A milestone birthday event as momentous as an 80th celebration deserves to be special. It requires an occasion just as grand as the wholesome life lived by the person celebrating their 80th birthday. If you have someone in your family turning 80 soon, planning an extraordinary event will require some special themed ideas to make this amazing day memorable.
Whether it’s a surprise, or planned well in advance, gathering a group of loved ones together in a magnificent party house must be one of the most decadent ways to celebrate a birthday. Share laughter, memories and great times in a cosy setting that you have all to yourselves.
From an elegant tea party in a Georgian Rectory to a fun Highland Ceilidh in a Scottish country house, we have chosen some of the best 80th birthday party ideas to enjoy in our large party houses in the UK. Pick your favourite from our selection of 80th birthday party themes below or use them to inspire a unique idea all of your own.
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1. A SUMMER GARDEN PARTY AT Alvington Manor | Forest of Dean
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On a warm summer’s day, take full advantage of the breathtakingly beautiful garden at this Georgian home in the Forest of Dean for an 80th birthday celebration to remember. There are three acres of perfectly kept gardens and paddocks with breath-taking views over the River Severn. Guests are welcome to explore the gardens, making using of the herbs and fruit that are growing in the herb garden and the orchard!
A delightful kitchen with a range cooker is perfect for throwing together some nibbles or create a dinner menu full of the birthday honouree’s most-loved dishes. If the sun is shining, light the BBQ, take advantage of the outdoor hot tub, and set up a game of croquet or boules on the lawn. If the weather takes a turn, there’s no need to worry as there is an indoor games room, a playroom for little members of the family, a formal dining room plus plenty of cosy lounging spaces for catching up in the evenings.
DECORATIONS:
Consider a mix of picnic blankets and decorative outdoor pillows, along with string lights, lanterns and balloons.
FOOD IDEAS:
Plan a menu full of finger food, BBQ treats, and the honouree’s favourite drinks.
2. SAY ‘CHEERS TO 80 YEARS’ AT THE WEIR HOUSE | SHROPSHIRE
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This classic 80th birthday theme idea is perfect for the 80-year-old who loves a particular drink. So, where better to host the celebration than within your very own private bar at the Weir House, once a Michelin-starred restaurant. Wonderfully located at the foot of the River Teme near Ludlow, this sumptuous birthday venue features an in-house bar that you are free to stock with your tipple of choice. Whether it’s a nice glass of wine, beer, or a signature cocktail, make sure to feature the honourees drink of choice across the party menu.
From the twinkling garden lights and views over the river to the decadent bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and opulent furnishings, the Weir House feels special. Dine outdoors to the backdrop of the river, enjoy the views from the living room and fire up the screen in your own cinema room.
DECORATIONS:
Homemade coasters featuring the birthday honouree’s name, a personalised pub sign and well-placed barrels make great accents.
FOOD IDEAS:
Fire up the BBQ and firepit and enjoy fun party food alfresco, or you could hire some caterers and let them create exciting dishes in the former Michelin-starred kitchen.
3. AN ELEGANT AFTERNOON TEA AT CHASE HOUSE | WILTSHIRE
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Located in the small village of Tollard Royal, this stunning house and it’s pretty garden is an idyllic location for an 80th birthday tea party. Gather together friends and family and celebrate in style with a decadent spread of delicate finger sandwiches, bite-sized fancies and plenty of tea and Champagne. In the Tudor addition to the house, the impressive oak-panelled dining room is the perfect formal setting for your soiree.
Continue the party outside to the beautifully maintained gardens where you can admire the countryside views and relax in peace. Take some time to explore the exotic ‘Japanese’ garden with ornamental ponds and be sure to fire up the BBQ and dine alfresco. You can also treat yourself by relaxing in the sauna in the summer pavilion.
DECORATIONS:
Vintage tea sets, cake stands, bunting and fresh flowers will all complement the theme.
FOOD IDEAS:
All manner of finger sandwiches, from classic cucumber to sophisticated salmon and cream cheese, as well as fluffy scones with a choice of jams and clotted cream, and a variety of sweet little cakes and desserts.
4. DELIGHT IN A SCOTTISH CEILIDH AT PORT AN EILEAN | SCOTLAND
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A birthday party for an 80-year-old is a huge occasion, so why not push the boat out and hire an extravagant country house where everyone is invited. Not only does this impressive Scottish birthday venue boast magnificent lochside views, a private jetty, roaring fires and opulent decor, but it also has its own bar inside the library, perfect for hosting a special occasion.
Hire a traditional ceilidh band and celebrate the birthday star with a night of music, dancing and fun Scottish entertainment. It can be as casual or extravagant as you’d like it to be, and you could even get your guests to arrive in traditional Highland dress.
DECORATIONS:
Tartan, tartan and more tartan!
FOOD IDEAS:
Keep it traditional with haggis, neeps and tatties or book some external caterers to rustle up some delicious Scottish snacks.
5. ENJOY A CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT AT THE OLD MANOR HOUSE | PEAK DISTRICT
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Nestled within 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens, this large, luxurious country house is a perfect choice for organising a one-of-a-kind movie night. The home cinema comes complete with a 3-metre screen, surround-sound speaker system and has a range of Blu-rays already available. You also have the option to bring your own DVDs or a USB memory stick, so why not make your movie night extra special and surprise the guest of honour with their favourite flicks?
Take this a stage further and create a home movie from video footage, photos and slides collected from family and friends over the years. You could even record personalised birthday messages to play on the big screen. When the films have ended, there are plenty more ways to continue the celebrations: sink into the warm bubbles of the swim spa/hot tub seating 12, listen to some piano in the snug or enjoy a game of pool, darts or table tennis in the billiards room.
DECORATIONS:
Lay out a red carpet to welcome everyone and decorate with famous stars, movies, and other memorabilia from the birthday honouree’s younger days.
FOOD IDEAS:
Plenty of popcorn with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings, and all of the guest of honour’s favourite treats to enjoy during the films.
6. Invite the whole family to the country at Ingoldisthorpe Hall | Norfolk
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For a unique 80th birthday celebration that will create lasting memories for the whole family, pack up your bags and head to Ingoldisthorpe Hall, a magnificent 18th-century Grade-II listed country house in Norfolk. Nestled within 30 acres of pristine grounds and parkland, with unparalleled views across The Wash, this special venue is the perfect setting for a big group party in the UK.
By day, the birthday boy or girl can soak up the sunshine on the terrace, take a leisurely stroll around the sweeping gardens or explore the Queen’s much-loved country retreat, Sandringham Estate, 3 miles away. Younger members of the party will appreciate the games room with pool table, table tennis, football table and darts. Then, by night, everyone can gather in the exquisite dining room warmed by the glowing wood burner and make a special toast to mark this milestone occasion.
DECORATIONS:
If you’re looking for a sentimental 80th birthday idea, ask everyone who will be at the party to bring along a photo of the guest of honour and gather mementoes of the past eight decades. You can also ask guests to write down a special memory or funny story about the person having a birthday – these can be gathered together and presented in a book, and the photos can be displayed during the event.
FOOD IDEAS:
You could either opt for wholesome family dishes cooked in the AGA-style oven or make the most of the nearby coast and dine on fresh fish and seafood, including the iconic local Cromer crab.
Our large 80th birthday party houses in the UK offer everything you will need to have a memorable celebration; spacious reception and dining rooms, well-equipped kitchens, large gardens and plenty of sleeping spaces for everyone. In addition, many of our venues come complete with swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, games rooms and cinema rooms, so there is plenty of entertainment for guests of all ages. Have a browse of our luxurious collection and start planning an 80th birthday party to remember.
Need some more inspiration for your party planning? Read our ‘ultimate guide to milestone birthdays’.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.