From luxury country retreats to hidden hotspots in the city, we round up the best hen party destinations in the UK and the perfect hotels for a staycation hen weekend.
While we’re holding out for a summer of more love and less lockdowns, and have all our fingers crossed for the wedding industry to bounce back bigger and better than ever, international travel may still be a bit of a sticking point when it comes to planning your hen weekend in 2021. Luckily, there’s plenty on offer in the way of a hen party destinations in the UK.
Whether you heading to the capital for a city break with your best girls, or escaping the hubbub of the Big Smoke for a weekend of luxury in the country air, these hotspots are the place to be for your big pre-wedding blow out. We’ve also taken a look at some of the luxury UK hotels promising ultimate luxury for a hen weekend in the UK.
Read More: The Best UK Capital for a City Hen Weekend
The Best Hen Party Destinations in the UK
Since restrictions have lifted and weddings of all sizes have been given the go-ahead here in the UK, you may have noticed your weekends filling up with weddings and hen parties. And while we’ve hit Freedom Day at home, international travel is still proving a sticking point for many of us, meaning more and more brides-to-be are opting for hen parties within the UK.
With this in mind, Ginger Ray, has done a little digging to find the top UK cities to host your pre-wedding shenanigans. Who said bride tribes shouldn’t celebrate a little closer to home?
The results are based on an overall ranking of cities providing the most options for a memorable hen party destination, according to Trip Advisor data. The data takes into account everything from bottomless brunches, vegan dining delights and spa treatments to availability of everyone’s favourite Whispering Angel wine – here are the top hen do hotspots across the UK.
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Bath
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Brighton
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Cambridge
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Edinburgh
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Southampton
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York
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Newcastle
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Oxford
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Glasgow
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Leeds
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Cardiff
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Liverpool
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Bristol
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Sheffield
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London
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Nottingham
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Manchester
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Birmingham
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Leicester
Bath came out on top as the best hen party city in the UK, with 1 in 4 venues providing a brunch menu and over a quarter of restaurants being group friendly. What’s more, Bath has an impressive 553 activities to choose from when you’re feeling like having some fun away from the boozy bars and restaurants, ranging from escape rooms, to Paint by Wine workshops.
Surprisingly, despite the free-flowing Whispering Angel in the capital, London ranked a lowly 15th due to a smaller choice in spa facilities and live music venues for hens. Manchester also ranked surprisingly low on the list as the third worst city for hen parties, due to limited venues offering gluten free and vegan options, and only 3% of venues hosting live music!
Some of the country’s smaller cities came out on top, owing to their budget friendly and hen-centric options.
Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray comments: “It’s surprising to see how the different cities ranked with some unexpected cities such as London and Manchester towards the bottom of the list.
“While the bride is the main focus of your hen party, so many people are involved in making it special and it’s really important to factor this into hen party planning, whether it’s dietary needs or accessibility. The index is also a great way to scope out which city suits your group’s vibe, whether it be outdoor activities or bars and restaurants – making sure the city you visit is the best place for those preferences will ensure there’s no disappointment amongst the group.”
The Best Hotels for a Hen Weekend in the UK
These hotels and spa retreats know a thing or two about hosting hen parties and are guaranteed to make you last blow out as a single lady one to remember. From luxury country escapes to boutique river-side hotels, these lavish stays are the perfect base for your staycation hen weekend in the UK.
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
Gather all your hens together in a luxury treehouse by the coast and (you’re only a 20 minute walk away from the beach) indulge in some five-star luxury at this country house hotel located on the edge of the ancient New Forest in Hampshire. When it comes to hen weekend activities, you and your best girls are spoiled for choice at Chewton Glen. Take a cookery course at James Martin’s cookery school in The Kitchen, relaxed in the newly refurbished spa fit with hydrotherapy pool or take on a round of golf or croquet. From £370 per night.
The Lygon Arms, The Cotswolds
Situated within the idyllic village of Broadway in Worcestershire, lies the four-star and luxurious The Lygon Arms Hotel, a cozy cotswold retreat promising ultimate indulgence. Treat yourself to an Elemis or Oskia treatment in the spa, which is fit with pool, sauna and steam room or pick up a pair of Le Chameau boots from the new boot room and take your besties on a long walk up to Broadway Tower. After a long day of strolling or soaking, sample the delicious Afternoon Tea then relax in the wine bar for a tipple or two. If you’re up for testing out your sommelier skills, book a win tasting session at the hotel or visit the The Cotswold Distillery across the road to try out some local gins. Rooms from £195 per night.
Rockliffe Hall, County Durham
An 18th-century hotel, more reminiscent of a private members club, Rockliffe Hall is set on the banks of the River Tees, and offers a range of exhilarating activities for the outdoor adventure enthusiast. Explore the 365-acre estate and get back to nature with fly fishing, hiking along marked riverside trails, cycling and mountain biking. After all that activity, you’ll want to relax and recharge and the state-of-the-art spa with ‘spa garden’ and Neom wellness treatments does just the trick. Make sure you book in an “Al fresco” afternoon tea in the woodland amongst the trees and finish off your stay with a stunning group stargazing session. Rooms from £210 per night.
Links House, The Scottish Highlands
A once in a lifetime highland experience Links House is a five-star luxury hotel in the rugged and romantic Scottish Highlands. Situated just one hour from Inverness, take a guided group tour of the stunning region organised by the Highland Concierge. There’s also a vast array of activities on offer including fishing, shooting, biking or even golf lessons on the course opposite the hotel. In the evening settle in to a 5* foodie experience and the brand-new Mara restaurant and wash down the culinary delights with some Whiskey tasting. Rooms from £225 per night.
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Experience the high-life at Cliveden House, a five-star Italianate mansion and stately hotel, nestled amongst 376 acres of National Trust formal gardens and woodland. Enjoy a five star hen weekend fit for a royal and hire out the Spring Cottage for the ultimate luxury hen weekend. You and your hens can play ladies of the manor and stroll around the gorgeous National Trust grounds or even take a boat down the River Thames before indulging in the wonderfully opulent Afternoon Tea. Rooms from £495 per night.
Read More: The Best Spa Hotels in the UK
The Best Hotels for a Hen Weekend in London
The Mitre, Hampton Court
There are two words guaranteed to send shivers down any blushing bride-to-be’s spine: Whispering Angel. So you can understand why The Mitre, with it’s riverside exclusive Whispering Angel terrace, is up there as one of our top hen party destinations in London. A retreat with royal pedigree, The Mitre is set right on the banks of The River Thames with 36 individually designed bedrooms. Take a short stroll to Hampton Court Palace or a boat ride down the River Thames to peruse the beautiful banks of South West London before getting the girls together for good old fashioned sleepover in the Catherine Parr Suite. Rooms from £178 per night.
11 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea
Hailed as Chelsea’s best kept secret, this luxe London hotspot was built by Lord Chelsea in the late 19th century and originally comprised of four separate Victorian town houses. 11 Cadogan Gardens is Relais & Châteaux’s only London hotel and is on the doorstep of all of Chelsea’s best bars, boutiques and restaurants. Opt to stay in one of the new The Apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens for ultimate privacy on your raucous girls weekend and make sure the girls are group pic-ready for a private dinner in the very Instagrammable Mirror Room. Don’t forget to sample the famous cocktails in the Chelsea Bar. Rooms from £310 per night.
The Goring, Belgravia
London’s last remaining family-owned luxury hotel, The Goring is a hub of romance from the interiors to the history; a grand hotel with impeccable manners and a subtle streak of wit and wonder. Stay in the Royal Suite for the ultimate royal treatment and make your first stop The Goring be the Cocktail Bar, where enjoying at least one or two perfectly mixed Negroni cocktails is a must to kickstart the hen weekend festivities. A fine dining experience in The Dining Room will also tantalise your tastebuds (and soak up some for those cocktails). Rooms from £455 per night.
The Mayfair Townhouse, Mayfair
There’s something about a mayfair hen weekend which promised to be glamorous and mischievous in equal parts. From the people behind Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, The Mayfair Townhouse is a high-end neighbourhood hotel redefining what it means to be a London hotspot. While it’s sister properties master the classic luxury hotel offering, The Mayfair Townhouse secures it’s place as one of the best hen party destinations in the UK thanks to it’s playful personality. Think: Oscar Wilde meets Alice in Wonderland. On the doorstep of all the best clubs and restaurants in Mayfair, you and your best girls will be in for a hedonistic hen weekend in the city. Shake things up with a cocktail making masterclass in The Dandy Bar before heading out on the town. After a couple more cocktails, crash out in one of the incredible multi-bedroom suites (such as the Two Bedroom Garden Suite with terrace) for a girly sleepover. Rooms from £348.
Read More: What to Pack for Your Hen Weekend Abroad
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