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Meetings in the forest offer a refreshing alternative to traditional conference environments. Set within hundreds of acres of natural woodland, Center Parcs Conferences & Events combines purpose-built facilities with the proven benefits of time spent in nature, creating events that feel calmer, more focused and more impactful from the moment delegates arrive.
Arriving for a meeting in the forest immediately signals a change of pace. As busy roads and transport hubs give way to woodland, the environment begins to do some of the work. Surrounded by trees and open green spaces, delegates arrive feeling more present, relaxed and ready to engage.
At Center Parcs, we suggest planning event timings to ensure the arrival experience is intentionally unhurried.
For larger events, we recommend arranging for delegates’ luggage to be collected from designated corporate car parks and delivered directly to lodges. Parking is free, with bookable EV charging points available, and clear maps help delegates make their way through the village and forest to The Venue.
Many organisers also choose to promote car sharing to maximise their sustainable impact, as well as provide walking routes or even step-count challenges to encourage movement and time outdoors before sessions begin.
That first impression matters. When delegates start the day feeling calm and grounded, meetings tend to be more productive, collaborative and creative from the outset.
Meetings at Center Parcs Conferences & Events combine professional, purpose-built conference facilities with a strong connection to the natural surroundings.
Conference rooms are filled with natural daylight, with woodland and lake views providing a refreshing alternative to traditional corporate backdrops. At Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, The Venue overlooks the lake, with breakout spaces extending into the ancient forest canopy. At Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, the venue sits within the treeline, offering views across acres of village and forest activities.
Both venues feature high-spec, in-built AV, often removing the need for additional external equipment and helping to manage event budgets. Where required, experienced technicians and external AV or set build can be seamlessly integrated. The events team can also support with theming, creative concepts and ways to elevate the agenda, from summer drinks in the Forest Courtyard at Sherwood to interactive outdoor sessions or forest-based icebreakers.
This environment supports better focus and more open conversation. From large-scale conferences to leadership meetings, away days and incentives, sessions feel energising rather than draining, with outdoor breaks allowing delegates to reset and return with renewed attention.
Food and drink play a key role in the flow and success of any event. At Center Parcs, all catering is delivered in-house by dedicated venue chefs and kitchens, with menus designed to be nourishing, balanced and varied.
Informal coffee breaks encourage conversation and connection, while thoughtfully designed lunches help maintain energy levels without distraction. Organisers can choose from a wide range of dining options across the village, including relaxed barbecue-style dining near the lakeside beach, private hire of the Pancake House, gala dinners in The Venue, or dine-around experiences across multiple restaurants within the Center Parcs village.
In the evening, dining becomes a social highlight. Drinks packages delivered to lodges, bespoke gala menus, new premium buffet options and forest-inspired touches all help create memorable shared experiences that bring teams together beyond the meeting room.
On-site accommodation allows for a more seamless end to the day. Delegates stay just minutes from the meeting spaces, removing the need for lengthy onward travel after a full programme. Residential packages include cycles, making travel to and from accommodation simple and enjoyable.
This creates a more cohesive and inclusive event experience. Evenings feel relaxed, mornings begin without the stress of commuting, and waking up surrounded by woodland helps delegates feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead. For those who prefer hotel-style accommodation, Woburn Forest also offers hotel rooms ideal for speakers, VIPs or members of the event team who need to be close at hand.
Activities and team building are an integral part of meetings in the forest. Renowned for its extensive leisure offering, Center Parcs Conferences & Events provides vast quantities of activities designed to energise, motivate and reconnect teams as well as curated team building packages to motivate, energise and inspire competition and team spirit.
Options range from mindful, creative indoor experiences such as woodcraft workshops and pottery painting, to more active team challenges including forest-based competitions, laser tag and large-scale team builds. Activities can be woven into the agenda as icebreakers, post-lunch energisers or standalone team-building sessions, with options suitable for all abilities and preferences.
Aqua Sana Forest Spa offers a reward a hard-working team with a post-meeting Spa Session in our award-winning spa. Our Forest Spa package is the ultimate getaway from the stresses of everyday life, offering teams the perfect opportunity to truly relax and unwind. The perfect opportunity for socialising and networking, Aqua Sana Forest Spa can be hired exclusively for a twilight session to complement and follow a conference day.
Once the conference closes, delegates are welcome to stay on our villages until the evening, taking in the acres of forest, wildlife, shopping and dining outlets and our renowned Subtropical Swimming Paradise, heated to 29.5 degrees year-round and home to indoor and outdoor pools, wild water rapids, rides and slides and relaxing whirlpools.
These experiences help break down barriers, strengthen relationships and improve communication, with benefits that extend back into the workplace.
With two dedicated conference villages at Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, and Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, Center Parcs Conferences & Events offers a premium event experience set within 400 acres of natural woodland. Trusted by major brands and in strong year-round demand, the venues can host everything from small leadership groups to conferences of up to 600 delegates.
Events are sustainable by design, with on-village, travel-free formats and a long-standing commitment to ESG principles. Clear pricing and packaging options are available, and for organisers with flexible dates, the team can work with a range of budgets to maximise value.
