My Bournemouth Hen Weekend: A Real Story & Itinerary

Editor's Note (December 2025): While this legendary hen do took place a few years ago, we have updated this post to ensure all venues, activities, and prices are accurate for the 2026 season.

My Bournemouth Hen Weekend: A Real Bride's Review

Sometimes the stars align, and everything you could possibly hope for on a hen do comes together. That is exactly what happened for me and the girls on our recent Bournemouth Hen Weekend.

The biggest, unexpected bonus was the weather. You don’t book a UK hen do assuming you’ll get sunshine. But we got lucky—a spectacular seaside destination bathed in some of the hottest weather of the year. Here is exactly what we got up to, from beach ciders to drag cabarets.

Friday: Prosecco & The Beach

Our accommodation was the first pleasant surprise. We booked a hotel through The Stag and Hen Experience, and instead of the "tired" room we expected for the price, it was pristine, friendly, and perfectly located.

To settle in, we started with Afternoon Tea with Unlimited Prosecco. This turned out to be a genius idea. We were well-fed and very well-watered. By the time we left, we were relaxed, merry, and ready for the beach.

Given the heatwave, we meandered down to the sand. We watched the surfers, grabbed some cold ciders from a beachside bar, and just sat on the sand enjoying the view. It was the perfect chilled start.

Friday Night: Conquering "The Hill"

After a freshen-up and a pre-booked Pizza dinner, we hit the town. If you’ve never been to Bournemouth, the nightlife layout is unique. A huge number of bars are located on one long road (Old Christchurch Road)—which is a steep hill!

We decided to start at the top and work our way down, having at least one drink in every bar that looked good. By halfway down, we’d lost two members of the party, and the rest of us were struggling to walk in heels! We made it to the bottom and finished the night dancing energetically in a club until the early hours.

Saturday: Paddleboarding & Gin

Day two began with a tasty breakfast to soak up the night before. While we hadn’t counted on the sun, we had booked an outdoor water activity: Paddleboarding.

Doing this in the sunshine was magical. A couple of us had done it before, but the instructor was brilliant with the beginners. We spent the morning riding the waves (and falling in) before heading back to dry land.

Activity: Gin Cocktail Masterclass

Since we are a group who loves a drink, our afternoon activity was a no-brainer: a Gin Cocktail Masterclass.

Guided by a friendly mixologist, we learned to whip up a selection of gin-based cocktails. It was interactive, educational, and involved drinking everything we made. By the time we finished, we were all ready for the big night out.

Saturday Night: The Cabaret

For the finale, we headed to a Drag Cabaret Show. After a day on the water, we wanted an evening where we could sit down, eat food, and be entertained.

It was hilarious. The drag queen host was brutal but brilliant, and the male dancers provided some very appreciated "eye candy." We let loose, screamed with laughter, and didn't have to worry about moving venues. After the show, we found a cheesy nightclub to dance to the best/worst music ever made until our feet gave up.

The Verdict

This was the perfect hen weekend. There wasn’t a single thing we didn’t love. The combination of the beach, the organized activities, and the wild nightlife makes Bournemouth a winner. In fact, we’re already thinking of booking a trip back next year for a 30th birthday!

The Stag and Hen Experience has been creating bespoke weekends since 2009. If you want to plan a package in the UK or abroad, get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our full range of Bournemouth Hen Packages to get started.