On Tuesday 18th April Story Events were taken on an adventure to Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Kent run by the Aspinall Foundation.
The Story team were picked up and greeted at Ashford International train station by the wonderful event staff and taken to the reserve via shuttle. We were then shown to the Mansion to network and indulge in tea, coffee, juices and their new delicious selection of vegan breakfast offerings.
Once breakfast had finished, the amazing venues events team carried out a tour of their main event spaces and accommodation options, including the Mansion, the Orangery and the Garden Room. We were firstly shown the Mansion, which is a gorgeous Grade II Listed manor house built in 1913 and is home to three stunning event spaces. These spaces have the smallest capacities in the reserve and include the Long Room (100 standing), the Spencer Roberts Room (50 standing) and the Martin Jordan Room (50 standing). Whether it is a meeting space, reception or intimate dinner the Mansion really has something for everyone!
Next the Story team were shown to the Orangery for a delicious fully vegan two-course buffet lunch with drinks supplied by Gusbourne Wines! The Orangery has its own decking and private garden area and can host up to 160 seated guests or 250 for a standing reception. Available for exclusive hire, this space truly lends itself to luxury dining experiences.
Once we finished lunch, we were shown the beautiful Lion Lodge which is just one of the luxurious accommodation options at the reserve, and we were lucky enough to be greeted by two lion siblings! Guests staying overnight can be hosted in a range of interior designs with a multitude of animal housemates, including Luxury Lodges, Cottages, Cabins, Pods, Glamping and Treehouses.
Next, the team were taken on a Safari and shown the 600 acres of private parkland, which is home to over 800 wild endangered animals. We were taken through the Asian and African Experience, and saw free-roaming giraffes, ostriches, rhinos and zebras to name a few!
As well as the safaris, Port Lympne has several corporate team building activities on offer, specifically team building with a purpose. For example, teams can create something that can be given back to the wildlife such as enrichment items for the animals or enclosure furniture. Alternatively, they can get up close and personal with the wildlife by feeding them during the Animal Encounters.
After hopping off the safari truck, the team went to explore the Garden Room where hot teas and coffees were waiting to warm us up. This stunning room is a perfect location for meetings, events and dining, and can hold up to 140 guests in both a standing reception and a seated lunch/dinner.
The best part is, if you choose to host your event at Port Lympne, you are directly helping the park to protect the wildlife, send animals back into the wild, and to manage the animal protection schemes in Congo, Java, Madagascar and Gabon.
It was such a magical day, thank you so much to all the team at Port Lympne for hosting us!
Contact us today for your next company offsite!
