Derbyshire Events Venue With Self Catering Accommodation

With accommodation for up to 81 persons, Knockerdown events venue is in a rural location in between Derby and Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Knockerdown is ideal for corporate retreats, business training events, director events and various other personal events

Events Venue Weekend & Mid-Week Package (Includes accommodation for 1 or 2 nights)

Our Knockerdown Venue exclusive use package price includes all accommodation for 2 nights over a weekend or 1 night mid-week and use of all our venue event spaces. This includes use of the Brackendale function room from 9am on day of arrival until 5pm on day of departure. .

Key Features About Knockerdown Events Venue

Key Features Description
Exclusive Venue The entire site can be hired, ensuring privacy and exclusivity for your event or team gathering.
Flexible Accommodation 16 individually styled cottages can accommodate up to 81 people, with customizable accommodation packages. Knockerdown Cottages consists of a total of 42 bedrooms and 31 bathrooms.
  • Sleeps 31 in private rooms with private shower/bathrooms
  • Sleeps 42 in private rooms sharing shower/bathrooms
  • Sleeps 81 in single beds sharing rooms and shower/bathrooms
  • Sleeps 76 in twins over 36 private rooms with shared shower/bathrooms
Versatile Meeting Spaces The venue provides flexible and unique meeting spaces , including the spacious Brackendale Room.
Breakout Rooms There are versatile breakout spaces within the cottages, offering smaller meeting areas and relaxation spaces.
On-Site Activities Guests can enjoy on-site facilities such as the swimming pool and games room.
Local Activity Recommendations The experienced team can recommend local activity providers for unique experiences on-site or in the area.
Convenient Location Centrally located, easily accessible by car or coach , with nearby transport options and attractions.
Dedicated Event Coordinators A dedicated team of event coordinators is available to assist in planning and organising your event.



Printable Corporate Factsheet

Browse our Cottages

Browse our Event Spaces

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Derbyshire Event Accommodation

Knockerdown Cottages has sixteen individually styled cottages that when hired together can accommodate up to 81 people. Don't need all sixteen cottages? That's no problem, we can offer flexible accommodation packages based on your numbers and room requirements. You will still have exclusive use of the site and we simply lock down any cottages that you do not require. Browse our cottages

A fantastic ratio of bedrooms with private bathrooms or en suites which makes overnight stays really easy to organise for all sizes of events. Each one of the cottages are individually styled and can offer twin or double set up. The high ratio of bedroom to bathroom across the site, means a relaxing and enjoyable stay for your entire team. Each cottage is fully furnished with honest creature comforts which makes for a relaxing stay. 

All linens and towels are provided so no need for your delegates to bring their own.

Site Map Detailed Location

Exclusive Use Events Venue

Set on the cusp of the Peak District National Park in the heart of rural Derbyshire, this stunning countryside location provides total exclusivity. You can hire the entire venue to enjoy privacy throughout your stay and create a work experience unlike any other for your team or delegates. 

Knockerdown Cottages offers a blank canvas, ideal for businesses who want to include their own personal touches, to create a unique self catering perfect corporate event. With the full site being exclusively yours for the duration of your stay, you can take advantage of our indoor heated swimming pool, games room and everything we have to offer. 

Our dedicated team of event coordinators will be on hand to help you develop and organise your planned event whether it is a team meeting, wellness retreat, seminar, leadership programme, Christmas party or residential weekend.

Knockerdown is situated in a beautiful location, after work you can enjoy stunning walks from the doorstep.  Centrally located in the heart of the UK, Knockerdown is situated in a rural hamlet close to the market town of Ashbourne, easily accessible by car or coach its a mere 10 minute drive from the main A515. Derby train station is 30 minutes away and East Midlands Airport is just 40 minutes away. 

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Knockerdown courtyard

Event Activities

The meadow

Knockerdown is the perfect venue for team building activities. Our experienced team can recommend some great local activity providers who can help you create a unique experience for your delegates.

On Site

The private grounds at Knockerdown are perfect for offering team building activities on site. From Archery to Axe Throwing, Murder Mysteries, Obstacle Courses, Gin Tasting, Cocktail Making, Crafting and much more, there is literally something for everyone. Our team can guide you to the right supplier who can provide you with a fun filled itinerary for your delegates.  Our activities and events sister company Sauced Here can assist with all your activity requirements for on site event activities.  

Off Site

Venture out into the Peak District and you will not be disappointed. Carsington Water can offer a wealth of water based activities and is just a 5 minute walk away. The Peak District can also offer a lot of other adventurous activities from Caving, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Bouldering, Hunted in the Peaks (real life version of the TV programme!) and many more, you really are spoilt for choice.​

Relax

Relax with our onsite facilities which include an Indoor Swimming Pool, Games Room and plenty of outdoor space.

Event Catering Options

Knockerdown Cottages are all self catering cottages and each cottage has its own fully equipped kitchen. This is perfect if your plans are to cater for yourselves, bring your supermarket shop with you, or have it delivered (post arrival) and your delegates can cook up a storm! There is also a communal BBQ so on warmer evenings why not head outside and have a group BBQ.

If you want to sample local food and drink then why not order your supermarket shop from the Peak Districts own supermarket Sauced Here with over 1000+ locally sourced products and services from over 40 Peak District farmers, food & drink producers and local businesses, you won't need to go to the supermarket for anything! 

If you want to provide food for your delegates we can recommend some excellent catering companies and private dining chefs who will be able to provide you with a wide range of options from informal buffets, breakfast options and packed lunches right through to fine dining and celebration banquets. Let us know what you require and our team will coordinate everything for you.

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Plate of food

Corporate Event Function Rooms & Break Out Areas

Screen set up for corporate event

Flexible and unique style of meeting spaces and training rooms with versatile break out rooms. The Brackendale Room is a huge event space and can be set up in any form you like for a large group and can seat 81. This room has wonderful high ceilings and an abundance of natural light looking out over the rolling Derbyshire Dales.  Our Games Room can be used as a multi purpose room depending on your requirements. 

Each of the sixteen cottages on site have living and dining spaces that can all offer smaller spaces which are perfect for one to one, smaller group meetings, break out rooms, workshop spaces or just quieter spaces for delegates to reflect/plan or relax.

The full site is a perfect fit for business needs. 

Event Spaces

Over many years Knockerdown has hosted a number of DIY corporate events for companies from around the UK. Our events have included the following: 

  • ​Off site business meetings 
  • Directors retreats
  • Corporate Training Venue & Training Course
  • Senior Management Birthday Parties
  • Christmas Party Venue including drinks receptions
  • Business Event Venue
  • Awards Ceremony and corporate parties
  • Group Accommodation and Conference Centre
  • Residential training facility
  • Away days
  • Company charity challenges
  • Business meeting venue hire
  • Wellness and health retreats 
  • New Product Launches
  • Gathering key teams together
  • Corporate training venue
  • Conference venue
  • Team rewards and recognition events
  • Leadership programmes
  • University retreats


Contact us today to discuss your requirements. 

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Outside games room

Customer Service Tailored to Your Business Need

Pool table and table tennis table

Our customer service is second to none, we can offer event planning and a concierge service tailored to your specific requirements. At Knockerdown our experienced events team can tailor the event and offer a flexible service with as much or as little input as required. We can coordinate an end to end service with our network of trusted suppliers including caterers, activity specialists, facilitators and trainers. We offer a vast amount of flexible business event accommodation to suit all budgets on one self contained site. 

In addition to our Knockerdown site we also have a number of other sites across the Peak District with our sister company Peak Venues. Peak Venues offer a number of corporate meeting and accommodation venues designed for Corporate retreats and events. Full details of some of the best corporate venues in the Peak District can be found on the Corporate Properties Link

To discuss Knockerdown Cottages for your business meeting venue hire please contact our expert team today. 


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Your Perfect Corporate Venue Set In Derbyshire Countryside

Knockerdown is the perfect corporate venue hire.  Check out the following to see why Knockerdown is the perfect corporate event venue. 

1 - Easy To Get To

Travelling to and from the venue is without doubt the least enjoyable element of a business retreat and so choosing a location that's central makes a lot of sense - especially if you have colleagues arriving from far afield.

Good transport links and easy road access are vital but it's important to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas and into the countryside. Our location is set 6 miles from Ashbourne and 5 miles from Wirksworth and the major transport hub of Derby. Find us on the map.

Frosty meadow view
Carsington Water

2 - Quiet And Undisturbed

To really have quality time together as a team, you need as few external distractions as possible.

The UK countryside offers a perfect blend of tranquillity, beauty and fresh air and the National Parks are a great choice. We have an extremely private site hidden from the public surrounded by trees and lush farming fields. 


3 - Spacious Venue With Plenty Of Bedrooms

Let's face it, most people probably wouldn't want to share a bedroom with a work colleague so it's crucial that the venue has plenty of bedrooms and possibly more importantly, an en-suite bathroom. 

Knockerdown consists of a total of 42 bedrooms and 31 bathrooms in 16 holiday cottages. Site Map

Farmhouse - bedroom 2
Two Dales dining table and kitchen

4 - More Than One Communal Space

Sometimes you need to get away from the crowd and having a few communal spaces allows small groups or individuals to "break out" for a chat or just to sit quietly and reflect.

By the same token, there should be at least one space that accommodates everyone at once and ideally where everyone can eat together. Knockerdown has the fabulous Brackendale Suite which can accommodate up to 100 persons and the smaller Carsington Room which is ideal for a break out or smaller intimate business meetings. 




5 - Useful Outdoor Space

If your retreat is planned for the fairer months, having great useable outdoor space can be a great addition.

Not only is it great for colleagues to be able to enjoy some fresh air, outdoor eating, BBQs etc. but many of the classic team building exercises rely on there being ample space to build bridges, run races and dare we say it "fire walk"? The fabulous large meadow is great for all sorts of corporate activities such as team building, archery or just a good game of team footy.  See our useful activities page for some outside activity ideas and some of our favoured outdoor contacts. 


Outside Bruns
Farmhouse dining view from kitchen

6 - Excellent Catering Facilities Either On Site Or Brought In

A great kitchen with superb dining facilities is an absolute "must have".

They say an army marches on its stomach and this holds true for retreat attendees too!

Keeping your teams fed and watered through what might be quite busy days can't be overlooked and so with larger groups, it might be necessary to bring in outside caterers for at least some of the meals.

For smaller teams, cooking a meal together and then eating it in a homely environment can be one of the most memorable and valuable aspects of a business retreat.



7 - Not Too Far From Interesting Activities And Locations

One of the key benefits of a corporate retreat is the change of scene away from the confines of the office.

While it's lovely to spend time with colleagues in a converted farm, it's also important to have interesting places to see and things to do in the local area like the market town of Bakewell or fantastic cycling trails on old disused railways. 

Now that you've selected your business event venue, it's time to contact our event planners to help organise your event. 

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Photo credit: Visit Peak District
Credit: Photo credit: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

Our Top Ideas For Activities at Your Corporate Event

Corporate function in BR
  • Team-Building Exercises: Engage your team in problem-solving challenges, escape rooms, scavenger hunts, or interactive group activities that encourage collaboration and communication.
  • Networking Events: Host a happy hour, networking game, or informal gathering where employees can socialise, build relationships, and expand their professional networks.
  • Professional Development Workshops: Arrange workshops or training sessions on various topics such as time management, public speaking, leadership skills, or industry-specific skills to enhance employee growth and development.
  • Outdoor Activities: Plan a company picnic, team-building retreat, hiking trip, or sports day to provide a refreshing break from the office and encourage team bonding in a relaxed environment.
  • Volunteer Opportunities: Organise a community service project where employees can contribute to a meaningful cause, fostering a sense of purpose and unity among the team.
  • Wellness Activities: Offer wellness programs like yoga or meditation sessions, mindfulness workshops, or fitness challenges to promote physical and mental well-being among employees.
  • Keynote Speaker or Panel Discussion: Invite industry experts or influential speakers to deliver a keynote address or participate in a panel discussion on a relevant topic that aligns with your company's goals and interests.
  • Product Launch or Demonstration: Organise a special event to introduce and showcase new products or services to your team, clients, or stakeholders, creating excitement and engagement within the company.
  • Company Fair or Trade Show: Arrange a fair or trade show where different departments or teams can set up booths to showcase their projects, initiatives, or achievements, fostering cross-team collaboration and awareness.
  • Sports Tournament or Game Night: Host a friendly sports tournament, game night, or team competition to encourage friendly competition, teamwork, and camaraderie among employees.
Plate of food
Archery at Wild Park
  • Cooking or Mixology Class: Organise a cooking or mixology class where employees can learn new culinary skills or create their own signature cocktails, fostering creativity and teamwork.
  • Scavenger Hunt or City Exploration Tour: Arrange a scavenger hunt or city exploration tour for employees to discover local landmarks, solve puzzles, and strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills.
  • Company Talent Show or Open Mic Night: Host a talent show or open mic night where employees can showcase their talents, whether it's singing, dancing, stand-up comedy, or other entertaining performances, promoting a fun and inclusive atmosphere.
  • Charity Auction or Raffle: Organise a charity auction or raffle where employees can donate items or services and participate in bidding or buying tickets, supporting a charitable cause and fostering a sense of giving back.
  • Comedy Night or Improv Show: Arrange a comedy night or improv show, either featuring professional comedians or encouraging employees to showcase their improvisational skills, creating a fun and laughter-filled environment.
  • Virtual or In-person Game Night: Host a game night, either in-person or virtually, where employees can participate in board games, trivia contests, or interactive online games, fostering friendly competition and team bonding.
  • Fitness or Fitness Challenge: Offer fitness activities or challenges such as group exercise classes, step challenges, or fitness competitions to promote physical well-being and camaraderie among employees.
  • Book Club or Discussion Group: Establish a book club or discussion group where employees can explore and discuss books or relevant topics of interest, fostering intellectual growth and creating opportunities for thought-provoking conversations.
  • Company-wide Volunteer Day or Community Service Project: Dedicate a day for the entire company to participate in a volunteer activity or a community service project, giving back to the community and strengthening the company's commitment to social responsibility.
  • Company-wide Wellness Day: Organise a company-wide wellness day with activities such as mindfulness sessions, health screenings, fitness classes, and wellness workshops to promote overall well-being and work-life balance among employees.
Carsington Water
Photo credit: DP-J Photography (flickr)
Credit: Photo credit: DP-J Photography (flickr)
  • Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality Experience: Provide virtual reality or augmented reality experiences where employees can explore new virtual environments or engage in immersive simulations, fostering innovation and creativity.
  • Awards Ceremony or Recognition Event: Host an awards ceremony or recognition event to celebrate employee achievements, exceptional performance, or milestones, acknowledging and appreciating the contributions of individuals and teams.
  • Museum or Historical Tour: Arrange a visit to a museum or organize a historical tour where employees can learn about art, culture, or local history, fostering curiosity and team building.
  • Company-wide Sustainability Initiative or Challenge: Launch a company-wide sustainability initiative or challenge, encouraging employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and promoting a culture of sustainability within the organization.
  • Wide Challenge or Competition: Organise a wide-scale challenge or competition, such as a coding challenge, design competition, or innovation challenge, to foster collaboration, creativity, and friendly competition among employees.


To discuss your ideas further for your event at Knockerdown Cottages:

Contact Our Events Team