15 Great Hen Party Ideas

If you’re looking for fresh and new hen party ideas that aren’t just cocktail making, then read on!

At Collection Pot we have the joy of seeing the Pots set up for hen parties every single day – and although it kind of makes us jealous we’re not out every weekend at these amazing get togethers, it does mean we have heard of all the weird and wonderful out there.

Let’s jump in.

Hen party ideas for small groups

Some hen party ideas are designed for massive groups who can split astronomical costs. (Yes, we have seen trips to Bali or plans for groups of 50!)

We know there’s a cost-of-living crisis, and the last thing the beautiful bride-to-be needs is to worry about not being able to fill a castle with her mates or having just a couple of you shouldering a hefty bill.

Enter these fantastic hen party ideas for small groups.

1. Hire a house for a silent disco (and bring celebrity guests)

Without tonnes of people to entertain, the hen party can have a much more chilled vibe. Consider organising an Airbnb then with the extra spending money, have some extra fun! A silent disco set up runs at about £100 for an evening and keeps your guests partying away whilst maintaining your neighbour’s sanity and happiness.

You can add the classic hen party butler in the buff or go highbrow but keep it fun by streaming cameos purchased of celebrities for the bride! Don’t forget to pack all the tech you need to share on a big screen and have fun scripting.

2. Ice skating disco

If you ice skated as a child, you may have forgotten how fun it can be. Most towns have a rink, and as a small group you’ll be able to glide right into the next party or disco event. Grab some hen party outfits or brand some coats or goodies with a photo of the bride and get skating! The cafes are never that great on site, so why not arrange a taxi pick up for after to whizz you back to a base camp before getting changed to head out on solid ground?

3. Enjoy an emo moment or a tribute band session

Whether the bride-to-be loves footloose and WHAM or is more into MCR and Taking Back Sunday, a tribute evening or an emo night could be the ideal evening out for your small group hen party! Grab a table and a few pitchers, and steadily get louder and louder. Have a search on Skiddle for the Black Parade for emo nights, or Eventbrite for tribute nights, or scan Facebook Events.

4. Glamping

Glamping is cheaper than a hotel stay, helps you reduce your carbon footprint and allows you to explore parts of the UK you may have never ventured to before!

Are you keen for a wild adventure into the unknown? Or perhaps you fancy getting cosy around a fire with marshmallows?

A night or two in a canvas hideaway, and you’re likely to come away feeling refreshed, not drained.

5. Join a craft session

There’s often a focus on doing something as one gaggle, but if you’re part of a smaller hen party then you have the benefit of being able to join classes with others.

The benefits include meeting new people, learning a new skill, and paying a far reduced fee than you would on a private hire. Search Eventbrite for classes in an area and look well in advance to secure all the spaces you nee

Funny hen party ideas

Looking for something a bit weird and wonderful? Or maybe even something you will never do again? We have some recommendation’s themes on these too!

6. Learn fishing

Did you know that women now account for 37 percent of anglers in the U.S.A.—the highest level on record?

According to a recent report by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), 19.4 million women went fishing in 2021. That’s 1.6 million women getting out on the boat, or lake for the first time! Yes ladies!

So, grab your boat and your bait and take to the seas! Alternatively, there are plenty of river banks around the UK that will provide a beautiful setting for a day of angling and picnics!

Please just make sure that you adhere to the rules of when and where you can fish around the UK! Use www.gov.uk to ensure you are sticking within the guidelines.

7. Walk with a hawk

So long, common pigeon – this hen party is all about the hawks. Whether you fancy holding one or just get some cracking photos, there are a range of places to enjoy falconry experiences around the UK.

Have a look online to see the best location for you. While you can’t hold a g&t and a hawk, you can get that nice outdoorsy feeling without too much extreme movement – so you still have energy for dancing later.

8. Star gazing

When did you last look at the starry sky? Did you know that there are places called Dark Sky Parks in the UK? These park’s reduced pollution levels allow for super dark skies, meaning you can see about 7000 stars and planets with the naked eye?!

Galloway in Scotland is just one of the places where you can appreciate the beauty of the night sky. The park also has red deer, a loch, and a gorgeous nearby hotel Creebridge with 17 bedrooms so that you can reconvene with a drink before bed.

9. Learn to snowboard

This one is really only funny if NONE of you know what you’re doing. It’s all very You’ve Been Framed. Please be aware of booking too close to the big day for any photo showing injuries! Browse for a reputable resort with plenty of space – Snozone has locations in both Milton Keynes and Yorkshire.

10. Psychic reading

Believe in the mystical, or think it’s all cobblers? A trip to see a psychic or a hypnotist is a fun experience for many and can be something to add to your evening. Check reviews before you go and, if it is REALLY your thing, see if anywhere local to you is hosting an evening with dinner!

11. Bring a colour party

Everyone decides on a colour and then must bring all their food and drink in that shade. So, if they picked blue, they would be getting WKDs, blue refresher bars, blueberries and Salt and Vinegar crisps. It certainly isn’t fine dining, but this is a great way to share the costs and ideal whether you’re staying in or using it to fuel heading out.

12. Challenges and a charity shop dress up

Fancy some silly fun that’s budget friendly?  Start with a charity shop outfit selection for all the teams. Without looking, each guest trails their hand on the rail until someone shouts stop. They then must wear what’s been chosen – no excuses!

Then it’s time to take to the town. You can take part in a range of fun challenges;

• Find someone who looks like the hubby-to-be
• Left-handed drinking
• Never have I ever
• Truth or dare

(In short – any game that you played at school becomes amazing when aided by grown-up beverages.)

Luxury hen party ideas

13. Exclusive cinema booking for gaming or a film

Did you know you can book a whole cinema screen? Whether you have 5 or 50 guests, there are cinemas in over 75 locations in the UK that can be hired just for you!

Or are you more of a gaming fanatic? The cinemas can also allow you to game on the big screens!

Prices are around £150 for gaming to £250 minimum for films.

14. BYOB on a yacht

There are plenty of places to jump on a yacht for the day! Some of the best spots are The Solent, Hamble River, Portsmouth and Brighton. Most of these have great routes from the capital, so you don’t need to think too much about travel!

Some people can learn the ropes, while others can bask in the sun with a glass in hand. It’s really what you make of it! 

Cost-wise, a 37ft yacht + skipper is about £200 per person, season dependent.

15. A day trip to Paris

Package holidays are around 19 per cent more expensive than last year, research from consumer group Which? has revealed, so if you want to get away, it’s best to look at ways that don’t involve a flight.

Paris, the city of love, a dreamy destination that isn’t too far from Blighty!

The website Kayak lists the average price for a return flight from London to Paris as £140, but a return trip on the Eurostar in mid-July comes in at £89 – and will likely also be quicker too!

Do whatever the bride-to-be fancies, from shopping, sightseeing, sunbathing, or simply watching the world go by with a coffee before an evening in a beautiful restaurant. Why not push the boat out with the centuries old La Rôtisserie d’Argent for its famous pressed duck?

We hope you have enjoyed these tips – and they’ve sparked some inspiration for the perfect hen party for a small group or gaggle of fun-loving hens!

If you pick any, we’d love to see your photos – tag us on social media!