If you are lucky enough to be planning your best friends Hen party or the bridezilla in you has taken over the planning on your special weekend then why waste your time thinking about heading anywhere else other than The Cotswolds!

Cotswold Country ladies pursuit  

You are staying in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and here in Notgrove we are lucky enough to be a part of the jigsaw that makes the stunning scenery.

So you have arrived at one of our warm, welcoming barns which are perfect for accommodating your group of excited hens. It is a Friday evening and you have driven straight from work. Why not crack open that bottle The perfect Cotswold Hen weekend

of fizz, light the wood burner, pull on your welly socks and waxed jacket and gather your group ready for your march down to our local country pub The Plough Inn at Cold Aston. Here you can enjoy the first delicious meal of your break, get merry with the locals and have a giggle with your gaggle.

The morning has arrived of the main day. You all wake up fresh and raring to go. Now it is time to ‘get the look’ before your afternoons activities. Where best to go and get suitably ‘cotswolded up’ but Stow on the Wold. You could have brunch in one of Stow’s finest tea rooms. Huffkins, The Old Bakery, New England Coffee House and Lucy’s Tea rooms are just a few to name. All delicious. Then wander round for a bit of retail therapy so that you now look like a lady who lunches. You must head to The Cotswold Tweed Co where you will find capes, jackets, bags even keyrings. All with a touch of tweed or faux fur. Another fabulous shop to browse is Mangan and Webb country clothing and to finish your outfit off with a touch of vintage class ‘As long as it sparkles’ will most definitely provide. There are also some wonderful shops you would even be able to find your dress for the wedding day – The Cotswold Frock shop and The LBD Boutique!

Off we go now for some typical country outdoor pursuits. The Cotswold Shooting Ground based near Broadway offers you a great day of clay pigeon shooting. You can breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the views and get your adrenalin pumping (maybe even pretend one of the clays is the ‘in laws’). After your day of exhausting activities you could head into the picturesque old market town of Broadway for some well-earned supper at Russell’s of Broadway.

If shooting isn’t your cup of tea you will really be able to appreciate the idyllic countryside by going off and doing some horse riding. We are lucky to have two very good riding stables near us with fantastic hacking. Jill Carenza Equestrian Ltd are based in Stanton, a superb little village with an equally spectacular village pub ‘The Mount’ at the top of the village which has views to die for. Also just down the road from us is Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre which will take you off all around the Slaughters.

On the Sunday if you are still full of energy you could venture to Far Peak for some climbing and bouldering. Or have a day playing golf at Naunton Downs Golf club followed by lunch in The Black Horse and a walk back home to Notgrove.

Culture and Relaxation

This may be all too much for you and your party of hens. In which case maybe having a few pamper treatments at your own barn may suit. A massage, manicure or even facial. All of which can be done at base by Verity from Beautylicious. This could then set you up for a cultured evening at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham or a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon.

We have so many lovely walks around Notgrove to keep you busy and if you didn’t fancy heading too far away from your hen party home we can even organise dinner parties. So you really can pop your feet up and relax with your nearest and dearest.