Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

Even if you are leaving the organisation of the hen party to your Maid of Honour you’ll probably want to have some say in where the fun and games are going to happen.  In this post we provide you with so destination inspiration - Bristol is a popular party pick but you might want to go further afield and be a little more adventurous!

Brighton

This seaside city is hen party heaven, offering something for everyone.  During the day you have the beach and lots of wonderful boutiques for a bit of retail therapy.  If you like a little sophistication then there’s posh afternoon teas and spa pampering aplenty.  But if a bit of cheekiness floats your boat then Brighton has more than its fair share of male strippers, nude life drawing classes and butlers in the buff to keep you amused.  Plus there’s some of the best nightlife and clubbing action in the whole country. 

Amsterdam

The canals, the cobbled streets, architecture, the cyclists, the tulips – Amsterdam will initially strike you as reserved, traditional and laid back.  But don’t be fooled.  This city is as hedonistic as it is as chilled-out, as weird and wonderful as it is picturesque and quaint and as unashamedly illicit as it is innocent.  This fusion of the comfortable and expected with the edgy and surprising makes Amsterdam a wonderful hen party venue – there’s never a dull moment!  Just bring a sense of fun, bags of energy and a broad mind!

Barcelona

The Spanish have a wonderfully laid-back attitude to life and nowhere is this more apparent than in Barcelona – the city is party central, famed for its culture, food and dedication to having a good time!  Like Brighton it’s on the seaside, but we’re talking the Mediterranean, not the English Channel.  The beach is only a short stroll from the city centre, offering acres of golden sand, pristine blue waters and lovely warm weather most of the year round.  Culture vultures will love exploring the architectural gems of Antoni Gaudi, the Picasso Museum, the Fundació Joan Miró gallery and the maze of twisting alleyways in the old city.  But perhaps the biggest attraction is the sheer range of wonderful eating, drinking and clubbing experiences – nowhere offers a better choice tapas bars, cocktail lounges, amazing restaurants, traditional bodegas and night clubs.

Ibiza

Holding your hen party here might seem a little unoriginal – but it’s popular for good reason.  This stunning Balearic island has been hosting hedonistic hen weekends and debauched party events of all shapes and sizes for decades and it’s pretty much safe to say that they’ve perfected the art.  Gorgeous beaches, amazing sunsets and legendary clubbing – Ibiza is every bit as sexy and wild as its reputation.  You won’t be disappointed!

Berlin

This might seem an odd choice – but you’ll discover it’s an inspired one.  On the one hand it’s steeped in history, with the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall sure to amaze you.  On the other it is a city reborn, buzzing with life, totally hip and unbelievably cool.  It has a vibrant underground music scene, the streets are alive with upmarket cocktail bars and excellent restaurants plus there’s no shortage of traditional pubs.  The clubbing scene is well known to be amongst the best in Europe, if not the world, and parties run non-stop from Friday night to Monday morning.  Berlin is a head-spinning melting pot of old and new, east and west, conventional and eccentric.  Shaking off it’s not-so-happy past, this is a city that has certainly rediscovered how to party!

Budapest

The capital of Hungary, straddling the mighty Danube, makes a great hen destination.  You’ll get a real flavour of eastern Europe spiced with the romance and decadence of the Hapsburg Empire plus the irrepressible buzz and excitement of a city rediscovering its sense of fun after the collapse of communism.  The spas and thermal baths have been attracting visitors since Roman times so there’s ample relaxation and pampering by day.  But at night the streets come alive with thousands of wonderful little cafe bars, cocktail bars and wild clubs that will keep you up on your hen night until it's light.  One of the unique attractions are the legendary “ruin bars”.  These are slightly chaotic and down-at-heel drinking holes that have sprung up in derelict buildings and unused outdoor spaces (we’re talking old car parks and ramshackle rooftops) – with cheap drinks, crazy décor, mad goings-on there’s nowhere better than a ruin bar for getting wrecked!

Flying from Bristol

All of these hen party destinations are a short and cheap flight from Bristol airport so getting there and back couldn’t be easier or more affordable.  However, these are not the only options.  If you had an amazing Hen Party somewhere we’ve not covered then just let us know and we can feature it in future posts.  The team at Clevedon Hall is constantly gathering and sharing information on all things wedding-related so if you have any questions, or would like some advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch.