Best hen you’ve been on

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I’m organising a hen night and am looking for things to do that people will enjoy.
Already arranged 2 nights away. Dinner will be in the house on the first night as everyone will be coming after work. Second night will be dinner out and then dancing (in same venue as it’s in the winter so no traipsing about in the cold/rain/snow).
It’s just what to do during the day?
So what things did you enjoy and what did you hate?

My favourite was a weekend away in Barcelona. Lots of booze, some games, nice meals out, a bit of time in a spa.
In general I love hen parties as it is an excuse to get together with friends I wouldn't otherwise get to spend a whole weekend with. Mumsnet seems to think that anything more than a meal out costing less than £10 is the height of cheeky fuckery but in general people have to travel from all over the place so a weekend makes more sense.
Make sure people have plenty of down time, the worst ones I have been to have been rushing around from one activity to another, none of which the bride particularly liked.
Mr and Mrs game always goes down well

Bubble Football. It was fab!

I really enjoyed a treasure hunt around the local Cotswold village. We had clues to find e.g. age of the pub, buy a gift for the bride (we went to a charity shop) etc. Each to their own though, but for us this turned out to be a hilarious activity

We went to a Chinese restaurant in deepest Essex which had an ante-room with a disco.

Was a family do, all the aunt's, cousins etc. The ones with small kids could bring them.

Was like a girls only family party, the bride doesn't like strippers or heavy drinking, everyone could have a catch up and a natter, no problems with childcare.

Those who wanted to drink did, the food was good and it was really easy going. Plus it was only one evening so no expensive hotels

I went to one I was dreading as apart from the bride and MOH I didn't know anyone else. As it turned out, quite a few of the other ladies were in the same position as me and the MOH had devised some really good 'getting to know each other' ice-breakers, e.g. describing how we knew the bride, our favourite/funniest story about her.

We had afternoon high tea and cocktails in the MOH's house followed by drinks and a meal later for anyone who was able to join as it was a mix of people with young kids who couldn't or didn't want a late one and others who wanted to make a night of it. It was a really nice, laid back affair. Helps that bride lived in a smallish village where everything was in walking distance. The worst hen do's I've been on have involved traipsing around London.

One of my favourites had a roller disco during the day which was good

One of the most fun ones I went to was bowling, then pub, then karaoke. Just ten people. We had such a laugh and it didn't break the bank.

On my hen do a friend of mine organised for everyone to write down their favourite memory with me. She then read them out after dinner. Very touching and lots of great memories. Also a nice way for my friends to get to know each other (I had people from all over who came - I've moved a lot).

It really depends on how well everyone knows each other and how many you are.

Mine we had a chilled out Friday evening as everyone was arriving after work.
We did Go Ape on the Saturday during the day after a lazy morning, and the evening was just relaxing in our accommodation (a cabin) in PJ's with food, drink and good company. One of my bridesmaids had organised a couple of party games, but nothing mortifying. She'd been in touch with my now DH and had created a Mr & Mrs quiz. She did another game too, but I can't remember what it was. I had a flat ban on anything featuring an L plate or penis. I had to tell a few of the girls firmly that I didn't want a stripper. They thought I was being coy. My idea of absolute hell.

I went on one that was in Cambridge. We did a treasure hunt around the city (find Darwin, get a box of matches, find a wedding dress - picture evidence fine etc) that was good fun, and then we went punting which was excellent. I enjoyed the day more than the set menu meal and somewhat forced 'fun' of the night do (but then I'd rather be in my PJs).

Another that I loved was pottery painting. It was completely chilled and I still use the mugs I painted.

Spa, hotel, dinner, drinks and games x

The best hen I've been on, was this one, she's called Nora and that's my mate Steve.

Wooden house in the woods with a hot tub . Fab simple food organised by one person . No organised activities as such but hand massages and nail painting available .
Not an inflatable willy in site just some good clean party games and much gin !

One of the best ones I went to we all got surveyed first!

They gave us three options, costed up with details about how far away and what would be involved. There was also a local cheaper evening for those who weren't able/willing to travel. We had to vote by a certain date and then they went with most popular option.

The 'theme' was also a colour so if people wanted to get dressed up and go crazy they could, but if you're not into that you could just have a top/ hair accessories etc and feel part of it but not uncomfortable

Best one was in Barcelona; 8 of us tayed in apartment. No definite plans-pizza restaurant once everyone arrived on the Friday bit of sightseeing Saturday day then late dinner and drinks that night. Wander along beach Sunday morning. Very relaxed.
I don't like ones where there are constant activities planned and everyone has to join in.
Maybe let people decide what they would like to do during the day so if some want quieter time they can and if others want to go shopping/sightseeing/an activity they can do but no pressure.

Lots of great ideas thanks.
There’s 14 of us and we are all between 35 and 45. Most people know each other well with the exception of a few but everyone has met each other at some point. It’s a nice house in a coastal town with an amazing beach. A bracing walk on the beach is a good idea and if it’s not pissing it down crabbing at the harbour is always good fun and very chilled out (if a bit competitive too).
Me and other bridesmaid have ruled out a packed itinerary as that’s not what anyone wants.
Dinner out is followed by live music and dancing in the same venue.
I’d thought about a beautician to do nails/toes/mini facials. There are fantastic spa hotels nearby but the costs are ridiculously high so rules that out. There is also a local gin producer but gin tasting etc is from £75
There is an amazing bakery in the town so will preorder some cakes for the day. Breakfasts will be easy fry up/cereal/toast.
Costs have already been agreed and there are options if people want to come for the day or evening and stay one night.
I’ll maybe find out if there is a pub quiz on the first night and try that.
Everything is in walking distance so nobody has to drive people or pay for taxis.
Love the idea of bringing something for the bride to start her married life. No willy straws or dressing up but the dinner out will be personalised in an embarrassing but not too public way.

Best one I attended was more like an American bridal shower. The focus was the bride and her upcoming wedding. It was positive and was about the excitement of the wedding. It didn’t include plastic willies, sashes, getting steaming drunk (but we did drink plenty), endless talk of sex and men. It focused on women & the bride. It was lovely. We ended sleeping over and fell asleep watching her fav film.

What about making your quiz about the bride? Nice things, not embarrassing.
A picture quiz - ask everyone to send a picture of them as a baby and guess the baby?

Local dinner, pub crawl, a bit of dancing, taxi home to own bed.

The best hen do I went on was a full blown cliche in Blackpool in my late teens,I even snogged a bouncer at the end of the night! It was fab at the time

Agree with those suggesting keeping the day plans loose so people can do their own thing. I think this is also nice as if they have family/kids and work a few days away and cost involved is quite a luxury so it's nice to have a few hours when everyone doesn't want their piece of you!

Makes getting ready for your planned evening feel relaxed and more special IYSWIM?

Best of all was a proper local pub for the evening. Halfway through, the bride's brother's band turned up and played 'I'm getting married in the morning'. All back to the bride's house for more chat. Done.

Mine sounds like the same structure. We had a house for 2 nights and then on the first night we had a chef cooking for us in the house. It was a real treat. They then organised a butler in the buff for a couple of hours. It was hilarious, he made drinks and we played some games. It was all very jovial and we had a good laugh. I should add we are all aged between 35-44.
Other stuff we did was a spa for a few hours to relax and an escape room.

I would say just fly by the seat of your pants and wing it in the daytime - some people may want to go shopping, others may want to stay in their pjs laughing about the events the night before. Let people have some time to choose what they want to do

I agree with this, beach walk and crabbing all good. I wouldn't want to do anything like Go Ape or escape rooms and particularly hate Mr&Mrs quizzes, L-plates/sashes, plastic willies, cringey games full of innuendo.

A hen do is something that I've never been to. Chances are less than ever now I guess as most people are married already or not going to now. But if I did go to one I think a nice meal would be good. Drinking games and inflatable willies would be my idea of a horror show.

Health spa for the day.