After years of reading checkout feedback and post-weekend emails, I can tell you the two items hen groups most often wish they had packed: flip flops for the hot tub, and paracetamol. Not the fairy lights. Not the personalised tote bags. Flip flops and paracetamol. Activity groups average 16 people with a range of 10 to 24 in Butlers in the Buff’s booking records, and at that size someone always forgets something – the trick is making sure it is not something that matters.
What actually gets used
The honest list: a warm layer for the garden (British evenings do not care that it is June), swimwear, comfortable shoes for the walk to the pub, an eye mask if you are sharing a twin, and twice as many phone chargers as feels reasonable. Nobody has ever regretted packing a second phone charger. If your weekend is somewhere like Brighton with a proper night out planned, add the going-out outfit – but one, not four. You will wear one.
The shared kit, done once
The clever move for a group of 13 (the typical hen party size, per GoHen 2025–26) is a shared kit list so a hen party house weekend does not generate 13 Bluetooth speakers and zero corkscrews. One speaker, one deck of cards, one first-aid kit, one person on decorations, one on the quiz. With weekends typically running £250–£450 per person (GoHen), duplicating kit is money the group has already spent better elsewhere.
What to leave at home
Heels for a countryside house with a gravel drive. Anything requiring an iron. The fourth outfit option. And, controversially, the giant inflatable – it takes forty minutes to blow up, features in two photos, and spends the rest of the weekend dying slowly in a corner of the lounge.
My honest tip: assign the shared kit to two named people, not the group chat. “Someone bring a speaker” means nobody brings a speaker. “Sarah brings the speaker, Amy brings the chargers and the paracetamol” means the weekend works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring banners, balloons, bunting, fairy lights, and personalised items like a bride-to-be sash and veil. Check the property's policy on confetti before packing it — some properties charge extra for confetti cleanup.
The MOH should carry an emergency kit with paracetamol, plasters, blister pads, safety pins, a portable charger, cash, and all booking reference numbers. An offline copy of all booking confirmations is essential — don't rely on mobile signal in rural locations.
Most group houses provide basic kitchen equipment, bedding, and towels. They rarely provide food, toiletries, decorations, or entertainment. Always check the property listing for exactly what's included, and confirm hot tub availability and any additional charges before booking.
Popular hen party games include dare card sets, prosecco pong, Mr & Mrs quizzes, bingo with hen-themed forfeits, and Who's Most Likely To. Bring a backup of printed games in case the wifi is unreliable. For interactive activities, book a cocktail masterclass or life drawing session through our experiences partners.
Absolutely — a good waterproof bluetooth speaker is one of the most important things to pack. Pre-download playlists before you travel as rural properties often have poor mobile signal. A waterproof model is best if you're using it near a hot tub or pool.
Pack swimwear, plastic champagne flutes (glass is not allowed in most hot tubs), flip flops, towelling robes or large towels, and a waterproof bluetooth speaker. Matching swimwear for the group is a popular hen party tradition — organise this in advance.
