Events firm reports rising demand for organised outdoor experiences

Events company HDK Events has reported growing demand for organised outdoor experiences.

Since launching in 2008, the business, which organises group experiences across Derbyshire and the Peak District, has welcomed over 35,000 people.

According to the firm, it is seeing a clear shift in how people use the Peak District National Park, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

While the area has long attracted millions of visitors each year, many on short day trips, there is growing demand for more structured, activity-led experiences, particularly from businesses looking to bring teams together outside of the workplace.

HDK Events said the trend is being driven in part by businesses looking for more meaningful and better-organised ways to bring teams together and make time away from the workplace feel worthwhile.

Greg Knight, co-director at HDK Events, said: “We’re seeing a real shift.

“Whether it’s a day or a weekend, groups want more from their time away, not just a simple day out, but shared experiences that feel worthwhile and are easy to organise.”

Planning group experiences can be complex, involving multiple suppliers, transport, catering and logistics – something many teams do not have time to manage.

At the same time, popular areas within the Peak District are facing increasing pressure, with parking, access and logistics becoming more challenging, particularly for larger groups.

HDK Events said this is driving demand for more coordinated approaches that bring everything together into a single, well-managed plan.

Working with a network of local providers from activity instructors to accommodation partners the business also highlights the role small, independent companies play in supporting the local economy and more sustainable tourism.

As the National Park marks 75 years, HDK Events said it is helping people access and experience the area in a more considered and coordinated way.

Greg added: “We’ve welcomed over 35,000 people into the Peak District over the years, so we’ve seen first-hand what works and what can make things unnecessarily complicated.

“A big part of our role now is making it easier for groups to access and enjoy the area without adding pressure, both for the people visiting and the places they’re visiting.

“We do that by working closely with trusted local partners and bringing everything together into one coordinated plan.”