Best UK Hen Do Destinations

Deciding where to go for a hen do is definitely one of the bigger decisions you’ll make when it comes to wedding plans.

And the UK is full of great hen do destinations so it can be a difficult choice!

If you’re a relaxed bride, you’ll have left the decision about hen party locations and planning to your maid-of-honour, but if you’ve got a very definite idea of how you want your hen party to be then it’s best to give your organisation team a hint!

Best UK Hen Do Destinations

If you’re looking for the best hen do destinations in the UK, we’ve got you covered with a list of both the best hen do cities and the best countryside hen do destinations.

We’ve also got a great guide on planning a hen party abroad if that’s more your thing.

Best UK Hen Do Cities

Advantages Of A City Hen Do:

• Nearby to loads of lively bars and clubs
• Huge range of restaurant options
• Easy to get to by public transport
• Loads of package and supplier options
• Plenty of amazing apartments to choose from

Here are the top UK cities for a hen do:

1. London

If you’re looking for the ultimate cosmopolitan uk hen do destination then the capital is the one.

London is a great hen do destination for some many reasons: it’s got so many things to see and do, it’s easy to get to and it has some amazing clubs, bars and restaurants.

Even if the bride isn’t into clubbing, with the theatre paradise that is the West End and the shopping destination of Oxford Street on your doorstep you certainly won’t be short of things to do.

The only major downside of heading to the capital for your hen do destination is that it is expensive. Not to worry though, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly city hen do destination then keep reading!

2. Liverpool

The second to top UK hen party destination on our list is definitely more friendly on the purse.

Liverpool is one of the party-capitals of the North so if you’re after lively bars, cheap drinks and plenty of dancing locations then it’s a brilliant choice.

You’ll find that accommodation here is MUCH more affordable than down South, as are restaurants and taxi fares which makes it a great UK hen weekend location.

3. Brighton

Also known as London-on-sea, Brighton is a super popular hen do destination for many brides.

Its handy location with a direct train link to the capital as well as further north means that it’s an easy choice for those wanting a hen do by the coast.

As well as its beachy credentials, Brighton has got a thriving nightlife, amazing shopping and cute accommodation options.

If you’re not 100% sure you want a super full-on city hen destination but still want a lively location with plenty to do, this is a great choice.

4. Edinburgh

Looking further north, the capital of Scotland makes a delightful hen do destination.

Even if you’re not Scotland-based, it’s easy enough to hop on a train or plane to get to this wonderful city.

In fact, the train journey up to Scotland can end up being one of the most fun parts of your weekend, providing you bring the right snacks, drinks and games!

Edinburgh combines olde-worlde charm with great shopping, culture and a buzzing party scene. You won’t be disappointed!

5. Manchester

With a thriving music scene and as the birthplace of some of the best British bands of all time, Manchester is the perfect hen party location for brides who are into their music.

The city is divided into different areas which all have distinct atmospheres so there’s bound to be one to suit you.

Although not quite as cheap as Liverpool, Manchester is still much more affordable than some of the southern cities.

6. York

York is one of those great happy medium hen do cities – it’s a well-positioned and easy to get to and big enough to have a wide choice of bars.

At the same time, it’s not ridiculously expensive and also gives you quick access to the countryside if you did want to include some outdoor pursuits while you’re there.

York has also got that cute olde worlde charm which will create a lovely backdrop to your hen weekend away with the girls.

7. Bristol

If you’re based in the West Country, Cornwall or Wales and want to head to a bigger city for your hen weekend, then Bristol is an obvious choice as a hen do location.

It’s got a young, trendy vibe and is awash with great pubs and bars for a city-based but laidback hen do.

Bristol is a student city so if any of your hen party have student cards you might even be able to take advantage of some good discounts!

8. Bath

Another great location if you’re based in the South West is Bath. Although smaller than Bristol, it’s still got a bustling city centre that is full of traditional charm.

Of course, you can also incorporate a visit to the spa baths while you are there.

Bath ranks very highly on our list of smaller cities for a slightly less party-mad city break hen do.

9. Newcastle

If you’re after a full-on party hotspot in the North East then head to Newcastle.

With over 2000 pubs, clubs and drinking establishments, Newcastle has got everything you need for your Big Night Out in the North.

Because it’s one of the UK’s most major cities you’ll also find that you’ve got loads of options for hen party packages and activities too.

10. Glasgow

Keen on a hen party in Scotland but want to avoid the capital? Glasgow is the one.

It’s a bit grittier than Edinburgh but that also bolsters its coolness factor and you’ll find a great range of alternative clubs and bars here – great if you want something different to the cities you know already.

You can either train or plane up to Glasgow if you don’t fancy the long road trip, so don’t discount it for being that bit further away.

11. Cardiff

Why not have your hen do city break in Wales?

It’s not necessarily the first place you think of when you start thinking about hen do destinations in the UK but it’s one of the best choices!

The great thing about Cardiff is its size – not too big, not too small. Also, we reckon there will be plenty in the hen group who have never been and everyone loves seeing new places, right?!

12. Birmingham

Slap bang in the centre of the country is the sprawling metropolis of Birmingham.

Its central location make it probably the easiest city to get to if you are gathering hens from all corners of the UK.

Birmingham has got AMAZING shopping, great restaurants and bars as well as a load of really cool vintage shopping options.

13. Leeds

Another hot UK city-based hen do destination is Leeds.

It’s got northern charm, lively bars and really great good options, plus you’re really well connected by rail and road if you want to escape the city for some countryside jaunts.

If the hen loves Indian food then we can personally recommend heading to Bundobust for a pre-lash dinner. They do AMAZING veggie Indian street food.

14. Belfast

Want a UK hen party destination that still involves all the fun of G&Ts at 10,000 feet with your crew? Head to Belfast!

The capital of Northern Ireland has SO much to offer for your hen party.

Think buzzing bars, a young crowd and decent prices – what more could you want?

If you need something to blow away the cobwebs the day after the night before then you can take a day trip to The Giant’s Causeway.

15. Harrogate

We’re now getting onto the slightly more boutique hen party destinations.

If you like the idea of a hen party in a northern city but find the bright lights of Manchester or Leeds too overwhelming, then why not try Harrogate?

It’s got cutesy shopping streets, really nice food and many a fancy bar in which you can spend the weekend sampling the cocktail menu.

16. Oxford

Sticking with the classy hen party destination theme, we’re going to suggest Oxford!

It’s obviously well known as a student city but it also makes for a lovely hen weekend destination in the UK.

It’s not too far from London if that’s where the majority will be travelling from, and it’s got a great balance of nice bars, good shopping and tasty restaurants.

17. Bournemouth

Yes! Finally a UK hen do city with a sandy beach!

There is literally nothing not to like about Bournemouth as one of the top UK hen do cities because it’s got a funky, young crowd of partygoers, great shopping and clubs AND you can spend the day frolicking by the seaside.

Bring on the fish and chips!

18. Cambridge

Taking it back to classy UK hen do cities again with Cambridge.

As a hen party city, Cambridge is truly delightful. With its sweet cobbled streets, wide open green spaces, rather decent shopping, lovely restaurants and classy bars, it’s perfect for a relaxed hen party in the city.

You can start the day off with a delicious brunch, do a spot of shopping in the Grand Arcade and then spend the afternoon sunning yourself while punting down the river Cam. Sound dreamy?

Also, Cambridge is just an hour on a direct train from London.

Quick caveat: not all of these top hen do cities are officially cities, some are large towns, but you get the gist.

Best UK Countryside Hen Do Destinations

The idea of spending your hen do in a city might fill you with horror.

But fear not my friend, we’ve also got a whole list full of amazing countryside hen do destinations in the UK for you.

Pull on your wellies, grab your Barbour jackets and let’s go!

Advantages Of A Countryside Hen Do:

• It’s WAY more relaxed than a city-based hen do
• Accommodation in the country side if usually larger, and therefore ideal for big groups of hens
• You can often find houses with hot tubs, tennis courts, swimming pools etc in rural locations
• You’ll be well-located for a range of outdoor pursuits, if the bride is into that kind of thing.

If you are looking for rural hen weekend destinations then we’ve got some idyllic suggestions

1. Yorkshire

A great place for a rural hen weekend is Yorkshire. Being England’s largest county, it has plenty to offer in terms of scenic, countryside hen do locations.

What we love about a Yorkshire hen weekend is that it is easy to get to for hens arriving from most parts of the UK and you can easily organise a countryside hen weekend with good access to cities such as York, Leeds and Harrogate if you also want a good night out!

2. Lake District

Cumbria and the Lake District are home to quite possibly some of the most STUNNING landscapes in the whole of the UK.

So if it’s rolling hills, impressive hiking trails and picturesque little towns you’re after, this is the place to go.

Because it’s got a thriving tourism industry, the Lake District has got a raft of brilliant restaurants and gastropubs that will delight any foodie bride.

3. Cornwall

Costa del Cornwall is a brilliant choice for any bride who wants an outdoorsy and sunny hen do destination in the uk.

Cornwall is one of the sunniest destinations in the UK, with over 1541 hours of sunshine every year – we hope the sun will shine for your hen weekend there!

You can either choose to frolic on one of Cornwall’s stunning beaches, or head inland for cosy pubs and fun activities in the English countryside.

4. Jersey

Wait, which one is Jersey again? It’s actually closer to France than it is to England, but we couldn’t resist including it in this list of countryside hen destinations.

The ferry to Jersey from Poole takes around 4h30 mins.

Jersey is one of those really remote, rugged and wild destinations that the majority of hens wouldn’t even consider.

But, if it’s stunning coastlines, outdoor activities and rural relaxation you’re after, Jersey is a great choice.

PSA: Jersey has vineyards!

5. Scotland

Okay so “Scotland” as a UK hen party destination might seem a bit vague, but bear with us here.

As a country, Scotland is made up of 98% rural land mass, so as countryside hen party destinations go, it has A LOT to offer.

Your best best would be to either fly or train into Edinburgh or Glasgow and from there head up either to the Wild East Coast, Loch Lomond or one of the scenic national parks.

6. Essex

The only way is Essex, right!?

Ok so you might not think of Essex as an idyllic countryside hen weekend retreat but actually there are some lovely rural areas where you and the gals can book a cottage and just hang out.

The major bonus to only going to Essex is that it’s a super easy place to get to for hens in the South East or London area.

7. Norfolk

If you’re willing to travel a bit further afield then Norfolk is one of the best rural hen weekend locations in the UK.

You can get there by car or train and it’s full of cute little villages with great pubs (and pub grub) for you to wile away the weekend in.

Norfolk is also a great hen weekend destination if you want to be near the coast.

Especially if you head to the north Norfolk coast you might even be lucky enough to see some seals!

Norfolk is a great hen weekend location for outdoorsy brides.

8. Peak District

If you’ve got a gaggle of outdoorsy hens who love nothing more than romping around the countryside and won’t shy away from a hike or two, then head to the Peak District.

The Peak District National Park is located between Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield so is very easy to access, although you’d be best off taking your own transport to get around once you’re there.

Don’t forget to schedule an afternoon in the quaint village of Bakewell to sample the tarts!

9. The Cotswolds

A registered Area of National Beauty, the Cotswolds offers miles and miles of open countryside, sweet little villages and country houses.

It’s definitely NOT a party hotspot so if you’re looking for a low-key hen weekend, with plenty of walks, nature and relaxation then this is a great place to head for.

Should you want a little slice of something more lively then you could also choose to stay near Cheltenham which has plenty of eating and drinking options.

10. Wales

Wales is a BRILLIANT rural hen weekend location because aside from a couple of lively cities, the majority of it is off the beaten track and wild!

We would recommend heading to The Gower which is around 30 minutes by car from Swansea.

You can expect stunning beaches (like Three Cliffs Bay shown below), lots of accommodation options from camp sites to boutique hotels, and lots of fun activities!

11. Isle of Man

We would bet good money that not many of your hens will have been to the Isle of Man before!

That alone makes it a great unique hen party destination, and one that nobody will forget in a hurry.

Think stunning clifftop walks, cosy pubs and cute cottages to stay in.

To get to the Isle of Man you can either fly from most major UK airports or take a ferry from Liverpool which takes under 3 hours.

12. Northumberland

If you’re wanting a rural hen weekend location in the North East then Northumberland is the one.

Newcastle might be teeming with bars, clubs and people, but the nearby Northumberland National Park couldn’t be more different.

Northumberland lies on the Anglo-Scottish border so you could even nip into Scotland while you’re there!

13. New Forest

The New Forest is kind of squidged in between Southampton and Bournemouth and isn’t far from Portsmouth.

That makes it a great hen party location if you are after countryside feels, but still want access to the bars and clubs of a city for a night out.

The New Forest has beautiful scenery and is famous for its wild ponies, so if your bride is an equestrian fan, take her here for the weekend!

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Where Should I Have My Hen Weekend?

Choosing between a city hen do and a countryside hen do can be a big enough challenge in itself.

Hopefully that’s given you a bit of inspiration whether you’re looking for a UK hen do city or a relaxed and rural countryside hen weekend destination.

Let us know in the comments where you had your hen party, especially if it’s in a location that we’ve not yet got on this list and maybe we will add it on your recommendation!