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Cool hen do ideas for even the pickiest bride-to-be

Annie Gray / Unsplash
Annie Gray / Unsplash

Planning a hen party is not an easy task.

There’s (obvious) pressure to get it completely right, numerous people and expectations to manage and budgets that need to be adhered to but, with enough research it can be done.

To save you the headache, we’ve rounded up the best activities from around the UK to plan for an upcoming hen do no matter what type of bride(zilla) you’re catering to…

The Foodie

Wild things: Herbs and flowers (Pied a Terre)
Wild things: Herbs and flowers (Pied a Terre)

Cordon Bleu short classes - London

Founded in Paris in 1895, Cordon Bleu is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic cookery schools and what better way for a bride-to-be with a love of food to celebrate her hen ‘do by than being taught how to rustle up new dishes by the best? Offering both one day and evening short courses - you can learn how to whip up show-stopping canapes, learn the art of creating the classic French Macaron or how to bake an artisan Italian bread.

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Wild food foraging - Devon and Hampshire

For a hard-core foodie day out, Hedgerow Harvest, offers hens the chance to forage for their spring greens, go crabbing and pick wild vegetables before sitting down to a three-course meal made from their found ingredients. Rustic and certain to be memorable.

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Organise a catered dinner party - UK-wide

For those hens that just want good food and good company to celebrate, why not organise caterers to put on a dinner party with a tablescape to kill and a menu boasting the bride-to-be's favourite dishes? A win-win.

The Extravert

(ArtsyBee / Unsplash)
(ArtsyBee / Unsplash)

A Weekend Embracing Life as the Bright Young People - London

Want to organise a seriously memorable hen weekend? Why not flee to the countryside to dress up in full period costuming (with fittings in advance…) and enjoy the fun, frivolity and decadence of being a young socialite in 1920's British Society. Yes, Exceptional Events will provide you with everything you need including the exclusive hire of a luxury London townhouse that just happens to be fully staffed. Expect endless champagne.

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Recording Studio - UK-wide

Does the bride love karaoke but that doesn’t feel quite special enough for the hen? Gotcha. Why not take it up a notch by letting her sing her heart out in a proper, real-deal recording studio? We’re sure the rest of your crew will make excellent backing singers...

Learn the art of Striptease - UK-wide

This can be as hardcore or as tongue-in-cheek as you like but it definitely ticks the saucy-in-a-classy-way box. You’ll learn the basic moves and realise there’s a lot more to it than just flinging off your clothes. Who knows? You may just discover a gift you never knew you had.

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The Arty One

(Neven Krcmarek / Unsplash)
(Neven Krcmarek / Unsplash)

Candle making - UK-wide

Who doesn’t love a scented candle? Spend the afternoon selecting aromas, blending oils, pouring wax in amongst sipping copious amounts of fizz and you’ll have a beautiful product to leave with at the end.

Male life drawing - UK-wide

A much classier way to see a man in the buff than a typical stripper or a butler, right? This is culture, obviously.

Lingerie decorating - UK-wide

Instead of spending a morning decorating cupcakes, why don’t you opt for lingerie? Gather everyone and a team will come equipped with sewing machines and all sorts of embellishment so that you can create whatever kind of underwear you’re into.

The Outdoorsy One

(Innsbruck Tourism / Christian Vorhofer)
(Innsbruck Tourism / Christian Vorhofer)

Organise a weekend hiking

If the bride-to-be would prefer to spend quality time with her friends rather than have a boozy night out that she probably won’t remember come morning, organising to walk a set route like the Yorkshire Dales or part of the Highlands is a great way to celebrate her upcoming nuptials. Spend the time chatting together while you hike, recuperate in pubs along the way and then spend the night in a cosy b’n’b. Certainly memorable.

Rent a cottage - UK-wide

Sometimes getting out of the city and going for a country weekend with your nearest and dearest is the best option. Stock up on booze, bring the games and, if you're located in the middle of nowhere, you can party as loudly as you like. Bingo.

Horse riding

Whether they’re experienced or completely novice, there’s no end of companies in the UK that can take you and your friends out on a beautiful hack. Head into the country or across a beach - the choice is all yours.

The Beauty Junkie

( Joanna Kosinska / Unsplash)
( Joanna Kosinska / Unsplash)

On-demand beauty to your house - UK-wide

Find the hen spa days on offer are too much of a budget stretch? Opt instead to get a few beauticians round to someone’s house and you’ll just be paying for a treatment. You can tick that pamper box and then get ready to head out for the night ahead.

Hire a Glitter Bar - Hampshire and London

Is your friend’s favourite look the glitter festival look? Well, if it’s her hen - she needs to look her best. The Glitter Box team will come to your choice of location and create works of art that would put those attending Coachella to shame.

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Bespoke fragrance making - UK-wide

A much more unusual option than most organised hen activities, making your own fragrance can be the perfect way to while away the afternoon with best friends. Let’s hope the bride like her creation enough to make it her official wedding scent, eh?

The Fitness Fanatic

( Delphine Ducaruge / Unsplash)
( Delphine Ducaruge / Unsplash)

Aerial Yoga - UK-wide

So your friend loves working out - thankfully this doesn’t mean you have to get a bunch of their besties running a 10K. Why not incorporate wellness into the hen party by enjoying a session of Aerial Yoga. Different, fun and as taxing as you’d like it to be.

Learn to surf - Cornwall

If there’s ever an excuse to splash out on an activity, it’s a hen do. Head to the beautiful bays of Cornwall and learn how to surf with your friends. By night you can eat fish and chips and hit up the local pubs. Dreamy? Absolutely.

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Adventure Weekend - Wales

If they really can’t get enough of the thrill, consider booking a full weekend of adventure that will see your party rafting, rock climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and so on.

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