In the shadow of the pandemic, detached remote and hybrid work setups have left teams yearning to reforge the bonds of camaraderie. With its historic allure and versatile spaces, Rose Castle emerges as the quintessential corporate away day venue. Here, amidst its timeless charm, the stage is set for re-energising team spirit and reawakening creativity, offering an exclusive and tailor-made sanctuary to reignite team solidarity.

Steeped in history and beautifully renovated, Rose Castle's elegantly appointed rooms and expansive grounds nurture bonds, spark imagination and encourage reconnection—a haven for boosting morale with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

Elegantly combining the old with the new

With its 800-year history of exceptional hospitality and blending the authenticity of the old with the novelty of the modern, Rose Castle has always been a place for bringing people from all walks of life together.

For a third of the year, the castle is used exclusively by the Rose Castle Foundation, a peace and reconciliation charity that equips tomorrow's leaders to navigate change and conflict. Rose Castle Foundation's mission gives us a deeper purpose, making Rose Castle the ideal venue for meaningful gatherings and relationship building.

Rose Castle’s rich history of bringing people together

This profound sense of interpersonal affinity created by Rose Castle's ambience is perfect for fostering community. It is woven into the very fabric of the Rose Castle experience. This sentiment echoes a visitor who recently attended a corporate retreat at Rose Castle.

Taken by Rose Castle's breathtaking beauty and sense of comfort and relaxation, as well as how friendly the staff are towards attendees, Max and his team remarked on the Castle's positive, emotionally uplifting atmosphere that washes over you as you step into Rose Castle and its gardens.

"It's just this perfect fusion of the old and the new where you get the best of both worlds. It's very, very rare and very hard to find that balance; there's the comfort of home, but the grandeur of just a very special location that, retrospectively, leaves you feeling a sense of awe. It goes beyond a home away from home."

– Max, IQCapital

No matter what you have in mind for your team building getaway, the castle grounds, amenities and professional support team provide a blank canvas for your wildest imaginings to be realised–creating shared memories that last is what sets a good corporate away day apart from an excellent one, after all, and is what Rose Castle's legacy is all about.

A versatile and unique corporate away day space

Our landscaped gardens create a serene and inspiring oasis, perfect for fostering innovation and productivity or providing a peaceful retreat from the bustle of work. At Rose Castle, an array of indoor and outdoor spaces await, each offering a unique backdrop for an unforgettable corporate away day.

A space to work…

Despite its age, the castle boasts 21st-century infrastructure following a recent multi-million-pound renovation and a selection of beautifully restored spaces exclusively for your use. This gives you the freedom to host your corporate event in any way your heart desires.

Within Rose Castle's interior rooms, two grand State Rooms stand ready, each capable of hosting up to 80 guests in their regal splendour. The historic Chapel, bathed in natural light and airiness, welcomes up to 72 individuals, making it the perfect venue for workshops and corporate screenings. For more intimate moments, the Peace Study offers a working space ideal for board meetings or relaxed gatherings. 

Upon your team's arrival, the Bishop's Library, complete with the original Bishop's desk in the reception, greets you with a sense of timeless welcome. The Nicolson Room, with its soaring ceiling, stone fireplace, and windows gazing out over Bishops Lawn and Pettinger's Garden, provides a picturesque setting for smaller group gatherings, enriching each encounter with its tranquil beauty.

We also provide state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and technology, keeping your team seamlessly connected throughout their stay. For your corporate away day, you'll have access to speedy castle-wide WiFi (1 gigabit broadband), personalised VPNs and SSIDs for added security, subterranean broadband towers to support your outdoor technical needs, projectors and screens, a PA system, and in-house staging, to name a few.

… and a space to play 

Our 7 acres of outdoor space, including landscaped gardens, our sunken moat, an ancient dovecote, woodlands, lawns, and 11 distinct habitats, provide a boundless source of inspiration for any corporate away day, offering everything from grand celebrations to quiet moments of respite in the fresh air between productive work sessions.

Beyond our manicured gardens lies your very own expansive playground, ripe for endless fun and adventure. Picture a larger-than-life obstacle course where your team can test their resilience or indulge in a classic lawn game tournament for a more leisurely pursuit.

For a tranquil escape, teammates can wander through Pettinger's Garden, the fruit orchard, and the vegetable and apothecary gardens, filled with vibrant blooms, captivating scents, and a palette of colours. As the sun sets, they can gather around the fire pit in the enchanting woodlands and later drift into dreams beneath a canopy of stars, cradled in hammocks in the paddock.

Off-the-clock entertainment

After a day rich with collaboration and bonding, why not conclude the evening with a themed dinner, perhaps a Casino Royale affair with captivating live entertainment? As the night deepens, unwind with a glass of whiskey beside a roaring log fire.

The State Dining Room effortlessly merges elegance with practicality, its versatile charm adaptable to any occasion. It provides the perfect setting for a live band to enhance your evening feast, while classic board or card games invite post-dinner amusement, adding a delightful end to your extraordinary day.

"It was great seeing the team congregate around the piano after our casino night, playing and singing until the middle of the night and beyond, or sitting in a circle around the fire on the green outside the castle, enjoying the sheer beauty of the place, plus the ambient lighting that really brings out its features."

– Max, IQCapital

Turn your corporate away day into an overnight stay

To crown your corporate away day, consider a stay in one of our fifteen luxurious 5-star bedrooms, each designed for ultimate relaxation. Every room, with its unique colour palette and design, marries historical elegance with modern amenities, meticulously curated to rejuvenate you after a day of corporate activities, making your team feel like royalty.

Accessibility is paramount at the castle. Lifts and wheelchair access are thoughtfully provided throughout the ground floor and most of the first floor, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for all our guests.

A team building experience your team will thank you for

At Rose Castle, we take pride in cultivating a relaxed and joyous atmosphere that beautifully contrasts with, yet complements the castle's old-world grandeur. Here, eating, drinking, and merriment are not just welcomed but heartily encouraged within our refreshingly unstuffy, homey environment.

“Rose Castle is just an absolutely perfect combination of history, natural beauty, spectacular quality of indoor and outdoor spaces, brilliant service, great food and incredible atmosphere. You really can't get better than that. So, if you can squeeze your team into the castle, it's just a no-brainer. I certainly haven't experienced anything as good as Rose Castle in the UK, and it’s a must-visit for any excellent, outstanding company.” 

– Max, IQCapital

The fun

At Rose Castle, the possibilities for team-building adventures are as boundless as your imagination. Scale the heights of Helvellyn, or indulge in a bespoke whiskey or wine tasting in our atmospheric vaulted sandstone cellar. Within the castle grounds or across the breathtaking Lake District surrounds, we offer a diverse array of activities to suit every spirit.

For those seeking high-energy thrills, we can arrange:

•Archery
•Zip lining
•Birds of Prey display
•Clay pigeon shooting
•Quad biking
•Inflatable assault courses
•Tug of war
•Croquet and Boules on the manicured lawns
•Petanque
•Quoits

And for the truly adventurous, experience the exhilaration of abseiling off Strickland Tower (a big hit with Max and his colleagues!). This medieval marvel boasts a dungeon and panoramic top-tower views across Caldew Valley and the Lake District fells–we'd be delighted to offer you a tour, unveiling the tower's rich history as you embark on a daring descent.

For more of a challenge, we can also organise a bespoke castle treasure hunt (a fan favourite with previous team builds), a murder mystery night, or an escape the castle game designed to reflect your team's unique ethos and culture.

The feast

What's a corporate away day without delectable cuisine? At Rose Castle, we offer a variety of food and drink choices, from business lunches to elegant canapés and sumptuous main dishes infused with a fusion of flavours.

Our head chef masterfully crafts menus using the finest local ingredients, including vegetables sourced from our own garden, tailored to your team's tastes and preferences. Our outstanding staff serves each dish, ensuring an exceptional dining experience. For an extra touch of sophistication, we can arrange meal and wine pairings to delight your palate.

For those peckish moments between meals, Rose Castle features a Boost Kitchen stocked with refreshing teas, coffee, soft drinks, homemade cakes, and snacks available anytime, day or night. This cosy, homey space invites guests to gather and enjoy snacks together, evoking the warmth and camaraderie of sharing treats in a kitchen at home.

The flexibility

Nothing is beyond the reach of our attentive and accommodating staff throughout your stay. Each member of our team revels in fulfilling your every desire. Before you even utter a request, a fire is already crackling warmly, and refreshments are gracefully arranged as you gather for a team-building session. With a nearly magical sense of intuition, we anticipate your every need, tending to you with the grace and attentiveness befitting royalty. Our service is not just about meeting your expectations but about creating an experience that feels almost enchanted.

Ask our dedicated corporate team about designing a tailored package of activities to suit your specific needs.

"Witnessing teams switch off outside of work for their visit is always a pleasure to see. From secret missions, walks up Lake District Fells, Clay Pigeon shooting, and quadbike safaris to all coming together to watch the sunset over the castle, gathered round the firepit on the front lawn with drinks and smores… It really is what we aim to achieve here, bringing people together in this special and unique place."

– Tony Gill, Front of House

Your event, your Castle in Cumbria

Whether it's an adrenaline-filled weekend with a jam-packed itinerary or a slower-paced getaway for brainstorming and innovating, Rose Castle is your canvas, ready to showcase a corporate away day extravaganza that truly resonates with your team. 

Secluded, accessible, and endlessly flexible, this extraordinary venue offers a wealth of activities, adaptable indoor rooms, expansive outdoor spaces, and a dedicated serving team. The possibilities for a corporate away day with a twist are boundless.

Historically, the Bishops of Carlisle welcomed guests from all walks of life. Today, you can continue this tradition of hospitality, adding your chapter to Rose Castle's 800-year legacy. Create a remarkably unique corporate away day that your team will cherish for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on our magical castle and your deserving team.