Before she says ‘I do’, it’s only right to enjoy a drink or two… but, there really doesn’t have to be inflatable body parts or L plates on show. Be you, be comfortable. Whether your hen party is a lavish affair or close and intimate there are plenty of options available to you that don’t require a pub crawl adorned in L plates and veils! Be you adventurous or crafty, creative or a foodie, you and your hens can enjoy something different (and as you know, I’m all for a little bit of different!). I’ve spent this week having a look at what’s available locally, and while this little compendium isn’t exhaustive, it does show that our part of the world has a lot to offer. As always, there’s lots of inspiration on our Pinterest boards, too.

Be pampered. Schedule some treatments and relax. Think massage, manicure, pedicure, nails, and a glass of champagne to ensure you feel relaxed and refreshed (and camera ready for the big day). Indulge Beauty by Claire, located just outside King’s Lynn in West Winch, offers a wide range of treatments including collagen facials, reflexology, Indian head massage, warm bamboo massage and more, in a calm, tranquil environment. 

Glamping. Luxury camping is really popular and it is easy to see why. Enjoy all the charm of traditional camping but with the added style and luxury that glamping provides. Choose to go party festival style or enjoy a more relaxed, peaceful break. 2Posh2Pitch in North Norfolk offers luxury glamping accommodation in pre-pitched and beautifully dressed canvas bell tents at Whitehall Farm or The Firepit Camp.  But, if you find somewhere else where you would like a tent pitching, then just contact Kate who will be happy to help. And, being in Norfolk, you could enjoy afternoon tea with Vintage Partyware at your campsite. Which leads on nicely…

Afternoon Tea. For the vintage loving bride to be, or even just a sophisticated bride to be, afternoon tea is relaxing, indulgent and best shared with friends. Be you at a venue or in your own home, hire vintage china from us here at Vintage Partyware or maybe even a themed dessert station. Take a look at our 1950s station – make it a ‘build-your-own-scone’ hub and you’re on to a winner!

Cocktail masterclass. Learn to create your own delicious cocktails and mocktails and become a master of mixology. And the best bit is your finished product is your very own drink! We are lucky to be neighbours with Best@Bars who come to you with their mobile bar. They will give you an introduction to cocktails and mixology before letting you loose on the bar with their mixology equipment. Show off your newly learnt skills in a mix-off to really make the party.

Cheese and wine tasting. Quaff like an expert and learn about putting together the perfect cheeseboard. Discover how to match wine with cheeses and other foods; the sheer variety of cheeses available; and what nose, aroma, acidity, structure, texture and balance is all about! Stamford Cheese Cellar offer unique cheese and wine evenings where you will discover the history of artisan cheeses, how best to keep and serve them, and what beers and wines best compliment various different cheeses. We’ve featured cheese tower wedding cakes in a previous blog post – don’t forget about those should you find your inner cheese connoisseur!

Go extreme. Feeling adventurous? Sporty? Then why not indulge in some extreme activities – rock climbing, Segway experiences, cycling, rollerskating and even parkour are all now very much in the  hen party activity domain. Baseline Activity Sports Extreme in Norfolk have their very own Extreme Centre where hens will be supervised by trained staff in activities such as land zorbing, mountain biking, archery, karting, quad biking, and more. All equipment is provided, so just bring yourself and your hens and enjoy your extreme hen party!

Discover nature. Lots of us love getting up close and personal with wildlife but sometimes a trip to the zoo just doesn’t cut it. Take a look at Beans Boat Trips who will take you out to Blakeney Point in Norfolk in one of their five purpose-built ferries where you can see seals in their natural habitat, basking on the sandbanks. The seals are generally quite inquisitive and often pop up and swim around the boats! The basking seals on the beach give a great opportunity for photographs too. Blakeney Point is also famous for its bird life. Its most popular summer visitors are the terns – mainly Common, Sandwich and Little Terns and, quite often, also Arctic Terns. Many of them begin to arrive from West Africa during mid-April and breed into the season. They make a small scrape in the shingle where they lay their eggs. After hatching, the chicks can be seen running along the shoreline near the seals. You will be able to get a good view of them from the boat as well as of the other various shorebirds: Oyster Catcher, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, and Dunlin to name but a few.

So, there you have it. It doesn’t have to be L plates in a pub, unless of course that’s what you want – then go for it! Just be you and enjoy yourself. Have the party you’d like, not the one you’re told you should like. And this isn’t even close to telling you about everything on offer, so pick something you like and do that.

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