My Exeter 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.

I have such awesome memories of my Exeter hen do, so when I was asked to share my experience, I jumped at the chance to sit back with a glass of wine (or two) and go back through my Hen weekend photos for a good old reminisce.

As a bride-to-be, it’s hard to pick what’s more exciting – planning the wedding or planning the hen do! (If my lovely husband is reading this, of course I’m joking... mostly).

If you’re getting ready for a great hen weekend away, it’s always nice to go somewhere a bit different where you feel like you can really let your hair down and party hard. I definitely recommend looking at somewhere you wouldn’t normally think to go – it doesn’t even have to be that far, as you can always hop on a train or coach for a short journey to a vibrant new nightlife scene!

Why We Chose Exeter

I picked Exeter for my hen party because not only was it just a short drive away, but a couple of my fellow Hens had actually met while at Exeter University. They had great memories of student nights out and the beautiful city centre, so we had built-in tour guides!

We were all happy to stay the night in a hotel, as there are plenty right in the heart of the city. We decided to share double rooms so we could all get ready together—chilling, catching up, and unpacking while prepping for the night to come.

The planning team had suggested a "Dancing and Drinking" themed Hen do, and everyone was definitely up to try something new. I knew the plan was to go up on the Friday daytime and out for our hen night session in the evening, but I let the girls surprise me when it came to the Saturday afternoon activity. Thinking back, that was actually pretty brave of me!

Friday Night: VIP Clubs & Pink Negronis

After taking our time getting ready (prosecco in hand, obviously), we were taken straight into the city centre.

We bypassed the queues to get straight into the club the girls had booked for us. Is there any better feeling than walking past a line of people in the rain? On arrival, we were led to our very own VIP Hen Area with a table and comfy leather sofas. Even though it was a popular venue, the service was fast and super friendly. Having table service meant we weren’t spending precious dance time queueing at the bar—a massive plus.

We had told the Stag and Hen Experience team that we were up for an energetic night, and they picked a venue with a ‘dirty disco’ theme. We had so much fun; it brought back loads of brilliant memories of our time as students!

After dancing our cares away, the Exeter Uni girls led the group to a few of the lesser-known venues. We found a super cute gin cocktail bar which made the best Pink Negroni I have ever had—my absolute favourite. Since everything in Exeter is so compact, we were able to hop from bar to bar and sample a lot of the city's hidden night-time delights.

Saturday: Shopping & The Big Surprise

The next day, we enjoyed a lazy morning recovering from the previous night’s excitement. After a quick pick-me-up breakfast, we decided to hit the shops.

We explored the High Street and the spacious Princesshay Centre, which boasts a good selection of well-known chain stores as well as chic local eateries, bars, and restaurants. It was easy to lose a couple of hours in retail heaven!

While we had a bite to eat outside in the sunshine, the girls surprised me by delivering my lunchtime cocktail along with a sexy lace eye mask… according to them, we were going to a Burlesque Dance Lesson!

The Burlesque Masterclass

After warming ourselves up in the club the night before, we were so excited to get to our dance class. None of us had ever done burlesque, so we really had no idea what to expect.

Our instructor was a total sweetie. She explained about the art of Burlesque and how it was more than just whipping your clothes off. Once we’d got a few nervy giggles out of our systems, we were ready to give it a try! We were given the option to add fun accessories to our dance, such as feather boas, fans, gloves, and heels. It helped us all to loosen up and feel the part.

We did a gentle warm-up, and then went through the dance moves a few steps at a time. It was so fun seeing the girls trying out the moves; everyone got really into it, and if something went a bit wrong or someone wobbled over, we all just creased up laughing. It was a good workout too! It made me feel sexy and sassy, and I’m pretty sure our partners all appreciated our newfound confidence when we got home!

The Verdict: City, Coast & Cream Teas

Choosing an Exeter hen do was a great idea, not only for the shopping and nightlife but also for the scenery. The West Country is so beautiful. We visited Exeter Quay and the stunning Cathedral right in the city centre for some sightseeing (and a mandatory cream tea).

There’s even the seaside close by! On our way back home, we stopped off at Exmouth for a little beachside stroll and a cheeky chip supper to cure the final hangover.

I want to thank my girls for putting together such a great night and for treating me like a Queen. I had such fun and I can’t recommend the team enough for helping make it such a memorable time!

Ready to plan your own?

The Stag and Hen Experience has been creating the best bespoke hen weekends away for over 12 years. If you're looking to plan a weekend package in the UK or abroad, get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our Exeter Hen Packages to start building your own itinerary.