20 Great Ideas for a Hen Do in London

20 Great Ideas for a Hen Do in London

Published on Mar 22, 2018

The UK’s capital will always be a popular city for hen parties due to its buzzing nightlife and range of quirky, exhilarating activities.

You know you want to spend your hen party in London but what are you going to do while you are there?

Let’s be honest, there are almost too many options, which can make it difficult to decide. So, here are few hen party ideas in London for both day and night that will ensure this is one weekend you are still talking about long after the wedding itself.

 

1. Themed afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a popular, classy hen party activity and you can find a variety of themed events in London. The Kensington Hotel offers a Beauty and the Beast inspired afternoon tea for Disney lovers. The Tale as Old as Time – complete with Mrs Potts and Chip – includes sweet and savoury treats inspired by the characters and scenes in the film. Don’t forget to try the grey stuff… it’s delicious!

 

2. Festival fun

Lovebox, Wireless, British Summer Time, South West Four, Field Day – London is home to some of the best festivals. So, if your hen do is taking place during the summer why not try to co-ordinate it with one that fits your musical taste?

 

3. Quirky cocktails

Step inside an RV, pull on your yellow overalls as you start to create Breaking Bad-inspired cocktails. At ABQ London you will work with molecular techniques to “cook” your cocktails before sampling them afterwards.

 

4. Ride the London Eye

Enter your own private capsule for a 30 minute flight over the Thames, with breathtaking views that include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You can opt to take a host with you who can answer all your burning questions and choose to include afternoon tea, chocolate tasting, canapés, Pimms and strawberries or champagne!

 

5. Dinner with a view

Head up to Duck and Waffle which, at 40 floors up, is the highest restaurant in London and boasts breathtaking views of the city skyline including The Gherkin. Guests are welcome 24/7 so if you have planned elsewhere for dinner then you can enjoy breakfast while watching the sunrise instead. Likewise, The Shard and Sky Garden offer views across the city while you tuck into a delicious meal.

 

6. See a show

From The Lion King and Aladdin to Wicked and Matilda – the West End is the place to see a show. Whether you fancy a Disney classic that makes you feel nostalgic, a performance that will make you laugh until you cry or a show that has received critical acclaim – there is something for everyone.

 

7.  Visit a rooftop bar

There are many rooftop bars in London, where you can listen to music while sipping on your prosecco and watching the sunset over the city skyline. Madison – on the top floor of One New Change – is the perfect spot, with views of St Paul’s Cathedral and in-house DJs providing the entertainment. Umbrellas and heaters mean that this a space that can be enjoyed all year round.

 

8. Relax on a river cruise

With the Thames flowing right through its centre and iconic landmarks lining the banks, a river cruise is the perfect way to relax while seeing the sights of London.

Enjoy a drink or two and perhaps play a few hen party games as you sit back and take in the view.

 

9. Extreme river cruise

Alternatively, if you prefer life in the fast lane, then a RIB experience could be more up your street. At high speed you will make your way down river from the Houses of Parliament, through the Thames Barrier – and alongside the financial district.

 

10. Tree top adventure

If you are feeling adventurous then a tree top adventure in Battersea Park could be the perfect start to your hen do. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, you will find crossings that are double the height of most Go Ape adventures and many that are twice as long.

 

11. Hip hop brunch

If you are a hip hop fan then you have to book yourself a table at Hip Hop Brunch LDN. There are bottomless cocktails from 12 to 1pm, a three course menu, hip hop karaoke and plenty of other entertainment. Just make sure you book in advance because the secret venue is announced the Tuesday before.

 

12. Hyde Park on horseback

Take a horseback ride through beautiful Hyde Park – pass Serpentine Lake, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Speaker’s Corner as you trot alongside the other riders. Don’t worry if you haven’t been horse riding before, you can learn as you go by taking a lesson.

 

13. Escape room challenge

London has a range of themed escape rooms from Clue Adventures – where a magician has disappeared during a magic trick and you need to use his book of secrets to discover where he is – to No Escape, where you have to evade a murderous dentist after you arrive for your check up and are locked in the surgery room. Scary, but great fun.

 

14. Zoo lates

If the bride-to-be is an animal lover then a trip to London Zoo is ideal for the hen party. If you will be visiting during the summer you can see the zoo and animals after the sun goes down too. At this over 18s event the drinks will be flowing, as you dance at the silent disco and watch comedy performances – all while lions sleep in the background.

 

15. Dinner in the dark

After being led through the darkened room to your seat you can enjoy one of four menus during which your senses will be heightened due to the lack of light. A memorable experience – that will re-evaluate your perception of taste and smell.

 

16. Be a big kid in a ball pit

Make your way to Shoreditch and release your inner child as you drink retro sweetie cocktails and play in one million balls across three ball pits, lit up by a twisting and glowing UV mural.

 

17. Silent disco at The Shard

Every Saturday night you can head up to London’s highest viewing gallery at the top of The Shard. Here you will pop on your headphones – where three channels have different DJs playing pop, rock, and party classics. Enjoy the view as you dance from the indoor viewing platform and the open air Skydeck on Level 72.

 

18. Climb the 02

Did you know that as well as going into the 02 you can also climb over the top of it? For 90 minutes, during sunrise, sunset or any time in between you can get a 360° of the city as you make your way up, across and back down again.

 

19. Hot tub on the Thames

HotTug enables you and your girlfriends to float down Regent’s Canal in the comfort of a warm, bubbly hot tub. This 90-minute experience is available all year round and each one can hold up to seven people.

 

20. Ping pong bar

There are plenty of bars around London where you can enjoy a game of ping pong with a cocktail in hand. Head to Bounce, a cool underground venue just off Old Street, where groups of up to 20 can hire tables. It could get competitive…