Corporate Offsite · Team leads, HR, operations · 5 min read
How to Plan a Corporate Offsite at Fernwood Hills
What using Fernwood for a team strategy day or leadership offsite actually looks like — spaces, capacity, setup, and how the day runs. Fernwood provides the property. You run the agenda.
- Team size
- 4 – 20 people
- Duration
- Half-day or full day (9 am – 5 pm)
- Price from
- $495 / half-day per space
- Spaces
- Studio Loft · Farmhouse · both
- Catering
- BYO or add Manna
- Distance
- 10 min from London, ON
Choose your space
The Studio Loft is the main offsite space — 700 sq ft of open floor, north-facing skylights, a projection wall, and a whiteboard. It seats 12 comfortably in a workshop circle or up to 16 for a presentation format. The Farmhouse is better for small leadership groups: 8 people max, kitchen, fireplace, deck. For 10–20 people, book both and rotate groups through sessions and breakouts.
Decide on catering
BYO is always fine — bring lunch, coffee, and snacks. For a more hands-off day, add Manna: Fernwood's in-house food service handles morning coffee, a family-style lunch, and afternoon snacks. Manna is seasonal and the menu is confirmed when you book. Note that Manna requires a minimum count and 2 weeks notice.
Plan arrival and setup
Day-use access starts at 9 am. Parking is on-property for up to 15 cars. Cell service is limited — if you're sharing materials digitally, have them downloaded in advance. The Studio Loft has WiFi. If you're projecting slides, bring your own laptop and portable projector; there's a clear projection wall and blackout blinds.
Structure the day
A standard offsite shape: 9:00 arrival, 9:30–11:00 first session, 11:00–11:15 break (take the forest loop), 11:15–12:30 second session, 12:30–1:30 lunch, 1:30–3:00 breakouts or working groups, 3:00 break, 3:15–4:30 integration and action planning, 5:00 close. Most teams do 2–3 focused working blocks with outdoor breaks in between — the forest between sessions is genuinely part of the day.
Add a night if it's a two-day retreat
For strategy offsites that go deep, adding overnight stays changes the dynamic. Adler and Bracken cabins sleep 2 each (each with a private washroom); the Farmhouse sleeps 4. Evening conversations around the fire pit often accomplish more than the afternoon sessions. Overnight rates start at $145/night per cabin.
What Fernwood is — and isn't
Fernwood is a private 40-acre forest property with well-equipped spaces. It's not a conference centre, an event company, or a team-building provider. It doesn't supply facilitation, agendas, or programming. What it does offer is a setting that makes a strategy day feel different from one held in your own office or a generic hotel boardroom — and private forest access between sessions that most teams say is the best part of the day.
Common questions
- How many people can Fernwood accommodate?
- Studio Loft seats up to 12 in workshop format, 16 for presentation. Farmhouse seats up to 8. Booking both handles 10–20 with breakout rotation. Fernwood does not host corporate events larger than 20.
- Does Fernwood facilitate the offsite or provide agenda support?
- No. Fernwood provides the property. You run the day. Bring your own facilitator if you need one. Fernwood's role is the space, the setting, and optionally the food.
- Is there a projector, TV, or presentation wall?
- The Studio Loft has a large open wall for projection. No built-in AV is provided — bring a portable projector. The space also works well as a pure whiteboard workshop without any tech.
- What does Manna catering look like for an offsite?
- Morning coffee and pastries, a family-style lunch, and afternoon snacks are the typical add-on. Menus are seasonal and confirmed at booking. Minimum count applies; 2 weeks notice required.
- Is there WiFi? Cell service?
- WiFi in the Studio Loft and Farmhouse. Cell service is limited — 1–2 bars Rogers/Bell, often less on other carriers. If connectivity matters, test first and bring a hotspot as backup.
- How far is Fernwood from London, Ontario?
- 10 minutes from London's west end, near Komoka — about 15 km from downtown London. 2 hours from Toronto and Detroit.
- How do I book?
- Inquire via the contact page or the retreat page booking form. Fernwood replies the same day.
Ready to book your offsite?
Fernwood replies the same day. Bring your agenda — we'll have the space ready.