Hen party inspiration

I'm going to Newcastle for my hen-do, but I lived up there for a bit and absolutely LOVE the place. It's bloody cheap drinking up there too (compared to Brighton where I am).

Do Newcastle! My sister is ordering black and White striped tops for the big Saturday night out with "Gem's Toon Army" on the back! Hilarrrious!!!!

I can't recommend where to go (had hens & wedding abroad) but am glad you are thinking of the cost involved. I wanted to have a weekend away with my hens, but majority had kids and the costs were mounting up. Being a hen can be an expense, then the wedding on top. Outfits, shoes, drinks, food, accommodation etc for both events really adds up. Enjoy a UK based hens, and the money you save by not going abroad, you can spend with hubby somewhere nice.

My hens are doing mine all as a complete surprise, so maybe you could ask yours to do that?

I've been to one other though, and we went out in Manchester and saw a cabaret. We did all the usual cheesy hen things.

I missed my big sisters hen, but they went to Newcastle, had a party bus, cocktail making and a recording studio!

I'm going to CenterParcs for my hen do. They don't strictly allow hen parties, but I've decreed there isn't to be a sash, tiara, willy, L plate etc. in sight and we're gonna do some activities, go out for a meal and have a few drinks, so its just a ladies weekend - which are allowed.

I didn't want a rowdy, heavy weekend, its just not my style. Plus I don't have a huge number of close friends, so I'd have felt a bit like a loser going on a night out just half a dozen of us! (Those are my insecurities only, I wouldn't see a group of half a dozen hens and think that!) So I thought we'd go to the spa, do some dancing lessons, bowling etc. I am being forced into an unofficial hen night with a group of friends I used to work with so I'll no doubt be put in a sash with a tiara on my head then!

My hen's this weekend. We are having a spa weekend with afternoon tea, then three course meal in the evening. I went to one in brum once which was cocktail making and a comedy club with food then out clubbing.

Origionally I was going to have 2 hens, a UK one and abroad one. But then even I couldn't afford that so how could I expect my friends to do that?? Also, it prices people out and requires time of work.

In the end I settled on Nottingham. Its a popular hen destination anyway but its around the parts I grew up and meant that older members of my family from back home could come along. I wanted cheese without the tackiness..... we had an afternoon tea in the day time, a boat & bbq party on the evening, and a spa at Aquasana Sherwood forest (recommended!) with included a welcome pastry and hot drink, and also lunch .

It come to around £150 including a 3-bed Travelodge with breakfast. only money required after was drinks!

I recommend Cardiff, but probably because I live near there.

I went to a fantastic weekend in Birmingham a couple of years ago too.

I really want to do a Butlins 80's weekend, hoping that it will appeal to the different age group and be a not too expensive mini holiday for the mums with young children?

I've unfortunately ended up with 3....

Going to Brighton for a weekend (I dont know this, it's meant to be a surprise)

Having a spa day locally with family

Have a night out in Chelmsford with the friends that can't make the weekend one

Newcastle is a great night out and cheap too... I organised my SIL's hen do there. It was less than £150 each to pay for her, a night in a marriott, champagne afternoon tea at Baltic Six, dinner and cocktail making and a free bet at Aspers Casino, plus access to a spa back in Edinburgh when we returned.

Ah, great to read all your thoughts.

Yep, I think I'm going to go for Newcastle. Nice to read good things about it. It's somewhere I've never been before so will be exciting to go somewhere new.

I just need to let me bridesmaids know a rough idea and they are going to sort the rest which is great. Hopefully there will be about 8 to 10 of us which will be a nice size.

I really fancy one of the boat party nights they do up there too. Just hope it's not too cold in April! Have fun if your hen do is still to come x