The city of Chester is a popular place for a girl’s night out, including the pinnacle of these outings the “hen do”. Giving a bride-to-be an amazing experience surrounded by her friends is simpler in Chester with a wealth of opportunities and activities around every corner.
While many hen dos pick one of the city’s impeccable venues for an evening on the town, others make a full day of it and combine multiple activities to create an unforgettable celebration.
One of the best parts of having a hen do in Chester is that the options available are exceptionally varied. This ensures that all tastes are catered for so you can make bespoke plans to please your friend or family member. Whether you’re looking for fun, food, drinks or excitement, here we look at some of the top choices on offer for Chester hen dos.
Spa Afternoons
Selectable as the main event or a pre-party pampering session, spa afternoons are superb for hen dos. The city and its picturesque surrounding villages have many fine hotels that have earned acclaim for their luxury spas. These include the Grosvenor Pulford on the Welsh border, the rural Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa and the city’s own 5 AA Red Star Hotel, The Chester Grosvenor.
All three hotel spas offer indulgent and immersive treatments focused on health, wellbeing and beauty, and are staffed by qualified wellness professionals and stocked with the latest products for rejuvenation.
Bottomless Brunch
Celebratory drinks are always in order when it comes to hen dos. A bottomless brunch in Chester ensures parties get started right while everyone lines their tummies. The city has an abundance of locations for a bottomless brunch, from top cocktail bars like Kuckoo and Red Door to charming restaurants like The Botanist and the Olive Tree Brasserie.
Cocktail Masterclasses
Another great way for hen dos to get underway is a cocktail masterclass, with some venues even letting parties take a turn behind the bar. Red Door and Kuckoo mentioned above offer this experience, but brides to be with a fondness for gin can also book a two-hour Gin Masterclass at Providence Gin, for parties of up to six people.
Wine Tasting
Hen dos seeking a more sophisticated drinking outing will find Chester also presents wine tastings. These expert-led events held at venues like Veeno and Vin Santo let friends learn about fine wine while sampling different labels from some of the best vineyards in the world.
Private Dining
With an eclectic range of culinary delights on offer, Chester is an amazing city to enjoy a hen night meal. However, many of its esteemed venues also offer private dining experiences when hen parties are looking for a taste of luxury. Restaurants, pubs and cafes offering exclusive private dining include The Forge, Urbano32, Palm Court, the Ring O’ Bells, The Palm Court, the Naughty Badger Bistro and Chester Racecourse, to name but a few.
Water Sports
Getting physically active can be a lot of fun for hens on an afternoon out in Chester. It also makes for great memories and fabulous photos to share on social media. The enchanting River Dee runs through the city, making Chester a favourite for fans of water sports.
Paddle the Dee is ideal for hen dos on the water with stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking among the options. However, Whitewater Active operates adrenaline fuelled adventures just 30 minutes beyond the city. Exciting options include river bugging, open canoeing and plunging into pools, but also thrilling activities on dry land like abseiling, rock climbing, gorge walking and mountain biking.
Escape Rooms
Working as a team against the clock, escape rooms let hen parties work together in a fast and fun environment. Chester has two top escape room centres Breakout Chester and Escapism Chester. Both offer multi-player games so hens can work together to solve puzzles and crack cryptic clues with an extensive range of rooms to tackle of varying toughness.
Are you in charge of a hen night in Chester?
If you’re a maid of honour planning a hen do in Chester this year, why not pick one or more of these excellent options as you map out a day to remember for your friend who is ready to wed.