Hen Party Statistics UK 2026

Christopher | Jan 15 2026

UK hen parties have evolved from simple nights out to full weekend celebrations, becoming a multi-million-pound industry and an essential pre-wedding tradition. These UK hen party statistics bring together the latest data on spending patterns, popular destinations, group sizes and emerging trends, offering clear, citable insight into how Brits celebrate the bride-to-be—including the shift toward experiences over excess and the continuing tug-of-war between UK and European destinations.

Report Highlights

  • The average UK hen party now costs £187 per person for accommodation, activities and nightlife (excluding transport and extras)​

  • 61% of hen parties take place in the UK versus 39% abroad, though this split is shifting rapidly toward overseas celebrations​

  • The average hen party group size is 13 people, unchanged for over a decade​

How Much Are Brits Spending on Hen Parties?

  • Average spend per person (UK): The typical UK hen party costs £187 per person in 2024, covering accommodation, activities and nightlife—but excluding transport, food, drink, and fancy dress. This represents a 22% increase from £157 in 2022.​
  • Average spend per person (abroad): Overseas hen parties cost an average of £207 per person for the same package elements, rising to £217 for Ireland-based celebrations.​
  • Total all-in costs: When transport, meals, drinks and extras are factored in, the complete picture shifts dramatically. UK weekend hen parties typically cost £250 to £450 per person, while European breaks range from £300 to £800 per person. Premium destinations like Marbella or Ibiza can push costs beyond £1,000 per person.​
  • According to insurance provider Aviva, UK adults attending someone else’s hen party in 2023 spent an average of £779 per person domestically or £1,208 abroad when all costs—accommodation, activities, food, drink, transport and fancy dress—were totaled.​
  • Rising costs over time: Hen party spending has climbed steadily. The average UK hen party cost has risen 60% over the past decade, from £150 in 2013 to £242 by 2022, with costs continuing upward post-pandemic.

Cost breakdown

  • Hen Party Accommodation: £40–£120 per person per night

  • Activities: £30–£100 per person

  • Food and drink: £150–£180 per person over the weekend

  • Travel: £60 average per person (domestic)

  • Memorabilia and extras: £10–£15 per person

Where Are Brits Going for Hen Parties?

Most popular UK destinations 2025

  1. Bath – Tops the charts for elegance, spas, restaurants and accessible nightlife

  2. Liverpool – Four years running as the party capital for hen celebrations

  3. Bristol – Boho vibes meet vibrant nights out

  4. Brighton – Classic seaside charm with The Lanes and seafront clubs

  5. Edinburgh – Culture, whisky experiences and historic venues

  6. London – Ultimate urban destination despite premium prices

  7. Manchester – Northern Quarter cool and legendary nightlife

  8. Newcastle – Geordie charm and 200+ hen-friendly activities

  9. York – Cobbled streets and classy waterfront bars

  10. Cardiff – Rising star with Welsh warmth and affordability

Most popular European destinations 2025

  1. Benidorm – Affordable, guaranteed sunshine and big party atmosphere

  2. Barcelona – City sophistication meets Mediterranean beaches

  3. Marbella – Luxury glamour on the Costa del Sol

  4. Dublin – Short flight, friendly locals and Temple Bar buzz

  5. Ibiza – Bucket-list clubbing and beach parties

  6. Albufeira – Portuguese Algarve beaches and value

  7. Amsterdam – Culture, canals and relaxed nightlife

  8. Lisbon – Scenic, cultural and cheaper than Barcelona

  9. Valencia – Coastal city combining culture and sun

  10. Budapest – Thermal spas and affordable luxury

  • UK vs Europe split: The balance is shifting dramatically. In 2022, 79% of hen parties stayed in the UK versus 21% abroad. By 2024, this narrowed to 71% UK / 29% Europe. For 2025 bookings, the split has accelerated to 61% UK / 39% Europe, with 25% of all hens heading to Spain alone.​
  • Average group size: The typical hen party brings together 13 people, a figure remarkably consistent over the past decade.​

Size range: Hen parties vary dramatically:

  • Smallest recorded (2024): 4 people to Liverpool​

  • Largest UK celebration (2024): 42 people to Edinburgh​

  • Largest abroad (2024): 29 people to Dublin​

Group composition: Hen parties typically include the bride, her maid of honour or chief bridesmaid, bridesmaids, close friends, sisters, cousins, and occasionally mothers or future mothers-in-law. Some brides host multiple smaller celebrations to accommodate different friend groups and family.

Around 48% of hen parties include six nights or fewer of stay, showing a clear trend toward shorter “micro-cations” rather than week-long breaks.​

When Do Hen Parties Happen?

Timing before the wedding: The sweet spot is 4 to 6 weeks (or 1 to 3 months) before the wedding date. This allows enough time to recover, keeps the excitement building, but doesn’t interfere with final wedding preparations.​

Going too close to the wedding (within one week) risks exhaustion and stress. Going too far ahead (more than 6 months) can break the emotional connection between the celebration and the big day.​

Peak booking months: Hen parties cluster heavily in spring and summer, with almost 50% happening in April, May and June. This timing aligns with summer wedding season and avoids school holiday price surges for those traveling abroad.​

Booking lead time: The average hen party is booked 105 days (around 3.5 months) in advance for UK cottage-style stays, down from 114 days in 2024—an 8% shift toward later booking. High-demand destinations like Cornwall and Cumbria still see bookings made about 6 months (180 days) in advance.​

Last-minute bookings: 24% of all UK hen parties are now booked within a month of departure, reflecting cost-of-living uncertainty and a desire to wait for deals or confirm budgets.

How Long Do Hen Parties Last?

Weekend duration (UK): The typical UK hen weekend lasts 2 nights, with most properties requiring a minimum two-night weekend booking. For 2025, 48% of UK stays are short breaks of six nights or fewer.​

Abroad duration: European hen parties typically run 3 nights, giving groups time to enjoy the destination while keeping costs manageable.​

Day events: One-day hen parties remain popular for budget-conscious groups or local celebrations, costing £90–£150 per person.

Who Plans and Pays for Hen Parties?

Who organises: The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid traditionally takes charge of organising the hen party, often with help from other bridesmaids or close friends. Planning typically begins 4 to 6 months before the event, though local hen parties can be organised in as little as 4–6 weeks.

Who pays: Tradition dictates that attendees pay for themselves and collectively cover the bride’s costs. The bride’s share is typically split among the group—which, for an average 13-person party costing £187, adds just £14.40 per guest to cover the bride.​

In modern practice, each guest pays their own way, and the bride’s costs are either:

  • Split evenly among all attendees

  • Covered by the bridal party (maid of honour and bridesmaids)

  • Covered by the bride herself, particularly if costs are high​

Payment plans: To ease the burden, hen party planners increasingly offer staggered payment plans with 2–4 instalments spread across several months. Initial deposits are typically non-refundable.​

Dropouts and cancellations: Around one-third of people decline hen party invitations, with 80% citing cost as the reason—though nearly a quarter give a different excuse to avoid admitting financial concerns. Planners report that 2–3 people typically drop out closer to the event date, even after confirming.

Most Popular Hen Party Activities

Top activity categories:​

Drinking & dining:

  • Bottomless brunches (£40–£60 per person)

  • Cocktail-making classes (£40–£60 per person)

  • Afternoon tea

  • Wine tasting at sustainable wineries

  • Private dining experiences

Outdoor & adventure:

  • It’s a Knockout (inflatable obstacle courses)

  • Bubble football (“Bubble Mayhen”)

  • Paddleboarding, kayaking, wild swimming

  • Outdoor treasure hunts

  • Glamping and countryside retreats

Creative & wellness:

  • Spa days (£35–£80+ per person)

  • Dance classes (Beyoncé, burlesque, flamenco)

  • Flower crown crafting

  • Life drawing classes

  • Terrarium and candle-making workshops

Games & entertainment:

  • Escape rooms

  • Murder mystery experiences

  • Karaoke

  • Drag brunch shows (bottomless drinks plus entertainment)

  • Silent disco adventures

How Much Does the UK Hen Party Industry Worth?

The UK hen party industry is estimated to be worth £275 million annually as of 2013, with figures likely significantly higher today given inflation and rising costs.​

The broader bachelorette party planning service market globally was valued at USD $1.35 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD $4.91 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 15.5%.​

With approximately 243,000 weddings per year in the UK, and assuming most include a hen party, the total annual market for UK hen celebrations—including accommodation, activities, travel, food, drink and extras—likely exceeds £500 million to £1 billion.​

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