It’s so often the choice to go with a large city for a hen party. Liverpool and Manchetser are always favourites for hens in the North of England and they can certainly provide a wild night out. However, Blackpool is an often overlooked town that has more to offer than you might first expect. Here are some of the ways you can plan a hen party to remember in this lively coastal town.
Soak Up the Sun of an Afternoon
Whilst Blackpool can’t compete with the aforementioned sprawling cities in size, it can make up for it with its beach. Although it might not quite be the Costa del Sol, Blackpool beach is a sandy expanse of a good few miles, with quirky views of the beachfront buildings and the pier. Plan an afternoon in the sun that your hen will treasure forever.
A picnic on the beach is a sophisticated way to start off proceedings. Ask each of the party to contribute to the picnic and before long you’ll have a veritable feast. Homemade sandwiches and cakes always go down a treat and for the more adventurous, quiche or sausage rolls are a real treat. Then, just pack a couple of bottles of bubbly and a good cool box and you’ve got the perfect sunny afternoon – and it’s budget-friendly too.
Get Wild on the Waves
Whilst a civilised picnic is wonderful for some hen parties, it just doesn’t get the adrenaline pumping sufficiently. Thankfully there are plenty of seafront businesses in Blackpool which can scratch that itch. For hen parties of all ages and fitness, an hour or so of kayaking can be a real giggle. The boats are pretty stable so capsizing is unlikely and just about everyone should master it pretty quickly. Of course, that’s not to say that there isn’t an opportunity for getting a bit wet!
If you have a fairly sporty bunch, then stand up paddle boarding is another brilliant choice. This one almost certainly involves some falling in, unless you happen to be a very talented bunch. It comes in at around £20 per head, depending on the provider and it is worth every penny. Expect a laugh a minute and for at least fifty percent of the party to not have mastered it by the end.
A Classy Evening in the Casino
Blackpool has more than its fair share of clubs and bars, but save them until a little later. Get all glammed up after your afternoon in the sunshine and make your way down to the casino. Whilst most casinos in the UK operate a smart casual dress policy, nobody is ever turned away for looking too glamorous! Encourage the hens to put on their glad rags and really get into the Casino Royale spirit.
The Grosvenor is a good bet for the evening as they are more than accommodating of hen parties. However, it’s worth familiarising some of the noisier guests with standard etiquette before you go in! Little things like keeping the noise down, particularly around table games, are always appreciated. Also, the staff at the tables are friendly and willing to help out any novices, so the environment is perfect for beginners.
Make a Night of it!
After the casino, there might be a couple who want to trail back to the hotel, but for those who are still going strong, there’s plenty more to offer. Blackpool has a plethora of clubs that are great fun and very welcoming of hen parties, but perhaps none more so than the Flying Handbag. This club has been a mainstay of the Blackpool nightlife for decades and continues to be a friendly and inclusive place for everyone to really let their hair down.
If you book in advance then the club will often offer discounted booths for large groups, as well as drinks deals. With that said, even if you haven’t planned ahead then they’re very accommodating and can often fit you into a VIP area for a small extra fee. Remember to dress to impress here and practice your pop hits!
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