12 Fun Ideas for A Group Birthday Weekend Away

12 Fun Ideas for A Group Birthday Weekend Away

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A group of friends celebrating as they plan a birthday trip

If the past two years has taught us anything it’s that we wish we’d made the most of every opportunity to celebrate any milestone with our favourite people. So, this year, organise a birthday weekend away to ring in another trip round the sun and give yourselves a pat on the back for making it through. 

Haunted House Stay

If you’re going to do something, might as well dive right in and terrifying the lives out of your besties. What could be more memorable than booking a birthday weekend away in a haunted house? Channel your inner Dean Winchester and take up residence in a spooky overnight shelter with your squad. It’s become quite the popular activity over the past few years. We don’t pretend to know why, but we do know the world would be pretty boring if we were all the same. If you’ve always wanted to spend the hours of darkness with things that go bump in the night, or want to summon Slenderman, we reckon 2022 is the year to do it. What could possibly go wrong?? 

Adventure Weekends

If you have a group of adventurous individuals who like getting wet, muddy, or both, a birthday weekend away HAS to involve a whole lot of moving around. Spending the weekend at an outdoor education centre gives you the chance to pretend you’re Bear Grylls and see if you’d really fare as well as a character from The Walking Dead as you think you would. Take part in rock-climbing, white-water rafting, kayaking, open water swimming, archery, paintballing…the list is pretty much endless, to be honest. Each centre tends to make the most of their own surroundings, so a huge range of adventures await those who have the cajones to phone and book. Come on, tough guy, let’s have it. 

Cooking School 

If your group thinks of themselves as foodies, or even if they don’t (and those people could really do with some guidance…), why not organise some cooking lessons. Cooking schools are incredibly popular and you there are numerous themes to choose from for a birthday weekend away. If you love fish, game, or vegetarian fare, you can arrange classes to suit you. If you’re a chocolate lover or master baker (now, now), you can either hone your existing skills or pick up brand new one with a birthday weekend away at cooking school. Amateur cooking schools are regularly popping up all over the country, with many owned and run by household names in the world of cooking. If you fancy a celebrity cook school, may we suggest it’d be less stressful to take classes with James Martin than Gordon Ramsey. Far less cursing involved, we think. 

Ultimate Spa Weekend

No one in the history of the world has ever uttered the words, ‘Spa? Hmmm…I’d rather be uptight and stressed, but thanks anyway’. Everyone loves being pampered. And with good reason, because spa breaks are sooooooo relaxing.  Gone are the days where spas were seen as something only women did. Now that we’re firmly in the place where men are equally encouraged to look after their skin and chill out in the hot tub, we think it’s a great idea for a birthday weekend away. Whether it’s a spa on its own, or as part of a hotel package, either way, it’s a great excuse to properly chill out and have fun. Many spa packages include access to a gym and pool, so even if everyone isn’t interested in the latest hot stone massage, there’s still plenty to keep them out of trouble. 

Theatre Weekend

This does tend to appeal to certain people more than others, but when we say ‘theatre’ we do mean anything that happens in a theatre, not just the latest musicals on offer in the West End. Not everyone wants to watch Les Mis, are we right? If you check listings for your local city, or one further afield, you’re bound to come across music, comedy, drag and, yes, even musicals, aplenty. Having choice means everyone can see something they want to see. Who knows, you might even find yourself having fun seeing something you wouldn’t normally have booked? Venues surrounding theatre and concert venues are geared towards them, so pre-theatre menus and cheap drinks are always on the cards. Plus, you can often get money off buying tickets in bulk or by taking advantage of packages on tickets and accommodation for a birthday weekend away. 

Canal or River Boating

Like water? Always wanted to learn how to sail? Hiring a boat or barge for a few days can be a great way to do some exploring and have yourself a unique birthday party at the same time. You can learn to navigate, get to grips with jibs, sails, and other boaty stuff. OR, you can slowly cruise along the canals, or gently explore the deep waters of a lake or loch, sipping wine and eating cheese while someone else does all the hard work.  Sounds like bliss, no? Just because you want to be *on* a boat doesn’t necessarily mean you have to *operate* said boat. If it ‘ain’t your thing, hell, let someone else be Captain while you pretend you’re Beyonce, off the coast of Sardinia, in your massive yacht. Get some champagne and go for it. You know you deserve it. 

Walking/Hiking Weekend

This is the type of birthday weekend away that’s suitable for everyone. It can be as tough or as gentle as you want it to be. Get yourself a map, plot out where you might like to go, check the local accommodation (and pubs, obviously) and work out how to get to one place to the other. Hill walking can be fun and booking a country house in the middle of it all can give you a cosy base from which to set off and come back from all your adventures. Setting out to look at views that not many people get a chance to see is an excellent way to build relationships and make memories. Take plenty of picnic boxes and flasks to stock up on snacks to keep your energy up on your hikes and then return home to chilled wine, beer and maybe even a log fire when you get back. 

Shopping and Bar Hopping

Everyone deserves to be spoiled now and then and, if you don’t deserve to do it on your birthday weekend away, when do you? Contrary to popular misconception, it’s not just women who enjoy shopping. Men are just as good at spending money, if not better in some instances. Whether you book into hotels or book a holiday home, flex your cash and cards at mega mall and buy all of the things your heart desires. You can start off with a lazy breakfast (with Buck’s Fizz, obviously) before hitting the stores, have a lazy lunch (with Prosecco…) before hitting more stores, and even have dinner and drinks before rolling home, bags in hand, and collapsing into bed. The largest shopping centres also offer plenty of entertainment for those who aren’t shopping obsessed, so there’s no reason they can’t peel off for an hour for a quiet coffee or bookstore browse while you’re paying for another jacket to add to your burgeoning collection.  

Chill Out Weekend

Having a great birthday weekend away doesn’t need to involve actually doing anything more than lying around, playing board games and drinking a few beers. Renting out a self-catering cottage somewhere and spending the weekend with your squad can be just the tonic to celebrate your birthday with your favourite people. We love the idea of peaceful days followed by the intense pressure that playing Monopoly with friends can bring. Add Twister into the mix and you might well be in for quite a night. Get everyone to bring a bag of shopping, a game, and their favourite drinks and snacks and hide away for the weekend with good food and better company. 

European City Break

Travel broadens the mind, as the saying goes. And it’s true. Travelling is the key to seeing new things, understanding other cultures, and if we’re being honest, trying out new wines. Getting everyone together for your birthday weekend away abroad can be a welcome change of pace. Whether it’s sipping port by the Douro River in Porto, taking in a game at the Mestalla in Valencia, or wandering aimlessly around the islands of Stockholm, a quick weekend hop over to any of the amazing cities of Europe are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. European cities have so much to offer that the most difficult thing is deciding where to go. However, you have a birthday every year, so… 

Festival Fun

Whether it’s at home or abroad, there are hundreds of festivals every year. If you and your mates love music, there’s a festival somewhere dedicated to your favourite genre.  Festivals no longer have to be defined by how muddy your wellies got or tales of trying to find your tent amongst ten thousand others. These days, you can festival in style with proper toilets and fancy glamping pods.. We love a festival and, sometimes, it’s the only way to see the band you’ve been desperate to hear live but never seem to play near where you live. So annoying…  

Skiing Fun for Everyone!

Let us preface this by saying you don’t have to be any good at skiing to give it a go. Skiing is a massively popular activity and people tend to love it or hate it. However, you need to have given it a go to know if you hate it. If you have friends who love skiing and others who haven’t actually tried it, there’s every chance you can convince everyone to book up for your birthday weekend away, racing down the slopes. Some of you might be comfortable and capable on your own, while others might need to stick to the baby slopes and take a lesson or two. However, that doesn’t stop you all improving your skills together. If you have someone who is *really* against the idea, just tell them they can watch from the window of the bar at the top of the piste. If that doesn’t spike their interest, nothing will. 

Need help with your Hen Party?

If you’re in hen research mode, check out all of our hen party destinations and hen party ideas.

For help booking your hen weekend or to discuss your ideas, chat with us live during office hours, submit a quick enquiry or contact us for any other queries.

 

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