Published on May 2, 2025
Tired of the same old hen party clichés? Whether the bride-to-be is an adventure seeker, a DIY queen, or someone who just loves a good pamper session, there are plenty of exciting ways to celebrate that go beyond the typical night out. Get ready to ditch the feather boas and think outside the box with these unique and alternative hen party ideas tailored to every type of bride!
But first…
If it’s your first time planning a hen party, it can be daunting, but let’s break it down for you.
Know the Bride: The key to an unforgettable hen party is all about the bride! Dive into her world by considering her interests, hobbies, and personality. Chat with her closest friends and family to gather insider info and ensure the party is tailored just for her.
Theme Ideas: Based on what you know about the bride, now you can set the scene with a unique theme that screams fun! Think vintage glamour, bohemian chic, or adrenaline-pumping adventure. The right theme can transform the party into an extraordinary experience.
Activity Suggestions: Spice things up with a mix of alternative activities! From thrilling outdoor adventures and creative workshops to heartwarming animal-friendly experiences, there’s something for every bride. Keep the descriptions short and sweet to make it easy for guests to get excited about the plans. Top tip: plan the hen around a local festival or an event to take out a huge chunk of the planning!
Now you know what kind of personality the bride is, we’ve got a few fitting ideas for the hen party!
Click on a vibe for a quick jump to our alternative hen party ideas!
The Adventurous Bride
The Glamorous Bride
The Foodie Bride
The Quirky Bride
The Zen Bride
The Party Animal Bride
The Nostalgic Bride
The DIY Bride
The Eco-Conscious Bride
The Fitness Fanatic Bride
The Hopeless Romantic Bride
The Music-Loving Bride
The Jet-Setting Bride
The Boss Babe Bride
The Introverted Bride
The Animal Loving Bride
The Inter/national Bride
Ditch the usual spa day—she craves excitement!
For the bride who lives life on the edge, loves a challenge, and thrives on adrenaline-pumping experiences, a traditional night out just won’t cut it. She’s all about trying new things, exploring the great outdoors, and creating unforgettable stories with her besties.
Snowdonia is the best location for an adventurous bride, especially with Zip World right around the corner! Have a big adventurous group? Have a look at our luxurious houses: North Wales Coastal Manor Retreat and Chanalli Pool Manor.
White Water Rafting – Navigate thrilling rapids on an exhilarating river adventure.
Canyoning – Explore canyons by abseiling, jumping, and sliding through natural watercourses.
Quad Biking – Ride powerful quad bikes through rugged terrain and scenic trails.
Cycling – Enjoy a leisurely or challenging bike ride through picturesque landscapes.
Paintballing – Engage in tactical team battles with paintball guns in various scenarios.
Zip Lining – Soar through the air on a high-speed zip line for an adrenaline rush.
Zorbing – Roll downhill inside a giant inflatable ball for a unique and fun experience.
She’s all about sparkle and sophistication.
This bride loves all things chic, fabulous, and picture-perfect—think high heels, champagne, and luxury experiences. She enjoys the finer things in life and wants her hen party to be as stylish and sophisticated as she is. Take a gander at our Classy Hen Do Ideas for more inspiration for glam hen parties.
Bath would be the perfect Glam Bride location – if you need a place to stay, we would recommend The Grand Crescent Townhouse or The Luxury Bath Rooftop Retreat (not far from the Thermae Spa!)
Vintage Hollywood Photoshoot – Dress up, pose, and capture timeless glam shots.
Luxury Perfume-Making Workshop – Create bespoke scents in a high-end setting.
Private Penthouse Soirée – Rooftop drinks with a personal bartender and city skyline views.
Personal Stylist Shopping Spree – Guided shopping with expert fashion advice.
Forget boring meals—she’s looking for culinary experiences!
For the bride who’s always seeking out the best restaurants and experimenting with new flavors, food is more than just fuel—it’s an experience. She’ll love a hen party filled with gourmet delights, hands-on cooking sessions, and indulgent treats to share with her closest friends.
Secret Supper Club Experience – Enjoy a mystery multi-course menu in a hidden location.
Progressive Dinner Party – A course at different restaurants around town.
Chocolate-Making Masterclass – Craft artisanal truffles and pair with wine.
Foraging & Cooking Adventure – Hunt for wild ingredients and cook a meal from scratch.
Cooking Class – Master culinary skills and create delicious dishes with expert guidance.
Pizza Making – Craft your own pizzas from scratch, from dough to toppings, in a fun, hands-on session.
She loves offbeat, unique experiences.
She’s the bride who loves anything a little offbeat, unique, and totally outside the box—forget tradition, she’s all about having fun in her own way. Her hen party should be a celebration of all things whimsical, weird, and wonderfully different.
Themed Escape Room Challenge – Pick a fun theme like “Alice in Wonderland.”
Comedy Improv Night – Join an interactive improv comedy session with friends.
Whimsical Treasure Hunt – A quirky city-wide scavenger hunt with personalized clues.
Drag Brunch/Dinner – Glitter, sass, and hilarious entertainment all in one.
Tipsy Painting – Sip on your favorite drinks while creating art in a fun, relaxed setting.
Relaxation and mindfulness are her top priorities.
For the calm and collected bride who values relaxation and mindfulness, a hectic night out isn’t her vibe. She’s all about self-care, wellness, and meaningful moments, making a serene and rejuvenating hen party her perfect celebration. Here is our blog on Wellness Hen Dos Ideas that has more hen party ideas for a zen bride.
Healing Meditation – Experience the magic of sound baths and deep relaxation.
Yoga Session – A peaceful, relaxing flow to make you feel rejuvenated
Aromatherapy Workshop – Craft personalized essential oil blends.
Pampering Package – For you and the girls to choose treatments and be pampered.
She’s ready to dance all night and then do it again!
This bride is the life of the party—she’s the first one on the dancefloor and the last one to leave. She wants her hen party to be non-stop fun, filled with music, drinks, and plenty of laughter with her favorite people.
Brighton Pride would be the ideal hen do for a party animal and we’ve got some great houses in Brighton available in the summer for Pride!
Party Boat – Dance the night away with epic views
Silent Disco – Dance to your favourite playlist with glowing headphones.
Festival-Inspired Garden Party – Flower crowns, face paint, and live music in the garden.
Karaoke Battle Royale – Private karaoke room with outrageous challenges.
90s Rave Revival – Think glow sticks, old-school beats, and neon everything.
Pride Weekend – Celebrate diversity and inclusion with parades, parties, and vibrant events.
Pub Crawl – Visit multiple pubs in one night, enjoying drinks and socializing at each stop.
Cocktail Making – bring the cocktails to your accommodation or head out!
Beer Bike – Pedal a group bike while enjoying drinks and sightseeing around the city.
She loves all things retro and sentimental.
She loves taking a trip down memory lane and cherishes the good old days with her besties. Whether it’s throwback music, retro games, or reliving childhood favorites, she wants a hen party that’s filled with sentimental touches and lots of laughs.
Retro Bowling & Diner Night – Old-school fun with milkshakes and vintage vibes.
Crafting a Time Capsule – Fill it with memories and open it on a future anniversary.
Polaroid Party – Take instant snaps with fun props and create a scrapbook.
Vinyl Listening Party – Bring your favorite records for a night of music and stories.
Old School Sports Day – Compete in classic games like the sack race, hoops, hoppers and more.
Creative fun is her idea of a perfect celebration.
Crafty, creative, and always full of ideas, this bride loves adding a personal touch to everything she does. She’ll adore a hands-on hen party where she can create beautiful keepsakes and memories with her squad. Head over to our Crafty Hen Party Ideas blog for more!
Flower Crown Making – Craft stunning floral accessories with expert guidance.
Tipsy Painting – Get artsy with guided painting and a glass of bubbly.
Ceramic Painting – Unleash your creativity by painting and personalizing ceramic pieces.
Nipple Tassel Workshop – Learn to craft and decorate fun and flirty nipple tassels.
Jewellery Making – Design and create your own unique jewellery pieces with various materials.
Dried Flower Wreath Making – Assemble beautiful wreaths using dried flowers and foliage.
She wants an eco-friendly celebration with minimal impact.
This bride is passionate about sustainability and wants a hen party that aligns with her values—think ethical experiences, eco-friendly fun, and minimal waste. She’s all about celebrating responsibly while still having an amazing time.
Tree Planting Party – Leave a legacy by planting trees in a local park.
Eco-Glamping Experience – Solar-powered luxury tents in a serene setting.
Sustainable Fashion Swap – A clothes-swapping party with ethical brands.
Zero-Waste Picnic – A beautifully styled outdoor feast with no plastic in sight.
She loves an active lifestyle and wants a hen do with movement.
Whether she’s hitting the gym, running marathons, or trying the latest fitness trends, this bride loves staying active and healthy. She’s looking for a hen party that combines fun with movement, keeping her energy high without the hangover.
Head over to our Healthy Hen Blog for more ideas! We have several properties with gyms as well, such as the Morecambe Seascape Retreat (hike around the Lake District!) and The North Wales Coastal Manor Retreat (fancy a hike up Snowdon?)
Aerial Yoga Workshop – Try acrobatics with flowing fabric and relaxation.
Obstacle Course Challenge – Team up for a fun, muddy adventure.
Paddleboarding Yoga Session – Balance and zen on the water.
Bungee Fitness Class – A high-energy, low-impact bouncing experience.
She dreams of fairytale moments and whimsical details.
She’s been dreaming of her fairytale wedding for as long as she can remember, and her hen party should be just as magical. Soft, dreamy, and full of sentimental moments, she wants a celebration that feels straight out of a love story. If your bride is a Jane Austen or Bridgerton fanatic, perhaps a hen party in Bath would be the best setting for a hopeless romantic bride.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride & Picnic – A fairytale day in the countryside.
Outdoor Movie Night Under the Stars – Classic romantic films with cozy blankets.
Candlelit Dinner on a Rooftop – Intimate fine dining with a gorgeous city backdrop.
She lives for great tunes and musical experiences.
From concerts to karaoke, this bride’s world revolves around music, and she’s always got the perfect playlist ready. Her ideal hen party involves dancing, singing, and celebrating with great tunes and even better company. Plan your hen party around Pride – The Sugababes and Mariah Carey are 2025’s headliners and we have amazing properties like The Brighton Pavillion Gatehouse and The Brighton Beachside Penthouse that have fantastic views of the procession without even setting foot outside the door!
Private Acoustic Gig – Hire a local band for an intimate home concert.
Make-Your-Own Song Studio Session – Record a fun track with friends.
Festival-Themed Glamping Weekend – A mini music fest with camping vibes.
Dance-Off Party – Choreographed routines and dance challenges all night.
Record a Song – you will be greeted by one of the engineers, who will assist all of you with recording your song
She’s always planning her next adventure and loves new places.
Always planning her next adventure, this bride has a serious case of wanderlust and loves exploring new places. She wants her hen party to feel like a mini holiday, whether it’s a chic city escape or a relaxing countryside retreat.
Mystery Travel Adventure – Surprise her with a secret destination for the day.
International-Themed Party Night – Paris, NYC, or Bali in your own backyard.
Luxury Airport Lounge Experience – Spoil her with a VIP day at an airport spa.
Road Trip with Surprise Pit Stops – A scenic route with quirky activities along the way.
European Destinations – why not plan a hen party in Europe?
She’s a go-getter who loves high-end experiences with a polished touch.
Confident, ambitious, and always in control, this bride loves a well-planned event with a touch of luxury. She wants her hen party to be elegant, empowering, and impeccably organized—just like her life.
Private Mixology Session – Crafting luxury cocktails with a pro mixologist.
Power Brunch & Vision Board Making – Mimosas, goals, and girl power.
Luxury Wellness Retreat – Think 5-star spa treatments and mindfulness coaching.
Chauffeured City Tour – Explore in style with a limo and VIP reservations.
She enjoys quiet moments and meaningful experiences with loved ones.
Quiet, thoughtful, and more about deep connections than wild nights out, this bride prefers intimate gatherings with her closest friends. She’ll love a low-key, meaningful hen party that focuses on quality time and personal touches.
Bookshop Crawl & Cozy Café Tour – Discover hidden book nooks and sip lattes.
Home Spa Night – Pampering treatments in the comfort of home.
Stargazing Retreat – A peaceful getaway to a remote, dark-sky location.
Storytelling & Memory Sharing Night – Reflect on memories with candles and comfort food.
Dinner – Enjoy a delicious meal at a cosy restaurant or a home-cooked feast with friends.
Movie – Watch a favorite film or a new release, complete with popcorn and comfy seating.
She loves animals and might have made a furry friend a ring bearer.
Whether it’s interacting with furry friends, exploring wildlife, or enjoying animal-themed activities, there are plenty of unique options to consider. These experiences not only create lasting memories but also allow the bride to share her love for animals with her closest friends. We would recommend the New Forest and Bournemouth where you’re not very far from watching wild horses roam!
Stay in a safari – for more intimate parties, sleep among the safari animals
Cat cafe – Relax and enjoy coffee while interacting with friendly cats.
Llama/Alpaca walk – Take a leisurely walk with llamas or alpacas through scenic trails.
Horseback Riding – Enjoy a scenic trail ride on horseback.
Dog-Friendly Picnic – Have a picnic in a dog-friendly park where guests can bring their pets.
Her besties live in other countries or on the far edge of the UK and getting together is tricky.
If your bride tribe is scattered across the globe or you’re looking for a stress-free way to celebrate from home, a virtual hen party is the perfect solution. With endless online experiences—think cocktail masterclasses, virtual escape rooms, and DIY spa nights—you can still have a blast without leaving your sofa. All you need is a good Wi-Fi connection, a fun theme, and your besties ready to join the party from wherever they are!
Online Hen Party Games – Play fun and interactive games with friends via video call.
Get Dressed Up – Dress in themed outfits and enjoy a virtual fashion show.
Pampered Girls Night In – Indulge in at-home spa treatments and relaxation over video chat.
💎 Are you looking for more hen party ideas or activities? Look no further, let us help – head over to our hen party activities page for inspiration!
🏡 Need a place to kick off the stilettos? We’ve got stunning hen party houses all over the UK—perfect for every type of bride and her crew. Browse our selection of hen party houses.
❤️ Still feeling out the vibe? Head to our hen party blog for more inspo, tips, and cheeky ideas to make planning a breeze.