Ditch the pitchers, strike the strippers and don't even think about inflating that comedy appendage! At least, not until you've given a little thought to your hen: her habits and hobbies could be the inspiration for a hen do with a difference...
Experience the Eden Project from above on the Hangloose Skywire
GETTING DOWN OR GETTING DIRTY!
You know the sort. She actually - shock! horror! - enjoyed P.E., plays in sports clubs for fun and now goes out running for the sheer pleasure of it. If that sounds like your hen, chances are she'd enjoy doing something physical that gets her body moving and results in a sweet hit of endorphins. Our suggestion is the Tuff Enuff challenge (tuff-enuff.co.uk): an assault course laid out across sprawling clifftops, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Kelly, our Tuff Enuff insider, explains: "From our 30ft rope ladder A-frame to our barbed wire pit, we have over 15 permanent obstacles that will get you nice and dirty!" And don't panic if that sounds scary: there are a team of trained instructors who take you through your paces to make sure you stay safe. Phew!
For something just as active, but less weather dependant, you could try out an aerial party at Vixystrawberry Pole School (vixystrawberrypoleschool.co.uk). Vicky, a party organiser at the school, describes these events as "fun and feisty workshops, suitable for everyone, where you will learn to defy gravity!" If you're not convinced that gravity is meant to be defied, Vicky offers the following assurance: "even members who aren't quite sure about what they are letting themselves in for often find their inner diva during the class!" There is also the option to have a photographer capture the highlights (excuse the pun) and, what's more, the Vixystrawberry polers can even help the bride put together a saucy routine as a surprise for the groom on the wedding night. Ooo-err!
If adrenaline is your hen's middle name, we think a trip to the Eden Project (edenproject.com) is in order. Seriously! It is now home to the longest zip wire in the UK. At 660m long and reaching speeds of 60mph, the Hangloose Skywire is not for the fainthearted. Emma, the Eden Project's go-to girl for thrill-seeking hens, suggests, "combining the Skywire with Hangloose's Gravity giant swing to make a fun afternoon of activities, before celebrating your achievements with a glass of Eden brut and a scone, jam and cream!" Now that's one way to feel on top of the world!
Go coasteering with Cornish Rock Tors
WET 'N' WILD
Does the bride in question love nothing more than being beside the seaside? If so, we've got a few ideas in mind that are sure to please the freshest of fresh water babes. We'll start off gently... Why not hop aboard the luxurious Moyana and cruise along the Fal River enjoying stunning views, not to mention a fully stocked bar? Ryan from Fal River Cruises (falriver.co.uk) tells us, "The Moyana can land at a variety of destinations around the Fal; you might start in the bustling city of Truro and finish in the maritime port of Falmouth." So your day might begin with a splash of retail therapy, before a fizz-popping jaunt along the Fal, finishing with freshly caught fish and a side of chips. Perfect!
For something a little more salty, consider coasteering. What could be more fun for an adventurous water lover than roving over otherwise inaccessible cliffs, coves, gulleys and caves? Ben from Cornish Rock Tors (cornishrocktors.com) explains, "it's such a varied activity and we tailor the route and activities to the group so that everybody gets the most out of it." Sounding like a bit of a boys' club? Not so, says Ben: "There's often an assumption that coasteering is an activity for stag groups, overflowing with bravado, whereas we usually find that hen parties are the better groups and they end up having the best time." Go girls!
Explore the coast with Fal River Cruises
ZEN HENS AND MINDFUL MAIDS
To cater for brides who like to get their zen on, we think something suitably chilled out is the order of the day. And let's start with something for our yogi brides... How about an afternoon devoted to their favourite activity? Amanda at the Ground of Being (groundofbeing.co.uk) suggests that this option might be the secret to hen party harmony. "Any group activity is always bonding, but yoga can be particularly so," she explains. And if you're worried that some of the gang will have about as much flexibility as Big Ben, fear not, Amanda has the know-how needed: "If group members haven't done yoga before, this can be a fun, intimate and secure way of trying something new with friends. And for those that have, they know that this is going to add a feel-good factor to a special weekend."
For something totally different, where the only bending takes place in the confines of the mind, consider a mindfulness course. "Mindfulness could offer a profoundly different way of pre-wedding celebration," says Vici from Mindfulness Cornwall (mindfulnesscornwall.co.uk), "by supporting connection and stilling of the mind." The courses, which run for eight weeks at a time, involve encouraging awareness of ourselves, our emotions and the world around us. According to Vici, who practises this meditative skill - said by some practitioners to promote happiness and inner peace - "mindfulness supports inner connection and could also support a strong sense of connection between all those present." Mind management amid the mayhem.
SOMETHING A LITTLE SAUCY...
Do you recognise this woman: she spends her free time tracking down truffle oil, nothing excites her like a new restaurant opening and she considers eating McDonald's sinful. Yep, you've got a foodie on your hands. So why not indulge her biggest passion?
For an outdoorsy gal with gastronomy on her mind, you can't go wrong with the Fat Hen Wild Food Cookery School (fathen.org). "With everything from wild Italian cookery to canapes and gourmet food, Fat Hen takes you across the rugged landscapes and coasts of west Cornwall to experience foraging and feasting at its most mouth-watering!" explains Cari. Sounds exciting, but if heading outdoors to dine evokes flashbacks of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award drilling, fear not - "eating at the Fat Hen is an expansion of the senses," says Cari, "not a survival endurance experience!" A little more Raymond Blanc than Ray Mears...
If you think your hen would prefer something in a sheltered environ, you're in luck. Cornwall is home to many a gastronomical delight. From a fishy feast at Nathan Outlaws' Fish Kitchen in Port Isaac (outlaws.co.uk) to a four-course tasting menu at Alba in St Ives (thealbarestaurant.com), you'll find something to tickle every foodie's taste buds here.
Indulge at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa
Go foraging with Fat Hen Wild Cookery School
PERFECTLY POLISHED OR AU NATURALE?
If the thought of breaking a nail could reduce your hen to tears, listen up! How does the combination of ocean views, fabulous food and a luxury spa sound? If you're nodding approvingly at this point, you need to book into Fistral Beach Hotel (fistralbeachhotel.co.uk). Pronto! Emilie gives us the low-down: "We are close to town, but not close enough to spoil the sound of the Fistral Beach waves. We have a guest host on hand to make sure that your hen is treated like a princess and to make the stay as memorable as possible. We can even organise cocktail making, chocolate making or pasta making!" Stop! You had us at cocktail.
For something luxurious with a virtuous twist, we can't think of a better option than checking into The Raw Retreat (therawretreat.co.uk). "Our retreats are based around raw food and juices," says Beverly. "There are different programmes to suit weight-loss, detoxification, health recovery and fertility." With accommodation in a Grade II listed converted barn, hens can further indulge in therapeutic massages or extend their health kick to include daily yoga sessions. "Guests leave feeling brighter, lighter and calmer than when they arrive," explains Beverly.
Check into The Raw Retreat
STICKY MOMENTS...
If your hen makes Martha Stewart look like a hobbyist, we think she'd love to spend her hen party in the company of her closest gal pals, elbow deep in glue, tissue paper and a sprig of sparkly pipe cleaners.
Learning how to scrapbook could be just the ticket - and just in time for the wedding. "I think making a bespoke mini album ready to slot those informal photos from hen event right through to the big day would make for a great project," says Linda from Just Scrapbooking (justscrapbooking.co.uk). "The album will have loads of pockets and places to hide journaling, souvenirs and even the confetti." If the rest of the group are decidedly uncrafty, Linda insists there's no need to panic. "My workshops are informal, relaxed events and, most importantly of all, they are fun!"
Ask not what your bride can do for you, but what you can do for the whole wedding. With a growing trend for homemade, handmade, even hen-made decor, your party could contribute to the big day in more than one way. Let's take bespoke bunting. "Bunting can enhance any venue where a wedding is to be held and is even more special when made by the bride and her hen party guests," explains Jo, from Knitweave (knitweave.c.o.uk). "I've run workshops for hen parties and they all enjoyed the opportunity to be creative and take home something they made."
Or how about crafting something to actually wear on the big day? Holly Young (hollyyoungboutique.com) runs a series of workshops where hens receive the acclaimed milliner's expert tuition to make all manner of pretty accessories, from cocktail hats and fascinators to silk flowers. She even supplies vintage fascinator and silk and lace brooch making kits for hens to craft at their leisure.
All that's left for you to do now is book up and give your bride the best send-off a girl could wish for! Happy henning, ladies!
Make a scrapbook with Just Scrapbooking
Make your own fascinator with Holly Young Headwear
words Abby Driver
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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