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Oxford Hen Party Activities
A hen do in Oxford promises a stunning backdrop and fascinating history, and those fun-loving students make sure you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to partying.
46 activities found in Oxford Hen Parties
Oxford Hen Parties
There’s so much to see and do on an Oxford hen party, whether you’re a culture vulture or a party lover. This quintessentially English city, affectionately known as the City of Dreaming Spires, boasts 1,500 listed buildings from every major period of British architectural history. The town’s appearance wouldn’t be out of place in a Disney or Harry Potter film as the old town centre is like an enchanted fairy-tale city.
What to Expect During a Hen Party in Oxford
As the city is heavily influenced by historic culture, it seems fitting that there are various tours you can take part in during your hen do in Oxford. These will take you round all of the oldest and most pertinent landmarks. You’re allowed to wander round the university buildings without guidance. Though it’s fair to say, if you’re interested and wish to learn all the gruesome details of England’s bloody history then it is best to get a tour guide.
However, Oxford is so much more than the university, stifling lecture rooms and snap-happy tourists. There’s still a rich nightlife scene to explore and we have some unique day time activities to help you and the girls really let your hair down. So even if university and school are a distant memory to you, you can still come to Oxford for its eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants.
Being a student town, it’s no surprise that Oxford has its fair share of hen night friendly pubs, bars and clubs. Trust us, behind that posh and appropriate exterior is a fun town that really loves to party! Filled with sophisticated bars and restaurants and some of the best cocktail bars in the country, you really will be spoilt for choice in this glamorous city.
Outdoor Hen Do Activities in Oxford
Shake off the cobwebs with a fun outdoor activity during your Oxford hen do. There’s loads of choice if you want to breathe in that fresh air while letting your hair down, from the zorb-based Bubble Mayhen to the retro School Sports Day. Take a look at our full activity listings to see what takes your fancy.
Oxford Hen Do FAQs
Why is Oxford good for a hen party?
Oxford is a fabulous choice for a hen party with its huge range of activities plus history, culture and fun nightlife. You can take a punt along the River Cherwell or explore the famous colleges before heading to one of the city’s trendy cocktail bars or restaurants. A big bit of Oxford’s charm lies in its combination of scenic beauty and lively atmosphere. These students know how to party!
Which famous attractions can we visit?
You can’t miss a visit to the iconic Radcliffe Camera or take a tour around the University of Oxford’s colleges. For a more leisurely activity, punting on the River Cherwell is a great way to enjoy the scenic surroundings. The Bodleian Library is another must-see and, if you're up for some history, the Ashmolean Museum is fascinating. The Covered Market is also perfect for shopping and grabbing a local treat.
What are the best areas of Oxford for a hen night out?
For a fun night out, start in the city centre with its big range of pubs, bars and clubs. Here, you can even find rooftop bars with gorgeous views. If you're after a more lively atmosphere for your hen night in Oxford, head to Cowley Road for buzzing pubs, bars and live music venues. George Street is another great spot for a mix of bars and restaurants, perfect for getting the party started. You’re in for an epic night out!
What are the most popular hen party activities in Oxford?
Cocktail making classes, punting on the river and spa days are some of the top choices. You can also enjoy a classic afternoon tea or a themed dance class where you can boogie on down to the best hits from ABBA, Britney, Spice Girls, Beyonce and more. For something more active, Oxford has escape rooms and treasure hunts through the city’s historic streets. No matter what vibe you’re after, there’s loads here to keep everyone entertained.
Can we go punting for a hen party in Oxford?
Yes, punting is a quintessential Oxford hen experience and a fun way to enjoy the city with your group. You can hire a punt and either row yourselves or get a professional to do it while you relax and enjoy the ride. It’s a peaceful activity perfect for the daytime and you can even bring along some bubbles to toast the bride-to-be as you glide along the river.
How easy is it to get to Oxford from other cities?
Oxford is well connected to major UK cities by train and road, making it easy to reach for a hen party. Trains from London take just over an hour, while services from Birmingham take around one and a half hours. If you're coming by car, the M40 provides easy access and there are park-and-ride services to avoid city-centre traffic. Coaches also run from cities like Manchester and Bristol, offering affordable travel options.
The Top 10 Oxford Hen Party Activities
If you and the rest of the girls are all about cocktails, then why not get yourselves booked in for this boozy activity that will not only see you drinking cocktails, but making them too! We’ve got a great selection of classes available with something for everyone, including mobile cocktail making experiences! With our offered mobile sessions, you’ll enjoy the same, professional experience, just in the comfort of your own home or hired accommodation in Oxford. The activity will be hosted by an expert mixologist, who will teach you how to create a variety of impressive concoctions. If you’re looking to master the basics of some of the most popular cocktails around, then the Tipsy cocktail class is for you. But if you want to try something different, then how about a tropical or molecular themed masterclass?
If you ladies fancy a quirky activity that’s more than a little bit cheeky, you’ve got to try hen party life drawing in Oxford. It takes place in a private room in a city centre venue where you’ll be greeted by your dedicated art tutor. They’ll be your guide through the world of nude life drawing, giving you handy hints and tips to help you create a masterpiece. They’ll also introduce the fully naked, professional, male model. He’ll de-robe and pose for you to draw every detail, little and large (ahem!).
Looking for an activity that will get you and the rest of the hens bonding and working together as a team? If so, one of Oxford’s top escape games is for you! You’ll head to a great venue in the city, where you’ll take on one of the themed rooms. You’ll have just one hour to escape, so there’s no time to dawdle. It’s all about quick thinking and using your logic as you put your heads together in order to crack clues and solve a series of puzzles. These escape games will see you enter an alternate universe, but just how long will it take you to escape and get back to reality?
Possibly one of the most British things you can do in Oxford ever, and we absolutely love it! After all, what’s better than good company, gorgeous scenic views and a delicious glass of Pimms each? This one hour cruise includes your very own skipper and will see you and the rest of the hen party enjoy a relaxing trip down the city’s rivers. You’ll float past loads of iconic sights, including the Regatta Course and the University Boathouse, and don’t forget about the stunning local wildlife too that you'll spot! This is a great way to spend a summer afternoon and the perfect way for the hen to unwind away from all that wedding stress!
Ready for some competitive action? Look no further than this hilarious bubble mayhen experience! This activity will see you and your hens each climbing into giant inflatable zorbs which will send you bumping, rolling and flying around a football pitch. The zorbs will cover your entire body, leaving just your legs dangling out at the bottom as you attempt to keep your balance and kick a real football. A referee will be on site to instruct you through challenges, games and forfeits. Trust us, you’ll be in fits of giggles by the end!You just can’t beat a cheeky butler experience for an Oxford hen do; it’s one that’ll be sure to surprise the bride-to-be and give her a lovely bit of eye candy before she walks down the aisle. This experience will take place in your home or hired accommodation in Oxford and will see a completely gorgeous hunk visit you all for two hours. He’ll wait on you hand and foot and will serve drinks and food, host brilliant party games and most importantly of all, pose for photos. Oh, and he will just be wearing his cheeky butler attire which consists of cuffs, bowtie and a rather naughty bottom bearing apron. Get ready to blush!
During your Oxford hen weekend, you've got to let your hair down, so a burlesque dance class is a must! Learn to swing, shake and twirl your hips to the music as you hold feather fans and move your feet. A professional instructor will be there to teach you the classic steps and make sure you truly get into the swing of things. There'll be a warm up and a warm down along with plenty of time to practise. You don't need any previous experience, just a willingness to have fun and enjoy the hen's last weekend of freedom!Hey all you chocoholics! We’ve got the perfect hen activity for you with this fun and interactive chocolate making experience. During your session, you and the rest of the girls will learn how to mould, cut, dip and decorate your very own sweet treats! You’ll be taught all the secrets and top techniques by a master chocolatier (what a job!) who will guide you through the processes every step of the way! Everything needed will be provided for the session, so just bring yourselves along on the day and prepare to get your hands messy. Afterwards, you can either gift a loved one with your confectionary creations, or scoff the lot yourselves. We know what we’d rather choose!
Head back to the wonder years with this brilliantly bonkers school sports day experience in Oxford! Whether you were a firm fan of all things sports day or detested it as a kid, one thing’s for sure - you’ll have a hilarious time with your mates as adults! You’ll be split into teams and given colourful headbands and bibs to wear to really get into the spirit of things. From here, you’ll get stuck into a whole range of retro games, including the three-legged race, the egg and spoon race and even the one where you balance a bean bag on your head. Ready to take a trip down memory lane and get all nostalgic with this fun school sports day experience? We thought so!
Unleash your inner pink lady or T-bird with this Grease dance class in Oxford! This one’s perfect if the bride-to-be and her squad are huge fans of the musical, and you can even come to the session in fancy dress! Get set to learn a show stopping routine to some of the hit songs from this iconic movie, as taught to you by a professional and friendly dance instructor. They’ll teach you all kinds of great moves such as the hand jive, the T-Bird Trot, The Sandra Dee Sway and plenty more. Don’t worry if you’ve got two left feet, because your instructor will break the routine down into nice, easy chunks that everyone will be able to master. There’ll be plenty of time to practise before you perform the choreography in full at the end of the class - just make sure you grab some pics!Reviews for Oxford hen activities
Nude Life Drawing with a Male Model
Mark the model was absolutely brilliant and made us all feel relaxed right from the outset. The class had just the right balance of fun and actual tutoring and Mark kept us smiling the whole way through. The customer service was amazing - shout out to Heath who helped me with all my questions and sent someone to find us when we couldn't work out where to go.
Alice Redfearn
Fun Treasure Hunt with Cryptic Clues
Really good fun and, even having lived in Oxford 10 years, I saw things and places I'd never seen. The clues were stretching (even for residents!) But not to the point of despair - the right balance. One suggestion would be to have an app with notifications. Also allow joint submissions / credit. However a great way to spend my 40th. Fantastic in fact! 😁
Tim Patmore
Pimms Cruise
We had an amazing time. From the moment we got on to the when we git off. The driver was great fun and put up with a mad hen do. Woyld do this again. Thank you
Karen Kidd
Fun facts
Did you know?
- The University of Oxford is the second oldest university is the world.
- Oxford has more published authors per square mile than anywhere else on Earth.
- Harry Potter actress Emma Watson studied at Oxford’s Dragon and Headington School.
- Another wizarding world fact, rooms in the Divinity School and the Great Staircase at Christ Church College featured in the Harry Potter films.
- The name ‘Oxford’ comes from ‘Oxanforda’ which is a type of cattle crossing.
- Every summer, rivals Trinity College and Balliol College come together to have a tortoise race. Whoever’s tortoise reaches the lettuce first wins.
- The charity Oxfam was founded in Oxford in 1942.
- The word ‘snob’ originated here, originally meaning ‘without nobility.’
- The Museum of History of Science is the world’s oldest public museum, opening in 1683.
- Up until 200 years ago, the only subject you could study at the University of Oxford was religion.
- You can find the wooden ‘Narnia Door’ near the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
- No female students were allowed at the University of Oxford until 1878.
- Oxford’s Botanical Garden is the oldest in the world, founded in 1621.
- Alice in Wonderland was actually based on a real girl called Alice Liddell, the daughter of one of CS Lewis’ friends.
- The Holywell Music Room is the oldest music performance hall in Europe, founded in 1748.
Oxford in numbers
- The University of Oxford is widely known as one of the best universities in the world. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it was ranked number one in 2017 and 2018.
- 27 British prime ministers studied in Oxford.
- The basement of Blackwells Bookshop boasts the world’s biggest bookshop with three miles of shelves and more than 150,000 books.
- Another fact for book lovers, Bodleian library stores more than seven million books.
- Oxford University students have won over 150 Olympic gold medals.
- Roger Bannister, an Oxford University student, was the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes.
- There are more than 1,500 listed buildings in the city. See how many you can spot on your hen weekend in Oxford.
- The first ever cups of coffee in England were served at The Grand Café.
- Carfax Tower is the tallest building here at 74ft.
- In Clarendon Laboratory, there’s a battery that’s lasts for more than 175 years.
Local Celebs
Celebrities who were born or studied here include theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, tennis player Tim Henman, Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, reality star Jamie Laing and authors JRR Tolkien, Lewis Carrol and CS Lewis. The bands Radiohead and Supergrass were also formed in the city.
Food and Drink
A meal out is a great way to slow down the pace of your Oxford hen weekend, helping you to spend quality time together over good food while the conversation and drinks flow. From Michelin starred restaurants to cheap, quick takeaways, there’s something to tempt everyone’s taste buds in this city.
Activities for Foodie Hen Parties in Oxford
Why not combine your love of food with a fun activity? If you and your best gals want to indulge your sweet tooth, then a chocolate making class during your hen weekend in Oxford is the activity for you. You’ll each learn to mold, cut and decorate your own delectable chocolate truffles. A professional chocolatier will teach you some tasty tips and tricks and you’ll take your homemade creations home at the end. You could save them and give them away as a gift to your loved ones or, more likely, scoff them all back at the hotel!
76 Saint Clement's Street, Oxford, Ox4 1a
Get ready for a fabulous explosion of flavours and spicey cocktails at The Coconut Tree in Oxford. This popular eatery boasts an eclectic menu of Sri Lankan street food. You can try an assortment of dishes including spicy cheese cubes, pineapple curry, slow-cooked pork belly and coconut milk pancakes. Wash it all down with some mouth-watering cocktails and get in the mood to party with the lively atmosphere. You won’t be disappointed!
Colombia Coffee Roasters, 106-107, The Covered Market, OX1 3DY
Coffee lovers rejoice! Colombia Coffee Roasters in Oxford is here for all your caffeine needs and is a popular choice with locals and travellers alike. Whether you want a pick-me-up during a day of shopping or need a little help the morning after the night before, this independent café is the ideal place for you and your hens to put your feet up and people watch from the window.
Bottomless brunch in Oxford is a brilliant choice for a hen party, offering a laid-back vibe with a fun twist. With unlimited drinks like prosecco or cocktails flowing for up to two hours, it's the perfect way to kick off celebrations and get everyone in the mood. Oxford's chic venues deliver tasty brunch classics alongside bottomless tipples so whether you're a fan of full English breakfasts, avocado on toast, eggs benedict or burgers, there's something for everyone. It’s all about laughter and setting the scene for a fab day with the bride-to-be.
Oxford Nightlife
As Oxford is home to many of the world's smartest students, it seems fitting that the city has great pubs, bars and clubs for them all to hang out in and discuss the latest political forecast. So, Oxford isn’t all brains, it still seriously delivers with its nightlife. There are many, quaint little pubs and bars with higgledy-piggledy seating arrangements and wonky beams so you can get a real feel of the city’s history during your Oxford hen night.
Cantay House, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JD
Oxford is not short of nightclubs and after Atik’s refurbishment, you can now enjoy five glorious rooms that’ll see you dancing the night away. From the 80s to the 90s, to R7B and hip hop, there’s no shortage of music. You can expect DJs, sweaty dance floors, cocktail areas and VIP lounges.
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a wine connoisseur, you’ll want to check out The Oxford Wine Café. This late-night bar hosts a vast array of tasty tipples along with regular event nights including wine and cheese Wednesdays, The Big Quiz and wine tastings. You can try a wine cocktail, tasty bar snacks or a simple cup of tea. There’s something here for everyone!
6-9 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, OX1 2EW
Another one of Oxford’s popular nightclubs is The Bridge. Aside from the main dance floor, you’ll find the urban room, VIP lounge and garden area for when you want to break away from the crowds. You can book a VIP booth and package or simply rock up and get the party started!
56 Walton Street, Jericho, OX2 6AE
If you enjoy your rock n’ roll, you’ll want to head to The Jericho where you’ll find a lively bar with regular band nights hosted throughout the week. A little bit vintage, and a little rough around the edges, this bar is the perfect place to let your hair down and enjoy some live music during your hen do in Oxford.
The Best Time to Visit Oxford
There’s always something going on in this city. Rich in history and culture, you’ll never be far from an exhibition or quirky food stall. To get you started, here are a few events you might enjoy and may help you decide when to book your hen party in Oxford.
Oxford Fashion Week
Fashionistas will be pleased to hear that March and October are host to Oxford Fashion Week where you’ll see the work of a big range of designers who flock to the city to show off amongst the trend-setters. It’s a generally fun time to visit the city with a general buzz everywhere you go.
Oxford International Women's Festival
Oxford’s International Women’s Festival also takes place in March with a diverse programme of walks, talks, debate, screenings and workshops in a range of venues, most of which are free to attend.
Alice's Day
Each year, the first Saturday of July celebrates the CS Lewis classic book with Alice’s Day. Expect loads of Alice-themed events and activities for all ages throughout the cities that bring the book to life including parades, tea parties, theatre performances, croquet, workshops and more.
Foodies Festival
The Foodies Festival takes place every August and is a must visit for any food lovers on a hen do in Oxford. There’ll be live cooking demonstrations from Masterchef and the Great British Bake Off plus free food and drink samples, competitions, challenges and musical performances from bands and soloists.
Getting around
Getting to Your Oxford Hen Do
Being such an exclusive university, it’s hardly a surprise that the area has direct connections to London Paddington Birmingham New Street and other popular destination. So, wherever you’re coming from, a hen do in Oxford is a pretty painless commute.
Getting Around During Your Oxford Hen Do
The Visitor Information Centre sells maps and guidebooks, so you can go and explore the city on foot or by bike if you want to! The students love their bikes and it’s one of the few cities in the UK with a unique bike sharing programming.
These Mobikes could be a great way to get around or simply a fun activity to burn a few hours and calories from all that prosecco! The city is also served well by buses and taxis will always be readily available after a night out, though if your accommodation is near the centre of town, it’s unlikely that you will need to book one, as everything is an easy walk away on an Oxford hen do, making it ideal for a bar crawl.
However, after partying hard and dancing ‘til the early hours on that infamous last night of freedom, you might want to give your tootsies a rest and hop in a cab, especially if you’re wearing high heels. No judgement from us whatsoever.
Fancy a Hen Party in Oxford?
This historic British city pairs beauty, brains, culture, nightlife and loads of fun things to do for a last day of freedom that the bride-to-be will cherish forever. For more hen party ideas in Oxford, check out our full activity listings now.
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