The Ultimate Guide to UK Stag Do Destinations (2026 Edition)
Right here on your doorstep!
Choosing where to go is the hardest part of planning a stag do. Do you want a big city night out in Newcastle? A surfing weekend in Newquay? A quiet countryside retreat in the Cotswolds? There’s no definitive answer – every stag do has its own requirements and desires, but if you’ve got no idea whatsoever, then the amount of choice available can be overwhelming.
Don’t worry – we are here to help! We have compiled the definitive guide to the best stag do locations in the UK, categorized by what they do best. Whether you are after cheap pints, activities filled with adrenaline, or just a weekend of fun and friendship, your perfect destination is on this list.
Part 1: The Top 5 Most Popular UK Stag Cities
Based on thousands of bookings we’ve had over the many years we have been in business, these are the heavy hitters. If you want a guaranteed good time with nightlife to match, start here.
1. Bournemouth
The All-Rounder.
Consistently voted our number one destination. Bournemouth offers the rare combination of a sandy beach, great nightlife (stemming from the massive student population ), and more than seventy incredible activities – with everything rom Rage Buggies to Waterparks easily available in the area.
Best for: Groups who want a bit of everything (Beach, Activities and Nightlife).
2. Newcastle
The Party Capital.
The "Toon" is legendary for a reason. The locals are friendly, the drinks are cheap, and the city centre is compact enough to stumble home. It is widely considered the best night out in the North, and won’t break the bank either!
Best for: Local atmosphere and hard partying
3. Bristol
The Cool Choice.
Bristol is one of those destinations that has something about it. Call it vibes, call it atmosphere, whatever it is, Bristol has it in spades. It offers a bohemian vibe with underground clubs, speakeasies, and incredible street food. Bristol is no slouch activity-wise either, with motorsports like Quad Biking being exceedingly popular, as well as assault rifles and the famous West Country Games.
Best for: Unique nightlife and many adrenaline filled activities.
4. Liverpool
The Cultural Giant.
Liverpool is well known as being the home of the Beatles as well as being home to one of the biggest football clubs in the world. The nightlife in this city is amazingly diverse, from the Cavern Quarter to the swanky Albert Docks. It is walkable, affordable, and packed with character.
Best for: Music fans and football lovers.
5. Manchester
The 24-Hour City.
Manchester rivals London for scale but beats it on price. Everything you’d ever want from a big city stag do can be easily provided by this behemoth of a city, with activities, nightlife and accommodation all varied and plentiful. From the Northern Quarter’s hipster bars to the superclubs of Deansgate, the party never stops here.
Best for: Big city vibes without London prices.
Part 2: Best Beach Stag Dos (Sun, Sea & Sand)
Fancy a stag do on a beach but don’t want to get on a plane? Don’t worry, you don't need to fly to Spain to get sand in your toes. We’ve got plenty of options in the UK, and here are the top coastal spots for you to consider.
Newquay: The surfer's paradise, it’s a destination that is unlike anywhere else. With relaxed vibes by day and wild parties by night, it’s the sort of place that once you’ve visited you night never want to leave! Perfect for water sports like Coasteering and Surfing, as well as may other options.
Brighton: London-by-the-Sea. For those of you who fancy the trendy city vibes that London gives out, but you also want to be by the sea, Brighton’s got you covered. It is a stylish destination packed with bars, and incredibly friendly to people of every orientation, race, gender, class…. Well, it’s just incredibly friendly to everyone! Just remember it’s a pebble beach, not sand, so flip flops may be needed for the beach!
Blackpool: The classic British seaside resort, and a staple of northern Stag dos. . It’s cheap, cheerful, and home to the Pleasure Beach rollercoaster amongst many other rides. The bars and pubs are plentiful, and you’ll find yourselves enjoying a no-nonsense, fun-filled weekend.
Part 3: Best Scottish Stag Dos
We’ve kept our options in England so far, because a Scottish stag do gives such a different vibe that we wanted to mention them individually! Heading into Scotland offers stunning scenery, whisky, and a different pace of life.
Edinburgh: The capital of culture (and drinking). Tackle the cobbled streets of the Old Town or do a Whisky Tasting tour. Just be warned: It gets expensive in August during the Festival, but is very reasonably priced the rest of the year, so we highly recommend travelling in Spring or Early Summer for this one!
Glasgow: Often considered Edinburgh’s younger and wilder brother, Glasgow is always ready to knock your socks off! It’s cheaper than Edinburgh, louder, and famous for its live music scene.
Inverness: The gateway to the Highlands. If you are looking for a Scottish Stag do with a more relaxed vibe, this is the destination to look at. It’s perfect if you want outdoor activities like White Water Rafting or the "Mini Highland Games" (tossing the caber!).
Part 4: Best Countryside & Quiet Retreats
Not every stag wants a strip club and a kebab at 3am, as more and more of our enquiries received are leaning towards being out in the countryside.. If that sounds like your kind of stag do, and you are looking for a "Rural Retreat" with pubs, fires, and hiking, try these:
The Cotswolds (Bibury/Chipping Campden): Rent a cottage, visit a country pub (or two), and go clay pigeon shooting. Classy and quiet
The Yorkshire Dales (Kettlewell): Perfect for hikers. Tackle the hills by day and enjoy an ale or three in the evening – whether in a traditional ale house or just in the stunning stag house you’ve got booked.
Snowdonia (Beddgelert): If you are an active stag group, why not challenge yourselves a bit! Book Snowdonia, and try climbing Mount Snowdon or zip-lining over slate mines.
Part 5: Regional Gems (The hidden highlights)
One thing that should be clear from reading this article is that every stag do is different and everyone is after something special and has different requirements. With that in mind make sure you don't overlook these regional powerhouses. They often offer better value than the main tourist hubs and can be absolute game-changers!
The Midlands
Nottingham: Home of Robin Hood and, more importantly, Tank Driving. Yes, you can drive real tanks here, you are already excited by that option aren’t you?
Birmingham: Massive city, massive nightlife, tiny prices. If you are a curry fan (and who isn’t), then a trip to the curry mile is to die for and since Birmingham also has great transport links, it’s easy to get there wherever you are travelling from!
The North
Leeds: Famous for the "Otley Run”, a 16-pub crawl that is a rite of passage for students and stags alike, Leeds is an absolute belter of a stag do destination.
Sheffield: The Steel City is rugged, honest, and cheap. Great for outdoor activities in the nearby Peak District as well as plenty of pubs!
York: A gorgeous and historic city with more pubs per square mile than almost anywhere else. If you are a real ale kind of person, then York will be heaven for you!
The South
Southampton: One of the premier spots on the south coast for stag dos, it’s ideal for water sports like Powerboating and Jet Skiing. It’s also filled with great bars and other amazing activities.
Oxford: Home to the most famous university in the world (and therefore filled with pubs and bars designed to entertain you), Oxford is a superb stag do choice. It’s a slightly more upmarket choice for a refined stag.
Milton Keynes: Don't laugh! I know it has a reputation for being dull, but in the stag do world it is considered to be the "Adrenaline Capital" because it is surrounded by outdoor activity centres (Driving, Shooting, Climbing) and is easy to get to from everywhere!
Why Choose a UK Stag Do?
Still unsure whether you want to have a UK or European stag do? Here are a few reasons why staying in the UK might be smarter:
1. No Passports Needed: We all have that one mate whose passport expired 6 months ago (I’m looking at you, Michael!)
2. Flexible Travel: Train, car, or coach—you aren't reliant on one flight that might get cancelled, you have backup options.
3. Familiar Drinks: No dodgy homebrew that leaves you blind or spirits that you don’t know what’s in them!. Here in the UK, you know what the drink you have ordered is supposed to taste like – whether that’s a pint of lager or a vodka and coke.
4. Full Days: UK based travel tends to be quicker – you won’t lose half of your Friday sitting in an airport security queue, you can travel when it is convenient for you. So if you leave work at 5pm and get in the car, you can be in the pub by 8pm.
Ready to Book?
Have you made your UK destination decision yet? Whether you want the bright lights of Newcastle or the beaches of Newquay, we can build the perfect package for you. Just give us a call!