My Bristol Hen Weekend: A Real Bride's Review

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.

The feeling you get when you are asked to plan a hen do is special. It’s doubly special when you realise you can combine it with the hen’s 30th birthday to make it an even bigger party.

That was the challenge Susan (the hen’s mum) and I faced for Louise's big weekend. We needed a destination that was easy to reach but felt like a proper escape. After ruling out flights, we settled on Bristol—and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

Here is the full diary of our 4-day extravagant weekend, from West Country Games to a surprise Cheeky Butler.

Friday: The Surprise & The Arrival

We kept Louise completely in the dark. She didn’t even know who was coming! Susan drove her down, sipping prosecco in the back, until they pulled up at a beautiful Private Hen Cottage in the countryside just outside Bristol.

Opening the door to see 15 of her best friends waiting with banners and balloons was a moment I’ll never forget. We chose a private house so we could have our own space, rather than splitting up into hotel rooms. It was the perfect base.

Activity 1: Afternoon Tea with Unlimited Prosecco

After unpacking, a minibus picked us up for our first activity: Afternoon Tea. And when they said "Unlimited Prosecco," they meant it. The staff were incredibly attentive, keeping our glasses full for the whole two hours. It was the perfect icebreaker to get everyone chatting before the night began.

Friday Night: Waterfront & Clubbing

We headed to the Bristol Harbourside for our first night out. The bars there are fantastic—we moved from venue to venue, trying cocktails and shots. While some of the group headed home early, the rest of us found a nightclub recommended by The Stag and Hen Experience. We danced until 3 am. Totally worth the headache the next morning!

Saturday: Games, Cocktails & Cheese

Saturday was the main event. After a massive breakfast, we were picked up for the legendary West Country Games.

If you haven't heard of it, imagine the TV show Total Wipeout but with a cider-drinking farmer theme. We competed in 9 ridiculous games, including "The Cider Run," "Welly Wangin’," and the hilarious "Mangold Danglin’." Louise’s family is from the West Country, so this was absolutely perfect. We laughed so hard we stopped caring who won.

Activity 3: Mobile Cocktail Masterclass

We headed back to the cottage to relax. The beauty of booking a house is that you can bring the fun to you. We arranged a Private Cocktail Masterclass right in our kitchen!

The mixologist was a showman. He set up a bar, taught us how to mix professional drinks, and got us all involved in games. We made (and drank) so many cocktails that we were more than ready for our second night out.

Saturday Night: The Cheesy Club

For Saturday night, we wanted something less serious than the cool harbour bars. We hunted down the cheesiest nightclub in Bristol. We spent hours tearing up the dancefloor to 80s and 90s classics. The drinks were cheap, the music was nostalgic, and we stayed until sunrise.

Sunday: The Ultimate Relaxation Day

Since it was a bank holiday weekend (and Louise's actual birthday!), we had Sunday to recover. We decided to have a "Duvet Day" where the activities came to us.

Activity 4: Mobile Pamper Party

A team of beauty professionals arrived at the cottage and turned our lounge into a spa. Everyone got a treatment—facials, massages, or manicures—while Louise got the full works. We sipped tea and prosecco in our pyjamas while being pampered. It was bliss.

The Finale: Private Chef & Cheeky Butler

For the grand finale, we hired a Private Chef to cook us a 3-course dinner. He was fantastic, chatting with us while he prepped an incredible meal.

But the real surprise was the waiter. We hired a Cheeky Butler—wearing nothing but an apron, collar, and cuffs! We were worried it might be awkward, but he was brilliant fun, serving our drinks and joining in the banter. Even the married ladies were appreciating the service!

The Verdict

We stayed in on Sunday night, playing games and finishing the gin, before heading home on Monday. It was honestly the best weekend away I’ve ever had with the girls.

Bristol was the perfect destination—big enough to have amazing nightlife and activities, but friendly enough to feel welcoming. Staying in a private cottage made it special.

The Stag and Hen Experience has been creating bespoke weekends since 2009. If you want to replicate Louise's itinerary, get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our Bristol Hen Packages to start planning.