“Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office. For urgent issues, you may reach me at the nearest [golf course] [bowling alley] [karaoke bar].”

For those of you fed up with the barrage of out-of-office replies this month, an activity-based office outing is a great way to boost team morale (and to escape the influx of mail constantly reminding you that you're not in Ibiza).

For a staff meeting with a difference, there are conferencing facilities at both City Golf and the Kingpin Suite at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes – perfect for a team bowling and brainstorm session. To spur on some healthy competition among colleagues, head out of London to Bisley Shooting Ground for an afternoon of shooting and fresh country air. And if you're looking for somewhere to let your hair down, book a private karaoke booth at Lucky Voice where you can wail, scream, moan and warble about the Summer of '69 rather than the usual office politics.

For a low-key staff picnic, Picnic2U can deliver delicious hampers to the office, packaged for easy transportation (and consumption). MELON on the other hand, can organise corporate picnics in the park and regardless of scale, will take care of everything: food, wine, tables, chairs, bunting, you name it. If your picnic is in Hyde Park, inject some culture into your outing by visiting the Serpentine Gallery to see Michelangelo Pistoletto's latest exhibition. I would however, advise going before the first bottle of wine is popped.

Be sure to check the Deals page on LadyBlonde.com for special offers from some of the venues mentioned above.