50 Unusual Hen Party Ideas for 2023
Author: Hollie Bond
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Make sure your hen party stands out from the crowd with these fun and unusual hen party ideas from all around the UK
Whether you’ve been to what feels like one hundred cookie-cutter hen dos or you’ve been given the job of planning a hen party for a friend who doesn’t like to follow the crowd, you’ll probably be feeling the pressure right now to pull something incredible out of the bag.
Without the traditional hen party ideas and formula of a spa day or afternoon tea followed by a night out clubbing to fall back on, it can be stressful knowing what to do to celebrate your friend’s impending nuptials.
The good news is that the UK is packed to the rafters with fabulous days out and activities that can form the basis of the best non traditional hen party that the bride and her hens will rave about for years to come.
We’ve rounded up 50 of the best unusual hen party ideas from Scotland down the Cornwall and everywhere in between, so wherever you’re hosting your hen you’ll be sure to find an unusual hen party idea to suit.
And, if you’ve got no idea where to start when it comes to organising a hen party in the first place, then you’ll want to read our first-timers guides to planning a hen party.
So forget the willy straws, L plates and feather boas and let’s get planning a totally unique hen party that your best friend will love.
North East England
Silent Disco Walking Party
Combine a silent disco with a bar crawl with this fun and unusual hen party idea. Each hen with have a silent disco hen set so she can sing and dance her way through the Toon, and make onlookers laugh (or cover their ears) as you go.
Harry Potter Broomstick Training at Alnwick Castle
Got a Potter fan in your midst? Then treat her to a geeky day of Potter-based fun at one of the famous filming locations – Alnwick Castle, including a broomstick riding class!
The Disco River Cruise, Newcastle
Partying the night away in a traditional club is so last decade. Jump aboard your very own disco boat instead and light up the River Tyne with flashing lights and fabulous dancing.
The Great Geordie Cake Off
If your bride is known for her love of baking then why not put it to the test GBBO style? The Great Geordie Cake Off will see you compete in front of a real judge for the honour of the best baker. The backdrop to this tasty activity is the city’s amazing medieval Blackfriars restaurant, where you’ll enjoy lunch afterwards too.
Unique Hen Party Escape Rooms
Test your nerve with a selection of unique and interesting escape room games at this city centre venue. A fun filled afternoon will see you saving yourself from a deadly neurotoxin, escaping a murderer, or retrieving an ancient treasure. Perfect for any brides who have always had a desire to take part in Crystal Maze.
Surfing
Perhaps the bride would like to learn an exhilarating new skill on her hen do? If you’re up north, you could take a trip to the stunning Northumberland coast and give surfing a go. You’ll have a lesson from a pro before hitting the waves. It’s guaranteed to be a good giggle as you struggle to stand and stack it in spectacular fashion.
North West England
Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience
Another option for any Potter fans out there. Head into the forbidden forest (aka Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire) on your hen do and enjoy a spooky nighttime trail full of magical creatures and wizarding wonders. Once you’ve made it in one piece through the forest there’s a village, Hogsmeade we’ll call it, where you can enjoy drinks and food.
Magical Cocktail Experience Bar
Don’t just head to a normal cocktail bar, an unusual hen party calls for s0mething a little different, like The Oracle bar in Liverpool. Once you step through this mysterious door you’ll be treated to all sorts of incredible tricks and deceptions from amazing magicians who visit your table.
Retro Ten Pin Bowling
If you grew up taking weekend trips to the bowling alley then Pins Social Club in Liverpool could be the perfect choice for a non traditional hen party. This boutique bowling alley has a hen party perfect mix of live music, retro bowling lanes, a rooftop bar, fabulous food, pool tables and fun table games like beer pong.
Beatles Music Tour and Live Gig
All you need is love and some good unusual hen party ideas… If your bride is a Beatles fan then a trip to Liverpool’s The Cavern Club should be on the cards. The Cavern Club is where the iconic band played their first gigs and is a world famous music venue. You can take a behind the scenes tour or magical mystery bus tour of the city before enjoying some live music.
The Midlands
Peaky Blinders Night
A museum doesn’t sound like the most obvious of places to look for hen party ideas, but The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley holds a really fun night based on the much-loved series Peaky Blinders that could work well for a hen weekend. Dress up in classic 1920s garb and hit the traditional streets of the museum to enjoy roaring nightlife of the interwar years with music and entertainment around every corner.
Digbeth Dining Club
Looking for hen party ideas in The Midlands? How about eating some Michelin-starred cuisine in a one-of-a-kind setting? Digbeth Dining Club organises wow-factor dinners in locations like Warwick Castle and edgy industrial settings, with live music and entertainment.
DTV Shredder Off Roading
No idea what a DTV Shredder is? Well, imagine a cross between a tank, a jet ski and a Segway and you’ll have some idea. Basically they’re really cool machines that are brilliant fun to drive across all sorts of terrains and are great ideas for hen parties.
London
Hot Tub Hot Tug Party
As unusual hen party activities go you won’t find a much more unique experience than this… sailing down the Thames in a hot tub boat. Yes you did read that right! It’ll be bubbles all round as you enjoy the hot tub while quaffing bubbly and taking in the sights.
Plate Smashing Party
Whether the bride is having a big fat Greek wedding or it just sounds like a laugh, The Elysee Greek Restaurant in Fitzrovia is a brilliant idea for food on an unusual hen weekend as after you’ve enjoyed the scrumptious fare you get to throw your plates at a wall! There’s also live entertainment and a smart cocktail bar.
Press For Prosecco House Party
Thought a house party would be impossible in London? Think again, because Darling House in Waterloo is a restaurant downstairs but upstairs behind a secret door you’ll find a quirky rabbit warren of rooms all decked out in eccentric style for you to hire out and enjoy a house party like no other. We’re particularly taken with the Press for Prosecco button for unlimited bubbly!
The Murder Express Train
All aboard the Murder Express for an immersive dining experience like no other. While you dine on gourmet fare from a former Masterchef champion you’ll enjoy incredible entertainment 1930s style. The basic premise: a horrific crime is uncovered, and you’re needed to help the detective solve it in order to make it home safely.
Themed Afternoon Tea
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to hosting a unique hen party. Instead take traditional hen party ideas like the classic afternoon tea and give it a twist. Look out for themed afternoon teas at some of London’s top restaurants. At the moment The Lanesborough are running a Cruella-inspired afternoon tea for any Disney-loving brides out there.
Dog or Cat Café Experience
Looking for hen do ideas for a dog or cat lover? Why not include a visit to one of London’s dog or cat cafes where you can enjoy some tasty treats while being surrounded by some cute critters. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is our choice for cat lovers, while Pug Cafe can set up a unique event for you so that all the hens can bring their dogs and enjoy a party like Dachshund Doggie Disco, Cockapoo Café and Frenchie Café.
Posh Ten Pin Bowling
Have you seen the bowling alley at Ham Yard Hotel? It’s just made for a fabulous party with all the bright interiors. With a stylish bar and lavish lanes, it’s a unique hen party idea that’ll earn you a strike from the bride.
West End Musical Restaurant Experience
Bunga Bunga in London’s West End host amazing dining experiences for musical lovers. While you’re served fine food, you’re entertained by some of London’s best musical theatre dancers and singers, with the chance to get involved at the end/ once you’ve had a few too many drinks.
Molecular Cocktail Making
If the bride to be’s a scientist or just loves cocktails this is a unique hen night idea that will make her smile. ABQ London at Hackney Funhouse is an immersive cocktail making experience where customers get to dress up in lab wear and “cook” their molecular cocktails.
Duck & Dry Blow Dry Party
Make the getting ready for a night out in the capital just as fun with a visit to cool blow dry bar Duck & Dry. These blow dry bars are seriously stylish places and while the hens are all having their ‘dos done, the rest of you can sip champagne.
Kitchen Theory Multi Sensory Supper Club
Foodie brides will adore a hen party with Kitchen Theory who run immersive chef’s table supper clubs. Chef Jozef Youssef will guide you through a delectable ten course tasting menu that appeals to all the senses thanks to clever use of audio, lighting, table projections, aromas, and texture.
Pizza Making Party
Legendary sourdough pizza restaurant Franco Manca hosts pizza making masterclasses, which could be the perfect hen party idea for any brides who love to cook. Plus, it means your meal is taken care of at the same time as your activity. Win win!
Mulan Rouge at The Vaults
We can’t think of a better combination than Disney’s Mulan, burlesque dancers, drag acts, dancing, music and fine food. This immersive dining experience was just made for hen parties!
City Helicopter Tour
Fun filled ideas for a unique hen don’t get much more exciting than a helicopter trip over the city. The hens will never forget feeling like James Bond as they soar over London and spot all their favourite landmarks from a very different perspective.
Bruncherton & The Pleasure Gardens Putney
Was your bride one of the thousands who binge-watched Bridgerton during lockdown? Then give her the chance to enjoy a real life Regency experience at Bruncherton in Putney, a bottomless brunch with a whole host of fabulous Georgian style entertainment… Sadly, Regé-Jean Page isn’t included in the package!
Have a go on the ArcelorMittal slide
Who says slides are just for kids? Especially when they look as cool as the ArcelorMittal Orbit! At 178m long and with 12 twists and turns finishing with a devilish corkscrew section this slide is the world’s longest tunnel slide and makes for an adrenaline-filled and hair raising hen party activity.
Climb the O2
Has your bride got a head for heights? Instead of the traditional high ropes hen party idea, how about upping the ante and climbing one of London’s iconic landmarks together? Reaching a height of 52 metres and with incredible views it’s not an activity for the faint-hearted and you may want to ensure there are stiff drinks at the bottom.
Proud Cabaret City
Head to this luxurious London restaurant to enjoy some risqué hen party entertainment while you eat. We’re talking burlesque dancers in nipple tassels, cabaret acts and the very best drag acts.
Aeronaut Circus Show
Aeronaut is a Cirque de Soleil style club in central London where you can watch incredible circus acts over dinner. The atmosphere is wonderful inside the stylish spiegeltent and it’s a brilliant way to spend a few hours on a hen weekend in London.
South East England
Yoga in the Sky
Hen do ideas for yogis don’t get any cooler than this… a yoga class 450ft high above Brighton in the British Airways i360 Pod. Just imagine the views as you flow between positions surrounded by all your best girls.
Bottomless Drag Brunch
Tucked Brighton host hilarious drag brunches that would be ideal for hen parties. For three hours you can drink to your heart’s content, eat brunch and watch top class drag acts.
Artistic Workshop
Bored of life drawing? If you’re an arty group of girls you might want to get your creative juices flowing before the wedding with some professional style art. The Paint Club Brighton can come to your Air BnB and host an art workshop fuelled by Prosecco and afternoon tea.
Escape from Alcotraz, Brighton
As hen party ideas go, you’re either going to love or hate this! Head to Cell Block One Three in Brighton, a secret speakeasy style prison for the most unique cocktail evening of your life. You have to smuggle in liquor for the prison guards to turn into cocktails.
Dancing on the Bar
A venue where dancing on the bar Coyote Ugly style is actively encouraged? Count us in! The Copper Rooms in Brighton should be at the top of your list of hen do ideas if you’ve got a bride who loves dancing… and being in the limelight.
South West England
Private Lido Hire
Having a summer hen do? Why not include a trip to Jubilee Pool in Cornwall as one of the hen party activities. This stunning lido is available for private hire and would make for a few hours of watery fun for you and the girls.
Host a Vintage Festival
Imagine hosting your very own hen fest with all sorts of boho activities like flower crown making, a dance class and festival themed decor. Well you can do just that and stay in some awesome tipis for a glamping party with the wow factor through Cornish Tipi Holidays. Glittery hot pants and wellies at the ready.
Body Painting
Forget the classic life drawing you’ve done on many a hen. This class means you actually paint the model and get really hands on – oh la la! You get the chance to decide which hen paints which part of the body (saving the best bits for the bride of course). Unfortunately you don’t get to take your work of art home, but we doubt you’ll forget the sight of your finished masterpiece any time soon!
Scotland
Hen party Highland Games
Active hens in Scotland can’t say goodbye to the bride’s freedom without playing The Highland Games – it’s almost a rite of passage! If you’re looking for something to fill an entire afternoon, this activity is ideal. One session will see you trying out all sorts of sports like tossing the caber, hurling the haggis and welly wanging amongst others.
Perfume Making Hen Party
Theme the hen party around things that will be useful for the big day like making a bridal or bridesmaid’s fragrance. Enjoy a classy mixology session as you create something you’ll use well beyond the weekend.
City of the Dead Tour
Fancy spooking the bride to be out before she says “I do”? How about a ghostly city tour around Edinburgh on the City of the Dead tour? Take in the underground vaults and haunted graveyards and be prepared to be scared witless.
Northern Ireland
Bubble Mayhen, Belfast
Ok, so this sounds a bit mad, but we promise it’s a lot of fun. Basically, you put a massive inflatable bubble over your head and play a variety of sports games. The ensuing mayhem will end up in lots of giggles and falling on the floor – classic hen do activities then!
Archery
Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen and have a go at this medieval sport. Competitive hens will love archery and it’ll be a great skill for everyone to learn whether they’re a good shot or not. Talking of shots… forfeit for missing anyone?
Game of Hens Experience
GoT fans will go mad for these hen party ideas – a visit to Winterfell Castle, filming your own Game of Thrones scene and a hog roast picnic.
Gaelic Games Experience
A little bit like The Highland Games in Scotland, this is Northern Ireland’s answer to a fun action packed hen weekend. Take part in traditional games like hurling, Gaelic football and Irish handball.
Wales
Cardiff Bay Fast Jet Boat Ride
Hold on to your hats ladies, because Cardiff Bay is home to some seriously fast boats that you can ride on for an adrenaline-filled hen party activity. The Last Ride is a brilliant hen party weekend activity as long as you don’t have any hens with a fear of fast boats…
Underground Trampolining
Llangollen in Wales is home to an awesome underground cave full of trampolines. Bounce, slide and jump your way through a disused mine twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral.
White Water Rafting
Grab a wetsuit and some courage for a wild ride down a river in Wales. If you’re planning a action-packed outdoor hen party, white water rafting could be the ideal activity.