Where in the UK is best to go for a hen party?

Liverpool

Best for: A fun-filled weekend of crazy activities

With plenty of fun activities, top restaurants and cocktail bars, Liverpool has become one of the most popular UK destinations for hen nights. With the likes of The Romans experience and Bubble Mayhen (look ‘em up, trust us!), you’ll never be short on fun things to try.

Things to do:

1. Rooftop yoga
2. Boating on the Albert Dock
3. Vintage shopping in Bold Street

Where to eat and drink:

• Bottomless brunch at Neighbourhood
• Classy cocktails at The Alchemist
• Classic Scouse and gin at The Baltic Market
• Concert Square for late-night dancing

Place to stay: If you’re looking for a stay in the heart of the city centre, check out Fleet Street 9.3. You’ll be minutes from Concert Square and its clubs.

Bristol

Best for: Live music and vintage shops

Bristol is well-known for its music scene, meaning there’s never a shortage of events happening across the city. If you’d rather enjoy the city in the daytime, you’ll find shedloads of top-tier restaurants, vintage shops and shopping centres.

Things to do:

1. Take a guided Banksy street art tour
2. Go paddleboarding on the Harbourside
3. Sip gin in Clifton and admire the Suspension Bridge views

Where to eat and drink:

• Bottomless brunch at Lost & Found
• Dinner with river views at The Mud Dock Café
• Cabaret, comedy and burlesque at Smoke & Mirrors

Place to stay: The super stylish House on the Rock puts you within driving distance of Bristol, with the luxuries of a sauna and hot tub thrown in.

Cardiff

Best for: The buzzing nightlife scene

Cardiff is another popular hen do destination, thanks to its clubbing scene. From classy cocktail bars to cheesy 90s clubs, there’s something for every bride-to-be. If you can bear to drag yourself away from your hen party house in the day, why not try a Gavin & Stacey locations tour? As Stacey would put it, it’s lush.

Things to do:

1. Hit the white-water rafting centre
2. Book into the spa at voco St David’s for waterfront pampering
3. Shop and sip through the historic Victorian arcades

Where to eat and drink:

• Tapas and cocktails at Bar 44
• Speakeasy-style drinks at The Dead Canary
• Dance the night away in Retro

Place to stay: The six-bedroom Forest Lodge boasts an Insta-worthy outdoor pool with sweeping valley views. It’s only half an hour’s drive from Cardiff, too.

Manchester

Best for: Trying out the Crystal Maze!

While Manchester is usually associated with its nightlife, it’s also home to a huge choice of hen party houses and fun activity days for brides-to-be. You’ve got Junkyard Golf, darts at Flight Club, or escape rooms aplenty. Alternatively, you could spend the weekend bottomless brunching or cocktail making.

Things to do:

1. Go vintage shopping in the Northern Quarter
2. Take a cocktail-making masterclass
3. Book a karaoke booth at One Eight Six

Where to eat and drink:

• Fancy bottomless brunch at Menagerie
• Glitzy dinners at Peter Street Kitchen
• Hit up the Gay Village (around Canal Street)
• Spinningfields for high-end cocktails

Place to stay: Book Upper House Barn and you get a modern barn conversion, complete with hot tub and rolling countryside views. All within a 40-minute train ride of Manchester.

Edinburgh

Best for: Great bars and a bit of sightseeing

Edinburgh is a gorgeous city and a great hen do destination. It’s got upmarket bars, traditional pubs and cocktail dens coming out of its ears. If that’s not your cup of tea, then you could always enjoy the shops, hike up Arthur’s Seat or soak in the history at Edinburgh Castle.

Things to do:

1. Whisky tasting at Johnnie Walker Princes Street
2. Climb Arthur’s Seat for the ultimate group selfie
3. Catch a show at Edinburgh Fringe festival

Where to eat and drink:

• Brunch at Loudons or The Pantry
• Cocktails at Panda & Sons (hidden behind a barbershop)
• Live music on Cowgate
• George Street’s clubs for dance floors and DJ sets

Place to stay: Logan Manor gives you the best of both worlds – a hydro pool and great entertaining spaces, just half an hour’s drive from Edinburgh’s centre.

Brighton

Best for: Hens who want seaside sparkle and Insta-worthy fun

Things to do:

1. Stroll the Lanes for quirky shops
2. Get pampered in a sea-view spa
3. Ride the i360 tower with Prosecco in hand

Where to eat and drink:

• Brunch at The Breakfast Club
• Beachside cocktails at Rockwater Hove or Shelter Hall
• Drag shows at Haus Of Cabaret

Place to stay: If your hen has an eye for design, she’ll love The Hideaway. This property includes a range of amenities including a bar, hot tub and a cinema room.

Bath

Best for: Oh-so-civilised hens who love luxury

Things to do:

1. Relax at the Thermae Bath Spa’s rooftop pool
2. Sip cocktails after afternoon tea at The Pump Room
3. Wander the Roman Baths in full bridal-white

Where to eat and drink:

• Wine tasting at Le Vignoble
• Dinner at The Ivy Bath Brasserie
• Second Bridge for dancing

Place to stay: Just on the outskirts of Bath, Featherstone Manor is a top choice for big hen groups. This Georgian mansion comes complete with nine bedrooms, a hot tub and a cinema room.

York

Best for: Hens who love gin, ghost tours and a good old-fashioned knees-up

Things to do:

1. Tour and taste gin at York Distillery
2. Join a spooky ghost walk
3. Afternoon tea at Betty’s Café Tea Rooms

Where to eat and drink:

• Tapas and small plates at Ambiente or Skosh
• Pints in medieval pubs, like the House of the Trembling Madness
• Evil Eye Lounge for shots and mischief

Place to stay: You can’t get any closer to the city centre than Apartment 5. Despite having just four bedrooms, it sleeps up to 15 hens, with a huge TV, dining table and sofa.