Helping young people reach their full potential
The Great Escape was born in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal, where founder Mark Willis spent his childhood trekking, rafting, and exploring the stunning natural landscape. His hands-on adventures not only shaped his love for the outdoors but also instilled a deep belief in experiential learning—principles that remain at the heart of everything he does today.
After 12 years as a sports coach working with both children and adults, Mark brought his vision to life in 2009. Today, The Great Escape is based at Great Hagley, a breathtaking 120-acre estate in the Shropshire countryside, where Mark lives with his wife, Alex, and their four children. Great Hagley is perfectly suited for adventure-based outdoor activities, from laser tag to orienteering, night walks, rafting, and team-building challenges. In 2020, the business grew to include the Black Hawk Zip Line—an exhilarating 520-metre ride with 360° panoramic views—and the Tiger Challenge Course, a low ropes adventure course featuring 20 interconnected activities. Surrounded by miles of forest and some of England’s most spectacular inland scenery, Great Hagley offers a true rural retreat.
One of the most exciting experiences at The Great Escape is the Great Escape Challenge—a unique blend of code-cracking, escape room puzzles, and outdoor adventure. Participants must work as a team to solve clues and complete physical challenges such as rafting and river crossings, making it the ultimate test of mental and physical endurance.
Mark, Alex, and their team run school and youth camps year-round, providing a personal and exclusive experience—so much so that over 95% of visitors return.
Beyond school camps, The Great Escape offers tailored corporate events designed to strengthen teamwork, boost morale, and challenge participants in an engaging outdoor setting. Whether it’s a high-energy team-building day or a more relaxed corporate retreat, the experience is fully customisable to meet the needs of businesses and organisations.
Visitors can opt for competitive team challenges, where groups go head-to-head in a series of physical and mental tasks, or collaborative experiences that foster leadership, communication, and trust. The stunning natural setting also provides the perfect environment for outdoor strategy sessions, wellness-focused retreats, or leadership development programmes. With exclusive use of the site, teams can immerse themselves in a distraction-free environment, ensuring a truly memorable and productive experience.
From small teams looking for a fun day out to large organisations seeking a fully tailored adventure, The Great Escape delivers unique and impactful corporate experiences.
Mark and Alex look forward to welcoming you to Great Hagley for an unforgettable experience.
