- Jan 21, 2023
- 11 min read
Planning a hen weekend for a large group can feel daunting. I have been a bridesmaid ten times so far, and I have planned many, many hen dos, so I really understand how stressful they can be and how much time they take to organise.
If you do not know the city or the surrounding area, it is hard to know where to go or what to do. The good news is that most of the hen dos I have organised have been in the beautiful city of Bath, and it is one of the easiest places in the UK to plan a brilliant celebration.
Bath is jam-packed with history and stunning 18th-century architecture, with the River Avon winding right through it. Add the famous Roman Baths, award-winning cocktail bars and a clutch of unique restaurants, and there is no question that a hen do in Bath is a choice you will never forget.
Here is my fully updated guide to planning the perfect Bath hen weekend. I will share a wide range of hen party activities, hen do ideas and hen night ideas, plus where to stay and how to handle the boring logistics like parking and travel. I grew up in Bath and still live locally, so a little insider knowledge goes a long way. From my experience, the magic is always in the detail.
Why Have Your Hen Weekend in Bath?
Bath really is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. Even just exploring the city centre on foot is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, with gorgeous architecture, independent shops and cosy coffee shops to discover on every street.
Bath is also wonderfully compact, which makes it a genuinely easy city to walk around. You can move from bustling, trendy bars to beautiful green open spaces in minutes, so it suits every kind of hen. It is well connected too, which makes it a stress-free place to gather a group from all over the country.
Why Is It Called a Hen Weekend?
A hen weekend, or hen do, is the bride’s pre-wedding celebration with her closest friends and family. The word hen is simply an affectionate British term for a woman or bride-to-be, the female counterpart to the stag for the groom. What was once a single night out has grown into a whole weekend of activities, dining and celebrating together.
Where to Stay: Hen Party Houses & Accommodation in Bath
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Bath. A Bath hen do really begins with the right base, because where you stay shapes the entire weekend, so it is well worth booking first. Securing your hen party accommodation early is essential, especially for popular summer dates.
Hen Party Houses and Self-Catering
For most groups, a self-catering hen party house is the dream. Renting one large house means everyone stays together under one roof, you can decorate, play party games and, importantly, host activities such as a pamper party in your own private space. Bath hen party houses range from sleek apartments to grand homes that sleep twenty hens or more.
Georgian Townhouse Stays
Bath is famous for its honey-coloured stone, and staying in a Georgian townhouse right in the centre of Bath puts you moments from the bars and restaurants. A townhouse gives you space, real character and that quintessentially Bath backdrop for photos, and many a townhouse here has been beautifully restored.
Country House & Lodge Stays
If you would rather escape the hustle, a country house or a cosy lodge in the countryside around Bath offers a real sense of retreat. Many come with a hot tub, a garden and plenty of room to relax, and there is a good bus network to bring you into town. A soak in a hot tub under the stars is hard to beat after a busy day of celebrating.
Hen-Friendly Accommodation Recommendations
These properties are gorgeous and some even have swimming pools. They offer relaxed, hen-friendly accommodation and happily welcome larger groups:
Hestine Estate
Luxury holiday homes with private swimming pools, hot tubs, and cinema rooms. Made for unforgettable celebrations, staycations and family weekends.
Bath Luxury Stays
Distinctive holiday properties to rent in and around the World Heritage City of Bath. bathluxurystays.co.uk
Bath Self Catering
Bath Luxury Rentals
Top tip: parking is a nightmare in the centre of Bath, so if you are coming by car, check that your accommodation provides a parking permit or a dedicated space. If you are staying in Bath city centre, arriving by train is ideal, as you can usually walk straight to your door.
Getting to Bath & Getting Around
Travelling to Bath
Bath Spa station sits in the heart of the city, with direct trains from London Paddington in around 90 minutes, plus easy connections from Bristol and Cardiff. For most hen groups the train is the simplest option, with no driver, no parking stress and a chance to start the celebrations on the way.
Parking in Bath
If you do drive, parking in the centre of Bath is genuinely tricky and can be expensive. Check whether your accommodation includes a permit or space, and look at the Park and Ride services on the edge of the city as a cheaper, easier alternative.
Hen Party Activities in Bath
There are plenty of brilliant Bath hen party activities to choose from, with lots of companies offering unique experiences. I always think choosing a range of activities is key, mixing relaxing moments with livelier ones. Try not to book too much, though, or the weekend starts to feel rushed. Usually the biggest cost is the accommodation, so make the most of it and bring some of the activities to you.
The Ultimate Pamper Party: Mobile Spa & Massage
Here at Ally Massage Therapy we provide a mobile spa experience. Our team of outstanding therapists travel to your accommodation and deliver spa-quality treatments, so you do not have to go anywhere. You can choose any combination of treatments, from massage to facials to manicures and pedicures, for the ultimate pamper party.
From experience, having one truly relaxing activity on a hen do makes all the difference. These weekends are jam-packed with socialising and going out, so that downtime lets everyone enjoy a fun, vibrant weekend and still leave feeling pampered and deeply relaxed. The best part is that you will not have to organise a thing.
All our mobile spa and pamper party packages are bespoke, designed around your group. Prices are per person, so they are easy to cost up, and each guest can pick a treatment to suit their own budget, from short express treatments to longer, more indulgent ones. I have a background in events and love organisation with great attention to detail, so you really are in safe hands. Just complete the group booking form on our website and I will be in touch to plan everything for you.
Soak at Thermae Bath Spa
No hen weekend in Bath is complete without water. Thermae Bath Spa is the only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural thermal waters, and its open-air rooftop pool looking out over the city is unforgettable. A few hours at the Thermae spa is pure relaxation, and group packages with treatments and afternoon tea can be arranged.
The spa sits right beside the historic Roman Baths, so you can easily pair your visit with a tour of the ancient Roman Baths themselves, one of the best-preserved Roman sites anywhere in the world.
A Calming Sound Bath
For something a little different, book a sound bath. This is a meditative experience where you simply relax while gentle sounds from gongs and singing bowls wash over you. It is a wonderful, mindful way to start a morning or wind down a busy day with the hens.
Cocktail Masterclass & Cocktail Making
A cocktail masterclass is a hen party classic for good reason. Venues like Sub 13 run cocktail making sessions where your group learns to shake and pour signature drinks, with plenty of fun, photos and, of course, cocktails to enjoy afterwards. A cocktail masterclass is also a great icebreaker if not everyone in the group knows each other yet.
Escape Room Challenge
If your hens love a challenge, an escape room is a brilliant team activity. Bathescape, in the centre of the city, has several themed games, and you will have an hour to crack the puzzles and break out together. An escape room works especially well in the daytime and suits groups who want something active.
Treasure Hunt Bath
A treasure hunt is a lovely way to actually see the city while you celebrate. Treasure Hunt Bath sends your group on a self-guided trail past the landmarks, mixing sightseeing with games and challenges. It is budget-friendly and works for all ages and mobility levels.
Afternoon Tea, Bath Style
Few things feel more fitting in Bath than afternoon tea. From a classic tiered cake stand to a beautifully themed Japanese afternoon tea, it is an elegant, relaxed activity that every generation of the hen party will enjoy. Book a private table so you can chatter away freely.
Life Drawing Class
A cheeky life drawing class is a hen do staple, and it is relaxed, funny and surprisingly creative. A model poses while your group sketches away, with no artistic skill required. It is one of those hen party ideas that has everyone laughing within minutes.
Gin Tasting
Bath has its own distilling heritage, and a gin tasting makes a sophisticated alternative to a cocktail class. At The Bath Gin Company your group can tour the distillery, sample local gins, learn about the botanicals and find a new favourite to toast the bride.
Bridgerton Hen Party Experience
For fans of the hit Bridgerton television series, this exclusive guided tour is a must. On the 1.5-hour walking tour you will learn about the glorious Regency way of life while seeing iconic locations from the series, including the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge. The tour costs around £15 per person, and the show’s music plays through headphones as you walk.
Bottomless Prosecco River Cruise
A bottomless Prosecco river cruise is a wonderfully unique hen party idea. Board a 1960s river cruiser and enjoy a scenic trip along the River Avon, through the historic city and out into the gorgeous countryside. It suits groups of up to twelve, a shared meal platter is provided, and you can play your own playlist through the onboard sound system.
Hen Party Ideas for Every Kind of Group
Every bride is different, so here are some hen party ideas to match the mood of your group, whatever the budget or pace.
Relaxed Hen Party Ideas
If the bride wants calm over chaos, build the weekend around a pamper party, a gentle sound bath and a long afternoon tea. A relaxed hen weekend still feels wonderfully special, because it is about quality time together rather than a packed schedule.
A Hen Party Picnic
When the weather is kind, a hen party picnic in one of Bath’s parks, such as Royal Victoria Park or the green meadows by the river, is simple, scenic and easy on the budget. Bring fizz, bunting and a few party games.
Hen Party Games at the House
Back at the house, classic party games keep the energy up. Prosecco pong, a how-well-do-you-know-the-bride quiz and a personalised scavenger hunt are always winners. Party games are the easiest way to help a new group of hens relax together.
Hen Night Ideas: Where to Go Out in Bath
When evening comes, Bath turns into a brilliant place to go out, and there are hen night ideas to suit every group.
Is There Nightlife in Bath?
Is there nightlife in Bath? Absolutely. Bath is not a sprawling clubbing city like nearby Bristol, but it has a fantastic concentration of stylish bars, late-night venues and live music, all within easy walking distance. For a hen night, the compact city centre is a real bonus, because you can move between venues without booking taxis.
If ambience matters to you, you and your hens will love this cool basement bar in Bath. The eclectic decor blends old and new beautifully, making it both chic and relaxed. Settle in for a wide selection of cocktails and live DJ entertainment.
With two bars, a party pod stand and a large outdoor terrace, The Cork takes the hen night up a level. The Karaoke Pod Rooms can be hired for groups of up to twelve, which is perfect for belting out the bride’s favourite songs in private.
Set in a 1960s former auction house, Hall & Woodhouse has three stylish levels of bars and restaurants. The top-floor roof terrace, with its pretty garlands and city views, makes it one of Bath’s best bars for a summer hen party.
A bottomless brunch is the ideal lazy start to a hen party day. Several Bath venues offer bottomless brunch packages with free-flowing fizz and cocktails, which is a relaxed, sociable way to ease into the celebrations before the evening.
Where to Eat on a Hen Do in Bath
Bath’s food scene is excellent, and many venues cater specifically for groups and hen parties.
This popular meze restaurant serves impressive Greek cuisine in an equally impressive atmosphere. It is a great choice for group dinners, with hen party packages that include champagne, meze, desserts or cocktails, and you can even add a private plate-smashing session.
If you are hosting a large hen party of up to twenty-four, consider hiring The Tank Room at The Bath Brew House for a private dinner. This rustic pub has a great atmosphere, hearty food and its very own microbrewery.
This charming venue is known for its delightful function rooms and simple country-style cooking with a modern twist. With an all-day menu, snacks, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea on offer, it is easy to slot into your party itinerary.
What Happens on a Hen Weekend?
What happens on a hen weekend? It varies with every group, but most follow a familiar rhythm. The hens arrive and settle into the house on the Friday, often with welcome drinks and party games. Saturday is the main event, usually built around a daytime activity, a relaxing pamper party, dinner and a hen night out. Sunday is gentler, with a bottomless brunch or a slow morning before everyone heads home. The aim is simply to celebrate the bride with the people who matter most to her.
What to Do in Bath on a Hen Weekend: A Sample Itinerary
Still wondering what to do in Bath on a hen weekend? Here is a sample itinerary for a Bath hen do that balances activity with rest.
Friday Evening
Arrive, settle into your hen party house, decorate the space and enjoy welcome drinks and a few party games. If everyone still has energy, head out for cocktails at Circo Bar.
Saturday
Start with a leisurely bottomless brunch. In the afternoon, bring everyone together for a mobile pamper party at the house, with massages, facials and manicures while the prosecco flows. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Opa followed by a hen night at The Cork.
Sunday
Spend the morning at Thermae Bath Spa, take a gentle stroll to discover Bath’s independent shops, then enjoy a final afternoon tea before saying your goodbyes.
Hen Party Planning Tips from Ally
After organising so many hen dos, here is the hen party planning advice I always share. Book your accommodation and any headline hen party activity first, because the best ones are reserved months ahead. Check budgets quietly with the group so that no one ever feels awkward. Build in proper downtime, as a pamper party is the perfect hen party activity for exactly this. And keep a simple shared itinerary so everyone knows the plan for the weekend.
What Our Clients Say
"We had a group booking with massages and a pedicure. Everyone in the group was very pleased! The massage was amazing and I was very impressed with the professionalism and communication from Ally, which makes a big difference when coordinating a group. Ally was also able to accommodate our request for prenatal massages"
Eleanor Huizeling
"I couldn’t recommend Ally and the team enough. We were lucky enough to have Linda Teresa and Lucy come to our rented property and do massages and facials for 24 of us. Not one single complaint amongst the group, everyone was thrilled with their treatments and commented on how excellent quality they were. Despite being in a domestic setup, they were able to turn the bedrooms into a peaceful setting with lovely music which added to the atmosphere. Ally was amazing from the moment we first spoke, organisation was incredible and she was incredibly flexible and accommodating. Would recommend to anyone organising a hen do in the area. Thank you ladies!"
Georgia Thomas
Ready to Plan Your Bath Hen Do?
I could go on forever, because there really is so much to see and do in Bath. If you would like a relaxing, memorable centrepiece for your celebration, I would love to help you plan a hen party pamper party for your group. All the organisation is taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the weekend with your favourite people.
If you are interested in booking Ally Massage Therapy for a hen party in Bath, please do get in touch. I would love to help you plan your special event.
Thanks,
Ally x
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