Hen Party Planning Checklist for Bath | 2026 Guide

Define budget per head

Agree a clear per-head figure now so every booking stays grounded - Bath sits at mid-range to luxury.

Peak season surcharges hit between April and September, and around Christmas.

Finalize guest list and choose dates

Lock in your 8-14 headcount and weekend dates, because prime slots in Bath go fast.

Train arrivals at Bath Spa are easiest if guests are coming from London or Bristol.

Book Thermae Bath Spa group slots

Start Thermae group bookings now - weekend slots can disappear 4-6 months ahead.

Check the official Thermae Bath Spa site for group packages as early as you can.

Research accommodation options

Look for large Georgian townhouses or luxury apartments with room for the whole group in the centre.

Browse hen-friendly houses on Hen Hideaways around The Circus or Great Pulteney Street.

Gauge interest for key activities

Ask the group what they want - afternoon tea, cocktail making, or something more cultural.

The Pump Room does a classic afternoon tea; The Botanist runs a lively cocktail class.

Delegate planning tasks

Split the list - one person on the house, one on activities, one on food - so you are not doing everything alone.

Put one person in charge of all Thermae Bath Spa timings for the group.

Create a communication channel

Set up a WhatsApp group so updates land in one place.

Share Bath travel tips and draft itinerary ideas there as you go.

Explore private chef/catering options

If you are self-catering, line up a private chef or caterer for one big dinner at the house.

Plenty of independent Bath caterers will build a bespoke hen menu.

Check major Bath events calendar

Check whether a festival or big event clashes with your dates - it affects prices and availability.

Bath Tourism Plus lists what is on, so you can avoid surprise crowds or road closures.

Draft a preliminary itinerary

Sketch a loose flow - spa time, meals, activities - so you can see if the pace works.

A Thermae morning followed by a relaxed afternoon tea is a nice balance.

Set up a payment collection method

Choose how you will collect deposits and activity costs from guests.

A shared spreadsheet keeps track of who has paid what.

Research alternative spa options

If Thermae is full, note backup spas in and around Bath.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and Combe Grove are good alternatives for a smaller group feel.

Consider a professional photographer

Book a local photographer for a short session around Bath's landmarks if you want proper keepsakes.

The Royal Crescent and the Roman Baths make easy backdrops.

Explore unique Bath experiences

Look beyond the usual - Bath has history and culture you will not find anywhere else.

A Jane Austen walking tour or a private Georgian architecture tour adds a proper Bath touch.

Investigate group travel discounts

Check whether GWR or other operators offer group fares to Bath Spa station.

Off-peak train tickets booked early cut the London or Bristol run nicely.

Plan for dietary requirements

Collect allergies and dietary needs from everyone before you book restaurants or catering.

Sotto Sotto is very accommodating but likes advance notice.

Look into evening entertainment

Think about evening plans - a lively bar, a show, or a ghost walking tour.

Bizarre Bath runs a popular, funny ghost tour that shows you the city after dark.

Book hen party accommodation

Secure your Georgian townhouse or apartment and pay the deposit.

Confirm check-in, check-out and key collection with your host well ahead.

Confirm Thermae Bath Spa booking

Lock in your group spa slot and pay in full, including treatment times if you have added any.

Tell everyone the arrival time and any group entry rules Thermae sets.

Book afternoon tea venue

Reserve afternoon tea and flag dietary needs when you book.

The Pump Room for the iconic setting, The Ivy Bath Brasserie for polish, or Sally Lunn's for something only Bath can do.

Secure cocktail making class

Book a private or group cocktail masterclass - a good social one that gets everyone involved.

The Botanist, Revolution Bath and Green Park Brasserie often have dedicated group spaces.

Arrange dinner reservations

Book a restaurant for each evening - mix cuisines and atmospheres to suit your group.

Sotto Sotto for Italian, Oak Restaurant for modern British, Green Park Brasserie if you want live music and a buzz.

Book a unique Bath activity

Confirm something distinctly Bath - pottery, a walking tour, or similar.

The Makery runs pottery classes; a Jane Austen's Bath walking tour fits the city perfectly.

Plan local transport logistics

Bath's narrow Georgian streets and tight parking mean taxis or a minibus are worth lining up if you are crossing town.

V-Cars is a reliable local firm for larger groups moving through the city centre.

Finalize activity schedule

Build a day-by-day schedule with timings, addresses and contact numbers for every booking.

Leave buffer time between activities - Bath's hills and cobbles slow you down.

Collect deposits from guests

Chase any outstanding deposits for the house and activities.

Share payment deadlines clearly - your host and venues will have firm cut-off dates.

Confirm all bookings in writing

Get email confirmation for every booking so nothing is ambiguous on arrival.

Keep confirmations in one folder on your phone for quick reference.

Plan arrival logistics for Bath Spa station

Coordinate who meets train arrivals and how luggage gets to the house.

Pre-book a taxi from Bath Spa to the accommodation if you are arriving with cases.

Research local shops for supplies

Note where to grab last-minute decorations or groceries in Bath.

Waitrose and Sainsbury's Local sit handily in the city centre.

Book beauty treatments

Arrange manicures, pedicures or massages for the hen or the wider group if you want them.

House of Fraser Beauty Salon and independent salons on Milsom Street cover most treatments.

Consider a wine tasting experience

A private wine or gin tasting makes a sophisticated group activity.

The Fine Cheese Co. does excellent wine and cheese pairings.

Finalize menu choices for pre-booked meals

Confirm set menus with restaurants, especially for larger groups.

Re-confirm dietary requirements with the restaurant a week before.

Prepare a 'hen party survival kit'

Pack paracetamol, blister plasters and snacks for the hen.

A small map of central Bath helps when phone signal dips in older buildings.

Explore optional evening bar crawl

Map out bars for evening drinks along George Street or Milsom Street.

The Canary Gin Bar is a firm favourite for distinctive cocktails.

Send final itinerary to guests

Share the full schedule with timings, addresses and contact numbers.

Include a small map pointing to Thermae Bath Spa and The Pump Room.

Confirm all bookings (final check)

Ring or email the house, Thermae, restaurants and activities one last time.

A quick call to your accommodation provider and Thermae Bath Spa avoids nasty surprises.

Share emergency contact details

Give guests your number and useful local contacts.

Include V-Cars for late-night or last-minute taxis.

Create a shared information document

Pull itinerary, dietary needs and emergency contacts into one shared doc.

Suggest downloading offline maps of Bath city centre before you travel.

Plan grocery shopping

If self-catering, plan your shop or arrange delivery for arrival day.

Waitrose and Sainsbury's deliver to Bath accommodation if you order online.

Arrange house decorations

Decide who brings decorations and who sets up at the house.

Independent shops in the city sell Bath souvenirs that double as themed decor.

Reconfirm transport arrangements

Double-check taxi and minibus bookings for station runs and between venues.

Confirm pick-up points with V-Cars near busy spots like the Roman Baths.

Check Bath weather forecast

Share the forecast so guests pack sensibly, especially for outdoor tours.

Bath weather shifts quickly - layers and comfortable shoes for hills and cobbles.

Finalize payment collections

Collect any remaining guest payments and settle balances with suppliers.

Check final costs with your host and activity operators against booking confirmations.

Pack a 'hen party bag'

Prepare a bag for the hen with accessories, a sash and any small gifts.

A miniature Sally Lunn's Bun or Roman Baths souvenir makes a sweet Bath touch.

Charge all devices

Remind everyone to charge phones, cameras and power banks.

You will want a full battery for navigating Bath on Google Maps.

Create a celebratory playlist

Curate music for the house and travel days.

Add a few quieter tracks for winding down after Thermae.

Remind guests about Bath's characteristics

Tell guests Bath is a walking city with narrow streets - comfortable shoes matter.

The Roman Baths and Royal Crescent are walkable from most central stays.

Prepare welcome packs

Put together a small pack for each guest - itinerary, treat and a local map.

A mini Bath Bun or a map marking The Makery adds a nice local detail.

Reconfirm dietary requirements with all venues

Send a final dietary and allergy list to every restaurant and caterer.

Confirm directly with Sotto Sotto or Green Park Brasserie for any serious allergies.

Download useful local apps

Suggest apps for taxis, maps and Bath attractions.

The V-Cars app speeds up taxi bookings around town.

Plan for last-minute guest changes

Have a contingency if someone drops out or numbers shift slightly.

Know Thermae and your accommodation cancellation policies before you book.

Check into accommodation

Collect keys and make sure the house is as expected.

Follow your host's key collection instructions to the letter.

Decorate the house

Set up balloons and any personalised touches in the living areas.

The main living room in a Georgian townhouse gives you the best impact.

Welcome guests

Greet arrivals at the house or Bath Spa station.

Help with directions or luggage from the station if you are central.

Plan taxis between venues

Coordinate taxis or walking routes so you hit every timing.

Book V-Cars if you are moving between venues outside the immediate centre.

Manage timings for spa treatments

Keep an eye on Thermae appointment times and get the group there on time.

Arrive a little early for changing and orientation.

Coordinate afternoon tea service

Liaise with the venue on arrival so service runs smoothly.

Confirm your table and any special requests at The Pump Room or The Ivy Bath Brasserie.

Oversee cocktail making class

Make sure everyone joins in at the cocktail masterclass.

The Botanist and Revolution Bath are most fun when the group gets involved.

Handle any unexpected issues

Sort small problems calmly - you have done the prep.

Keep Bath Tourism Plus and your accommodation host on speed dial.

Capture photos and videos

Encourage everyone to snap photos throughout the day.

Group shots at the Royal Crescent or Pulteney Bridge are worth the pause.

Ensure adherence to restaurant booking times

Get the group to dinner on time so your table is not given away.

Check in with Sotto Sotto or Green Park Brasserie when you arrive.

Manage the budget and track expenses

Keep a rough tally of spends so you stay on budget.

Note any spontaneous Milsom Street purchases as you go.

Ensure all guests are comfortable and enjoying themselves

Check in with quieter guests and make sure everyone feels included.

Build in rest stops - Bath's hills take it out of you.

Prepare for evening activities

Coordinate any outfit changes before evening plans.

For Bizarre Bath's ghost tour, everyone will want a warm layer after dark.

Distribute any hen party favors

Hand out goodie bags or favours when the moment feels right.

Small Bath-themed treats make good keepsakes.

Make the hen feel special

Keep the bride-to-be at the centre of the day.

A toast with local Bath gin at The Canary Gin Bar goes down well.

Final checks before heading out for evening

Make sure everyone has essentials and knows the evening plan.

Confirm late taxis with V-Cars if you are heading to George Street bars.

Arrange post-dinner drinks

Lead the group to a pre-picked bar for post-dinner drinks.

George Street and Milsom Street keep the evening going in Bath.