Hen Party Planning Checklist for London | 2026 Guide

Set the overall budget for the hen party, including trains to London.

Work out a realistic per-person figure covering trains to King's Cross or St Pancras, beds, activities, food and drink, and a buffer for service charges - then share it so everyone can commit.

Peak summer weekends and major events push London hotel prices up sharply, so budget extra if your dates clash with Wimbledon or a big West End run.

Compile the initial guest list and gather contact details.

Pull together your first guest list and grab phone numbers or emails so you can actually move on bookings.

Start a WhatsApp group now - you will be sharing Shoreditch bar ideas, brunch holds, and last-minute London updates all the way through.

Poll potential dates with key attendees.

Offer two or three weekend options that work for the bride and core group, checking London events that spike prices and crowd the centre.

Bank holiday weekends and Pride in early July fill Soho and Shoreditch fast - avoid them if you want easier restaurant holds.

Research accommodation options in London.

Look at city centre hotels, large apartments in Shoreditch or Covent Garden, and options near King's Cross depending on where you want to spend evenings.

Large group apartments in London often have strict noise rules and limited sofa beds - we would check Hen Hideaways early for hen-friendly places that fit your headcount.

Explore potential hen party activities tailored to London's vibe.

Shortlist London activities that fit your group - cocktail masterclasses, drag brunches, bottomless brunch, or something cultural to balance the party nights.

Cluster activities by neighbourhood - a Shoreditch masterclass pairs with a Hoxton bar crawl, while Covent Garden suits a smarter dinner-and-drinks plan.

Choose a theme or style for the hen party.

Pick a theme if it helps - full glam, retro, or something silly - so outfits and decorations have a direction.

For a glam theme, lean into Mayfair cocktail bars and smart brunch spots - Shoreditch works better for casual or creative themes.

Appoint a chief bridesmaid or lead organiser.

Give one person lead planner duties so vendors get clear answers and the group is not stuck in reply-all chaos.

This person will field calls from London activity operators and chase restaurant confirmations for your big Saturday table in Soho or Covent Garden.

Begin researching transport options to and within London.

Check train fares to King's Cross or St Pancras, flights to Heathrow or Gatwick, and Oyster or contactless caps for hopping between Shoreditch, Soho, and Mayfair.

Book trains to St Pancras in advance for better fares - the Elizabeth line links Heathrow if you are flying in.

Gather initial interest for specific London experiences.

Run a quick poll on what lands with the group - drag brunches, cocktail masterclasses, bottomless brunch - before you lock deposits.

Popular drag brunches in Shoreditch and Soho sell out six to twelve weeks ahead - check listings early if that is on your must-do list.

Consider potential evening locations by neighbourhood.

Decide whether you want Shoreditch independents, Soho's late bars, Covent Garden restaurants, or Mayfair cocktails - each feels different after 9pm.

Soho gets loud and packed on Saturday nights - brilliant for some groups, overwhelming for others, so match it to your bride.

Look into hen party packages offered by London operators.

Compare local hen party packages if you want someone else to stitch activities together - but read reviews before you pay.

Quality varies wildly across London operators - check TripAdvisor reviews and stick to properly licensed venues before you hand over a group deposit.

Estimate overall costs per person based on initial research.

Share a rough per-person total so guests can budget deposits and say yes with confidence.

Leave a small contingency for service charges of ten to fifteen percent on restaurant bills and spontaneous rounds in Soho.

Check for properly licensed London venues.

Stick to properly licensed bars and restaurants for peace of mind - especially when you are booking unfamiliar London spots online.

London borough councils publish licensed premises registers - handy for checking a place is legit before you pay a group deposit.

Discuss dietary requirements and allergies within the group.

Collect allergies and dietary needs now so every restaurant booking and brunch slot works for the full table.

London's food scene in Shoreditch and Covent Garden is generally accommodating - just tell venues when you book, not when you sit down.

Brainstorm unique London-specific activities.

Add one memorable London-only touch - a Thames boat trip, West End show, or street art wander through Shoreditch between the big nights out.

A cocktail masterclass in Shoreditch or a drag brunch in Soho gives you a proper London anchor without crossing three zones in one afternoon.

Plan how you will cluster the weekend by neighbourhood.

Sketch which days stay in Shoreditch, which move to Covent Garden or Mayfair, so you are not criss-crossing London in heels.

We group Friday in Shoreditch, Saturday dinner in Covent Garden, and Sunday brunch nearby - it saves tube time and keeps the group together.

Secure the primary accommodation.

Book your hotel or apartment with clear cancellation terms and headcount limits - London weekends move fast.

Large group apartments often struggle with check-in windows and noise rules - confirm sofa bed counts and party policies before you pay.

Book the main hen party activity.

Lock your headline activity with deposit paid - cocktail masterclass, drag brunch, or whatever anchors the weekend.

Book cocktail masterclasses and drag brunches six to twelve weeks ahead - popular Shoreditch and Soho slots vanish on peak Saturdays.

Make dinner reservations for key evenings.

Book Saturday dinner as soon as you have firm numbers - London's busiest restaurants fill tables weeks ahead for groups.

Covent Garden and Soho restaurants with live buzz suit big hen tables, or head to Mayfair if you want skyline views and a smarter dress code.

Arrange a bar crawl or nightlife itinerary by area.

Map a route through Shoreditch independents or plan Soho's late bars - do not assume you can walk in with twelve on a Saturday.

In Shoreditch, pre-plan stops so you are not queueing in the cold between bars - keep the crawl within one neighbourhood.

Book any specialist transport for activities.

Pre-book minicabs or multiple taxis if activities sit outside walking distance from your base.

Pre-book minicabs for late returns from Soho or Shoreditch - demand spikes after last orders and you do not want the group splitting up.

Secure a bottomless brunch spot for a daytime meal.

Reserve bottomless brunch for the morning after or a relaxed Saturday start - your future selves will thank you.

Bottomless brunch in Shoreditch and Covent Garden needs a booking weeks ahead for groups - walk-ins rarely fit ten-plus on a Saturday.

Confirm all guest numbers with booked venues.

Send final headcounts to accommodation, restaurants, and activity providers so nobody loses a group discount or table.

Double-check numbers with London operators - many venues charge per head for set menus, masterclasses, and drag brunches.

Book a drag brunch or themed night if desired.

Book drag brunch or a themed night if that is on the list - Shoreditch and Soho are built for it.

Drag brunches in east London and Soho run energetic Saturday slots - book six to twelve weeks ahead for peak dates.

Explore unique daytime activities, e.g., a life drawing class.

Slot in a creative daytime activity to break up the drinking - life drawing, workshop, or something low-key in your chosen neighbourhood.

Studios in Shoreditch run group life drawing sessions that pair well with a calm brunch before the big night out.

Finalise and distribute the detailed itinerary to all guests.

Share timings, addresses, contact numbers, and any dress codes so everyone has the plan on their phone.

Add pre-booked minicab numbers and tube lines for each day - essential for late-night pickups from Soho.

Set up a clear payment plan and collect deposits/final payments.

Set deposit deadlines and final payment dates so you are not chasing money the week before travel.

A group payment app keeps London booking splits transparent when twelve people owe different amounts.

Book a cocktail masterclass in your chosen neighbourhood.

Reserve a cocktail masterclass if that anchors your day - easier when it sits near your accommodation or dinner plan.

Shoreditch and Covent Garden both run strong masterclasses - pick one close to where you are staying so you are not racing across town.

Pre-order any drinks or decorations for the accommodation.

Arrange welcome drinks, balloons, or decorations to arrive at your apartment or hotel before the group.

Tesco or Sainsbury's deliver to central London postcodes if you are organising from home - useful for large apartment check-ins.

Book a private dining experience for a special meal.

Book a private room if budget allows - worth it for a special speech-and-toast dinner without shouting over the main room.

Mayfair and Covent Garden restaurants both do private dining that feels properly special for a hen meal - factor in ten to fifteen percent service.

Confirm all bookings via email and keep copies.

Keep email confirmations for every booking and screenshot anything booked through an app.

Cross-reference activity times with your neighbourhood plan - a 3pm masterclass in Shoreditch and 7pm dinner in Mayfair needs travel built in.

Sort Oyster cards or contactless travel for the group.

Decide whether everyone uses contactless or you load Oyster cards for the weekend - cap fares make zone hopping affordable.

Contactless daily caps beat multiple minicab fares when you are crossing from Shoreditch to Covent Garden in one afternoon.

Reconfirm all bookings and timings with venues.

Email or call accommodation, restaurants, and activity providers to confirm times and any special requests.

Reconfirm dietary needs directly with restaurant managers in Covent Garden or Soho - not just the online booking note.

Send out the final itinerary to all guests.

Send the definitive plan with meeting points, door codes, and who is collecting keys.

Pin accommodation, activity venues, and your best bars on a shared Google Map - London neighbourhoods are close on the tube but easy to mix up after dark.

Create a shared album for photos and videos.

Set up a WhatsApp album or shared folder so photos from the Shoreditch crawl and Covent Garden brunch land in one place.

Everyone uploads as they go - you will want those street art shots from Shoreditch in one album.

Pack essentials and any themed outfits/decorations.

Check themed outfits, sashes, and decorations are packed and will survive the train or car boot.

Glance at the London forecast - April showers and chilly evenings mean layers matter even for a glam Mayfair night.

Charge all electronic devices, including power banks.

Fully charge phones, cameras, and power banks - you will be filming, navigating, and splitting minicabs all weekend.

Leicester Square and Covent Garden get hectic - a dead phone is how you lose the group.

Plan welcome drinks and snacks for the accommodation.

Stock the apartment or hotel with fizz, mixers, and snacks for arrivals.

Grab local London gin or mix a themed cocktail for pre-drinks before you head to Shoreditch or Soho.

Check the local London weather forecast.

Check the forecast for outfit tweaks and any outdoor backup plans.

London weather turns quickly - a stylish rain mac beats soggy hen-party sashes in Covent Garden.

Assign small roles or responsibilities to bridesmaids.

Assign music, photographer, goodie bag captain, and minicab booker so one person is not doing everything.

Make someone taxi manager for pre-booked late-night returns from Soho or Shoreditch.

Prepare a small emergency kit.

Pack pain relief, plasters, safety pins, and anything the group might need at 2am.

Rehydration sachets in a hangover kit go down well after a big London Saturday.

Withdraw some cash for small expenses or tips.

Grab some cash for tips, street food, and smaller bars that prefer notes.

Some independent Shoreditch bars and market stalls still lean cash-friendly despite London being mostly card-first.

Brief the bride on any surprises.

Tell her anything she must know for timing - keep the fun surprises under wraps.

If you have booked a drag brunch as a surprise, check she is actually up for it first.

Review all payments and outstanding balances.

Chase outstanding balances so every booking is fully paid before you travel.

Send polite reminders three days before arrival - London activity operators rarely hold unpaid group slots.

Confirm tube routes and Oyster or contactless setup.

Skim the tube map so you know which lines link Shoreditch, Covent Garden, Soho, and Mayfair from your base.

The tube beats minicabs for daytime hops when you are too glam for a twenty-minute walk in heels - check weekend engineering works on TfL.

Print important booking confirmations.

Print or save offline copies of key bookings in case Wi-Fi or phone signal fails underground.

Useful for large apartment check-in near King's Cross or proving your booking at a busy Covent Garden brunch spot.

Prepare a fun playlist.

Build a pre-drinks playlist with bride favourites and a few London classics.

Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, and a bit of Spice Girls set the mood before you hit Shoreditch.

Reconfirm pre-booked minicabs for late nights.

Call your minicab firm to double-check pickup times and addresses for Saturday night returns.

Pre-book minicabs an hour before you need them from Soho - ranks empty fast after midnight and surge pricing hurts.

Meet guests at designated London arrival points.

Agree a meeting point at King's Cross, St Pancras, or straight at accommodation.

St Pancras main concourse is the easiest central meet-up if everyone is coming by train from the north or Europe.

Check into the accommodation.

Collect keys, bag-drop, and make sure everyone knows the address and door code.

Large group apartments often use off-site key boxes or strict check-in windows - confirm instructions before you travel.

Decorate the accommodation.

Hang balloons, banners, and themed bits while the bride is still en route.

If you grabbed extras from a nearby shop in Shoreditch or Covent Garden, now is the time to make the place feel like a hen.

Distribute goodie bags or hen party props.

Hand out sashes, props, and small gifts as people arrive.

A small London token in the bags makes a sweet keepsake alongside the usual hen props.

Start pre-drinks with fun cocktails.

Start with drinks at the apartment or hotel before you head out - keeps the group together.

Try a classic London gin cocktail before the Shoreditch crawl or Soho night out.

Stick to the planned itinerary as much as possible.

Keep an eye on the clock so you do not lose your dinner table, drag brunch slot, or masterclass time.

Build extra travel time between neighbourhoods - tubes and minicabs slow down on busy Saturday evenings.

Ensure everyone is having fun and feels included.

Check quieter guests are in the mix, not stuck at the edge of a big group night.

Suggest pairing up for a quick drink at different Shoreditch bars so the group mingles.

Take lots of photos and videos.

Nominate a photographer and get everyone else to snap candids too.

Shoreditch street art and Covent Garden's market make the best backdrop - plan one group shot before the cocktails kick in.

Handle any unexpected issues calmly and efficiently.

Stay calm if a booking glitches or someone loses a jacket - fix it and move on.

Your booking emails and pre-booked minicab numbers are your backup if a venue disputes your reservation.

Manage safe travel between venues.

Move as a group between venues, especially when you are crossing busy Soho on a Saturday night.

Confirm pre-booked minicabs for late Soho returns and agree nobody leaves alone.

Stay hydrated throughout the day and night.

Alternate water with cocktails - London nights are long and you have bottomless brunch tomorrow.

Bars in Mayfair and Covent Garden will pour tap water if you ask.

Organise a late-night snack stop.

Plan a post-club food stop so the group does not melt down on the minicab home.

Late takeaways around Soho and Shoreditch cover the classic post-night-out feed.

Collect any remaining payments or expenses.

Settle any last shared minicab fares or activity splits before everyone scatters.

Your group payment app saves awkward maths outside a Soho bar at 1am - remember service charges on the final restaurant bill too.

Ensure minicabs are ready for late-night returns.

Reconfirm pre-booked pickups an hour before you need them.

Call your minicab firm to double-check your Soho or Shoreditch pickup time before last orders.

Keep track of the group, especially in crowded areas.

In packed Soho bars, agree a meeting spot outside before you go in.

Popular Shoreditch and Soho spots get rammed on Saturdays - pick a landmark outside as your regroup point.

Tap in and out correctly on the tube.

Make sure everyone touches in and out with Oyster or contactless so you are not overcharged or stopped at barriers.

Stand on the right on escalators and let people off the train first - small things that keep a big hen group moving smoothly.