Oxford hen do

It's time for a hen party in Oxford!

Stately, impressive, academic Oxford is a city steeped in history and tradition, so it's ideal for the traditional pre-nuptial hen weekend! It's a beautiful, friendly, city, filled with students and tourists of all ages and nationalities - world famous, diverse and lively with a wealth of attractive options for hen weekend visitors. It's not all churches and cathedrals either - the huge student population means that there's a fantastic nightlife around too, and the beautiful green location means there's plenty of opportunity for a few rough and ready outdoor pursuits too! If you've got a classy, elegant bride on your hands an exquisite Oxford hen do is just the weekend you need! 

Why: reasons to celebrate an Oxford hen party

You don't need to be a genius to understand that Oxford is a fantastic hen do location! This gorgeous gothic city might not seem like the traditional place for a hen party, but the city of Dreaming Spires has a vibrant, bustling nightlife thanks to its large student population - and the students have been there since the 12th century, so they've had time to establish some wonderful bars and clubs for you to find! Furthermore, the stately charm and magnificent architecture lends a real regal air to any hen party here - perfect for impressing the bride, and making all the girls feel like princesses! The city is steeped in history, meaning there's plenty for hens here to explore, and our huge range of activities for an Oxford hen party are just the icing on the cake!

What: planning your hen party in Oxford

Oxford is a classy destination, so it's a great choice for a posh hen party. It's impossible not to feel sophisticated amongst all the churches and colleges! However, that doesn't mean the activities in Oxford are anything to turn your nose up at; whether you want to hearken back to the days of the aristocrats with afternoon tea and Charleston lessons, or keep things bang up to date with a pop star party and some cocktail mixing, you'll be able to find it in Oxford. As with all hen parties, the key is in planning a balanced weekend - try taking advantage of the spectacular surroundings with something outdoors and off the wall in the morning to wake the girls up, then a leisurely lunch followed by something gentle while your food goes down - life drawing or perfume making are popular! Then, in the evening, you and the girls will be spoilt for choice. The nightlife in Oxford is eclectic, with fantastic bars, pubs and clubs, as well as great comedy clubs, murder mystery venues and Butlers in the Buff evenings.

When: when's a good time to have a Oxford hen do?

Oxford isn't a coastal town, or dependant on outdoor activities, so it's not noticeably more exceptional in summer or winter - an Oxford hen party is excellent all year round with things to do through all the seasons! In summer there's plenty to take advantage of the good weather and make the most of the great outdoors, but it's perfectly possible to stay tucked away in winter with some indoor activities too - before warding off the winter cold with a quick drink! Make sure you're there in term time if you want to party with the students, or come over summer or around Christmas to enjoy the peace. There are some great festivals and public events through the year too from literary, ghost and jazz festivals, and a plethora of rowing races in summer! There's no bad time to hit Oxford with the girls - it's always utterly remarkable!

Shop: Oxford shopping areas & recommendations

Oxford High Street is one of Oxford's greatest streets, a vibrant, curved street that's full of fashion outlets, jewellery stores, fine restaurants and antique dealers. Off the high street there are a number of small, cobbled streets and alleyways with hidden gems and some great finds, perfect for exploring Sunday morning or in between activities on a Saturday afternoon. If you'd prefer to browse unique market stalls and smaller outlets for one off finds, head to The Covered Market, where you can look through a number of cosy cafes, individual stalls, and independent fashion traders, picking up some great bargains and souvenirs. There are as many old and new book dealers as you'd expect from such an iconic university city, so see if you can pick up some valuable first editions whilst you're there!

How: getting to Oxford

Oxford is only just over 50 miles from London, and it's linked to both there and Birmingham by the M40, ideal for driving in to the city. Parking inside the city limits can be tricky, so make sure your hotel accommodation has spaces available for your party, if you decide to bring cars. There are trains from Oxford Railway station to London Paddington and other London stations, as well as lines going further afield to destinations like Manchester, Birmingham and Southampton.