A "gurt lush" Bristol hen party!
A real taste of the West Country, Bristol's tasty treats, fantastic laughs, hilarious action packed activities and wonderful bars and nightlife really do have it all.
Why: Reasons to celebrate in Bristol
The question really should be why wouldn't you have a hen party in Bristol?!? Not only is the city famed for it's huge party atmosphere but the city rocks to the sound of laughter. Comedians who have lived, trained or sharpened their comedic tongues in Bristol include; Stephen Merchant, Russell Howard, Bill Bailey, Miranda Hart, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Mark Watson, to name but a few.
And the city has plenty of artistic swagger too with artists, authors and performers aplenty having lived and worked here; Damien Hurst, Nick Park (creator of Wallace & Gromit which is still made here), JK Rowling, Robin Cousins, Sophie Alderton, Derren Brown and of course the reclusive and mysterious street artist Banksy whose work can be found all round the city.
The city is simply a live with a buzz of creativity and good vibes. This is really evident on any big “Brizzle” night out. And trust us, if you're planning a Bristol hen party, every night out is a big night!
What: Planning for Bristol?
There are two ways to go about planning a hen do, you can phone around all the suppliers and hotels hoping for deals and trying your charms or you can let GoHen do the running around for you, so you can relax knowing everything is in safe hands and be sure of paying low prices for amazing memories.
Let's put our calculators away for a second and go all Carol Vorderman (who has also spent time living and learning in Bristol).
Countdown to a great party...
Booking your own Bristol hen do you'll have to pay the going rates, that is normal although with some cheeky charm, good fortune and hope you speak to the right person on the right day you might be able to swing a deal. At GoHen we've been planning hen parties for over a decade and during that time we have built up fantastic relationships with our hand picked hotels, nightclubs and activities (at GoHen we take the time to check out all our suppliers personally and if they don't measure up to our high expectations we simply won't use them).
These great long-standing partnerships and the high numbers of hen groups we help get to Bristol means we get great deals from our suppliers. These are deals we pass on to you.
“Hmmmm why don't you just save the difference and make more money?”
A very valid question but for us the maths is simple (although admittedly we're slightly slower at doing it than Carol). If we can arrange wonderful Bristol hen parties (and yes we can) at fantastic prices then not only will our hens tell their friends about us but they'll also come back and book with us again.
Shop: Bristol shopping areas & recommendations
Bristol is a shopper's paradise, with the main shopping areas stretching from the city centre to the new Cabot Circus development and on to out-of-town complexes like the huge mall at Cribbs Causeway. The city centre is home to not only Cabot Circus but also Quakers Friars, The Galleries and Broadmead malls, which together have over 500 shops! Just a short walk from the city centre you'll find the classy boutiques of Clifton and a host of other independent shops and markets, including St Nicholas' Market which is open 6 days a week and sells a range of local food, second hand books and unusual antiques.
How: Getting to Bristol
Bristol has the oldest still operating train station in the world, so they've had a lot of time to build up rail lines to all over the country! Bristol Temple Meads is the main station, and has services from Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London and York... amongst others. There are also a few coach services to London, though not other cities. If you plan on driving, it's close to the intersection of the M4 (if you're coming from the east or west) and M5 (if you're coming from the north or south).
Stay: Choosing your Bristol accommodation
Bristol's got a fantastic range of top quality accommodation in and around the city centre, perfect for hen parties as you'll be a mere stones throw away from great activities and entertainment. We've got everything from simple hostels, very cost-effective, right up to luxurious 4 star hotels if you fancy pushing the boat out. Alternatively, why not stay in one of our spacious central apartments? The girls will love the space and you can easily come and go as you please. For our fantastic range of options and more information see our Bristol hen accommodation page.
Party: Where Bristol hens head after dark
Clifton has a fantastic selection of classy bars and swanky cocktail bars, as does Park Street, or head to the harbour side for great pubs and big clubs. We've found the very best evening entertainment options, such as comedy clubs, booze cruises and the sexy Butlers in the Buff to make sure your evening in Bristol goes with a bang - keep all the girls happy with one of our hen night ideas in Bristol! Pre-planning your evening is a great way to ensure it runs smoothly and you go to top quality, group friendly venues.
When: The best times to visit Bristol
Bristol is a city destination, so whether you come in winter or summer, you won't be missing out on anything. Furthermore, there are fantastic events in Bristol all year round, from balloon fiestas to music festivals, so no matter when you do it's likely there'll be an event or two to nosy round! In July there's the Shakespeare Festival, and St Paul's Carnival, a free African American carnival with processions, music and performers. Also in July is the Bristol Foodie Festival (yum!) and the musical Bristol Harbour Festival, and then watch the skies in August for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta! If you're heading over later in the year then cheer on the crowds at the Bristol Half Marathon, and head to Encounters Festival, the UK's longest running competitive short film and animation festival. Top off the year with a visit to the Bristol German market, and you're in for the merriest of hen dos!