Arrival, coffee & pastries
Room key collection opens
Firm away day2026
Space to think.
Time together.
Two days away from the everyday — to plan, learn, reconnect and have a little fun at the foot of the South Downs.
A note from the partners
Everyone in one place,
with one clear purpose.
This year’s away day brings the whole firm together — partners, fee-earners and business services — for planning, training and a genuinely enjoyable evening.
Attendance is expected for all staff. If you have a genuine conflict, please speak to your head of department by Friday 4 September.
The programme
What’s happening,
and when.
A focused day of firm planning, practical training and time together — followed by breakfast and an optional Beacon walk on Friday.
Entrance Hall
Welcome & housekeeping
Eleanor Barrington, Senior Partner
The firm: year in review & 2027 priorities
The partnership
Coffee
15 minutes
Departmental breakouts
Room allocations on the noticeboard
Lunch
One hour
AI tools in legal practice
Training + Q&A · 1.25 hours CPD
Client service workshop
Mixed cross-department tables
Tea & cake
15 minutes
Wrap-up & actions
Michael Danton, Managing Partner
Afternoon activities
Choose one in advance
Free time & room check-in
One hour
Drinks reception
Library if wet
Dinner & annual pub quiz
Quizmaster: Tom from Accounts
Bar open
Until midnight
Office closed Friday 25 September. You are not expected back at your desk until Monday 28 September.
Thursday · 16:15–18:00
Choose your
afternoon.
Select one when you confirm attendance. Limited places are first-come, first-served.
◎
Clay pigeon shooting
Full instruction provided. No experience needed.
Maximum 16 people◇
Team treasure hunt
Mixed teams, moderately competitive, with one lightly humiliating finale.
Maximum 30 people⌁
Guided nature walk
A gentle tour with the Hall’s gardener, finishing with tea in the walled garden.
No maximum△
Cocktail masterclass
Mix behind the bar. Non-alcoholic options are available.
Maximum 12 peopleThe venue
Hollingford
Hall
Hollingford Lane
Ditchling, East Sussex
BN6 8ZQ
A Grade II listed country house at the foot of the South Downs, five minutes from Ditchling village.
We have exclusive use of the house and grounds, including the Orangery, Library, 34 en-suite bedrooms and gardens.
On-the-day events desk 01273 000 000
By car
From the A23 take the A273 towards Hassocks, then follow signs for Ditchling. Hollingford Lane is the first left after the village green.
Free parking · 80 spacesBy train
Hassocks station is two miles away. The minibus meets the 08:12 arrival from Brighton and 08:31 from London Victoria.
Local taxi approximately £10Share the journey
Use the lift-share sheet in the Brighton office kitchen or on the intranet. Parking is limited, and it’s kinder on the planet.
Mileage and train fares are claimableSatnav noteIf it tries to take you down Beacon Road, ignore it.
The essentials
Stay, eat,
feel at home.
Your room and all scheduled food and drink are covered. A few details will make the stay smoother.
Your room
Every attendee has a single en-suite room booked for Thursday night, at no cost. Keys are available from 08:30; rooms may not be ready until 15:00, but luggage can go in the secure cloakroom.
- Breakfast on Friday is included
- Tell Priya by 4 September if you won’t stay
- Partners and spouses are not included
- Settle bar, minibar and room-service extras before leaving
Food & drink
All meals, refreshments and the drinks reception are provided. Wine is included with dinner; the bar is pay-as-you-go afterwards.
Submit every dietary requirement when confirming.
What to wear
Business casual by day, smart casual for dinner. Bring trainers or walking shoes and a waterproof for outdoor activities.
The Downs make their own weather.
Pack the night before
A short
checklist.
Tick these off as you pack.
Laptop or tablet is optional — the day is designed to be largely screen-free.
Accessibility & wellbeing
Tell us what you need.
We’ll sort it without fuss.
Core rooms and six bedrooms have step-free access. There is a lift to the first floor, and the ground-floor Morning Room will be a quiet space all day. Tell Priya in confidence about access, mobility or activity needs.
Working arrangements
Set an out-of-office on email and your desk phone for Thursday and Friday. Each department has a nominated on-call contact for client-critical matters.
Staying connected
Mobile signal is patchy — EE and Vodafone are best. Venue Wi-Fi is good; the password will be printed on your room key card.
Heading home Thursday?
Let Priya know by 4 September. Do not drive after drinking; the last taxi-friendly trains leave Hassocks at around 23:30.
Before we go
Four dates
for the diary.
Confirm attendance
Overnight stay, activity choice and dietary needs via the intranet form.
Final details
Joining instructions and room allocations will be circulated.
Away day
Arrive at Hollingford Hall by 08:30.
Check-out
Leave your room by 10:00; station shuttle at 10:15.
Questions or confidential requirements?