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You are here: Things to Do > Weekend Escapes > Hen Weekends
Gloucester has a charm to it unlike any other city and because of this, it’s a great destination to make memories with your squad as they approach one of the biggest days of their life. Hen dos are special moments of connection; in some ways they are an act of saying goodbye to one phase of your life as you move into another. As such, you need a destination that can help you bring out the best experiences. Gloucester is that destination. What might make it even better is splitting your time between Gloucester and Cheltenham, both very different vibes, and only a short distance apart. Why not get the best of both worlds with a ‘Twin Destination Do’!
Friday evening in Gloucester
We recommend you and your entourage check in at the Mercure Bowden Hall Hotel before heading into the city for the evening. Bowden Hall Hotel is a stunning Georgian Stucco Mansion surrounded by its own stunningly landscaped gardens. It’s a majestic spot for you to spend time and relax with your best pals before the big day.
Once you’ve glammed appropriately for the night, it's time to head into the city (Andy’s Cars can help you get to and from the hotel, and they even do chauffeur driven limousines if you want to arrive in style!). Time to indulge in something Gloucester does best – food!
Here are just a few of suggestions to try some of the different food offerings in Gloucester.
Stylish Luxury – Settebello, Spago and Portivo Lounge
Unique and oh so cool! – Greek on the Docks, Tigers Eye and Bangkok Canteen
Crowd Pleasers – Robert Raikes’, Miller and Carter, Topoly’s Italian
Saturday morning in Gloucester
A leisurely start to the day is recommended, but not too leisurely as there are lots of things that you don’t want to miss out on whilst you are here! If you didn’t tick breakfast with your room, don’t worry as there are plenty of amazing breakfast options in the city. If you want something on the go, we recommend Jane’s Pantry, or firm staff favourite The Knobby Cob. Both are known for stuffing baps full of delicious breakfast items, and for helping keep your purse a bit healthier too! If you’d like something where you can sit and natter, we highly recommend Jamaica Blue on Eastgate Street. It serves the strongest and tastiest coffee we’ve found in the city and is perfect for shoring up any sore heads from the night before! If sugar is needed to kickstart the day, they serve banana bread warm with cream and a chocolate drizzle.
After breakfast, it’s time to meander the Gate Streets down to the Cathedral. If you have the time and the interest, it's worth booking a private tour to really appreciate the majesty of this incredible building. We highly recommend a tour which includes the library - the space and the history of that area is breathtaking.
Saturday afternoon in Gloucester
After experiencing the Cathedral, it has to be time for a coffee stop. We recommend putting lots of pit stops in to your day, and for coffee and cake, the choices are endless! Clementines, located just on the corner of Westgate Street and College Green, is an excellent choice and their crepes are not to be missed. Another very good choice near to our second destination is Bake and Brew, just at the entrance to Gloucester Quays.
Gloucester is known as a shopping destination, from the large number of small independents through to larger chains, and no trip to the city would be complete without a spot of shopping. Gloucester Quays is a great place to start. With up 70% off the RRP from big brands like Tommy Hilfiger and All Saints, it’s time to indulge in some retail therapy If you're on a budget, why not hit up Gloucester’s charity shops, and challenge each other to find the wackiest outfit?!
As an alternative to lunch, we suggest having an indulgent afternoon tea – there are two fabulous options for this. For a completely bespoke experience, you could hire a room at Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester Guildhall, or even aboard Sabrina at the National Waterways Museum, and invite chef extraordinaire Sue from Naked Tartufi to create you a sensational afternoon tea made with all locally-sourced ingredients. Sue will even talk you through the provenance of her menus. The other option in the city is Lily’s Tea Room whose freshly baked scones, homemade cakes, and hand-carved bread will not disappoint the carb lovers out there! This will also fuel you up for our next activity... It's time to get crafty!
There are many options for bringing out your creative side in Gloucester, whether you want an art party with Mad About Art in one of Gloucester’s green spaces (in front of Llanthony Secunda Priory is one of our favourites), or a 'Paint and Sip' evening with Brush Party. Both options sure to illicit a few giggles and we all know laughter is good for the soul.
Saturday evening in Gloucester
As the sun is getting low in the sky, we can recommend ending your day with something truly magical; a dusk paddleboard session with Discover Paddling. Led by ex-Olympic Kayaker Mike, you will be in very good hands! You can choose one of two locations for this, and both are pretty special. The backdrop of Gloucester Docks is something not to be missed. Glide up alongside SULA, the only stay-aboard historic Lightship in the UK, or you can head towards T. Nielsen & Company and see what incredible ship is in the Dry Dock being given some TLC.
After this, it’s time to shower and put on your glad rags for dinner. For today's dinner location, we suggest the stunning Settebello Trattoria. Known for its pizza, pasta, wine and cocktails, it's easy to plan on just going for dinner but end up spending the evening. After dinner and a few drinks, we recommend catching some live music in the city (another of the things Gloucester is well-known for). Head to Gloucester Guildhall for more well-known names, or to Café Rene for undiscovered talent. After that, it's back to the welcoming Bowden Hall Hotel for bedtime.
If you're not quite ready to end the evening though, here are a few recommendations for where you can carry on the party:
Cocktails – Spago, Coal Kitchen and Cocktail Bar
Wine – Cote, The Med, Dr Fosters, Tank
Laid-back – Robert Raikes, The Fountain, The Pelican, Warehouse Four
Sunday morning in Cheltenham
Having had a jam-packed day on Saturday, you will likely be in need of a quieter day on Sunday! We suggest heading over to Cheltenham, just a 10-minute train journey away from Gloucester. Cheltenham is the UK's most complete Regency town and is full of striking Regency architecture, so it is well worth exploring. If you want to learn more about Cheltenham while you explore, we recommend a guided walking tour with Around Cheltenham or, for a more theatrical experience, Cheltenham Promenaders. If you want to explore in a slightly speedier fashion, why not hire bikes from The Bicycle Hub?
Sunday afternoon in Cheltenham
After all that exploring, it's time for lunch! We would recommend KIBOU, a Japanese hot kitchen and bar that showcases the melting pot of Japanese cuisines found in Tokyo, or Pho, which serves great value, healthy Vietnamese street food that is cooked fresh daily.
Once you've refuelled, we suggest that you finish of your weekend with some well-needed rest and relaxation, and go for a spa afternoon. Just what is needed after a full-on weekend! Our recommendations are Cowley Manor C-Side Spa, The Greenway Hotel & Spa, or Ellenborough Park Spa.
Feeling rejuventated at the end of the afternoon, it's time to head home with a whole host of amazing memories.
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