If you’ve got a hen party to plan then no doubt you are on the hunt for a load of fresh hen party ideas to make sure the weekend goes with a bang.
We’ve rounded up a list of the ultimate unique hen do ideas so that you and your hens can start brainstorming about how to throw your bride the BEST send-off into married life.
Hen Party ideas – 58 amazing tips
Let’s first run through a few popular ideas for hen weekends that might be of interest to make sure we’ve covered off all the usual suspects.
Then, we’ll move onto a list of more unusual hen party ideas to give you all the inspiration you’ll need throw a more alternative hen do.
1. A Big Night Out
While it’s fairly standard nowadays to turn a hen night into a fully-blow hen weekend, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking it back to basics and heading out onto the town with your favourite ladies. If you’re not sure where is best to go out clubbing, check out our hen going out guides for each city in the UK.
2. Afternoon Tea
A classic activity, afternoon tea is the ultimate of all the classy hen do ideas. Most towns and cities have a plethora of afternoon tea options and you can nearly always negotiate a good deal on the cucumber sarnies and scones if you are a large group. You can also always liven it up by making it a Champagne afternoon tea!
3. Hen Spa Day
Is there anything more relaxing than spending the day being submerged in a jacuzzi, sweating it out in the sauna and cosied up in a big fluffy white bathrobe with some of your bestest pals?
Having a spa day is one of those great chilled-out hen party ideas that will give you ample time to talk bridesmaid hairstyles and wedding planning details.
4. Cookery or Baking Class
If you see your last weekend of freedom as a good excuse to get your hens in the kitchen and learning something new, then taking a cooking class together is a great idea. There are loads of different options and you can learn everything from baking bread and patisserie to a full-blown meal that you can all eat together afterwards.
5. Go To A Theme Park
If the bride is a bit of a thrillseeker then why not give her a weekend to remember by checking in to one of the UK theme park resorts?
→ See Alton Towers Deals*
→ See Thorpe Park Deals*
6. Murder Mystery Evening
Channel your inner Miss Scarlett and invite your hens to the ultimate hen party murder mystery evening. You can pick up a murder mystery game fairly cheaply and then all set to work on your DIY costumes. Don’t forget to have a prize ready for the best outfit!
7. Hen Party Dance Class
It’s time for you all to channel your inner Dirty Dancer and pick up some new skills on the dancefloor. There are SO MANY dance class options that you could spend the morning learning to move like Beyoncé, twerk like Miley Cyrus before lunch and finish it off by perfecting your American Smooth all before dinnertime.
8. Hen Treasure Hunt
This is one of the single most fun hen party ideas around as you can make it completely personalised to the area where you live or the interests of the bride. Put together a scavenger hunt and split your friends into teams and see who makes it back first having completed all the tasks.
9. Arts and Crafts Hen Weekend
If your bride is a creative soul then she would definitely enjoy spending the weekend indulging in some arts and crafts with her best friends. The options for arts and crafts hen weekends are endless and you can either book an organised crafty activity or put together your own simple arty tasks to do at your hen do accommodation.
10. Glamping or Farm Weekend
There’s nothing like getting out into nature and making the most of what the wonderful British countryside has to offer. Think tents under the stars, friendly animals to stroke on tap and cosy evenings in the village pub with your mates. The most perfect of hen party ideas.
11. Cocktail-making Class
Essential knowledge for any 20 or 30-something is how to whip up a killer margarita, so taking your hens to a cocktail-making class is essentially providing them with key skills they’re going to use for the rest of their lives. Plus, you have to sample every cocktail you make so it’s bound to be a fun day out…
12. River Cruise
Oh yes this is one of the more classy hen do ideas. Sashay onto the vessel of your choice with your hens and be wined and dined as you float along a river taking in the view. A good idea if you want an excuse to get dressed up in your finery too.
13. Make Up Masterclass
If you’ve always wanted to know how to blend, highlight and contour then this is your chance to learn. You and your hens can have a personalised make up masterclass with an expert make up artist and ask all those burning make up questions. You can even ask them to help you with ideas for how you’re going to do your bridal make up for the wedding day.
14. Life Drawing
There’s no better time to study the naked form than right before you commit yourself to married life. Life Drawing is a super fun hen party activity to do with your hens and there’s no artistic experience necessary as there’s usually an artist there to help you hone your skills. Think Year 9 art class, but with a naked dude sat there instead of a bunch of dried flowers.
15. Go Karting
Challenge your gals to the race of their lives by taking them go karting. You can either all race individually or work as a team to race in relay.
16. Paintball
You might think paintballing is just a stag do activity but it’s actually on eof the most exhilarating hen party ideas. Why not surprise your hens by getting them all camouflaged up and crawling through the forest.
17. Go Ape
Hopefully none of your hens suffers from vertigo because high wire activities like Go Ape will have you swinging through the canopy from tree to tree like a bunch of Tarzans (or Janes).
18. Make over and Hen Party Photoshoot
How often do you have the chance to get dressed up to the nines and have a classy photoshoot with your best friends? The great thing about booking a photoshoot is that you’ll have some amazing photos of you all to treasure for years to come.
19. Out of the box hen party ideas? Try an Escape Room
Escape Rooms have become really popular in recent years and they make a great hen party activity because it’ll help all your hens get to know each other and work together.
20. Karaoke
There’s nothing that says last night of freedom like belting out the classic with your besties. You can either get up on the main stage and karaoke in front of a crowd or hire a karaoke booth with your pals. Don’t forget to Instagram Story the whole thing.
21. Hire a Butler in the Buff
To make it a night to remember, you can hire a butler in the buff. A good-looking young man will arrive at your abode and spend the evening serving you drinks, nibbles and frankly indecent amounts of nudity. Best to keep this one a surprise for the bride!
22. Bottomless Brunch
You had me at Mimosa. Enjoying your hen weekend with bottomless drinks and delicious brunchy food is basically the dream come true. Do it.
23. Pole Dancing
It’s always good to learn a new skill and pole dancing is VERY good for you. Even beginners can learn a few impressive moves in a matter of hours at a hen party pole dancing workshop.
24. Day at the Races
Aintree, Ascot or Newmarket? They’re all fabulous hen party ideas for a day out darling so you just need to decide which hat.
25. See a West End Musical
Mamma Mia, Matilda or The Lion King? There are so many amazing shows on in the West End and touring the UK that there’s bound to be one that your whole squad will enjoy. Check out our list of great hen party musicals
26. Wine Tasting
Do you know your Grigio from your Merlot? Time to hone those taste buds, girlfriend and take your clan to a wine tasting experience.
27. Pony Trekking
Feel the wind in your hair as you gallop through the open fields on your very own Black Beauty. Or, if you’re not so experienced in the saddle it could also be a sedate wander through the countryside on horseback.
28. Games Night
If you’re not up for a big night out then how about a Big Night In? Gather your pals and a few of our great hen party game ideas and you’ll be set for a hilarious night in.
29. Comedy Club
Get front row seats for the hottest comedy show in town and you and your friends will be wetting yourselves with laughter all weekend long.
30. Bootcamp Assault Course
Those hens might have thought they were getting a relaxing weekend to celebrate the bride’s last days as a single woman, but why not take them all by surprise and challenge them to a day of outdoorsy, messy fun and watch while your nearest and dearest try and scale a vertical wall.
Great for helping all your bridesmaids to get to know each other very quickly…
Unusual Hen Party Ideas
Are you looking for some more unusual and out-of-the-ordinary hen party ideas? Trawl through our extensive list of unusual hen do ideas to find the best quirky and unique hen do ideas.
1. Ride the Party Bus
All aboard! You can hire a red double decker party bus to ferry you and your hens around for a whole evening. Tours available include a nightclub tour and a Burlesque tour!
2. Go Inland Surfing
What is Inland Surfing we hear you ask? Well, it’s an artificial 180m long surfing lake that provides safe and consistent waves all year round for beginners and pros!
The Wave is located near Bristol and you can choose to have a surf lesson or join in with one of the non-guided surf sessions if you already know your way around a surf board.
A guided surf session at The Wave* starts from around £65.00.
3. Bake with a GBBO legend
Did you know that you and your hens can enjoy learning to get the perfect rise and perfect your creme pat with ACTUAL Bake Off legends from the TV series? Available in London, Manchester and Brighton.
4. Pottery painting
Time to get crafty and see which of your hens has the most artistic talent. You can head to a pottery café in towns and cities all around the country and some even let you pop open a bottle of champers to help your creative juices flow!
5. Record a song at a recording studio
If you and your hens can hold a tune – or even better if you can’t – then why not go one step further than just karaoke and record your own track in an ACTUAL recording studio. You’ll get it to take home with you on a CD.
6. Perfume making
This is one of those hen party ideas that keeps on giving! A bit of sandalwood, a touch of hyacinth and a smattering of cedarwood. You and your hens can each put together your signature scent and take a sample of it home with you to wear on the wedding day. Such a special idea.
7. Go to a festival
Celebrate your last weekend of freedom with the ultimate sense of freedom at a music festival! Or, if musical festivals aren’t your thing you could try a literary, arts or crafts festival.
8. Downton Abbey for the day
Yes you read that correctly, you and your hens can spend a whole day pretending you are in an episode of Downton! You can all play at being scullery maids before you get dressed up as lords and ladies of the manor to host your very own banquet.
Definitely the most unique hen do idea we’ve heard of so far!
9. Go to a cat café
If you’ve got a hen-load of cat-lovers then why not incorporate a trip to a cat café into your hen weekend? They’ve been cropping up all over the country the last few years so you’ll find them everywhere from London to Aberdeen.
10. Trampoline workout class
At Bounce Fit you and your girls can spend an hour or two bouncing away to hot tunes and working up a sweat. They describe it as High cardio but low impact and definitely something you’ll all remember! Bouncefit can be done all over the country.
11. Zombie experience bootcamp
If a standard hen party assault course is too ordinary for your hens, you can choose to put them through a ZOMBIE bootcamp! Described as a “totally immersive horror experience”, this is a perfect choice for brides who love something a bit different!
12. Graffiti workshop
If tiaras and L-plates aren’t your thing and you fancy something a little grittier for your hen do, how about trying your hand at some graffiti? You can do graffiti workshops at various places around the country where you will learn techniques and designs then have the chance to test them out.
13. Axe throwing
It’s time to get medieval with some axe throwing! This sport of old requires you to lob an axe at a wooden target – perfect for de-stressing during the intense phase of wedding planning too. You can do axe throwing at various locations around the UK including Oxford, Chester, Bristol, Bath and Cardiff.
14. Roller Disco
Yes ladies, it’s time take it retro and don your skates for a roller disco hen party! Whether you’re a whizz on the wheels or will be clutching the sides for the first five laps, you’re going to have SUCH a laugh.
15. Hot Tub Boat down the Thames
Also known as the “HotTug”, you and your pals can all pile into a moving, wood-fired hot tub that will take you down the Thames! It’s heated to a toasty 38° C so your tour through the capital will be cosy and fun. Each hot tub can fit up to 7 people and costs £32 per hen.
Book a HotTug for your hen do with Red Letter Days*.
16. Garter Making
Something old, something new, something … you made on your hen do? Combine old traditions with something new and get your hens on the task of making you a DIY garter to wear on your wedding day! You can take a workshop in lots of locations around the country, or even have someone come and teach you.
17. Play Bubble Football!
What do you mean you’ve never stuck a giant inflatable dome on your head and run around trying to score goals? Now is the time to challenge your hens to this activity without falling over laughing every five seconds. Imagine the photos…
18. Stand-Up Paddling
How well can you balance? If you’ve never tried paddleboarding then there’s no better time to end up in water surrounded by a load of you pals. There are SUP-providers all over the country and you can even take your hen party on a Paddleboard city tour.
19. Blow Dry Party
Why not take your hens to the salon and all enjoy getting your hair spruced up together? There’ll be champagne, nibbles and a whole lorra waves and updos. The perfect afternoon activity before heading out to paint the town red.
20. Make DIY Flower Crowns
You can take a workshop and learn how to all make the most beautiful DIY flower crowns. You’ll be able to select your favourite blooms to incorporate into your individual flower crowns and then wear them out in the evening!
21. Do a hen do Parkrun
If your bride is a keen runner then the hens are going to need to take one for the team here because it involves getting up and running 5K at 9am on a Saturday. BUT Parkrun is so much fun, there are lovely, encouraging people and you might even gain a new hobby out if it!
Doing Parkrun on your hen weekend is surprisingly popular and with hundreds of events throughout the UK there is bound to be one near where you are staying.
22. Hiking Hen Party
It’s time to get out into the great outdoors and inhale some of that fresh countryside air. Why not take your hens on a hiking hen do? The UK has some incredible walking routes for you to discover from the Lake District to the Highlands. Also, think of how good the packed lunch could be…
23. Make the wedding bouquets
You might think this is impossible unless the hen party is the night before the wedding but no, it is possible. You can have your hens help you make THE MOST BEAUTIFUL dried flower bouquets and corsages and store them away ready for the big day.
Just order a selection of dried flowers you like the look of online and let your creativity run wild – it’s much easier than you think.
24. Coasteering
If jumping off cliff edges and wading through tidal water sounds like one of your fave hen party ideas then why not give Coasteering a go on your hen weekend? Our island nation has plenty of beautiful sites for an exhilarating day out in the water. Don’t forget your GoPro!
25. The Romans
If your hen party is near Liverpool and you feel like channelling your inner gladiator or trying something completely random then The Romans is the activity for you! Basically, you’re all going to get dressed up and Romans and get drunk.
It’s like a primary school trip, but with sambuca instead of squash.
26. Visit a lavender farm
The UK is full of stunning fields of lavender and many of them have opened their doors to allow you to spend the day gathering your own bunches of lavender, enjoying a cake in the tea room or even doing an open-air yoga class amongst the blooms. Best in summer.
27. Dinner in the sky
This will 100% be the most memorable dinner of your life. In London, you and your pals can sit at a 22-seater table suspended 100ft in the air. You’ll be wined and dined while you enjoy 360 degree views of the capital.
28. Yoga in the sky
You and your hens can kick off the hen weekend by doing yoga in the skies overlooking Brighton in the British Airways i360 pod.
Looking for budget hen do options?
If money is tight or you are organising a hen do on a budget then don’t panic, we have plenty of ideas for free hen do activities that will help you have the best hen weekend on a shoestring.
Phew, that was quite the list of hen party activities wasn’t it? Over 50 ideas to help you get the party started.
We’re hopeful that this ultimate guide to hen party ideas will have got you thinking about how you want to spend your hen weekend with your best friends.
If you’ve been to a hen do recently and done some amazing activities that we’ve not listed here, please do give us a comment and let us know and we’ll add it with a credit to you!
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