The Small Group & Dadchelor Guide: Quality Over Quantity
Small is Beautiful
Not every stag do needs to be thirty lads in matching t-shirts invading Prague. Sometimes, less is more. Whether you are planning a "Dadchelor Party" (a pre-baby celebration) or just have a tight-knit group of mates who are small but perfectly formed, a smaller stag do can often allow for better accommodation, higher-quality activities, and actual conversation.
What is a Dadchelor Party?
A reasonably new event on a man’s activity schedule, a Dadchelor party (also known as a "Man Shower" or "Dad Do") is the male equivalent of a baby shower. It is the Dad-to-be’s last hurrah before the sleepless nights and dirty nappies begin.
The Rules:
- Timing is Key: Do NOT book this two weeks before the due date. Aim for the start of the third trimester. As you can imagine, this can be a great way for the dad to blow off some steam before he has to come back and provide plenty of support for his wife as the due date fast approaches.
- Get Permission: Ensure the mum-to-be is on board. Frame it as a "last recharge" before you embrace fatherhood duties. There is every chance she’ll be happy to get a couple of days to herself or with the girls, and there’s no harm in asking!
- Keep it Local: 95% of Dadchelor parties happen in the UK. It’s safer, cheaper, and easier if you need to rush home. For a lot of guys, there’s no travel involved at all and it’s simply a day out (with activities) followed by a night out in local bars, pubs and clubs.
Best Activities for Small Groups (6-10 People)
Small groups have a huge advantage: you can do the "premium" activities that are logistical nightmares for big groups.
1. Tank Driving
Full-size tank driving is usually done in crews of three or four. In a big group, you spend ages waiting for your turn as the crews cycle around. However, in a small group? You spend the whole afternoon driving 15-tonne beasts, which is, let’s be honest, what you came for. It means you’ll also get a chance to rotate who you crew with, so if you get stuck with the stag’s idiot little brother on the first go-round, you can ensure he ends up with someone else the second time!
2. Sea Fishing
Charter a private boat for just you and your mates. Crack open a few beers, cast a line, and enjoy the peace and quiet. This is one of those activities that isn’t just a logistical nightmare for a large group, it’s basically an impossibility. You can’t do this with thirty people, but with six to ten of you, it’s likely to be come one of the most fondly remembered aspects of any weekend away.
3. Whisky Tasting
Whisky Tasting is one of those activities that is quite often a love it or hate it activity. For those who love whisky it’s an amazing chance to try all kinds of new and exciting flavours, whereas for those who only drink whiskey when it’s mixed with coke, it can get boring and repetitive. So in that way, it’s a perfect activity for a small group. If you are a selection of guys who love whisky in all its forms, then book a private tasting session. You’ll all get to sit around a table, and actually appreciate what you are drinking, rather than just finding yourselves in a bar slamming shots of whatever whisky that bar happens to offer!
4. Bushcraft / Survival Skills
Channel your inner Bear Grylls and see how well you can survive in the wilderness. It is much easier to learn fire-lighting and shelter-building when you aren't distracted by twenty other people messing around and you can really focus on what you and the small group are trying to achieve. Also (as with many activities that have instructors) it means that the instructor can dedicate more time to each person, ensuring that you all get to learn and hone your skills.
Top Accommodation for Small Groups
Forget being stuck in a hotel, where two of your rooms are at one end of the corridor and two are at the other (or worse, on entirely different floors!). If you are a small group, then you can much more easily rent luxury houses and apartments for a fraction of the cost you would pay for a hotel. Here are just a few of our top picks:
The Harries (Liverpool): Luxury apartments right opposite the Cavern Club. Sleeps 8-10 people. Perfect for Beatles fans or anyone who fancies a night out in Liverpool.
The Red 2 (Manchester): Located in the Northern Quarter, this apartment comes with its own Hot Tub and private bar area. Sleeps up to 14 people.
Sienna Cottage (Brighton): A 200-year-old cottage in the heart of The Lanes. It has a roof terrace and sleeps 6 people. Ideal for a classy weekend by the sea.
3 Alpha/Beta (Bristol): Three-storey townhouses with large social spaces and smart TVs. Designed specifically for groups of around 8 people, these townhouses are amazing, beautiful and incredibly practical for all small stag groups.
Whether you are a small stag group or a Dadchelor party, I hope this has shown you that you haven’t drawn the short straw – in fact, there are many advantages to being a small group, and it doesn’t limit you from doing anything you want to do.