From Boardroom to Barbecue: Crafting a Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort

Looking to turn a routine offsite into a day your team will remember? A Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort blends morning focus with afternoon connection—seamlessly moving from strategy sessions to a relaxed barbecue in beautiful gardens. Centrally located, fully serviced, and designed for both productivity and celebration, it’s an all-in-one setting that makes planning easier and outcomes stronger.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to design a full-day program—plenary sessions, breakouts, and a sociable outdoor finish—using the venue’s flexible rooms, AV, restaurant, and gardens. You’ll also find practical tips, a sample itinerary, quick answers, and a planning checklist to streamline your next company offsite.

Why choose De Heeren van Montfoort for your away day?

• Centrally located and easy to reach: Just five minutes from the A12 and A2; 15 minutes from Utrecht; 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Bosch. Bus lines 107 and 207 stop about 400 metres away for connections to Utrecht and Gouda. Guests can even arrive by boat and moor nearby.
• Flexible spaces, indoor and out: Choose from 7 rooms and areas for groups from 10 up to 350 guests, plus two bookable outdoor options—including the expansive Hoge Waard garden for events up to 400 guests.
• Historic character, modern comfort: A renovated, historical complex with a classic, romantic ambience—restyled by Eric Kuster—and designed to handle meetings, catering, and festivities under one roof.
• Full-service, local catering: The on-site French-Dutch restaurant serves lunch and dinner and delivers local, seasonal, gastronomic catering. Options include barbecues, brunch, high tea, and bespoke menus that actively reduce food waste. Attractive vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available, and allergies/dietary requirements are perfectly arranged. To protect quality and consistency, external catering isn’t permitted.
• Reliable AV and connectivity: A basic AV set, microphones, fibre-optic internet, and complimentary Wi‑Fi are included. An external AV specialist can be arranged if your program needs it.
• Accessible and guest-friendly: Wheelchair accessible throughout. On-site parking for 60 cars plus the option to hire 50–60 additional private spaces with professional parking attendants, and four EV charging stations. A shuttle service can be arranged.
• Service that smooths the day: Experienced coordinators offer personal contact, quick responses, and detailed run-throughs so nothing is overlooked. You can book a 360-degree virtual tour to preview spaces and layout options. Exclusive-use hire is available.
• Extend or celebrate: Live bands and DJs are welcome, background music is permitted outside, and indoor parties can continue until 01:30. Overnight stays on location are possible, and Hotel Montfoort is a one‑minute walk away for additional rooms.

Tip: For deeper details, see related topics like Meetings, Catering, Lunch/Dinner, Reviews, Address & Route, and the 360-degree tour.

Spaces that make the flow effortless

A productive away day starts with rooms that fit your agenda. De Heeren van Montfoort offers a smart mix of indoor rooms for plenary sessions and breakouts, plus outdoor areas ideal for receptions, networking, and a barbecue to close the day.

Versatile indoor rooms for plenary and breakouts

• Commanderijezaal — 100 m², up to 120 people
• Hoogstraatzaal — 75 m², 2–80 people
• IJsselzaal — 75 m², 10–60 people
• Terraszaal — 30 m², 2–14 people

Across the property there are 7 rooms and areas in total, and layouts can be adapted to meet different goals—from compact leadership workshops to larger conferences.

Outdoor areas for reception and barbecue

• Garden/Terrace — approx. 500 m², up to 150 guests; heated for cooler days
• Hoge Waard garden — approx. 6,000 m², up to 400 guests

Outdoor covered areas ensure your program stays on track even in changeable weather. Background music is permitted outside, and the setting is ideal for a relaxed barbecue or drinks after a focused morning.

Sample itinerary: Boardroom to Barbecue in one seamless day

Use this example to visualize a Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort. Adjust timings and spaces to your group size and goals.

1. 08:30 – Arrival and welcome coffee
   • Greet guests at the restaurant or foyer. Complimentary Wi‑Fi supports quick set-up.
2. 09:00 – Plenary session
   • Host your kick-off in the Commanderijezaal (up to 120 people) or another room that suits your numbers. Use the basic AV set, microphones, and fibre‑optic internet for smooth presentations. If needed, request an external AV specialist.
3. 10:45 – Break and group photo
   • Step onto the terrace or courtyard to reset and capture the moment—weatherproof thanks to covered outdoor spaces.
4. 11:15 – Breakouts and workshops
   • Split into rooms such as the IJsselzaal or Hoogstraatzaal for parallel tracks or training sessions. All areas are wheelchair accessible.
5. 12:45 – Lunch
   • Enjoy a local, seasonal lunch prepared by the in-house team. Allergies and dietary needs are perfectly arranged; vegetarian and vegan options are attractive and well-presented.
6. 14:00 – Strategy wrap-up
   • Reconvene for final insights. The venue’s reliable fibre connectivity helps hybrid participation when required.
7. 15:00 – Transition to the garden
   • Move to the garden/terrace or the Hoge Waard garden for a relaxed afternoon program. Consider a light teambuilding segment (the venue supports teambuilding events) followed by informal networking.
8. 16:30 – Barbecue and drinks
   • Host a gastronomic barbecue curated by the culinary team. The menu focuses on local, seasonal products and actively minimizes food waste. Vegan/vegetarian alternatives are available for inclusive dining.
9. 18:30 – Music and mingle
   • Add ambiance with a live band or DJ; background music is permitted outdoors. If you shift indoors for the evening, note that parties can continue until 01:30.
10. 22:00 – Goodnight logistics
    • Guests depart via on-site parking (with EV charging), a pre-arranged shuttle, or public transport just ~400 metres away. Overnight stays can be arranged on location, with Hotel Montfoort a one‑minute walk away.

Catering that reflects your culture

De Heeren van Montfoort’s culinary team crafts menus that are both local and seasonal, delivering gastronomic quality without fuss. For a corporate away day, that means:

• Barbecue menus that can be tailored to your team’s preferences
• Vegetarian and vegan alternatives that are attractive and satisfying
• Allergies and dietary requirements handled with care and precision
• Waste-conscious planning that helps reduce food waste without compromising on choice or presentation

Prefer a more intimate format before or after your program? Private dining is available. To safeguard quality and service, all food and beverages are provided in‑house; external catering is not allowed.

You can even sample menus in advance with a tasting lunch or dinner—ideal for aligning the culinary experience with your event’s tone.

Sound, ambiance, and extended celebration

• Music: Both live bands and DJs are welcome. Background music is allowed outside, so you can create a relaxed garden vibe.
• Ambience: The property’s classic and romantic style, combined with modern comfort, sets a warm tone for celebrations after a focused day.
• Hours: Indoor parties may continue until 01:30, giving you flexibility to celebrate milestones or socialise without rushing.

Getting here and staying over

• By car: 5 minutes from the A12 and A2; 15 minutes to Utrecht; 30 minutes to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den Bosch. There are 60 on-site parking spaces, with the option to hire 50–60 additional private places and attendant support. Four EV charging stations are available.
• By public transport: Bus lines 107 and 207 stop about 400 metres away with links to Utrecht and Gouda.
• By boat: Mooring is possible, giving waterborne guests a memorable arrival.
• Overnight: Overnight stays on location are possible, and Hotel Montfoort is a one-minute walk away.

For maps and turn-by-turn guidance, see Address & Route. For social proof, browse Reviews.

Quick answers about a Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort

• What is a Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort?
  A full-service company offsite that combines morning meetings with an afternoon barbecue in historic, modernised surroundings—using flexible rooms, reliable AV, and bookable gardens.

• How many people can it accommodate?
  The venue hosts groups from 10 up to 350 guests across its rooms and areas. The Hoge Waard garden can support outdoor events for up to 400 guests.

• Can we host a barbecue?
  Yes. Barbecues are a supported catering format, prepared by the in-house culinary team.

• Is external catering allowed?
  No. All food and beverages are provided in-house to guarantee consistent quality.

• Is the venue accessible?
  Yes. All areas are wheelchair accessible.

• Until what time can indoor parties continue?
  Until 01:30.

• Is Wi‑Fi and AV available?
  Yes. Complimentary Wi‑Fi, a basic AV set, microphones, and fibre‑optic internet are included. An external AV specialist can be arranged.

• Can we do a virtual site visit?
  Yes. You can book a guided 360-degree virtual tour of rooms and facilities.

• Can we book exclusive use?
  Yes. Exclusive-use is possible for private events.

• How do we get there?
  By car via A12/A2, by bus (107/207) with a stop ~400 m away, or even by boat; shuttle service can be arranged.

Practical planning checklist

Use this list to fast‑track your planning and avoid last‑minute surprises.

• Define objectives: leadership alignment, training, celebration, or all three
• Decide on exclusive-use if privacy is essential
• Set guest numbers and choose rooms (e.g., Commanderijezaal, IJsselzaal, Hoogstraatzaal, Terraszaal)
• Specify AV needs (presentations, hybrid links, microphones); request an external AV specialist if required
• Confirm catering format (e.g., barbecue, brunch, high tea) and set a tasting if desired
• Share allergies/dietary requirements early; plan vegetarian/vegan coverage
• Plan transport and parking; consider hiring 50–60 private parking spaces and a shuttle
• Note EV charging needs (4 stations available)
• Choose outdoor spaces and prepare a weather‑proof plan using covered areas and the heated terrace
• Arrange music (live band/DJ) and confirm end time (01:30 for indoor parties)
• Align on sustainability preferences (local, seasonal menus; minimising food waste)
• Book a 360-degree virtual tour or on‑site visit to finalise layouts and flow

Conclusion

A Corporate Away Day at De Heeren van Montfoort gives you the best of both worlds: focused morning sessions with dependable AV and flexible rooms, followed by a relaxed barbecue in charming gardens—all supported by thoughtful service, local seasonal cuisine, and easy logistics.

Ready to shape your day from boardroom to barbecue? Contact the team to discuss dates, spaces, and menus, or to book a 360-degree tour.

• Phone: 0348 47 12 29
• Email: info@deheerenvanmontfoort.nl
• Address: Hoogstraat 41, 3417 HB Montfoort, the Netherlands