A hen do is the ultimate in pre-wedding celebrations – commonly involving shots, strippers, and singing – as the bride-to-be kicks back with her loved ones for the last time before she’s finally married!
Yet some blushing brides-to-be are calmer souls who prefer deep conversation and the Great Outdoors to shouty bars and dance floors. The recent ‘Zen Do’ trend reflects this preference in spades, swapping raucous parties for wellness-focused celebrations designed to relax and revive.
We’ve picked some of our favourite settings for Zen Dos with a touch of the unusual, such as on-site animal experiences and creative workshops, morning yoga and wild spas, and stargazing hot tubs. Each one comes with a personal description from the lovely owners, while some also come with an indication of group size, to help your planning process nicely along.
Each Zen Do retreat also aids deep immersion in nature, whether surrounded by trees and wildflowers or within reach of breezy coastal paths. Bathed in tranquillity and pure natural beauty, these settings inspire meaningful, memorable celebrations that won’t get lost in hazy hangovers.
Oh, and the bride-to-be is bound to feel (and look!) radiant and refreshed, ready to embark on her new married life with ease.
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: El Caracol, Spain
Launceston, Cornwall, England
Luxury glamping pods set under the starry skies of Bodmin Moor, with a wild spa on site and the scenic backdrop of Cornwall's ‘Peaceful Valley' to keep you company.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2/4/8 per unit
(up to 24 guests) Our beautiful pods sit in peaceful Cornish countryside with idyllic views, just a short hop from the stunning North Coast. Enjoy access to our Wild Spa, wake up to local produce breakfast hampers delivered to your door, and spend evenings making pizzas together in our wood-fired oven.
Buckland Abbey, Devon, England
Experience a luxury shepherd's hut break in the great outdoors, with opulent al-fresco accommodation in the Tamar Valley's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the National Trust Buckland Abbey Estate.
Bedrooms: 1 per hut
Sleeps: 2 per hut
(up to 12 guests) Our nature-immersive luxury cabins come with the option to add our boutique Grade II-listed home, which includes a dedicated yoga studio. Guests can enjoy deep rest, nourishing stillness, and beautiful communal spaces ideal for retreats, circles and slow celebrations.
Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Simplicity, adventure, and beautiful outdoor living - that's what you'll find at fforest farm.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
(from 4 to 24 guests) Surrounded by West Wales’ wild landscapes, we have the perfect balance of calm, space, and inspiration. Guests can gather in cosy communal areas, unwind in wood-fired hot tubs or saunas, move mindfully with yoga or breathwork, and immerse themselves in nature.
Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland
A private, magical haven with joyfully quirky retreats and idyllic wildflower meadows, peacefully secluded in Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’ close to bustling Dublin.
Our wildflower meadows have meandering paths, mown through for mindful walks in nature, and there are forest walks, hikes, saunas, and wild swimming spots nearby. Owner Kyra is a trained yoga teacher, and the site hosts yoga classes (with laughter yoga too!).
Lauder, Scottish Borders, Scotland
An award-winning selection of five-star retreats with hot tubs, enticingly set amongst acres of scenic, wildlife-steeped farmland in the big-sky Scottish Borders.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-10 per unit
(up to 10 guests) The Capercaillie is our purpose-built house for immaculate Zen Do luxury. It’s situated on a peaceful organic farm with a 10-seater hot tub and access to countryside walks, animal experiences, workshops and wellness/spa treatments on site – along with our outdoor Nordic sauna.
Newport, Isle of Wight, Isle Of Wight, England
A luxurious collection of architect-designed, off-grid cabins-in-miniature, complete with indulgent spa facilities and surrounded by wildflower gardens in peaceful Isle of Wight woodland.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 4 per unit
(up to 24 guests) We have two wood-fired hot tubs, dip baths, sauna, and a covered outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and BBQ. Our on-site studio is a multi-tasking space and can be set up as anything you like – silent discos and grazing tables are popular, as are sound baths and yoga sessions (we can put you in touch with amazing people!).
Glastonbury, Somerset, England
Magical eco-friendly E-den cabins in Glastonbury, with breathtaking views of Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset levels.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2 per unit
(up to 40 guests) We have everything you need on site, including a spa with shepherd's hut treatment rooms, yoga/meditation space, a heated indoor swimming pool, steam room, and a fully-licensed café. Our Spa Days are perfect for smaller groups of 8-14, with holistic and beauty treatments to help you glow from within, plus optional sound baths.
Lledó, Aragón, Spain
A cutting-edge Spanish mountain holiday home and swimmers' paradise, nestled within a Mediterranean pine forest and surrounded by unspoilt villages.
Let the dome caress and destress the senses whilst you breathe in the forest, immerse yourself in the long mountain view, and reboot your immune system with a nature-filled cold dip. We can offer an amazing sound bath experience with out-of-this-world acoustics from our super talented gong Don Iñaki, as well as Kundalini yoga on the terrace.
St Ives, Cornwall, England
Innovative glamping pods with stargazing roofs, secluded in a leafy hilltop hideaway with stunning views of St Ives Bay.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 4 or 5 per pod
Enjoy a wellness break with forest bathing, woodland breathwork, sound baths or foraging walks arrangeable on site, and spa serenity within walking distance. Surrounded by nature and close to the coast, we have the perfect blend of soulsoothing relaxation, coastal calm, and vitamin sea.
Piré-Chancé, Brittany, France
An avant-garde, architect-designed hotel inspired by the structure of a tree, with an indoor pool, gourmet restaurant, and luxurious nest-like rooms that soar over the serene north west-French countryside.
Bedrooms: 1 per room
Sleeps: 2
(up to 12 guests) We offer a bubble of wellness, art, and gastronomy: yoga classes, artistic workshops (floral art, ceramics, modelling, wood, stone and metal sculpture, and many more!). Enjoy our spa with an incomparable view of our park, followed by a relaxing, tailor-made massage in collaboration with our partner brand Codage Paris.
Bideford, Devon, England
Rediscover your creative spirit in a heavenly slice of North Devon, complete with wildflower meadows, artists' workshops, and lovingly-crafted retreats.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per unit
Sleeps: 2-4 guests per unit
(up to 8 guests) Our eco-retreat is close to the wild North Devon coastline, with three unique, design-led places to stay. Hike, surf, swim and join host Ania Wawrzkowicz for a jewellery workshop to make something magical.
Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England
A sublime interior-designed farmhouse for large-group breaks, complete with a stargazing hot tub, landscaped outdoor spaces with Wye Valley views, and a concierge service to help you curate memorable, fun-filled activities.
(up to 21 guests) Our sublime interior-designed farmhouse is the perfect location for a Zen Do. The interiors add an extra dose of sophistication, with facilities that include a fitness area, Kadai fire pit zone, hot tub, and private wild fields with a newly-planted woodland – an ideal setting for relaxing with close friends and family.
Cockermouth, Cumbria, England
An ultra-opulent conversion of a listed church hall, complete with glistening chandeliers, sociable private bar and a luxurious spa room in the crypt, for large group breaks in a tranquil corner of the Lake District.
(up to 18 guests) We have a luxurious spa room with a sunken tub and sauna in the original crypt, or how about discussions over masterpieces of literature in the inviting first-floor library? At the end of a busy day, the circular dining table is the perfect spot for good company and lavish dinners.
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Heavenly, hand-crafted hideaways with private hot tubs, beautifully secluded amongst nine magical acres of the Cairngorms National Park.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: 2 per cabin
Escape to the ultimate Zen Hen weekend for up to 10 guests. Unwind in bespoke accommodation with private hot tubs, enjoy restorative mini facials, and gather in our magical communal space for afternoon tea and cocktails. Finish with on-site soft play archery and beautiful woodland walks right on your doorstep.
