Commonly referred to as ‘Britain’s garden,’ Wales is a country that has long captivated the imaginations of writers, filmmakers and travellers alike. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and captivating coastline, it’s one of the most popular destinations for Brits travelling at home. However, Wales is also rising in popularity as a destination for a range of corporate conferences and events.
With a range of unique conference venues and meeting rooms available at various establishments in Cardiff, Newport, Bangor, Swansea and more, an increasing number of event managers also hire out traditional castles and fortresses to impress attendees with a really memorable event.
But perhaps Wales’ biggest strength comes in the form of exciting outdoor team building opportunities, five of which are showcased below to give you a bit of inspiration.
1) Scale Snowdonia
Image credit: Visit Snowdonia
As described in this previous post, Snowdonia is seen as the jewel in Wales’ crown and, boasting a reach that encompasses not just coastal scenery but hills and forests, provides ample opportunity for a whole range of team building exercises.
Some tour operators offer ‘mountain rescue’ style challenges where you’ll have to negotiate rocky outcrops by climbing and abseiling, while the less adventurous in your company might be more comfortable taking part in Snowdonia’s Treetop Adventure. While you’ll still have to overcome balance beams, rope bridges and zip wires, you’ll have the added comfort of completing it all from the safety of high ropes.
2) Tackle an urban treasure hunt
Image credit: Astounding Adventures
Although Wales’ rural beauty provides a perfect base for teambuilding, the country’s urban areas have just as much potential and are more suited to those who don’t feel quite up to scaling a mountain!
From GPS treasure hunts in Cardiff to those conducted with the help of a good old fashioned map in Swansea, an urban treasure hunt is the ideal way to get staff working together as a team to solve problems and forge solid relationships that will endure once you’re back in the office.
3) Battle through the Brecon Beacons
Image credit: The Axeman’s Place
The Brecon Beacons national park is one of the most breath-taking outdoor spaces in Britain and the wealth of activities you can take part in there is almost boundless, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon of team building.
As well as playing host to bushcraft days organised by a range of event companies, the park is home to some of the most important cave systems in Britain. Both experienced cavers and nervous first timers will be accompanied by an experienced guide who’ll help them navigate through the underground passages, and many companies can even continue their adventure above ground in exciting abseiling challenges.
4) Compete at land carting
Image credit: Brecon Beacons Tourism
Exciting team building exercises don’t always have to involve dark caves and looming mountains, something as simple as taking part in a land carting challenge can be just as fun and just as motivational.
Land carting activities can be found in numerous parts of Wales and are a great way of getting a competitive workforce to work together to solve a problem, forging stronger relationships and work ethics in the process. After successfully building a sturdy, working cart your team can even let their hair down by taking it out for a spin; a great reward for a day’s hard work.
5) Get soaked by gorge walking
Image credit: Life Changing Activities
Sometimes there’s nothing better for team morale than just having a good time and letting go while supporting one another through a minefield of waterfalls, rock walls and boulders.
Gorge walking is an incredibly popular team building activity all around Wales, and it’s no surprise when you consider how many sprawling areas of natural beauty there are to choose from. It’s a great way for your team to let go of any stress they’ve kept pent up after a tough period at work and just be themselves for a change.
Team building might have previously been associated with closing your eyes and falling back into another member of staff’s arms, but with the wealth of new and exciting activities available it can turn out to be a really invaluable exercise. A productive and effective workplace is one full of happy staff, so what better way to boost morale than with a day where employees can just have a bit of fun in a beneficial way?
Have you taken part in a great team building activity in Wales recently? Tell us about it in the comments below.
About the author:
Jo Egan loves to travel and visit places of natural beauty. She has been a Partner at Hotel Desk , a corporate venue finding agency for 11 years, regularly visiting Wales to source the best and most affordable venues for corporate clients. Find out more about sourcing venues in Wales by visiting their website here.
