As you all know, next year i'll be leaving my single life behind me and jumping on the marriage bandwagon. I'm ridiculously excited about the service, the church bells and my 1950s theme, however i haven't even started thinking about my hen do. I was recently advised that Brighton may be a good place to look and here's Carla Vercetti's guide to why Brighton is where the fun is at.
The hen party is your last opportunity to have a massive night out with all your girl friends before you get married, so it’s important that it’s a night to remember. Whether you want a night of drinking and dancing, dinner and cocktails or to do something really different, Brighton is the best place to go for an entertaining night out with your best friends by the sea.
Brighton has very good transport links, so is easy to get to from anywhere in the UK. If you’re in a large group, why not think about hiring a coach? Brighton’s main coach park is at Pool Valley, in the middle of all the action between the seafront and the bars of the Old Lanes, and it means nobody has to miss out as the designated driver. Trains from London and other destinations across the south coast are regular, with a fast train from London Victoria to Brighton taking just 51 minutes.
If you’re looking for a classic night of drinking and dancing, Brighton is an excellent choice. There are dozens of clubs and bars in the town centre. For a younger crowd, head to the student-filled clubs on the seafront, such as Digital, Life and Coalition. Some of the bars which see lots of hen groups include Madame Geisha and Lola Lo, a Tiki-themed bar on East Street. Vodka Revolution offers special packages for groups, such as cocktail making, or you can reserve an area in Oceana for something more exclusive.
For gourmand goddesses, Brighton is a foodie haven. As well as all the big chains, there is a vast amount of small, independently owned restaurants for you to investigate. For a sociable Spanish option, Casa don Carlos in the Old Lanes has Brighton’s best selection of tapas, including chorizo, seafood and vegetable dishes. Dermot O’Leary’s Fishy Fishy is a good choice for fish fans, with Food For Friends and Terre a Terre being the best options for vegetarians and vegans.
Action-loving groups will love the chance to try zorbing on the picturesque South Downs. If you’ll be heading down during the winter, the Royal Pavilion has a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink to try out your latest tricks on. The really brave can head to the hills just outside Brighton to try their hands at paragliding for a truly spectacular view over idyllic rural Sussex.
For a hen night that will send you off into married life with a bang, pick beautiful bohemian Brighton. You’re guaranteed to have a fantastic night, and you could even make a weekend of it and spend the daytime lounging on the beach!
