Alternative hen getaways

Bantry Mussels Festival - Bantry, Ireland
Ideal for a hen weekend that's chilled out with lots of good humour, food and drink. The folk of Bantry have taken the local delicacy and combined it with the national pint to form the basis of the Bantry Bay Mussels Festival - that is mussels and stout. Free mussels are available at in every pub and cafe and before you've taken your first bite, you're bound to find a pint of stout in your hand. You might as well wave goodbye to your dreams of a flat stomach for the next few days! If you feel like you need to recover then you can always get some bracing fresh air in the beautiful Irish hills before going back for more.

For more information, visit www.bantrymusselfair.ie

Cat Laughs Comedy Festival - Kilkenny, Ireland
A good alternative to Dublin and home of a great pint, Kilkenny now hosts a celebrated comedy festival bringing together popular comedians and fresh faces from the Irish and UK circuits. Brewery tours at Murphy's are an optional extra.

For more information, visit www.thecatlaughs.com

June

Royal Ascot - Ascot, UK
This is the horse-racing event of the year to be seen at, so get your best frock for the occasion. Racegoers are just as concerned with what they are wearing as they are with the race itself. Make sure you buy your tickets well in advance for the members' enclosure, then you can sit back with your Pimms and binoculars to ogle all the men in their fancy suits.

For more information, visit www.ascot.co.uk

Glastonbury Festival - Pilton, UK
It's synonymous with mud and tents as far as the eye can see, but Glastonbury has a charm all its own and attracts major headlining acts year after year. If you're a dab hand with a tent pole then pitch and settle in for the weekend, but if you don't fancy that you can just go for a day and enjoy the festivities.

For more information, visit www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk