Hen-party heaven in York

I’ve been thinking about hen parties a lot recently. I got ill last year and had to cancel my own hen, organised by my lovely girlfriends. I did have a mini celebration, but we are now trying to arrange a post-wedding hen (any excuse for a long-overdue get together).  It’s proving difficult as there is always at least two of us with a baby bump/impending birth on the cards!

Being from York and having grown up just off Micklegate (AKA The Micklegate Run), I was heavily put off hen parties at a young age. A special Saturday treat was getting a take-away curry from the Indian. I used to love going to collect it with my dad and be goggle-eyed watching the hen-do’s screeching past dressed as vixens, nuns, schoolgirls and, on one memorable occasion, a collection of Eddie The Eagle Edwards!  Visions of pink netting & shiny satin left an inprint on my mind. I don’t think much has changed. Hen parties are as big business as ever in York, with coach loads shipped in every week It’s easy to see why. Quaint streets + good shopping +a high density of bars = hen-do heaven.

Here are my ideas for a York-based themed hen do, though I’m leaving the finer arrangements up to the girls!

1. Murder mystery. My good friend Rachel writes and organises bespoke murder-mystery parties with her friend Helen and hosts them either at people’s houses or at local hotels/venues. She puts so much thought into the plot and, being the life and soul of the party as she is, everybody is bound to have a great time. Contact her via Tangled Web Murder Mysteries.

2. A day at the races. You’d have to book well in advance but a day at York Races, drinking champagne and having a bet or three is great fun. You can pay up to £50 to get dressed up go in the stands, or pay £5 per person to take a picnic, deck chairs and champagne and sit right by the winning post. Check the York Racecourse website for meeting details.

3. Pure cheeze. Take a class (Dirty Dancing, Pole Dancing?) then practice your moves at the City’s cheesiest bars. There are lots to choose from. The revolving dancefloor in Reflex is interesting after a few vodkas and then stumble into Ziggy’s for more lager ‘n’ limes and a boogie. Kebab anyone?

4. Celeb-style. Book into Middlethorpe Hall if you can afford it (a more budget-friendly option is the new boutique hostel, the Fort) and spend the day being pampered, either at Middlethorpe Hall, the new spa at the Cedar Court Grand. Put your posh frocks on and dine at your hotel then hit the town’s more stylish bars. I’d recommend Biltmore and the riverside bars.

5. Vintage heaven. Organise a vintage-style afternoon tea in the park, ask everyone to channel their 1940′s/50′s housewife look and play parlour games. Get cupcakes from Curiositea and tea sets from Poppy & Rose on Bishopthorpe Road. Voila! Obviously this is weather dependent, but it would work just as well if you hired a local venue or in someone’s house.

Please get in touch if you are organising a hen party in York, happy to help if I can!

Love from A Yorkshire Heart x