York hen party ideas

10 Trending Hen Do Ideas York for 2025

1. Cocktail Mixing - Learn how to mix classic cocktails. Shake it, baby!
2. Bottomless Brunch - Indulge in some tasty bites and bottomless fizz!
3. Horse Racing - Win some money for the cocktail kitty with a day at the races.
4. Perfume Making - Create your own signature fragrance like the A-listers you are.
5. Dungeon Tour - Put the bride on trial at this hilarious tour with spooky twists.
6. Dirty Dancing - Learn the classic moves. Nobody puts the bride in the corner!
7. Life Drawing - Stare at a naked male model while attempting to draw.
8. School Sports Day - Relive your school years with non-stop laughs.
9. Mystery Wine Tasting - Expert wine knowledge with nibbles, antipasti and fun competition.
10. Butlers in the Buff - Let our hunky butlers wait on you hand and foot before that big night out!

Choosing Your Hen Do Activities York

York has it all.

It's stylish, it's vibrant and it certainly knows how to party.

Add to that the fact that there are over 130 York hen do activities to take on and conquer and you won't be short of things to do here.

Have a scroll through our sublime selection above, get your York hen enquiry across to us ASAP and we can get to work putting together your memorable weekend away.

Need some help choosing? No worries!

We have a York hen specialist on hand to talk you through the latest and greatest offerings in this stunning city. Give us a call today on 01225 474200 (Mon-Fri 8.30-17.30) and get the hen plans in motion!

Where to Drink in York

There's enough here to rival big Northern party cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, trust us. York's know for its beauty, but it's also known for its bars!

The city-centre is a hub with a buzz on weekends as the families head home and the hens come out! The cobbled passages are so much fun to explore, but if you want to know exactly where to head for a drink, it's Little Stonegate and the adjoining Back Swinegate where you'll find your favourite franchises. You're in safe hands on this adorable square, but if you're looking for a little more character, there are roughly 365 pubs to choose from!

Heard the hens over the River Ouse to find craft beer classics and sleek wine shops, and here you'll also find the nightclubs for late-night hen antics!

Sights & Sounds

Sights - If you love fashion and are partial to stopping off for a cake or two then The Shambles is a must. This ancient streets with their untouched medieval buildings are packed with some fab boutiques and independent shops. Why not stop for Afternoon Tea? York Art Gallery is a fabulous place to get a bit highbrow and enjoy fine art. Or if you're still suffering the effects of a big night out then Rowntree Park is an excellent place to rest your hangovers and catch a little rejuvenating morning sun.

Sounds - Kuda - Undoubtedly one of the North East's glitziest clubs. From high fizz to delicious cocktails and superb DJ's it has it all. And to get your party started in style we can arrange pre-paid entry to the city's hottest club. Find out about Guest List Entry...

The Duchess - If you like your music live and your laughter loud The Duchess has a great line up of local and international touring bands, songwriters and comedians and is one of Yorkshire's premiere venues for live gigs.

Shopping in York

York, it's famous for its chocolate and the wonderful Shambles two things we're definitely fans of and shopping in York is excellent if you're after something a little different from the usual high street chains.
Bowler Vintage - Overflowing with the styles of yesteryear this fab vintage shop stocks everything from shoes, dresses, sunglasses, hats gloves and more.

Vintage Home Emporium - This fantastic retro home store counts TV's Kirsty Allsop among its many fans and we love it!

York Cocoa House - York certainly isn't short of chocolate shops, one of our favourites is definitely York Cocoa House. Fantastic stuff and the aroma...!!!

Glory Days - More wonderful vintage couture but aimed more at the bridal market, but even if you're not planning on tying the not just yet it's still well worth a visit.

Getting Around York

The centre of York is easy to navigate on foot and all walking distance in any heels (you might need to avoid the cobbled Shambles though). And with hotels right in the heart of the city GoHen.com will put you slap bang in the middle of the best bars, clubs and restaurants. 
If you're feeling energetic then we can recommend the friendly team at Cycle-Heaven to get you buzzing around the town like Hen's Angels. You'll find them at the train station.

Hen Days

York is the jewel in Yorkshire's hen party crown, a fabulous city of tasty treats, stylish design and vintage charm. But it also has plenty of action for adventure loving hens. From Dance Classes to High Ropes Course, Afternoon Tea to Cocktail Mixing and Perfume Making, it really does have it all.

Hen Nights in York

York's buzzing nightlife scene was made for hen parties. The city centre is easy to navigate on foot and there's plenty on offer whatever your style. We're talking Murder Mysteries, Nightclubs, Ghost Tours, Restaurants and even a River Disco Cruise. Check out all our York hen night ideas at the top of the page and find the vibe that suits your bride.

Nightlife

Shopaholics

Hotels

Finding a hotel which will please everyone can take an awfully long time. "Well this one does have satellite TVs, a swimming pool and an onsite alpaca farm, but it's quite far out of town, and that one in the city centre is in a great location, but fourteen of us will have to share two beds and the bathroom is just a bucket in a cupboard..."

Don't fret, ladies. Here at GoHen we've spent years finding the best of the best that this city has to offer so you can find the perfect place for your fabulous York hen party trip which doesn't compromise on location. Here's just a small selection of our hen accommodation.

Check out our full range of York accommodation options here.

Restaurants

"What do you mean you won't accept a walk-in for a group of twenty hens on a busy Saturday night?! C'mon ladies, we're leaving! You know what they say, 'twenty-seventh restaurant is the charm'..."

If we had a pound for every group of hens who didn't book up a meal in advance and then struggled to find somewhere to cater for them all, we'd be treating ourselves to a lovely meal right this minute (that's because we'd have booked up in advance).

GoHen are here to help you sort out your eating arrangements in advance so you don't have to worry about trudging around for hours trying to find somewhere to house you all. No hassle, no worrying, just turn up, sit down and tuck in.

GoHen can arrange:

• A delicious pre-book meal
• At a fabulous restaurant
• With a reserved table
• And pre-paid dining
• So you don't have to faff around with the bill

Transport

An easy way to get around is shoes, and feet, and walking! The main places hens tend to visit are usually in walking distance of the town centre, though they do have an easy to navigate bus network in place so you can hop on and off with ease.

It's time for a hen party in York!

Quite why the Grand old Duke and his ten thousand men were faffing around on that hill instead of enjoying the very best that this fantastic party city has to offer is beyond us. Still, that's men for you, messing around trying to look a bit important. Smart hens however take care of all the planning long before they reach York and that's where GoHen come in. Sometimes getting a hen party together really is like marshalling an army, "ain't nobody got time fo' that!". So allow us to take all the stress out of your weekend, leaving you to get ready for a fantastic hassle free hen weekend in York.

A Grand Old Time in York

York is a perfect hen party destination; beautiful and perfectly proportioned, York is surprisingly compact which means everything is within easy reach. Of course as we only use city centre hotels you can be sure you'll be well within walking distance of the best shops and nightlife even in your party heels. York is famed for its unique charm and this historically important city really is stunning. It's also a great place to party, despite a relatively small population compared to many cities, the charming cobbled streets and great buildings contain over 300 pubs and bars as well as numerous cafes for mid-morning fuzzy-head pit-stops. If a special weekend in a beautiful location with plenty to do is what you're after, then a hen weekend in York with GoHen could well be just what you need!

When You Are Up You Are Up!

Whoever said "It's grim up north" had clearly never been to York. This charming city really is quite stunning and has everything a hen party could need. Great people, great nightlife, some fantastic activities and is a city with a real soul and a terrific sense of humour.
Some of the best nights out happen purely because you're all so relaxed you can't help but get into a perfect party mood. York is a city that will relax you instantly, people are charming, prices aren't too crazy like some other cities and as well as the great nightlife there is just so much to choose from during the day. You can mix some hilarious York hen party action with plenty of time for the nearly-wed and all the hens to relax. Whether you want high-action hen activities like
Mud Buggies or a cheeky Burlesque Dance Class or some indulgent relaxation such as Chocolate Making or Cocktail Mixing, we have over 50 great activities for you to choose from.

When It's Time to Get Down Get Down

York comes alive after dark, with lively pubs, glitzy bars and popular clubs, plus it's known as the real ale pub capital of the UK so you know the nightlife has something going for it! There are, in fact, 5 breweries situated in and around York, but don't worry it's not just for the men as the number of great bars and cocktail venues have also increased in recent years. If you're after a packed party night then head to the Micklegate area, where there are pubs, bars and clubs open until 4am. Alternatively the Coney Street area has around 11 bars over the 3 miles of pedestrianised stretch and the lively riverside bars stay open until 3am! Make sure to mix some excellent evening activities in as well - we've got the saucy Butlers in the Buff, the mysterious ghost tour and a fun murder mystery experience to really get you in the mood for celebration!

York Hen Party Shopping Tips

When you visit York, expect great retail therapy. If you're after some fancy hen weekend bargains head to the York designer outlet, where those in the know shop for cut price high-end gems. If you're looking for straight-up, glamorous high end fashion, homemade gifts and elegant antiques then York high street is the place for you. There's a fantastic mix of designer labels, high street names and independent shops dotted around this area and it's perfect for picking up some wonderful unique buys. Wander the web of small and charming shopping streets and explore the excellent shops which include big brands such as Mulberry, Marks & Spencer and Fenwicks or pay a visit to the daily open air market which has over 100 stalls and traders selling fresh produce, crafts and clothing.

Stay: choosing your York accommodation

If you've decided to celebrate your hen in the beautiful county of York then it's time to think about your accommodation. All the best activities, shopping and nightlife takes place in the city centre so you'll want to be based near this, and fortunately we offer a range of excellent, group-pleasing accommodation for you and your hens. Why not celebrate your weekend in one of our luxurious 4 star hotels, or cut costs and base yourselves at one of our basic 2 stars? Alternatively if you're after a proper country retreat we've got some fantastic self-catering properties that you can lie-back and relax in! Check out our full range of accommodation.

When: the best times to visit for a hen party in York

There's a fantastic range of festivals, shows, fetes and carnivals in York all year round, perfect for exploring on your hen party. In February there's the Jorvik Viking Festival and then in April indulge at the tasty York Chocolate Festival! In June, visit for the York Festival of Ideas and then in July, the York Early Music Festival and the Festival of the Rivers are really great cultural occasions. In August there's the lively Yorkshire Medieval Festival. Visit in September for the York Festival of Food & Drink or in October for Illuminating York and finally in December for fantastic Christmas markets and the Early Music Christmas Festival! There are also fantastic activities to suit all year round - in summer you can enjoy our York treasure hunt, go karting and laser clay shooting and then in winter make the most of cocktail mixing, pole dancing and chocolate making! See our full range of hen activities.