Before tying the knot, many British couples embark on a weekend or night away with friends as a symbolic celebration of their ‘last night of freedom’. Stag and hen weekends are rife across the UK all year round, but not every city rolls out the red carpet for pre-wedding party people.
New rankings have revealed the UK’s most welcoming cities for stag and hen groups based on the amount of activities, nightlife, and accommodation on offer. So, where is the best place to head for your next pre-wedding celebration?
Leading specialists at StagWeb and GoHen have crunched the numbers to reveal just where the top places are that cater to larger parties. The results were produced from a number of factors, including the amount of activities available.
It might come as no surprise that London came out on top as the number one destination, dubbed by the experts as “the ultimate playground”. As the capital of England, the city has endless activities on offer from bottomless brunches to theatre shows, concerts, sightseeing tours and a whole lot more.
Listed as the second-best city in the UK for stag and hen dos is Bristol. This is a lively city, with a buzzing nightlife scene and top-tier activities available for big groups in the south.
In a surprising turn of events, the third highest ranked city is Bath and fourth is Brighton. Bath is a hidden gem for stag and hen parties with a wide range of bars and houses to book for accommodation, and Brighton offers not just a legendary nightlife but a beachside paradise.
While large cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle are well known amongst Brits for their stag and hen appeal, it seems that these other cities may be the better choice. Ellie Silk, Head of Events at StagWeb and GoHen said: “When you think of stag and hen weekends, you probably imagine big party cities, but you’d be surprised—Bath and Brighton have some of the best setups for stag and hen groups.
“Not only do they have a great selection of group-friendly accommodations—including houses—but the bars, pubs, and restaurants are super welcoming.”
She also recommends that hen and stag parties book their accommodation independently, saying: “You wouldn’t believe how many frantic phone calls we get from groups who book directly and get turned away on the day. Booking through a stag and hen specialist ensures you’re booking somewhere that is definitely stag and hen-friendly.”
The fourth city is Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, followed by Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. Making it into the top 10 in last place is York, a surprising but well-deserved ranking as a city that has an abundance of history and charm, with a vibrant pub scene.