Looking for a private venue for a leadership away-day or strategy retreat in the Lake District? Orrest Head House in Windermere is a Grade II listed house in two acres of grounds, with a dining room for 18, its own bar and strong wifi throughout. Midweek breaks start from £1,100, and we’re VAT registered.
Last month, six company directors checked into Orrest Head House for a mid-week strategy session.
No hotel lobby. No conference centre. No strangers at the next table listening to your five-year plan.
Just a Grade II listed house in the heart of the Lake District, with over two acres of private grounds, a dining room that seats 18, and a bar named after a man who lived here in the 1670s.
They hired a chef through one of our catering partners. Every meal was made from scratch. The kitchen — a designer space with an electric range cooker, ceramic hob, and a central island the size of a small country — was made for exactly that kind of thing.
During the day they worked. Properly worked. No interruptions. No distractions. Just six people with the space and the privacy to actually think.
In the evenings, they had Josiah Brown’s Bar to themselves. The Chesterfield sofas. The woodburning stove. The kind of atmosphere that makes conversations go somewhere.
And when they needed a break from it all? The Orrest Head walk starts literally at the gate. Fresh air, big views, heads cleared. Then back to work.
This is what Orrest Head House does for a business group. It gives you the privacy to be honest with each other. The space to think big. And an environment that feels nothing like the office — which is exactly the point.
Mid-week bookings are available all year, starting from £1,100. If you’re planning an away-day, a strategy retreat, or just need somewhere genuinely special to get your leadership team around one table, we’d love to hear from you.
Andy and Barbara (owners)
Frequently asked questions
Does the property have strong Wi-Fi throughout?
Yes — all of our big houses have strong wifi, with multiple mesh routers to make sure it’s strong everywhere in the house.
Can we present in the cinema?
Yes — the cinema is ideal for presentations. You can plug your laptop in via HDMI and use our 75-inch screens to present from.
How many individual beds does each property have?
Number One: 9–10 beds. White Moss: 9 beds. Alice Howe: 12 beds. Boston House: 11 beds. Bannerrigg: 16 beds. Orrest Head House: 10 beds. Orrest Head Cottage: 4 beds.
Can we bring in caterers for the whole of our stay?
Yes — we can put you in touch with caterers who will come in and make breakfast, lunch and dinner for your group.
We are coming by car — do you have secure parking, and how many spaces are there?
Each property has at least 6 car parking spaces. Bannerrigg and Boston House have 8 each, and Orrest Head House has enough for a fleet of cars.
Would you do us a deal if we took more than one property?
In theory, deals are always there to be done — however we keep our midweek prices low, so there isn’t a great deal of margin, and the answer may not be yes.
Do your prices include VAT?
Yes — we’re VAT registered, which may be recoverable by your company.
Are you near a station?
Yes — we’re located just above Windermere station.
Related posts: Ditch the Conference Centre · Midweek Work Breaks Near Windermere · Ditch the Office Christmas Party