With one Royal Wedding (almost) wrapped up in a regal blue bow, it’s easy to forget there’s another just around the corner; when Zara Phillips and her rugby playing beau Mike Tindall get hitched on 30th July. Cosmo Bride’s Alice Burnfield hit Leeds for a fun-filled, royal-inspired hen weekend that’s fit for Princess Zara.


A Base for the girls


We stayed at Oulton Hall, a magnificent 18th Century mansion just five miles from the bustling centre of Leeds – a great location for a party of excited hens to gather for a weekend of fun. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the Grade II listed building comprises plush lounges, a champagne and cocktail bar (that stays open late enough for your needs!) and a delicious restaurant. It also has a spa so you can treat yourself to a bit of TLC before – or after – all those hen shenanigans.

Let them eat Cake

If you’re feeling decadent, why not while away an afternoon with a Marie Antoinette-inspired afternoon tea? Held in Oulton Hall’s exquisite drawing room, let your taste buds tingle with a 3-tier silver cake stand laden with savoury finger sandwiches, exotic fruit tartlets and rich, cream-filled chocolate waffle cones… There’s also plenty of tea, coffee and fine champagne to wash it all down with.

Pomp and Finally at the Ballet

An evening at the ballet is a real treat and great if you want to do something special. We caught the opening night of Cleopatra at The Grand Theatre in the centre of town, which is showing nationwide until 12th May 2011. The Northern Ballet’s performance – everything from the dancing, costumes, visual effects and orchestral score – blew us away.

Shaken Not Stirred


No hen do should be without a spot of cocktail drinking, so why not go the whole way and make them yourself? We headed to the Mint Hotel’s Sky Bar, a sleek, minimalistic space with stunning panoramic views of the city below, for a masterclass. Our mixologist Dean whizzed his way through three delicious cocktails, experimenting with locally sourced ingredients to give a quintessentially English twist. We then had a go at making our favourites, including a ‘Mojito Britannia’, which replaced Caribbean rum with Bombay Sapphire gin and added a touch of apple and elderflower for British charm.

Fine Decadent Dining

On a hen weekend fit for a princess, it’s your destiny to eat like one. Lucky then, that there are so many places in Leeds to whet your appetite. From a sumptuous, Yorkshire-inspired buffet at Oulton Hall, serving creamy fish pie, beef stew with dumplings, locally caught salmon and hearty salads, to a hearty brunch in Harvey Nichols’ 4th floor restaurant. (I’d thoroughly recommend the smoked mackerel fishcakes with poached egg and salsa verdi to give you essential energy for all that shopping!).
 The Mint Hotel’s restaurant is also a must, with beautifully thought-out and stylishly presented British fare, including for dessert, an Earl Grey brulee served in a vintage teacup. So quaint!

Pampered Princess

After a busy weekend, there’s nothing better than spending a blissful morning at Oulton Hall’s suberb spa. Treat yourself to a candlelit massage, a full body chocolate scrub, or simply doze in the heavenly comfortable Relaxation Room – perfect after a splash in the Hydro Pool or giggling with your girlfriends as you try to tackle the power plate in the gym. Don’t worry; there are plenty of instructors on hand to assist you! I opted for a facial, which left my skin feeling dewy, soft and glowing for days. The zingy menthol exfoliator worked wonders and had a fabulously cooling sensation, while the head and neck massage almost made me doze off…

Go There

Enjoy your own princess inspired hen weekend at De Vere Oulton Hall, Leeds. From £95 per room per night. For any other information, or if you’d like help designing your own unique itiniery, contact Visit England