon to your trip. We can’t think of a better way for you and your group to take a night off cooking and washing up than by hiring out a private venue and dining together in true style.
Private dining is becoming a popular way to celebrate special occasions or enjoy a more intimate dining experience with your loved ones. Found in many restaurants and venues, private dining spaces offer the opportunity to dine away from the main crowd, with only your invited guests, creating an exclusive atmosphere, with the evening often fully customised to suit your specific needs.
If you’re off on a group break with your loved ones, taking all of your friends and family along for a holiday in the country or a city, then private dining allows you to add a special celebratory evening or afternoon to your trip. We can’t think of a better way for you and your group to take a night off cooking and washing up than by hiring out a private venue and dining together in true style.
Food tours
What to expect: Spend the day eating a variety of amazing food, some of which is truly off the beaten-track.
If you’re looking to get out and about and explore a new city in style, then a food tour really is the way to go. Food tours allow local experts the chance to show you the best food spots in their hometown. These can be iconic eateries that are on the well-trodden routes or less well-known restaurants that only the locals know about.
A good tour guide will also be able to share stories and the slices of history behind each dish. From traditional recipes to modern twists, food tours turn eating into an experience, blending culture and community, allowing you and the rest of your group to see a place through a different lens.
If you’re looking to get out and about and explore a new city in style, then a food tour really is the way to go. Food tours allow local experts the chance to show you the best food spots in their hometown. These can be iconic eateries that are on the well-trodden routes or less well-known restaurants that only the locals know about.
A good tour guide will also be able to share stories and the slices of history behind each dish. From traditional recipes to modern twists, food tours turn eating into an experience, blending culture and community, allowing you and the rest of your group to see a place through a different lens.
Kayaking
What to expect: Be at one with nature whilst enjoying some exercise and having lots of fun.
We’re heading out into the countryside now with our next suggestion. If you fancy trying your hand at a more outdoorsy pursuit with your loved ones, then you should give some consideration to organising a group kayaking trip. There are so many amazing kayaking spots across the UK, with fantastic organisations that help you every step of the way. You can pre-book with most companies and leave your belongings at their office before winding your way down a beautiful stretch of river or heading out onto a pristine lake for a day of tranquil fun.
On top of all of this, the UK’s superb waterways are also home to seals, otters, kingfishers, herons, and even dolphins in some coastal areas. So keep your eyes peeled for an array of stunning wildlife whilst you're out on the water.
We’re heading out into the countryside now with our next suggestion. If you fancy trying your hand at a more outdoorsy pursuit with your loved ones, then you should give some consideration to organising a group kayaking trip. There are so many amazing kayaking spots across the UK, with fantastic organisations that help you every step of the way. You can pre-book with most companies and leave your belongings at their office before winding your way down a beautiful stretch of river or heading out onto a pristine lake for a day of tranquil fun.
On top of all of this, the UK’s superb waterways are also home to seals, otters, kingfishers, herons, and even dolphins in some coastal areas. So keep your eyes peeled for an array of stunning wildlife whilst you're out on the water.
Scavenger hunt
What to expect: Great outdoor fun for both adults and kids, combining adventure and teamwork in a stunning natural setting.
A scavenger hunt with friends is such a brilliant outdoor activity, especially when you’ve got kids in the mix. It’s a fun way to spend an active afternoon, and is a great way to get everyone off screens and into nature. The UK has some incredible countryside for you to explore, and there are a number of companies that offer organised scavenger hunts amongst these outstanding scenery. You can organise a hunt yourself, but using a company makes the experience more fun, stress-free, and professionally organised, with creative challenges tailored to your group.
The best part of a scavenger hunt? It’s not just about running around - it’s teamwork too. Kids have to work together, chat about ideas, solve little puzzles, and celebrate their wins. Most of all, it’s a chance to make great memories. Whether you’re all laughing over a weird clue or racing to be the first to finish, it’s all about fun, fresh air, and spending quality time together. What’s not to love?
A scavenger hunt with friends is such a brilliant outdoor activity, especially when you’ve got kids in the mix. It’s a fun way to spend an active afternoon, and is a great way to get everyone off screens and into nature. The UK has some incredible countryside for you to explore, and there are a number of companies that offer organised scavenger hunts amongst these outstanding scenery. You can organise a hunt yourself, but using a company makes the experience more fun, stress-free, and professionally organised, with creative challenges tailored to your group.
The best part of a scavenger hunt? It’s not just about running around - it’s teamwork too. Kids have to work together, chat about ideas, solve little puzzles, and celebrate their wins. Most of all, it’s a chance to make great memories. Whether you’re all laughing over a weird clue or racing to be the first to finish, it’s all about fun, fresh air, and spending quality time together. What’s not to love?
Paintballing
What to expect: Intense, adrenaline-fueled fun in the great outdoors.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a group activity in the UK countryside that combines adrenaline, teamwork, and a whole lot of laughs, then paintballing might just be the one for you.
Set in natural woodland or rural battlefields, paintballing is the perfect way to make the most of the outdoors while bonding with your group. Whether you're ducking behind trees, planning ambushes, or charging toward the flag, paintball encourages strategy, communication, and friendly competition. It suits all kinds of groups - friends, families, or colleagues - and can be adapted to different fitness levels and experience. Plus, it’s a great equaliser: everyone ends up with a few bruises, a few war stories, and a lot of shared memories!
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a group activity in the UK countryside that combines adrenaline, teamwork, and a whole lot of laughs, then paintballing might just be the one for you.
Set in natural woodland or rural battlefields, paintballing is the perfect way to make the most of the outdoors while bonding with your group. Whether you're ducking behind trees, planning ambushes, or charging toward the flag, paintball encourages strategy, communication, and friendly competition. It suits all kinds of groups - friends, families, or colleagues - and can be adapted to different fitness levels and experience. Plus, it’s a great equaliser: everyone ends up with a few bruises, a few war stories, and a lot of shared memories!
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