How to plan a company retreat: Lessons from Fable & Mane’s offsite in nature 🌱

At Basejam, we believe the best retreats balance structure with surprise, and strategy with joy. Few people know that better than Estelle Raison, who recently organised Fable and Mane’s retreat at a nature-filled venue in Norfolk. From walking challenges to jungle bingo, here’s how she brought the “Fable Trail” to life.

Let’s start with the basics – when and where was the retreat?

It was at the end of July, at a beautiful countryside venue in Norfolk. The team absolutely loved it. Compared to our first retreat, which was fantastic but a little more rustic, this felt like a step up in terms of comfort – without losing that essential connection to nature. People appreciated having proper spaces to share, roam, and also retreat for downtime.

What is your role in putting these retreats together?

Honestly, I manage almost everything, end to end. I started prepping months before, starting off by locking in dates so people can block their calendars and arrange holidays. That’s especially important for our international teammates, many of whom add a European trip around the retreat.

Then comes the never-ending puzzle of venue + dates + availability. This year, I went straight to Basejam, because we’d had such a positive experience before. I was looking for somewhere that reflected our brand – nature-focused, spacious, but still comfortable –and that could hold 22 of us.

You created a theme called the “Fable Trail.” Can you tell us about it?

Yes! We treat our retreats like brand events, and we want our employees to feel like VIP guests. That means creating a theme, a visual identity, and a story that runs through the whole experience.

This year, we decided on the concept of the Fable Trail. We positioned it as a journey – connecting the team not just to each other, but to our wider brand story. The theme influenced everything: our communications, the merch, even a pre-retreat activity.

A month before the retreat took place, we ran a walking challenge called “The Great Fable Walk.” Teammates paired up, tracked their steps, and competed on a leaderboard. It created excitement, kept the theme alive before we’d even arrived, and even included those who couldn’t attend in person. I was surprised how competitive everyone got – but in the best way!

What kind of experiences did the team have once you were there?

We built the agenda around balance, with serious workshops, fun activities, and moments of genuine downtime.

• Day 1: We arrived around midday, had lunch, did team presentations, and explored the gardens. We had planned a campfire circle, but rain forced us indoors – it turned into a games night, which actually became a lovely bonding moment.
• Day 2: Morning sessions included a team-led bootcamp and a traditional Indian dance class – led by our own colleagues. It was powerful to see people teaching each other. The day continued with a big collaboration workshop, followed by arts & crafts (making keychains) as a way to unwind. That evening, we played Jungle Bingo, a game our co-founder created with brand-themed questions. It was fun, silly, and surprisingly competitive.
• Day 3: We wrapped up with more focused workshops on key brand topics, lunch, and then departures.

For me, the highlights were the unexpected moments – like watching people completely absorbed in crafts after a long day, or laughing over Jungle Bingo. Those are the memories that stick.

What about the little touches, like merchandise?

Oh, we put a lot of heart into that. We created embroidered pouches, branded socks, stickers, even enamel pins. The pins arrived late – on day two! – but the venue kindly helped us rush them in. They were meant as little rewards after activities, so I was on panic mode on day one, but in the end it was fine.

These details matter. It’s about making people feel thought-of, like the retreat was designed just for them.

Were there challenges or things you’d change for next time?

Timing is always tough. On paper it was three days, but once you factor in travel, it’s really more like two. We packed a lot in, but feedback showed people wanted more downtime for organic connection. Next time, I’d love to add an extra day.

And as I said – start merch design and ordering much earlier!

What kind of impact did you notice afterwards?

Huge. Especially for new joiners. Being a hybrid and partly remote team, it’s rare to have everyone in one room. New teammates said it was transformational – they left feeling more connected, knowing who does what, and feeling truly part of the company.

We also ran a post-retreat survey, which confirmed what we’d sensed: people felt engaged, valued, and energised. The cost of a retreat is real, but the payoff in trust, creativity, and connection is more than worth it.

Finally, what is your best advice for someone planning a company retreat?

Be intentional and detail-focused. Over-communicate in advance, but keep space for surprise and delight. The team notices when you’ve thought things through, and that’s what makes it memorable.

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Stories like this remind us why retreats matter. The right venue, a thoughtful theme, and care in the details create not just a box-ticking event, but a meaningful shared memory.