Brighton Beauties – why Brighton is the perfect UK hen weekend destination!

Anyone that has been to Brighton will tell you how great it is – full of fun, quirky and beside the seaside!  I have been lucky enough to go on two fabulous hen weekends in this lovely UK holiday town now, and this has lead me to the conclusion that Brighton is the perfect UK hen do destination.  My reasons for this conclusion are twofold: 1) one of the hen dos was mine!  And 2) there really is something to suit every group of friends.  Here is a list of “do’s” for hen do’s in Brighton:

Do: enjoy the range of accommodation on offer

One of the great things about Brighton is the range of accommodation on offer.  You can either opt for one of the bigger seafront hotels (especially good if your group is particularly large), stay in a little guest house (as we did for mine) complete with fry up the next morning to cure those morning-after-the-night-before heads, or book a share-house whereby everyone can stay together, enjoying late night drinking and late morning brunching.  There is a huge range of accommodation available to suit every budget and taste, so shop around before you book to find something which will suit your party.

Do: spend a day exploring The Lanes and the Pier

A trip to Brighton without some time spent mooching in the kooky shops of The Lanes and visiting the Pier isn’t a trip to Brighton at all.  Well, it’d be rude not to visit the pier of a British seaside resort, wouldn’t it?  And don’t forget all the brilliant photos you hens will get at the seaside facades (you know, the painted picture things you put your head through and take a photograph, with you posing, as, say, a Baywatch lifeguard?!)!!  The Lanes are full of cool shops, from fancy dress to everything-for-£5, and quirky homewares to homemade fudge – the perfect girly afternoon can be spent in shopping heaven – and there’s the added advantage that if you buy an outfit for that evening’s festivities, you’re pretty much guaranteed that it will be one of a kind!

By the pier in February 2011.....

....and on the pier again in June 2012!

Do: check out the array of activities on offer

For my hen do, my chief bridesmaid organised a dance class whereby we all learnt a routine which we ‘flash mobbed’ at the evening reception of the wedding.  This was followed by a private Kareoke room at a lovely Chinese restaurant.  For my friend’s hen do, we had a fabulous cocktail making class at Vodka Revolution.  I’ve also heard tell of treasure hunts, Burlesque lessons and even nude life drawing!!  Check the activities out: there really is something to suit every bride-to-be!

At the end of the dance class on my hen do!

Cocktail making at Vodka Revolution!

Do: get into the swing of things and dress up

Yes, you probably wouldn’t go out in fancy dress on a normal night out and yes, you will feel like a wally, but why not get into the swing of things and dress up?  Posh frocks and pearls, devils and angels, emergency services and much more, you’ll come across loads of other hen parties dolled up to the nines – and you don’t want to be outdone, now, do you?!

Little devils!

A visit from the Emergency Services!

Do: visit some of the many trendy bars and clubs

I’ve already mentioned the cocktail making class at Vodka Revolution which was excellent fun, and I’m sure you don’t need it pointed out, but Brighton is the home to many trendy bars and clubs.  Why not try Funky Buddha or the Honey Club down on the beach front?  All in all, a little spot of partying is the perfect way to end your Brighton Hen do! 

Cocktails at one of the many bars in Brighton!

And if you want to see how the flash-mob turned out at the reception of my wedding, here's the link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyiR5ENqb8g&feature=youtu.be

Cool York...and the benefits of having your own personal tour guide!

Yes it’s true, Mrs Lighty goes on UK breaks too!   And last weekend I was lucky enough to visit the wonderful city of York; as one of my most loveliest friends is currently living there whilst studying at York University, myself and another one of my lovely friends thought it was high time we went to visit – and we weren’t disappointed!

Seeing the city through the eyes of an honourary local

My lovely friend and I have followed our other lovely friend all over the place since her studies have began; so far we have been to Frakenthal in Germany, St. Andrew’s in Scotland and York in, well, England (!), and one of the great things about visiting a friend who lives in the place you’re visiting is that you get your very own personal tour guide (particularly if your friend is like mine and soaks up facts like a sponge!)!

York Minster

And so it was that we were given facts about the beautiful old city.  Did you know that one of the windows in the Minster is as big as a tennis court?  And that the city walls are among the most complete in the UK?  Even in the rain and drizzle the sheen could not be taken away from this wonderful city; yes, the Ouze had flooded, and we had to put up our umbrellas whilst walking the city walls, but it didn’t stop us from finding spot upon picturesque spot for photo opportunities galore and making the most of the beauty of York.

The Ouse

Cool York

What also struck me about York was just how so darn cool it was.  Of course, there’s the history and the stunning buildings, but there’s also the cool antiques shops (where lovely friend and I fell in love with beautiful 1940s rings which we couldn’t afford!), and the market selling unusual bits and bobs ,and The Shambles, an extremely pretty street selling everything from glasswear to soap!

As well as mooching in the gift and homeware boutiques, we also ate trendy burgers in the very pretty Stonegate Yard restaurant – a gastro-pub-type establishment with a lovely heated outdoor courtyard, lit by fairy lights and located in a Georgian house.  And we had to make a stop at the Evil Eye Lounge for some fabulous cocktails too – I defy you to not find one you like the look of on the extensive menu! 

Cocktails in Evil Eye Lounge

And so we had a great time and notched up some ‘cool points’ along the way.  But the best bit about visiting York on this occasion?  Getting to catch up with my two lovely friends.  You can’t beat it.