If you’ve got a group of 10, 15, 30 or 80 people in Surrey and you need an activity for the day, the question isn’t really about activity preference — it’s about which formats actually scale to your group size. Most “fun day out” options cap at 8 or 10 people. A handful work for genuinely large groups. This guide is the practical list, by group size.
We’re a paintball venue (we host group days every weekend), so paintball gets airtime. We’ll run the comparison straight: what works for 10, 25, 50, 100+ people, with rough costs and what to consider.
By Group Size
Groups of 10–20
- Paintball — works perfectly. £34.95pp (under-15s) / £37.95pp (adults). The sweet-spot group size for the format.
- Outdoor laser tag — works at any size. £26.95pp. No physical impact.
- Treasure / scavenger hunts — Guildford and Farnham operators run these. £15–30pp.
- Cookery class — caps at around 20. £40–80pp.
Groups of 20–50
- Paintball — still works at this size. We split into two parallel teams above 20.
- Multi-activity day — paintball + archery + axe throwing across one day. Best format for 25+ groups.
- Treasure hunts — bespoke versions across Guildford or Cobham work for 30+ if planned.
- Boat trips — Thames day-cruise from Chertsey or Walton. £30–50pp.
Groups of 50–100+
- Paintball — we regularly host 100+ at our Cobham site, parallel sessions on different game zones.
- Multi-activity day — the ideal format at this scale. Different teams rotating through different activities.
- Sports day formats — bespoke field-based events (rounders, tug of war, relay races) work outdoor for 50+.
- Conference + dinner — if the day is more about content than activity, hire a venue with breakout space + activity afternoon.
Quick Comparison Table
| Activity | Group cap | Cost pp | Indoor / outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paintball | 200+ | £34.95–37.95 | Outdoor |
| Multi-activity day | 100+ | £45–65 | Outdoor |
| Outdoor laser tag | Any | £26.95 | Outdoor |
| Treasure hunt | 40 typical | £15–30 | Outdoor / mixed |
| Bowling | 20–30 (multi-lanes) | £15–25 | Indoor |
| Cookery class | 20 | £40–80 | Indoor |
| Escape rooms | 8 per room | £20–30 | Indoor |
| Karting | 10–12 | £25–45 | Indoor / outdoor |
Practical Considerations for Big Groups
- Travel: for groups of 25+, hiring a coach is usually cheaper than 8 cars at petrol cost. We have parking for 150+ cars and accommodate coaches by prior arrangement.
- Catering: agree the menu and dietary requirements 1–2 weeks before. Day-of catering for 50+ doesn’t work otherwise.
- RSVPs: assume 80% of confirmed will actually attend. Allow buffer in your numbers.
- Briefing email: what to wear, arrival time, contact number. Send 1 week ahead.
Travel Logistics for Big Groups
Coach hire vs cars
For groups of 25+, hiring a coach is usually cheaper than the equivalent number of cars in petrol and parking — plus it solves the “who’s driving?” question and guarantees the group arrives together. Local Surrey/London coach operators run 49-seat vehicles for around £400–800 per day round trip. We accommodate coaches by prior arrangement (let us know at booking).
Train + taxi pool
Effingham Junction is on the Waterloo–Guildford line, 35 minutes from London Waterloo, then a 15-minute walk to us (or a 5-minute taxi). For groups of 8+ arriving by train, splitting into 2 taxis from the station is straightforward. Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon is also direct from Waterloo with a 15-minute taxi from us. Group rail tickets work out cheaper for 10+ travelling together — book through National Rail in advance.
Drive times from London districts
- South-west London (Putney, Wimbledon): 25–35 min off-peak via A3
- Central London (Westminster, City): 50–60 min off-peak
- West London (Hammersmith, Ealing): 45–55 min
- South London (Clapham, Brixton): 35–45 min via A3
Free parking for 150+ cars on-site. Full travel guide at paintball near London.
By Audience Type
Corporate / team building groups
Paintball, multi-activity day, or laser tag for mixed-fitness teams. Our most-booked corporate format is a half-day single-activity session followed by lunch on-site. Bespoke quotes; pricing depends on group size, duration, catering. Full detail at team building activities in Surrey and how to plan a corporate away day.
Stag and hen groups
Paintball morning + Cobham pubs after is the standard format. £37.95pp paintball, £26.95pp laser tag. No group minimum. Pink combat suit and solo round on request. Full guide in stag do paintball.
Adult birthday groups
15+ birthday parties book paintball or laser tag at adult intensity. Group sizes 8–80+ both work. £37.95pp paintball / £26.95pp laser tag. Full detail in paintball birthday parties.
School / scout / guide groups
Most school trips book outdoor laser tag — easier safeguarding conversation with parents, no physical impact. Risk assessments and consent form templates available. Larger groups (50+ pupils) split across morning and afternoon sessions, or run multiple activities simultaneously.
Things to Do Nearby After
For groups looking to make a day of it:
- The Black Swan (700 yards from us) — gastropub with beer garden, plenty of group space. Most stag and adult-birthday groups end up here.
- Cobham town centre (5 minutes) — restaurants and bars including The Cricketers, The Plough, Sushi Dining Aki.
- Painshill Park (15 minutes) — landscaped 18th-century gardens, group rates available. Different vibe but works for some corporate or school groups.
- RHS Wisley (15 minutes) — the country’s flagship horticultural garden. Group bookings handled separately.
- Esher town (10 minutes) — more dining options, including pubs with private dining rooms for 15+ groups.
Most adult groups do paintball morning, lunch on-site or at The Black Swan, then either home or to the West End for the evening.
When to Book by Group Size
- Groups of 10–25: 1–2 weeks ahead is usually fine. Friday afternoons and weekend slots in summer fill faster — book 3–4 weeks for those.
- Groups of 25–50: 4–6 weeks ahead in summer; 2–3 weeks off-peak.
- Groups of 50–100+: 6–8 weeks ahead minimum. Larger groups need more marshals scheduled and that affects our booking calendar.
- School holidays and half-terms: 6–8 weeks ahead regardless of group size — these book up early.
Where We Are
Cobham, Surrey — 10 minutes from M25 Junction 10, 25 minutes from central London. Free parking for 150+ cars; coaches accommodated by prior arrangement. Direct trains from Waterloo to Effingham Junction (35 minutes). Full travel guide at paintball near London.
Things to do nearby for the post-activity afternoon: The Black Swan pub (700 yards from us), Cobham town centre (5 minutes — restaurants and bars), Painshill Park (15 minutes), Wisley (RHS gardens, 15 minutes).
How to Book
For comparison detail see team building activities in Surrey and corporate away day ideas. For paintball, laser tag or multi-activity, send an enquiry with group size and preferred dates. We confirm within 24 hours. Larger groups (50+) book 4–6 weeks ahead in summer; mid-week slots are more flexible.
Audience-specific: stag do paintball for stag/hen groups, paintball birthday parties for birthday groups, team building activities in Surrey for corporate.
