Does running your workshop outside make a difference to participants?

We run our weekly workshops from a spacious learning studio within Firstsite, an art gallery in Colchester Essex. Its a great space for the group to spread out in, especially if they want to work in small groups. However, the hard surfaces mean it gets very cacophonous very quickly.

Throughout our project we've tried running our workshops outside whenever possible, and its lead to some really interesting sessions and fantastic relationship building with participants through shared experiences as a group. Such as going on listening walks around a local nature reserve (http://www.clipsoundandmusic.uk/making-music-with-the-nightingales-at-fi...) and even giving a performance in the north sea (http://www.clipsoundandmusic.uk/in-the-c/).

Moving away from a 'traditional workshop space' does bring a variety of additional things to consider, such as health and safety, but these challenges aren't impossible to tackle and we've found the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Has anybody else noticed any noticeable differences in their participants from changing venue or moving the sessions outside?