TIPS

5 outdoor stag and hen do ideas near London

by Daniel Steele

June 29, 2021

A stag or hen do is a fantastic opportunity to have a get-together with all your best friends, but deciding on what to do can be tricky.

More and more people are discovering how outdoor activities can help them celebrate an upcoming wedding in style. Whether you’re a group of adrenaline junkies or looking to enjoy a relaxed weekend with friends, spending time together outside is a surefire way to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are 5 ideas for a stag or hen do to remember!

alpine snowsports aldershot donutting — Source: Alpine Snowsports, Aldershot

Assault course

There’s a reason assault courses are one of the fastest growing activities in the UK - they’re pure, messy fun! Bring out your competitive streak as you clamber your way over, under, and through a series of obstacles in a race against the clock.

Just a 2 hour train ride from Paddington, Bridgend is home to Adventures Wales, an all-purpose outdoor adventure centre with a passion for true Welsh grit. Their epic muddy assault course features more than 20 obstacles, including monkey bars, vertical walls, and their famous tyre maze. The perfect way to kickstart a stag or hen weekend!

Adventures Wales also offers stag and hen do weekend packages in Cardiff, Swansea, and around Wales, with gorge scrambling, white water rafting, and surfing options. Get stuck in!

adventures wales assault course — Source: Adventures Wales

Stand-up paddleboarding

If it’s tranquil exploration you’re after, look no further! Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is the latest craze to hit the paddle sports scene, and it’s easy to see why. Good for the mind and body, it’s a relaxing way to explore peaceful waters with friends.

Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to great places to SUP! From the Thames’ leafy western waters to the coastal estuaries of Essex or Norfolk’s wide open spaces, there’s a SUP session right for any taste. Take a look at our article on stand-up paddleboarding in London for some inspiration!

frangipani SUP maldon essex — Source: Frangipani SUP

Skiing & snowboarding

Think snowsports are just for snow? Think again! All over the country, enthusiasts and beginners alike are flocking to dry and indoor slopes to spend quality time with friends. Whether you’re a slow-and-steady snowplougher or a parallel turning perfectionist, a session on the slopes is sure to bring smiles all round.

Head to Alpine Snowsports Aldershot to enjoy the thrill of skiing and snowboarding year-round. This world-class dry slope facility is just an hour’s drive from London, and nearby Aldershot has a thriving nightlife scene to explore afterwards. If skiing or snowboarding aren’t your thing, give donutting a try! Whoosh down the slopes in a rubber ring - no experience required!

Fishing

A fishing trip is a great way to get back to basics and reconnect with nature. Unplug yourself from the hustle and bustle of 21st century living and spend a couple of peaceful hours together outdoors. Great scenery, great company - what’s not to love?

Chigborough Farm is a 130 acre rural oasis in eastern Essex, home to one of the best fly fisheries in the country. The farm also features excellent coarse and carp fishing, and with glamping facilities on-site, it’s the ideal place to call home for a relaxed weekend with friends. Just be sure to spend some time in the nearby historical market town of Maldon to explore its many pubs and restaurants.

chigborough farm fishing essex — Source: Chigborough Farm & Fisheries

Kayaking & canoeing

With dozens of lakes and canals, and England’s longest river at its heart, London offers a unique landscape to explore by kayak or canoe. Paddling along a suburban waterway or taking on white water rapids with your friends is sure to make for an energising start to your stag or hen do weekend.

Whether you want to double up in some tandem kayaks at Osterley Park, join a guided tour around Richmond’s bohemian Eel Pie Island, or you never have to look far for a great paddle session in London. Take a look at our article on places to go paddling near London to find out more!

back of beyond kayaking richmond — Source: Back of Beyond Adventures

We hope this article has helped inspire you to book an outdoor experience as part of your upcoming stag or hen do! Whatever your party’s interests, you’re sure to find an activity for you on the eola marketplace.

Want to find out more? Check out the articles below for more inspiration. Be sure to follow eola on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for a regular dose of the great outdoors.