It’s hard to believe that I’ve made it to middle age, and I’ve never had a weekend away with The Girls. It’s not by choice; I don’t have a large group of friends, but it doesn’t mean I can’t dream about my perfect girl’s weekend away. So, it got me hitting that faithful search engine to find what makes the ideal girl’s weekend getaway. Perfect city hotel? A luxury cabin in the woods? Glamping or travelling around Cornwall in a campervan? Please keep reading to plan an ideal girl’s weekend in the UK with my top five tips!
When was your last girl’s weekend?
Responsibilities
As a Mother, I am guilty of taking no time for myself. If I do have time away, it involves a family occasion or a wedding. It’s hard for parents to allow themselves to consider getting away for even a night with a friend and chilling out. It’s a tricky balance; you feel your children need you as a parent, whether they are five or fifteen.

When a Girl’s Weekend is Mentioned!
So when over a group chat, the prospect of a weekend away to celebrate Bridget’s 40th birthday hangs in the air, you consider the usual bowing out altogether, you’ll pop in for a drink, or you find yourself trying to make it just a quick drink down the typical pub. Still, you are reminded that it’s Bridget’s 40th, the big Four Zero. How does it look when your longest friend is willing you to say yes? I have those friends, the ones who never turn up, pop in or cancel minutes before the taxi arrives. It hasn’t always been this way, but with age comes social anxiety. I asked a few of my friends what they felt about spending time with friends.
“I know if I go out, the kids won’t go to sleep”
“My partying days are well behind me! I’m now a coffee and cake kind of girl!”
“Weekend? I can barely manage a night out!”
Talking of social anxiety, is it just me, or does being a parent make you want to stay wrapped in a duvet? A girl’s weekend is probably the last thing on your mind, but maybe it is what you need.
Social Anxiety
I want to touch on this subject as it never really affected me in my 20s but very much in my 30s. So I’ve been that girl who cancels minutes before the taxi arrives or cries sickness when the thought of meeting up fills me with dread. Even as recent as my work Christmas party, I had to attend. If spending a weekend with a group of girls you barely know turns your insides into knots, or you know every one of them, but you don’t want them asking you about your divorce, then that’s okay, too. In either scenario, I have two suggestions.
- I suggest a pre-planning meetup. You could meet in a neutral place, have a drink, and get to know each other before spending two days with them.
- If there are subjects you don’t want them to discuss, tell your closest friend that they should avoid such discussions.

It Doesn’t Have to be a Bad thing!
Having anxiety surrounding social occasions is natural. I’m aware that the older I become, the more I stress about worst-case scenarios. From being left out, people not liking me, not having enough money, my children not settling at home, my husband ringing me at 3 am because the baby has been sick all over the bed (yes, this did happen), my mind is an overthinking mess.
Spending Time with the Girls.
Spending time with the girls is one of the best ways to recharge and create lasting memories. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a relaxing afternoon at a local café, or a fun activity you’ve all been wanting to try, these moments offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect, share laughs, and enjoy each other’s company. Taking time out of our busy schedules to nurture these friendships not only strengthens bonds but also helps us unwind and refresh, making life’s challenges a little easier to handle.
- Get ready early – It sounds simple, but if you’re getting picked up at 7 pm, allow two or even seven hours to shower, add a special skin routine, and pick an outfit (come on, we all know it was picked out a week ago), even if you do consider an alternative! If you find the time, stay in your bathrobe, listen to music, and have a cold drink (wine is optional but allowed if you’re not driving).
- Turn up the Tunes – Now, I’m a 90s girl (boybands rule), so when I’m getting ready for a night out, I like to get prepared with some good old 90s tunes. Yes, I sing along at the top of my voice (sorry, neighbours). It helps me get in the mood.
- Have a Plan – If, like me, you often find yourself the designated driver or you live nowhere near the others, have a plan so you know you will meet at least one friend en route or see where you will be going. I’ve driven miles before on my own, and at 12 midnight, the world can seem ‘different, but if your friends expect you at 7.30 pm, message them if you are running late, and when you leave, message your partner/husband/baby sitter and let them know you are leaving.
This would work for a weekend break, a one-night stayover, or an extended day out. Do a few little things to calm yourself down; it’s all in the planning!

Talking of planning…
My Top Five Tips for a Girl’s Weekend
- It’s in the Planning
Whether you decide on a city shopping trip, a London theatre trip, or a spa retreat in Dorset, make sure it’s something you are all happy to do. Are you looking for a spa day or theatre break for your group? Make sure you all agree to a spa weekend before you find that Evie doesn’t like or want to go and feels uncomfortable and miserable the whole time.
It’s also best to note that only one or two people plan the trip, or you split different tasks with a different girl. So one accommodation, one trip out, food and drink etc. You don’t want three girls looking at accommodation and no one looking at restaurant reservations or excursions.
- Setting a budget
When everyone brings their ideas to the discussion, it can be overwhelming. However, if it’s a special birthday, it might be worth it to surprise the birthday girl. Budgets will significantly impact the type of accommodation, activities, and length of the trip. Planning is usually a must so others can save.
A hen weekend in Morocco will cost considerably more than a glamping weekend in Hampshire, and the last thing anybody wants is to get to the airport and realise that Becky has less than six months left on her passport (yes, this happened to a friend). So if a weekend in Morocco is the goal, set a reasonable budget that suits all the girls.
- Alternatives to getting away.
Sometimes with all the best intentions, it’s just not that easy to pack off for the weekend and head down to the west country, but with garden parties on the rise, it’s never been easier to do something a little closer to home. Hire a tipi-style tent, and you’ve got a night or two glamping. Fancy a pamper without the budget? There are day spa packages on Groupon or directly with some hotels that include a treatment and use of the facilities and won’t break the bank. If it’s a summertime event, pack a beach bag and head to your local beach (if commutable distance) or your local lido if you have one.
Another favourite among my friends is a day at a local festival. It doesn’t have to be miles away. Many villages, towns, and cities offer music, food, wine, car, surfing, and kite festivals, to name just a few, and they have reasonably priced day tickets. Perhaps some pregnant ladies will attend, or Mum will tag along with the mother-in-law-to-be; activities should consider all ages. Maybe afternoon tea will be delivered directly to your door.
- Excursions/Trips
A thing often overlooked is the activities with no main focus, like ‘theatre’ or ‘beach’. You want to have a few activities over the weekend. A place to eat, stroll around a beautiful village, toasting marshmallows.
Search engines and local guides are your best friends, with many apps at your fingertips for booking most things.
A list wouldn’t feel complete without an incredible destination guide.

- Top Destinations
- Bath – Shopping, sightseeing and culture.
- Newquay – Beach, surfing, bars and an average nightlife
- London – Shopping, theatre, sightseeing, museums and a great nightlife.
- Brighton – Shopping (The Lanes), beach, bars, nightlife and general party atmosphere.
- Cotswolds (I say it generically) – Walks, tours, sightseeing, forests, retreats.
These are just a few of my favourites; there are plenty more, like Dublin, Edinburgh, Norfolk, Cambridge, Manchester, and Liverpool, to name a few. We visit Cornwall every year, so I wrote a mini travel guide. Explaining why we should all be having weekend breaks there.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best girl’s weekend suits the interests and needs of everyone involved. While some might envision a carefree weekend lounging on the beach or enjoying a few drinks at the bar, others may prefer a more relaxing escape from the daily grind of cooking, cleaning, and endless conversations about things like the shape, size, and colour of their child’s poo (trust me, I get it!). Whatever you choose, a girl’s weekend is all about taking a break, recharging, and enjoying each other’s company, making memories that will last long after the weekend is over.
Have I inspired you? Have you ever been on a girl’s weekend? Does the idea dread you, or do you love it? Please comment and let me know below.
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Amazing post! Thank for the tips!
Thank you for taking the time to read it and to write a comment, I appreciate it!
What a fun post! A girls weekend getaway is always a good idea and you highlighted some great tips and tricks to make it even easier to plan!
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. I really appreciate it 🙂
This post is great and seriously making me pray for the end of all this Covid stuff so I can get planning!
I know what you mean! I can’t wait to be able to actually plan some things! Thank you for reading 🙂