My Nottingham Hen Weekend: A Real Story & Itinerary

Editor's Note (December 2025): While this legendary hen do took place a few years ago, we have updated this post to ensure all venues, activities, and prices are accurate for the 2026 season.

I’m a big fan of surprises, but I’m also a bit of a "drama queen." I love big, showy things. So when my Maid of Honour, Claire, started planning my hen do, she knew it had to be special.

We picked Nottingham because it’s a city I’ve always loved for a night out. It’s friendly, compact, and has a nightlife scene that punches way above its weight. Here is the full diary of our weekend, from karaoke booths to drag queens.

Friday: Prosecco & Power Ballads

I didn’t know much about the plans, only that we had to be there by 2 pm. We zoomed up the motorway and met the rest of the gang (nine of us in total) in the hotel car park.

Our first activity was perfect for a group where not everyone knew each other: Afternoon Tea with Unlimited Prosecco. Claire nailed it. It gave us 90 minutes to chat, eat cake, and drink as much fizz as we could handle. By the time we left, everyone was best friends.

The evening surprise was the one thing I had specifically requested: Karaoke. We booked a private booth and spent two hours smashing through classics. I did my best Cyndi Lauper impression, the wine flowed, and we were ready for the clubs. We ended the night in one of the cheesiest clubs imaginable, dancing until our feet hurt.

Saturday: Pampering & Drag Queens

Saturday was deliberately a "late start" day. Most of us have kids or demanding jobs, so the novelty of a lie-in was a treat in itself.

In the afternoon, we headed to a Spa Day for some serious recovery. I was treated to a head and shoulder massage that was honestly world-class. We spent the rest of the afternoon floating in the pool and sweating out the prosecco in the sauna.

The Main Event: Cabaret Night

For the Saturday night, we wanted a show. We booked a Drag Cabaret evening, which turned out to be the highlight of the weekend.

It was hosted by a hilarious drag queen and included food, drinks, and a floor show featuring some very handsome men! As the hen, I was dragged up on stage for a special dance, which was equal parts embarrassing and amazing. It was the perfect high-energy activity that didn't require us to walk between bars in the rain.

We finished the night at a massive nightclub, taking over a corner of the dancefloor until the sun came up.

The Verdict

My Nottingham hen do was perfect. It had the right mix of relaxation (the spa), chaos (the karaoke), and entertainment (the cabaret).

The Stag and Hen Experience has been creating bespoke weekends since 2009. If you want to replicate this itinerary, get in touch on 01202 566100 or browse our Nottingham Hen Packages to start planning.