Host Your December Corporate Event at Symonds Yat Lodge — A Riverside Christmas Retreat

Why Choose Symonds Yat Lodge for Your Corporate Event?

Symonds Yat Lodge (offered via Big House Holiday Lets) is not a typical hotel or meeting centre — it’s an exclusive-use retreat perched on the banks of the River Wye, with 25 ensuite bedrooms, a spacious dining room capable of seating your full group, lounges, games and party rooms, and grounds of nearly 5 acres. Because you book the whole space, your team has privacy, flexibility, and a sense of being “off the clock” without distractions.

This December, as the lodge is decked out for Christmas, your group will enjoy a festive backdrop, warm interiors, seasonal décor, and that intangible sense of occasion. The lodge’s charm transforms meetings into experiences.

What You Can Do Here (Beyond the Boardroom)

Flexible Meeting & Workshop Spaces
The dining room doubles as a workshop space or plenary venue. Lounges can host breakout sessions. Flipcharts, WiFi, high-speed connectivity — you’ll have the essentials. And when screens and slides get tiring, the views and fresh air beckon.

Team-building & Outdoor Options
You’re not stuck indoors. Just outside, riverside walks, woodland trails, and the forest create instant refreshment breaks. For structured activities, you can arrange canoeing, guided hikes, or forest challenges via local providers. These low-pressure activities are perfect to stimulate creativity, build rapport, or reset energy between sessions.

Evening & Social Time
After your working day you can relax by the fire, gather in the games room, host a themed dinner in the festively lit dining hall, or enjoy a cozy drink in the private bar. The décor, combined with gentle lighting and Christmas touches, makes evenings feel special. Because you have exclusive use, your team can linger without worrying about other guests.

Accommodation & Logistics
With 25 ensuite rooms and the capacity to sleep up to 50, the team can stay under one roof, making coordination and “handoffs” seamless. On arrival, everyone comes into the space, and the rhythm of the event becomes fluid. The lodge also offers ample off-road parking and well-equipped communal areas. Local pubs, restaurants, and a charming ferry make for pleasant breaks or external lunches.

Symonds Yat is just 1 hour from Bristol, 1 1/2 hours from Birmingham, 3 1/2 hours from London via easy motorways.

A Sample December Corporate Event Itinerary

Here’s how a 2-day December corporate event might look, leveraging the winter charm without losing pace:

Day 1

• Morning: Arrive, welcome coffee, ice-breaker in lounge
• Late morning: Strategy presentation or review session in dining room
• Lunch: Served in festive decorated dining hall
• Early afternoon: Breakout workshops or outdoor walk
• Late afternoon: Team building (e.g. guided woodland challenge)
• Evening: Festive dinner with optional awards, fireside chat, after-dinner networking

Day 2

• Morning: Optional wellness session (yoga/stretching), or hot drinks on terrace
• Breakfast: Seasonal buffet
• Mid-morning: Wrap-up session — goals, actions, reflection
• Lunch: Final group meal
• Early afternoon: Optional short walk or informal breakout
• Depart

Because the lodge is yours exclusively, you control flow, timing, and transitions — no awkward “public” spaces or interference.

Advantages for Businesses

1. Focus & Immersion — no external interruptions; the whole team is in one place.
2. Atmosphere & Morale — the festive decor and tranquil setting boost mood and engagement.
3. Cost Efficiency — because you rent the whole lodge, you often get more value than paying per head in hotel meeting venues.
4. Branding & Customisation — you can tailor meals, breakouts, and décor to match your identity or year-end theme.
5. Memorable Impact — this isn’t just another corporate retreat; it becomes a story your team talks about for months.

Spaces are limited in December due to seasonal demand. If your business is planning a year-end retreat, a strategic planning weekend, or a festive team reset, act soon. Contact Big House Holiday Lets via their website or phone and request their December corporate events pack. Ask about preferred caterers, Christmas menus, AV support, and any optional local experiences. Your team deserves more than a bland meeting room — give them a seasonally inspired retreat they’ll remember.

Interested? Get in touch: e: enquiries@bhhl.co.uk t: 01600 732050

See what Pink Squid had to say after their pre Christmas event last year:

"On behalf of our entire team at Pink Squid, I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank-you for hosting us for two wonderful nights.

Your hospitality was absolutely incredible—from the amazing service to the delicious food, every detail was thoughtfully taken care of, making our stay truly memorable. A special shout out to your team for putting up with us—we know we can be a lively bunch, and you handled it with such grace and good humour!

The beautiful setting and cozy atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for our time together, and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to recharge and bond as a team.

Thank you once again for making our stay so special. We hope to visit again soon!"

Give your team a treat, get in touch

Big House Holiday Lets
w: bhhl.co.uk
e: enquiries@bhhl.co.uk
t: 01600 732050