When Charlotte Hughes purchased her dream home in Huddersfield 20 years ago, she envisioned her family growing old together in the grand, six-bedroom mansion. She never imagined sharing her bed with strangers each weekend, nor did she foresee packing her wardrobe into a suitcase with her husband Darren and their two sons, Hugo and Jasper, and retreating to a nearby cottage every Friday. But that’s exactly what life looks like now for this entrepreneurial family.
Charlotte, a mother of two and former interior designer, along with Darren—founder of the iconic dance and festival brand Cream—bought the magnificent Grade II-listed Victorian mansion for £575,000 after relocating from Islington, North London. Their goal was to raise their children in the space and elegance of the Yorkshire countryside. The property, boasting 26 rooms and dating back to 1866, seemed like the perfect party house Yorkshire families dream of, and was a real bargain compared to their London townhouse, which they sold for £795,000.
However, the reality of maintaining such a vast property soon became apparent. Challenges mounted, and when financial strains set in, the family made the difficult decision to try to sell the house. Despite listing it at a bargain—and even attempting to raffle it for just £1 per ticket—interest was minimal. The mansion’s location on a main road, small garden, and lackluster school catchment area deterred many buyers. Nonetheless, Charlotte’s deep attachment to the home meant that the idea of selling it to a developer—who would simply carve it up into flats—was unthinkable.
In a bid to ease the financial pressure without sacrificing their beloved home, the family decided to explore alternative options. In 2015, they listed a single room on Airbnb for just £50 per night and were astonished by the demand. Over the Christmas period, Charlotte earned £3,000 in just five days. This success sparked a new idea: transforming their family home into a luxury party house dedicated to Hen Party Weekends, making it the ultimate hen party venue for every bride to be, maid of honour, and group of bridesmaids searching for unique party activities.
During the week, Charlotte and her husband enjoy the spacious house in peace. But every Friday, they pack up their belongings and move to a cozy cottage nearby, making way for guests seeking an unforgettable Hen Party mansion experience. Their business, now branded as *The Scarlet Hen*, has flourished, with bookings every weekend until March 2026. Today, the house accommodates exclusive hen party groups, offering bespoke party activities including yoga, painting, hot tubs, DJ sessions, life drawing, chocolate making, bottomless brunches, laser tag, vineyard tours, and more.
“We generally charge £250 per person per night and make around £4,000 per weekend,” Charlotte explains. “As a luxury hen party house, we offer pizza and pyjama parties with karaoke on Fridays, private chefs, yoga and crafts on Saturdays, and see guests off on Sunday mornings. The guests, often groups of bridesmaids led by the bride to be and the maid of honour, always take good care of the house, and most leave it spotless.”
To ensure the property remains in pristine condition, Charlotte is selective about the parties she accepts. “We only accept hen party groups—no stag parties after a few unpleasant experiences. Hen parties tend to be more respectful and enjoy creative, memorable experiences,” she adds.
A dedicated team supports the weekly changeover, including two cleaners, Charlotte and Darren themselves, their sons for gardening, and a window cleaner, ensuring the mansion is always ready for its next hen party weekend. “We’ve become quite detached now; it’s our business and our home. We make it work, but it’s also a joy to share the house with others,” Charlotte says.
The family keeps personal items secure in a locked wardrobe and additional storage space in the basement to preserve privacy. “Packing up each Thursday and moving out has just become part of our routine. My husband is very efficient, and our capsule wardrobes make the process easy. In fact, we enjoy these mini-breaks, often arriving to a welcome bottle of Prosecco in our rented cottage.”
Now, *The Scarlet Hen* is a thriving, family-run hen party mansion business, with Hugo and Jasper—both studying events management at Manchester Metropolitan University—helping out during holidays. Despite the hustle, Charlotte, Darren, and their sons ensure they take two months off every Christmas to enjoy the home for themselves.
Looking ahead, Charlotte confesses they may eventually downsize, but for now, they revel in balancing personal life and business, providing one of the most unique and sought-after party house Yorkshire experiences for hen party groups and brides to be from across the UK.
If you’re searching for the ultimate hen party venue or a luxury party house in Yorkshire with unforgettable party activities for a bride to be, maid of honour, and bridesmaids, *The Scarlet Hen* offers an experience like no other.
