The Incentive Trip

Day One

What better way to start your North East England adventure than an afternoon in the garden? The stunning Alnwick Garden is the brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland and is the most exciting contemporary garden in Europe. After a private tour of the poison garden (look but don’t touch!) you’ll enjoy The Alnwick Garden treasure hunt, topped off by a tree-top afternoon tea in Britain’s biggest tree house.

Transfer to the nearby Macdonald Linden Hall and check in to this magnificent four-star country house hotel for dinner and a taste of real Northumbrian hospitality.

Day Two

From the peace and tranquillity of Linden Hall, just a short drive and you’ll be ready to race at Newcastle Racecourse. You’ll enjoy the luxury of a private box with VIP views, first-class hospitality, and with good judgement, and maybe just a bit of luck, the adrenaline will be pumping in no time. Win or lose, the champagne will certainly flow.

This evening will be spent at the fabulous De Vere Slaley Hall. Situated in the midst of some of the most ruggedly-beautiful countryside in England, Slaley combines historic charm with serious contemporary style. As night falls, pull on a coat and head out for a midnight walk topped off with a hot toddy and ghost stories around a campfire, and enjoy the darkest skies in the country.

Day Three

Our day begins with a tour around the stunning city of Durham. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scale and beauty of the Castle and Cathedral will leave you breathless, but there will still be time for browsing the boutiques that line the narrow streets of this historic university city.

After all that activity, some serious relaxation will be required, so it’s off to Rockliffe Hall, England’s newest five-star hotel and a place that is already redefining luxury. Keen on the green? Tee off on one of Europe’s longest golf courses or if the spa is more your style, check in for a sweet pea and rose facial or a fruity peel body scrub, or simply luxuriate in the state-of-the-art thermal bathing suite.

Then let the Great British Menu’s star chef Kenny Atkinson wow your tastebuds in Orangery restaurant.

Day Four

Start your day with an early morning walk up iconic hill Roseberry Topping to get the heart pumping, or enjoy a leisurely brunch at the charming Victorian Macdonald Gisborough Hall Hotel before packing up and heading back to the real world.

The Corporate Team-Building Trip

Day One

Based at the beautiful Beamish Hall Hotel in the heart of Durham, our day begins by spending some quality time with feathered friends at the Beamish Wild birds of prey conservation centre. With exclusive access to the centre, your delegates will get some hands-on experience of handling and flying hawks and will enjoy a close up flying demonstration from the resident owls, falcons and eagles. There will also be some friendly competition with field archery, clay shooting and cross bowing.

After dinner in the newly-opened Stables gastro-pub and beer tasting from the on-site microbrewery, your guests will retire to one of Beamish Hall Hotel’s 36 luxury bedrooms for a well-deserved rest.

Day Two

After breakfast and a briefing in the fabulous Winter Garden, it’s all aboard an executive coach for the short transfer to Matfen Hall and where it’s time to hit the tree tops at North East England’s only official Go Ape hire-wire forest adventure. There’s no better way to build trust between your team and have some fun at the same time.

When you’ve come back down to earth, it’s back to Beamish Hall Hotel to freshen up and the day will be topped off at the nearby Riverside, home of county champions, Durham County Cricket Club for an evening Twenty20 game. Even if you don’t know your LBW from your silly mid on, you can’t beat an evening at the Riverside, with the sun setting, glass in hand and reliving the adventures of your day.