My Cardiff 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 Cardiff Hen Weekend: A Real Bride's Review

I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go for my hen do. All I knew was that I wanted something different from the usual afternoon teas. I wanted something active, outdoorsy, and preferably involving water.

My best friend Kelly suggested Cardiff. I’d been there years ago to visit uni friends and remembered the nightlife was amazing. When she told me we could do White Water Rafting right in the city, I was sold.

Friday: Shopping & Popworld

We checked into our accommodation, a Travelodge right in the centre. It was clean, tidy, and exactly what we needed as a base.

We spent Friday afternoon trawling the Castle Quarter Arcades. The architecture is magnificent, and I found some vintage shoes that were just my style. It was a nice chilled way for the girls to get to know each other.

For dinner, we headed to Slug and Lettuce. The food was decent and didn't break the bank, which kept everyone happy. We moved on to Popworld for the rest of the night. We had guest list entry (highly recommended!), so we walked straight in. The music was cheesy perfection, but we didn't stay too late because we had a big day ahead.

Saturday: Riding the Rapids

Saturday morning required coffee. After fueling up at the breakfast buffet, we took taxis to the International White Water Centre.

This was the highlight of the weekend. It’s a purpose-built 250m white water course. We told the instructor we wanted a "white knuckle ride," so they turned the water flow up! We got thoroughly soaked, one of the girls fell in (and was rescued!), and we laughed the entire time. It is 100% something I would recommend for any hen do.

Saturday Night: Pizza & House Parties

After showering and changing, we headed back into town. We grabbed pizza at Zizzi’s before hitting a few bars.

We ended up at Pryzm Nightclub. Again, having guest list admission was a lifesaver. We let loose, drank plenty of shots, and danced until the early hours. What struck me most about Cardiff was how friendly everyone was. We even ended up at a house party around the corner from our hotel!

The Verdict

We were a sorry-looking lot at checkout on Sunday, but my hen do was a total success. Cardiff is the perfect destination—great activities, walkable city centre, and the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet.

The Stag and Hen Experience has been creating bespoke weekends since 2009. If you want to replicate this itinerary, get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our Cardiff packages to start planning.