UK hen do ideas for a fabulous weekend of celebrations

When it comes to finding a central base for your London hen, it doesn’t get much better than The Nadler Soho. Set in the heart of unstoppable Soho, The Nadler is a peaceful retreat from the surrounding busy streets.

The fresh decor and luxurious linens add to the hotel’s cocoon-like feel, so you can expect a good night’s sleep after a night of partying. The spacious Deluxe Rooms are ideal for group bookings—each one sleeps up to four people. Or if you book well in advance, you’ll have the option of having the fourth floor all to yourselves.

Accommodating up to 11 people, the Nadler’s ‘Private Floor’ includes the Carlisle Suite, a luxurious deluxe room, and a superior room. The bride-to-be will love the Carlisle Suite’s four-poster bed and the stylish sitting-room is a perfect hang out spot for all the hens.

Although The Nadler doesn’t have its own bar or restaurant, it’s surrounded by some of the best nightlife in the city. To get you into the swing of things, hotel guests can avail of 10 to 30 per cent discounts in some of the neighbouring bars and restaurants. For drinks, food, and music, all wrapped into one stylish spot, head to the nearby 100 Wardour Street. Book a stress-free party package to enjoy wine and canapes in the lounge. Or head to the downstairs restaurant for the delicious set menu and prosecco. There’s live music five nights a week, so you and the girls can spend the whole night dancing, before strolling back to your private floor at The Nadler.

For an intimate, relaxed hen, book a night at the luxurious Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell. Inside, this boutique hotel is a sumptuous mix of antique furniture and eclectic design, so you’ll probably want to spend every minute enjoying it.

Luckily, the Zetter’s ‘Grand Night In’ means that the bride and her besties can do just that. Available for four guests, the Grand Night In involves sleeping in the Grand Suite, watching classic girly films, sipping cocktails, and pampering yourselves with REN products. There are eye masks to help you get to sleep and a full English breakfast to tuck into the next morning. For a bride who’d rather chill than hit the town, this is an unforgettable way to celebrate.

One bonus of a relaxing hen is all of the energy you’ll have the next day. So put it to good use by exploring some of London’s prettiest areas on a canal boat. To keep things simple, book a canal boat cruise. You can glide through the city with snacks in one hand and a glass of bubbles in the other. Or if you and the girls are up to the challenge, hire a Go Boat and navigate the canals on your own. I promise, Go Boats are more fun than hard work and you’ll still have time to chill.

For afternoon tea with an edge, head to Mayfair’s much-hyped restaurant, sketch. Served in the boudoir-pink Gallery, this afternoon tea is a decadent affair. Savour delicious finger sandwiches and delicate sweet treats, while you celebrate your girl’s last days as a single lady.

If you’re looking for space and privacy to enjoy your hen, Bristol’s Saco apartments are ideal. Overlooking the harbour, these fully-equipped apartments have everything you and the girls could need for a weekend of fun.

The two-bed penthouse apartment sleeps up to four guests, while the three-bed can accommodate up to six people. Some of the double rooms are available as twins, so it’s always worth asking when you book. And if the thought of sipping cocktails on a private terrace with your besties is appealing, be sure to book the three-bed apartment.

If chilling out is a priority for the bride-to-be, try the Aztec Hotel & Spa. Set in the village of Almondsbury, this hotel is a 20-minute drive from Bristol city centre. But the tranquil spa and affordable rates make it a great option for a hen do. In the Twin Signature rooms, you can expect comfy beds, fluffy robes, and plenty of space to get ready. There are interconnecting rooms available, so check when you book. And for an extra pre-wedding treat, you could all chip in and upgrade the bride to spacious Junior Suite.

If staying in sounds better than going out, the Ultimate Girls’ Night In package might suit your hen perfectly. You’ll be welcomed to the Aztec with goody bags and then spend your evening watching movies, munching popcorn, and sipping cocktails. A selection of sharing platters will keep you full and you can order in-room treatments if you feel like being pampered. To top off a truly relaxing hen do, spend some time in the hotel spa. Detox in the sauna, take a dip in the pool, or chill in the hot tub before starting a day of activities. There are plenty of individual treatments to choose from, or if the bride really values her spa time, go all out and book a spa day package.

After all of that pampering, you’ll be fresh for a day of activities in the city. So put the prosecco down and take the gang for a paddleboarding adventure in Bristol Harbour. SUP Bristol caters to hen parties and their tours are a fun combination of paddling, games, and sightseeing. Fancy dress is encouraged, so it might finally be time to get out the gold leotard.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from organising hen dos, it’s that space is often the number one priority. And as the city’s largest four-star hotel, the Macdonald Manchester has plenty of space to relax and party. A sleek hotel with newly refurbished rooms, a stay at the Macdonald should keep everyone happy.

The Classic Double Double rooms, which accommodate up to four adults, are ideal for hen party sleepovers. Meanwhile, the bride might want to treat herself to the Panoramic Junior Suite, with its King Size bed and views of the city. The Macdonald’s modern spa is the perfect place to soothe a hangover or prep for a night out. And after months of hen planning, you’ll definitely deserve the indulgent Superfood Radiance Facial or the relaxing Deep Tissue Massage.

Set in the historic heart of the Scottish capital, the Leonardo Royal Hotel is a great place to base yourselves. With 282 contemporary rooms, you’ll fit even the largest hen group here. The Comfort Rooms, available with a double or twin beds, can sleep up to three people. Meanwhile, the Deluxe Rooms can accommodate up to four.

The comfy Women-Friendly Rooms come with an espresso machine and complimentary mini Prosecco bottle, both of which you’ll appreciate at different points over the weekend. From the Leonardo Royal, it’s an easy walk to both Princes Street and the Royal Mile. So if some of the girls want to shop, while others want to explore the sights, it won’t be an issue.

If you’re looking for even more space and a dash of luxury, Destiny Scotland – Q Residence is an ideal spot. With views of Queen Street Gardens, these chic apartments are set in four historic townhouses. There are one, two, and three-bed apartments to choose from and the spacious living rooms are perfect for pre-party drinks. You won’t have to haul your luggage across town either, because the Airlink bus and tram stops are just a few minutes away.

Shepherding a large hen party around town isn’t the easiest thing to do. So for stress-free sightseeing, explore in comfort aboard the Red Bus Bistro. If there are 20 or more hens in your group, ask about hiring the bus for exclusive use.

But even if your hen is on the smaller side, it’s a wonderful way to experience the city. Giggle over afternoon tea, a gin cocktail, and a glass of prosecco while you pass Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and other city highlights.

If you’re planning a summer hen in Edinburgh, it’s hard to beat a picnic on the grassy slopes of Carlton Hill. Topped with historic buildings, Carlton Hill is one of the best viewpoints in the city. So pack a basket full of snacks and drinks and watch the world go by with your girls.

Sampling one of Edinburgh’s favourite drinks is a quick way to get you all in the party mood. And although there are lots of gin bars in the city, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery is an unmissable classic. Part bar and part distillery, you can take a tour to learn more about Edinburgh’s gin heritage or book a tasting session in the Heads and Tales Gin Emporium. Just be sure to reserve a space for your group, as it’s a popular place.

The centrally located Clayton Hotel is an excellent base for exploring the Welsh capital. Spacious and modern, this four-star hotel has everything you need for a comfortable hen. In the family rooms, which have a double bed and a single bed, it’s possible to request extra beds. So you can fit three to four people per room, just make sure to specify your requests when you book. Interconnecting rooms are also available, so you can get together in the evenings for pre-dinner chats.

For extra treats, book the ‘Girlie Getaway’ package. The package includes an unlimited buffet breakfast, welcome drink and nibbles on arrival, and a complimentary late check out until 2 p.m.

For hen activities that’ll push you out of your comfort zone, Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) is a great place to start. Their Neath Valley gorge walking experience involves scrambling up and down steep gorges and jumping into plunge pools. But you don’t even need to leave the city to get adventurous, because CIWW also offers white water rafting on their own man-made rapids.

If you’re brainstorming UK Hen do ideas, don’t limit yourself to urban adventures. And if you want to escape the city entirely, there’s no better place to do it than in Wales. For a weekend that’s full of fresh air, long walks, and wild landscapes, take your hen party to Brecon Beacons National Park.

Just an hour’s drive from Cardiff, it’s an idyllic setting for a rural hen. But you won’t need to compromise on comfort–St James Place, on the edge of the national park, is a contemporary guesthouse with a self-catering cottage. Recently extended, the cottage can easily accommodate eight people and the open-plan kitchen was designed for group dinners.

There’s a glass atrium, where you can relax at night for a bit of star-gazing, and an outdoor hot tub and solar shower. Homemade Welsh cakes and a garden teeming with wildlife add to the charm of the cottage. So don’t be too surprised if none of you want to leave.