6 of the best places to impress corporate clients in the Thames Valley
Sometimes a jug of lukewarm coffee and a plastic tray of caterer's sandwiches in a meeting room just won't cut it. If you're entertaining corporate clients in the Thames Valley in the near future and feel like you need a certain wow factor, it calls for a solid plan.
Luckily for you, we've handled the research side of things for you. Here are half a dozen excellent options for impressing corporate clients in and around the Thames Valley area.
We've picked a variety of different options, so there should be something which will offer up a great day or evening out and - hopefully - leave your delegates thinking favourably of you, your company and your hosting skills...
1, The Fat Duck, Bray
We're coming out of the blocks with a real heavy hitter. If you've got a real and burning desire to impress guests coming into the area, there's simply nowhere else better to take them than this three Michelin star-rated former winner of The Best Restaurant in the World award.
Heston Blumenthal's world famous eatery The Fat Duck is synonymous with innovation and offers an incredible dining experience that your guests will simply never forget.
2022 sees The Berkshire-based restaurant celebrate its 25th birthday and the place hasn't seen a decline in its quality whatsoever. Book in advance and - if it's a sizeable party - expect the company credit card to take something of a whack. But go, enjoy it and watch your clients' faces light up with joy. An undisputed winner.
2, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot
If you're looking for a fun daytime activity and anticipate the group to be a social and sporty crowd, a day at the races can be a good idea. Be careful how you bet, though - it may be seen as reflective of your business decision making!
Ascot features three annual Grade 1 Jump horse races, in addition to 13 of Britain's 36 yearly Flat Group 1 races. The course now hosts 26 days of racing throughout the year, including eight jump meetings between October and March and 18 flat meetings between April and October.
The Royal Meeting, which takes place in June every year, continues to be the social highlight of the British summer racing season. Approximately 600,000 people each year, or 10% of all racegoers in the UK, attend Ascot races.
The thought of being in royal company may impress any non-Brits in your group too. So be on the loo-out for Queen Elizabeth, who frequently attends.
3, The Malmaison, Oxford
If you're looking for a hotel - or even just a place in Oxford city centre to pop into for drinks or dinner - consider getting banged up in Oxford's Malmaison.
A former prison that is now a boutique hotel, Malmaison is tucked away in Oxford's historic Castle Quarter, just seven minutes' walk from the train station.
The hotel, which has 95 rooms spread across five wings and the chic 'Chez Mal' Bar & Brasserie, has a rich history and is set in breath-taking (and rather grimly fascinating) surroundings.
4, Hobbs of Henley, Henley
Why not let Old Mother Thames help you win your corporate clients over...?
A family-run boating company, Hobbs of Henley, was founded in Henley-on-Thames in 1870. These nautical experts provide a distinctive and attractive location for meetings, business or private celebrations and team-building exercises, all thanks to their 50+ vessel fleet, which includes three sizable passenger ships.
The magnificent Mississippi-style paddle steamer "The New Orleans" features two decks: an enclosed saloon with a bar and an open upper deck for taking in the sights. She can accommodate up to 125 on board.
Additionally, "The Waterman" has two decks and can accommodate up to 100 people. This boat is perfect for conducting business meetings, with its evocative teak timberwork and cosy soft furniture.
Then there's the passenger ship "Hibernia." She's enclosed in glass, providing excellent visibility for up to 60 guests. A fantastic choice for corporate outings due to the spacious and convivial atmosphere.
5, The Oakley Court, Windsor
At Water Oakley, in the civil parish of Bray in Berkshire, sits Oakley Court. It's a magnificent Victorian Gothic mansion home situated on 35 acres of English countryside on the banks of the River Thames. It is a Grade II listed structure that was constructed back in 1859.
Any guests not impressed by architecture or history might like to enjoy the grounds, the afternoon tea, award-winning restaurant or indoor pool. Still not wowing them? Time to bring out the big guns. Well, the 9 irons, at least. There's an excellent 9-hole golf course at Oakley Court.
For added novelty, you can let any film-loving delegates know that they're standing in Frank N. Furter's castle from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
6, The Williams F1 Experience Centre, Wantage
The races are a decent day out. Golf's fun. And dinner out at an excellent restaurant is usually a winner. But how about really leveraging your position in the country? Even non-petrolheads will get a kick out of a day out at the home of Williams, the Formula 1 team.
The Williams Experience Centre is the base of the Williams Formula 1 team and offers up a genuinely memorable experience. The building, which served as the hub of BMW's Le Mans project until it was converted into an award-winning Experience Centre in 2002, provides a contemporary and imaginative setting for gathering, training, networking and entertainment.
It also offers complete assistance in event planning and execution with 7 adaptable event rooms for anywhere between 2 and 350 guests, in-house AV facilities, experienced event managers and 5-star catering and service.
Here's the kicker... you and your guests get the chance to see the world's largest private collection of F1 vehicles, featuring more than 40 of its most famous and important race cars.
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