• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Tuesday July 14 2026

Business retreat launched in summer sunshine

A new business retreat officially opened its doors to guests, businesses and members of the local community with a vibrant inaugural Summer Party celebrating the transformation of the historic Grade II listed building into a unique business retreat and meeting destination.

The event marked a significant milestone for Temperance House in Wraxall, which has been created following the extensive regeneration of the former Battleaxes pub, six miles from the centre of Bristol.

Once closed and vacant since 2019, the landmark building has been sensitively restored and reimagined by StudioHIVE into a premium workspace and meeting venue set in the heart of the North Somerset countryside.

The evening featured speeches from key figures involved in the site’s regeneration and heritage. Jason Collard, managing director of StudioHIVE and the driving force behind the redevelopment, spoke about the vision for Temperance House and its role as a destination for businesses seeking inspiring and flexible meeting environments.

Jason Collard said: “Temperance House represents much more than a business venue. It’s about breathing new life into an important local building and creating a place where businesses, creatives and the wider community can come together. Seeing so many people here celebrating the launch is incredibly rewarding and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the site.”

Guests also heard from Dr Miranda Garrett, property curator at the neighbouring Tyntesfield Estate, who shared insights into the rich history of the building and its significance within the local community, highlighting the importance of preserving heritage while adapting historic spaces for modern use.

Temperance House is now open for corporate bookings and offers a collection of professionally designed meeting rooms, breakout spaces, a games room, kitchen facilities and an outdoor garden suitable for meetings, team-building activities and away days.

The venue is also home to the award-winning StudioHIVE and StudioHIVE Architects teams, whose headquarters are based there.

Further phases of the development are already underway, including six luxury boutique-style bedrooms due to open in Autumn 2026. The accommodation will provide executive stays and countryside escapes, complementing the business facilities already available.

Additional plans approved by North Somerset Council include an onsite café and new homes, further enhancing the site’s role as a destination for both business and community use.

Speaking about the future of the development, Jason added: “We’re only partway through our plans for Temperance House. The support we’ve received from local businesses, partners and the community has been fantastic, and we’re excited to continue developing the site into a destination that blends innovation, collaboration and heritage.”