Organising a hen weekend in the UK isn’t always easy, especially if bar crawling and nightclubbing isn’t quite your style. If the plan is for an altogether more elegant affair, read on and you’ll find plenty of great ideas for sophisticated hen weekends that make classy alternatives to a wild night out, from places to stay, to activities and experiences. Here’s where it all gets easier!
A traditional hen weekend conjures up images of matching outfits, shiny satin sashes, maybe a male stripper, and pink, pink, pink! But it doesn’t have to be like that. If you’re tasked with organising a weekend away for a more discerning bride-to-be, check out our top ideas for sophisticated hen weekends. Here’s how to elevate the elegance, how to have a more refined time of it, with all the focus on classy, chic and unforgettable.
Book a Luxury House – Find the Perfect Place to Stay
Tickety-Boo - Large holiday house in Wiltshire, sleeps up to 16 with indoor pool
If the wedding belle likes her home comforts and luxury, glamping just isn’t going to do it. Find a gorgeous house to stay in with the kind of features that will bring glamour to your hen weekend.
Sleeps12 have some beauties, sleeping up to 34. Beautiful barn conversions, lovely lodges, imposing country manors and idyllic country cottages. There are private swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, spa halls, movie or cinema rooms, games rooms and cosy BBQ lodges. Some even have steam rooms and yoga studios.
Once the venue is sorted, you can really start planning that sophisticated hen weekend. Read on, darlings, read on…
A Private Spa Weekend
Ham Bottom - large holiday house with private pool, sauna and hot tub, sleeps up to 14
Pick a large holiday house with a spa hall and make it a private spa weekend. You’ll have an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna all to yourselves, maybe a steam room too – here’s where you really can relax to the max! Take a look at Willowhayes on the Somerset Levels, and Bluewater near Bath and Bristol and you’ll see what we mean.
Soft fluffy robes are usually supplied, and you can book mobile therapists to come and pamper you.
A Yoga or Wellness Retreat
Yoga and wellness retreats are a popular choice for the more sophisticated kind of hen weekends away. Sleeps12 even have luxury holiday homes with a yoga studio – like Berry House in Devon, The Old Rectory and Cowslip Manor in Somerset. And because we like to make things easy for guests, we work with providers who can bring extra zen to your wellness weekend, with yoga instruction, meditation sessions and sound baths. Namaste!
Private Pampering
Step up your private spa or wellness weekend with private pampering at your holiday home. Sleeps12 have qualified and trusted therapists who will cosset and coddle and make each and every one of you feel like the most relaxed and beautiful person in the world. Book for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, find your inner glow.
Refined Dining
You can find details of our selected private caterers in the Extras section on each property page.
Treat yourselves to some private catering for your special weekend away, whether it’s for the whole of your stay, for a seriously good celebration dinner, afternoon tea on the lawn, or a Sunday roast. A restaurant can feel crowded if there’s a big group of you – this is so much better; top quality food served in the privacy of your luxury holiday house.
Hen Weekend Activities – Be Joyful, Make Memories
There are so many possibilities for activities, experiences and workshops for your sophisticated hen weekend. See what’s in the local area, check out providers who will bring the fun to you – some cater specifically for hen weekends.
Vineyard Tours and Tastings
Walk among the grapevines, see the fermentation room, learn how the wine is made, and try it with food pairings or lunch.
Alpaca Walking
Alpaca walking gives you the chance to slow down and connect not just with an alpaca, but with the nature that’s all around. These are such gentle animals, and this is overall a very calming experience. Tea and cake and a talk are usually included, fresh air and beautiful scenery come gratis.
A Day at the Races
If you’re staying near one of the UK’s many racecourses, check the fixtures and if your stay coincides with a race day, get glammed up and go and have a flutter!
Laser Clay Shooting
This is good fun; it gets you outside in gorgeous countryside, and it’s a brilliant icebreaker if people in your hen group don’t know each other well. Instruction, safety talks and refreshments are included, or you may be able to organise a picnic with the providers.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding are all great ideas for a sophisticated hen weekend – picture a warm day, kayaking or paddleboarding along a lazy river, beautiful countryside all around you… For something different, go paddleboarding down through the centre of Bath on the River Avon – see the sights from a totally different perspective.
A Murder Mystery Night
Sleeps12 works with My Event Concierge – book them for an unforgettable hen weekend experience. Get dressed up and into character for a murder mystery with dinner included – think Agatha Christie (And Then There Were None), Gosford Park and Knives Out.
Bespoke Workshops
There are so many ideas for bespoke workshops for your hen weekend – we love these:
- Chocolate making with Hollychocs
- Pottery Painting with Pot Doodles
- Make bunting and fascinators with the Crafty Hen Party
- Make flower crowns and tote bags with Hunter Gatherings
Plan your sophisticated hen weekend well and it will stay with you all. Celebrate a new chapter in the bride-to-be’s life and the joy of friendships. The memories are there for the keeping.