Leadership & Team Retreats
Book the most energised meeting space East Sussex possesses
Step away from the noise of the office and into a space designed for fresh thinking, meaningful conversations and stronger connections.
Set amongst the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, The Grain Store offers a refreshing alternative to traditional meeting rooms and corporate event spaces. We've reinvented the leadership retreat and executive away day, creating an inspiring environment where natural light, open space and nature help leaders gain new perspectives, teams reconnect and your ideas flourish.
Conveniently located near Lewes and easily accessible from London, Brighton and across the South East, The Grain Store is an ideal venue for leadership retreats, executive team away days, founder strategy sessions, team incentive days and networking events.
Whether you're bringing together your senior leadership team, rewarding employees, hosting a founder strategy day or a networking event, we provide the space, flexibility and support to help people connect and thrive.
Executive Team Away Days
The best decisions are rarely made in the boardroom.
Our Executive Team Away Days and leadership retreats are designed for senior teams looking to step away from day-to-day operations and focus on the decisions that will shape their future for the better. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the South Downs, The Grain Store creates an environment where fresh ideas emerge, honest conversations flourish and stronger leadership teams are built.
Whether you're developing business strategy, planning for growth, or navigating organisational change, we'll help you create a productive leadership team offsite that leaves everyone with greater clarity, stronger alignment and renewed energy.
Suitable for senior leadership teams of up to 10 people, with tailored packages including catering, wellness experiences, and private access to South Downs Sauna Lewes.
Founder's Strategy Day
Running your own business often leaves little time for the strategic thinking that matters most.
Our Founder's Strategy Day is designed for entrepreneurs, founders and business owners who need the space to step away from day-to-day demands, gain perspective and focus on what comes next. Come on your own for uninterrupted thinking time, bring a co-founder, or gather your senior leadership team for a focused business strategy retreat.
The Grain Store provides a calm and grounding environment to reflect on challenges, explore new opportunities and make clearer decisions. Whether you're refining your vision, solving a complex business challenge or simply creating time to think, this is a place to reconnect with your bigger picture.
Available for individuals or teams of up to 10 people, with optional catering, wellness experiences and event planning support to create a day tailored to your specific needs.
Team Incentive & Connection Days
Reward your team with more than another day in a dull meeting room.
Our Team Incentive & Connection Days are designed for businesses looking to strengthen relationships, improve team wellbeing and invest in a positive workplace culture. Nestled in the heart of nature, The Grain Store provides a team awayday experience that inspires connection, celebrates success and reminds people why they love working together.
From outdoor activities and wellness sessions to exceptional food, creative experiences and access to South Downs Sauna Lewes, here you can create an event that will leave your team feeling energised, appreciated and inspired.
Suitable for groups of up to 20 guests, with bespoke packages designed around your team, culture and goals.
Networking & Community events
The most valuable conversations rarely happen in conventional meeting venues.
Whether you're hosting a networking event, client gathering, roundtable, leadership forum, community meet-up or brand event, The Grain Store is a place that fosters meaningful conversations and lasting connections. Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the South Downs, it's a setting designed to help people slow down, be present and engage more deeply.
Whether your goal is to grow a professional community, strengthen client relationships, or showcase your brand, here you can create an event that people will remember for all the right reasons.
Suitable for networking and community events of up to 20 guests, with optional catering and bespoke event support to help you deliver a seamless experience.
Other ways to use the space
The Grain Store is also available for:
Executive recruitment and interview days
Board meetings
Annual planning sessions
Client workshops
Advisory board meetings
Investor presentations
Product planning
Leadership coaching
Explore the space
Scroll through the images below to view our indoor and outdoor spaces.
Elevate your experience
Everything you need for a productive day, including fast Wi-Fi, a large table and comfortable seating for up to 10 guests, a flipchart with pad and pens, on-site parking for five cars, and unlimited Fairtrade tea, coffee and filtered water, is provided as standard.
To make your time at The Grain Store even more memorable, choose from a range of optional extras, including catering, wellbeing experiences, strategic planning support, outdoor activities and adventures, and exclusive hire of South Downs Sauna Lewes.
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Catering options
Our extensive catering options include breakfast and lunch, as well as buffet meals and BBQs, provided by top local caterers who devise delicious menus using fresh local produce. Meal services and menus can be tailored to your specific needs and dietary requirements.
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Sauna
You can enjoy private hire of South Downs Sauna Lewes, our charming woodland sauna, which offers a Finnish-style sauna experience and simple spa treatments in a secluded spot just a few moments’ walk from The Grain Store.
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Activities
Onsite activities include yoga classes and massage treatments, and for team incentive and away days, we also partner with local specialist operators to provide kayaking adventures on the River Ouse, guided walks and vineyard tours and wine tasting at Sugrue South Downs.
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Event planning
Our team can also assist you to plan your workshop, awayday or networking event. Services include booking taxis and hotel accommodation, as well as arranging all of the services and experiences as listed above.
Strategic planning and design your leadership retreat with Leadership Coach & Executive Thinking Partner Anni Townend
The success of a leadership retreat often depends on the thinking that happens before everyone arrives.
As an optional special addition to your booking, Leadership Coach and Executive Thinking Partner Anni Townend offers pre-retreat planning and design sessions to help founders and leadership teams make the very best use of their time together. Working with senior leaders, executive teams and boards, Anni brings extensive experience helping organisations create the conditions for better thinking, stronger collaboration and more meaningful conversations. She is co-founder of the Collaboration Equation™, a leadership framework designed to help teams harness the power of Curiosity, Care and Courage to deepen human connection, open conversation and collective success.
During a pre-event planning session, Anni will help you clarify your intentions, define the outcomes you want to achieve, help you shape your agenda and identify the conversations that matter most. By arriving with greater focus and purpose, your team can spend less time finding its feet and more time making real progress.
Sessions with Anni are held online in advance of your event and are available as an enhancement to selected leadership and team retreat packages. Please note that Anni does not attend or facilitate your event at The Grain Store.
Anni is known for the walk and talk, side-by-side conversation with large groups, teams and individuals, integrating nature and being outdoors into her work. She is co-founder of Walking Partnerships.
To find out more about Anni, see her website and listen to her podcast, Leaders in Conversation.
FAQs
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The Grain Store hosts leadership retreats, executive away days, founder strategy days, team incentive events, networking gatherings, workshops and business meetings.
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Yes. Our Executive Team Away Days are designed specifically for senior leadership teams seeking space for strategic planning, decision-making, alignment and fresh thinking. Up to five cars can be parked at The Grain Store. However, if you require more parking please enquire.
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We can accommodate up to 10 guests for seated meetings, strategy sessions and leadership retreats, and up to 20 guests for networking events, leadership retreats and team awaydays.
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Yes. Located near Lewes in the South Downs National Park, The Grain Store is easily accessible from London, Brighton and across the South East.
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Yes. Optional wellness experiences include private 1:2:1 and small group yoga sessions, massage treatments and access to South Downs Sauna Lewes.
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Yes. We offer a range of catering and hospitality options, from refreshments and working lunches to private dining experiences.
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Yes. Founder's Strategy Days can be booked by individual business owners, founders or small leadership teams looking for space to think, plan and gain perspective away from day-to-day business demands.