Alternative Stag Do Ideas In The UK

Alternative Stag Do Ideas In The UK

Published on Sep 19, 2017

There is a lot of thought and preparation that needs to go into planning a stag do – you want to show your stag why he gave you such an important job after all. First this means working out who you are going to invite, then you need to choose the perfect location, find somewhere suitable for you all to stay and last, but certainly not least, you need to decide how you will be entertained.

Of course, there are the typical stag dos, such as a boozy weekend in the Mediterranean, but if your friend/family member isn’t a typical stag and you know that he would rather something a little different then you need to think outside the box.

Knowing he would like a quirky stag do and choosing activities he will love are two very different things – so here are 15 alternative stag do ideas to give you some inspiration and help you plan a weekend for the boys that is as unique as the groom-to-be.

1.Ride a party bike through Brighton  

Ride a party bike through Brighton and you will get the benefit of a physical activity that works your legs and takes in some sightseeing around the city, allowing you to enjoy views of the waves rolling into the stoney beach, beside the world famous pier.

The tour takes around one hour and covers about three miles of the city – you can choose from ‘Just Ride’ and take your favourite songs with you, ‘Disco Night’ where a playlist of disco and cheese will be provided or ‘Sing Along’ where, as the name would suggest, you can sing to classic karaoke songs.

The bike holds 6 to 8 people and you can either take your own alcohol or order it to be included and fancy dress is optional – but encouraged! A great start to your night out in the colourful city of Brighton.

2. Laugh out loud at the Edinburgh Fringe

If the groom-to-be is a cultured man that enjoys theatre and comedy then why not take him to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? Scotland’s historical capital city has so much to offer to a stag party – particularly those looking for something a little different.

It has two distinct areas for you to explore, both of which are World Heritage Sites – the Old Town, which is dominated by the iconic Castle, and the New Town.

The Fringe takes place every August – and if this fits in with your timings, you can experience the single biggest celebration of arts and culture, where thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all across this beautiful city. Tickets go on sale early in the year.

3. Moonwalk like Michael Jackson

Is the groom a fan of Michael Jackson? Is he first on the dance floor when Thriller comes on? Then a Thriller dance experience is the perfect way to spend his stag do.

You will start by learning some of MJ’s iconic moves including, of course, the moonwalk to a medley of hits such as Beat It and Bad. Then, by the end of the day you will be able to do the complete Thriller routine.

Don’t forget to dress up as zombies if you want the full experience – you can capture it all on film and photos to treasure the memories long after the stag party comes to an end.

Plus, you will also have some new moves to try out in the club that night!  

4. Dance to live music at a festival

Is the groom-to-be always the first one to book his Glastonbury tickets every year? If festival season is the highlight of his year, what better way to spend his last weekend with the boys, before saying ‘I do,’ than at a festival.

But, forget Glastonbury – this is an alternative stag do, so you will want to take him somewhere a little different. You could try Common People (in May) or Wilderness (in August) both in Oxford or how about Loves Saves the Day or Brisfest (both in May) in Bristol. These smaller festivals may not be as well-known as the likes of V Festival and Bestival but you will have just as much fun!

Plus, you can explore everything these wonderful cities have to offer when you aren’t dancing in a field to your favourite music.

5. Take to the slopes

You don’t have to fly out to France or Switzerland to find the snow and ski or snowboard down it. Just head down to the Snozone in Milton Keynes where the snow is almost as fresh as it is at the top of the mountains.

If you haven’t done it before this is a great opportunity to try it out and both skiing and snowboarding lessons are available for beginners.

If you are a seasoned skier then head to the slopes and make the most of the opportunity to ski closer to home.

Perhaps, once you have had some practice you could bring the stag party back together for a reunion (after the wedding and honeymoon, of course) and head out to the real slopes.

6.  Camp in the New Forest

What better way to bond with the boys than a weekend camping in the forest? Set up your tent, sleep under the stars and drink beer round the campfire.

The New Forest is the perfect setting for a long bike ride through the picturesque woodland where you will see ponies roaming free, before a leisurely lunch at a country pub – where the delicious food that fills the menu is likely to have been sourced locally and sustainably.

As well as walking and cycling, there are many other outdoor activities to keep you busy including archery, clay pigeon shooting, rock climbing, high wire, abseiling, horse riding and kayaking – to name just a few.

Once you have completed your busy day of activities, this is also the perfect place to relax.

7. Experience the Crystal Maze

Do you remember The Crystal Maze? Well now you can take part in it! Located in the Old Granada Studios in central Manchester, former home of iconic TV shows such as Coronation Street and University Challenge, you can now become the star of this 90s TV show.

This team challenge is the perfect way to get the whole stag party working together as you test your skill and mental and physical ability across different adventure zones.

For each challenge you complete you will earn a crystal – the more you earn, the more time you will get in the final challenge – The Crystal Dome.

This is only the start, once you have finished your game you can head out and see what else this vibrant city has to offer.

8. Go on safari

If your best friend is an animal lover that has always dreamed of going on safari then now is the time to take him. You might be thinking that Africa is too far to go and very expensive for a stag party – but did you know you can do it right here in the UK? At Port Lympne, in Kent, as well as the safari – where your own private ranger will introduce you to rare and endangered animals – you can also get even closer to the animals with an ‘encounter’ or even ‘keeper’ experience.

To complete your experience you can stay right in the heart of the park – there is a variety of accommodation to choose from including tiger and rhino lodge, where you will be able to see these magnificent creatures from your bedroom window.

This is one stag do that is guaranteed to create memories that last a lifetime and one you will still be talking about long after the weekend comes to an end.

9. ‘Cook’ Breaking Bad-inspired cocktails

Breaking Bad is arguably one of the best series on Netflix and now you can become part of the set and ‘cook’ up your own concoction.

Step inside the RV, located in Hackney with up to 32 people, don your bright yellow overalls and then make and infuse your own drinks. Once they are ‘cooked’ you can sit back and enjoy them.

Cocktails include the likes of CRT FIX – gin, elderflower, lime, cucumber and mint (you will use dry ice to infuse your drink with thyme and rosemary) or RUBY – fennel infused gin, beta1 shrub, lemon juice, rhubarb syrup and peychauds (you will create shrub bubbles using emulsification).

If your mouth is already watering at the sound of the cocktails – and you can’t wait to see your best friend’s face when he realises he is part of the Breaking Bad set – book your slot and plan your weekend in the capital, around it.

10. Spend it on the river in London

Speed down the River Thames and watch the likes of Big Ben and the House of Parliament as they whizz by before heading upwards to look back down and out on the city skyline.

The London Rib experience takes you down the river faster than you have ever been before, it is an exhilarating experience that is guaranteed to get both wet and wild.

Once you have dried off, head up the London Eye for a bird’s-eye-view of the capital, in a private capsule. Between 3 and 25 guests can take the 30 minute flight and experience the breathtaking views while enjoying a choice of afternoon tea, Pimm’s and strawberries, wine or chocolate tasting – to name just a few. You can also add a host who will answer all your questions about the city.

11. Rock out in your own music video

Does the groom fancy himself as a rock star? Then make his dreams come true on his stag do by staging his own rock music video.

A make-up artist will make sure you look the part and a choreographer will teach you the moves before you mime to your song and creating your own rock video.

Ahead of the day you will have chosen your favourite song and a theme, then on the day props and accessories will be provided.

A few weeks after the stag you can get everyone back together to watch the professionally edited video and relive the day. Perhaps you could even save it surprise the bride and share with the guests on the wedding day?

12. Fly through the sky in Wales  

For a really action packed stag head to Wales, where you can fly through the sky on the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe.

At Bethesda, you can take in the stunning views – on a good day you will be able to see as far as the Isle of Man – before descending over the quarry lake where you will reach speeds of 100mph. The pair of zip lines are a mile long and 500ft high.

Or a short distance away at Llechwedd Slate Caverns you will find a four person zip line – as well as underground adventures.

Both are located in Snowdonia National Park, so complete your weekend by climbing Snowdon and experiencing the breathtaking views from the top. It will be a great challenge for an active groom.

13. Jump off cliffs

If you fancy climbing, scrambling, swimming and cliff jumping then a coasteering experience could be perfect for this stag party.

You will get to see and experience otherwise inaccessible parts of the UK coastline as you take part in either a half or full day experience.

Kitted out in wetsuits, helmets, buoyancy aids and surf boots – you will start swimming out towards headland, along rocks and venture into caves before climbing a rock face followed by a 20 to 40ft climb up the cliffs. Once you reach the top it is time to jump off, back into the water below.

This isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it is an experience that will stay with you and enable the whole party to bond as they help each other complete the route.

14. Go surfing in Cornwall

Its mild climate (Cornwall boasts some of the best weather in the UK) and its location – with some of the best beaches the country has to offer – makes Cornwall the best place to catch the waves.

It is also home to one of the biggest pro-surf competitions in Europe, so why not grab a board and follow in their footsteps? One of the best beaches for surfing is Fistral Beach in Newquay – where you will find some impressive waves and swells of up to 8ft.

If you are new to surfing, book yourself in for lessons or if you are experienced, hire a board and head straight out to sea. The beautiful location and sunny weather will help to make this the perfect stag do.

15. Army assault course

You will need to work as a team to complete this army assault course – the perfect way to bond with the other stags as you all put your fitness to the test.

You will start the day training with ex military instructors, before being split into teams to compete against each other.

The course will see you trekking across woodland, running up hills, swimming through mud, crawling through tunnels, jumping through hoops, swinging through the air, climbing ropes and jumping into pools.

You will work every muscle and definitely have earned yourself a beer – or two!

Now you have discovered all these alternative stag do ideas right here in the UK, you just need to decide which one you are going to include in your weekend.