Exeter Hen Party

Star Bars

The Monkey Suit - This bar has some of the best cocktails in the city, as well a healthy amount of beautiful bunting, and plush chairs for you to sit and gossip in. Throw some energetic live performances into the mix and you've got the perfect place to begin any big night on the town.
Where? 161 Sidwell Street, EX4 6RH

Starz Bar - The collection of movie stills and signed memorabilia on the walls will catch your eye from the moment you enter this movie-themed bar, and local party-goers have called their cocktails the tastiest around - the Don's Delight is certainly up there!
Where? 18 Lower North Street, EX4 3ET

The Old Firehouse - Harry Potter fans will be delighted to hear that J.K. Rowling used this charming pub as inspiration for the Leaky Cauldron. Enjoy a cheeky glass of vino in the bustling atmosphere of one of Exeter's most popular pre-party venues.
Where? 50 New North Road, EX4 4EP

Best Bites

Hub Box - This is one diner worth dropping any diets for! A hunger-conquering pulled pork burger is always a great idea after a night on the town, and the unusual, smart design of the restaurant is actually really fun - we wouldn't be surprised to see this place on Channel 4's Amazing Spaces!
Where? 183 Sidwell Street, EX4 6RD

The Exploding Bakery - If you took everything that makes The Great British Bake Off great and stuffed it into one tiny café, this is what you'd end up with. Hens with a sweet tooth will be in cake-filled heaven here, and a Belgian hot chocolate is the perfect pick-me-up after a busy day of shopping.
Where? 1B Central Crescent, Queen Street, EX4 3SB

Sights & Sounds

Sights
Sights and Sounds in Exeter Feeling a little rough? A sunlit saunter through Exeter's historic Northernhay Gardens is a great way to get some hangover-busting fresh air so you can start feeling fabulous again. There's a lot of local history behind the sights you'll see as you make your way around this pretty area, but you don't really need to pay attention to appreciate the beautifully well-kept plant life. P.S. Sir Stafford Northcote's statue takes a fabulous selfie!

Sounds
Exeter has a thriving student population, and as you'd expect there's plenty of late night entertainment in the city to keep them occupied! Timepiece is a favourite with visiting students and working young professionals - this club is always bouncing and parties rarely finish until the early hours of the morning, so don't forget your party feet!
Wannabe rock-chicks would do well to spend an evening in the Cavern. This alternative venue hosts some of the best nights in the city, with live bands and DJs levelling the dance floor with electrifying sets.

In the Diary

February - Laugh out Loud. Enjoy plenty of giggles courtesy of some of the country's finest up-and-coming comedy talent - be warned though, comedians often pick on hen parties...
March - Vibraphonic. Exeter's premiere music festival celebrates diversity and progression in all forms of music - if you can listen to it through headphones, it's at Vibraphonic.
April - Exeter Food Festival. Foodie-hens rejoice! Discover the best food the South West has to offer, see professional chef's do their thing and try some of the tastiest street-eats in the UK.
May - Devon County Show. Embrace your inner farmer girl and enjoy the best bits of Devonshire culture with a range of charming agricultural events.

Top of the Shops

Bristol might be known for its hip, edgy fashion sense and Bath may be filled with vintage style-icons but Exeter has got the best of both worlds. This slightly unusual cross-pollination of styles is largely due to the floods of students that arrive each year, bringing with them their own ideas on what's hot and what's not. Luckily for you hens, this means that there's a huge variety of shops in Exeter to cater for all styles and budgets so you can build a look that's perfect for you (and your purse!)

Exeter Trails - Our top shopping tip is to follow these fabulous routes that'll take you by the city's best vintage boutiques as well as a few other delightfully chic independent shops selling some prize bits and bobs that'd look amazing in your living room!

Princesshay - You'll find familiar high street names and cafes in Exeter's premiere shopping centre, but that doesn't mean you won't find some serious bargains in the sales of Topshop and New Look et al.
Where? 9 Catherine Street, EX1 1QA

Guildhall - Just to the South of the central station you'll discover Guildhall which houses a few grocery and clothes shops as well as everyone's favourite, PRIMARK!
Where? The Guildhall Shopping Centre, EX4 3HP

Girls About Town - Getting around Exeter...

Exeter is surprisingly big, and you certainly wouldn't want to travel everywhere on foot. For those moments where you simply can't be bothered to walk, there's a fantastic bus network that you can either buy single/day tickets for, or a Exeter Megarider which will provide you with unlimited city travel on Stagecoach buses for the paltry sum of £14.00.

Hen Days

There's plenty of hen party fun to be had in the heart of Devon, whether you're looking for adrenaline-pumping thrills or stress-busting giggles, there's something here for your bunch of fun-loving ladies. Enjoy action-packed Watersports, Bubble Mayhen, Coasteering and Virtual Warfare, as well as our chilled-out Pampering Day, Life Drawing and the vivacious Burlesque Dancing workshop. See more...

Hen Nights

Exeter isn't as famous as Bristol for its nightlife, but it certainly should be. This student town is always rocking once the sun's gone down, and it's the perfect destination for an evening of hen party frolics with its wide range of bars and clubs. Get your evening off to a sophisticated start with a delicious Restaurant meal before learning how to make your own alcoholic creations in our Cocktail Mixing masterclass. Then it'll be time to enjoy a few in the company of our sexy Hens Hosts before giving the nearly-wed the VIP treatment with Guestlist Nightclubbing. See all our nightlife options...

It's time for a hen party in Exeter!

The lovely Devon city of Exeter packs a pretty big punch in the hen weekend stakes. Free of the tourist hoards that plague much of Devon, it's a haven for hens who want to get away and enjoy a lively yet relaxing weekend in a cosmopolitan, classy city! With everything you need for a great hen weekend within easy reach, you can't go wrong with Exeter as a destination with a difference for your hen party!

Why: Reasons to try an Exeter hen party

Exeter expertly blends 2000 years of history with a modern, fresh vibe, making a contemporary and fun city to stay in! It doesn't suffer the swarms of tourists that descend on Devon annually, so for a private break away with the girls, an Exeter hen weekend could be the ideal trip! It's not a sleepy city though - there's still plenty to do and see, and it's regularly voted amongst the top cities in the UK for quality of life... which means lots of quality things for you hens to experience when visiting! And with the stunning Exeter Cathedral on one side, and the breathtaking historic quayside on the other, you'll have an undeniable class and ambiance to complement your Exeter hen party! It's a great break for you and the crew with more than enough to keep you active and entertained.

What: Planning your hen party in Exeter?

Exeter has a surprisingly cosmopolitan range of hospitality. You can dine in full view of the Cathedral, enjoy a tasty range of international cuisine, sip champagne and cocktails, or even visit a couple of historic pubs and inns. And that's before hitting the clubs! Exeter's a city that's perfect for taking it easy and relaxing in, or ramping up the action - the nearby countryside affords opportunities for thrill seeking pursuits, and the city centre has a sophisticated selection of hen classics like cocktail mixing or burlesque dancing. You could even take to the river Exe or the sea for some summer water sports! The perfect hen weekend combines a few different kinds of activities, so you're not hurtling along at high speeds or lounging by a pool the whole weekend. An itinerary that includes ringos or wakeboarding in the morning, a classy afternoon tea luncheon, and some sight-seeing in the evening will leave you refreshed and ready for once the sun goes down. Exeter may not have a reputation as a clubbers paradise, but it's packed with great bars, pubs and a few clubs, as well as our range of top evening hen excursions!

Shop: Exeter shopping areas & recommendations

Whether you're looking for huge high street names like John Lewis or you're after small, independent boutiques, Exeter's a great place to take the hens for some retail therapy. Not only that but the city centre's wonderfully compact, meaning you can reach all the best places by foot, though the shopping areas are split into quarters so you might want to first decide what you're after. If you're looking for high quality and top fashion then head to Princesshay, where you'll find shops like Reiss and Caroline Charles. All the usual high street stores can be found in the Guildhall Shopping Centre or have a look in the Castle Quarter and West Quarter for interesting local shops. Whatever you're after, the retail scene in Exeter is sure to have something to cater to your needs, and the girls will love it.

When: The best times to visit for a hen party in Exeter

Exeter throws several festivals and events throughout the year, so it's worth checking out what's on before you pay a visit. Head over in May for the Devon County Show, a 3-day event with food and drink, stalls and entertainment, or to Ottery St Mary for the Flaming Tar Barrels, when, unsurprisingly, people run through the streets carrying flaming barrels of tar (definitely earning you points on the unusual hen scale). The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink is an annual event held in April which celebrates with regional food and celebrity chefs. For a fortnight in June the Exeter Summer Festival is celebrated with dance, music, theatre, exhibitions and comedy performances, and then a few months later the Autumn Festival takes to the streets. There's no bad time to celebrate an Exeter hen party and you can be sure it's going to memorable.

How: How to get to a hen party in Exeter?

If you're thinking of getting the train in, lines from hourly from London and Bristol, and slightly less frequently from areas like South Wales and Birmingham - or coaches are available courtesy of Megabus or National Express too. If you'd rather drive, Exeter is right at the tail end of the M5, so as long as you're on that and driving south, you can't go wrong. For those hen parties who may be coming in from the South West, the A30, A38, and A377 will all lead you in the right direction.

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