The Return of Bridget Jones: A Single Girl’s Guide to England

Seventeen years after we first heard from Bridget, Helen Fielding's heroine is set to return in a third book this autumn. Mad About the Boy, released on 10 October, revisits the world of Bridget Jones, now a single mother in her late 50s, newly single and looking for love...

In tribute to the ultimate English rose, VisitEngland rounds up some of the best experiences around the country for single ladies. Everything a girl needs to be – in the words of another iconic singleton, Sex in the City's Carrie Bradshaw – "single and fabulous, exclamation point."

Go solo

Who needs a man or indeed even a travelling companion on holiday? Females exploring England alone is not only becoming more common, but it's the preferred option for many women. Perhaps inspired by Bridget herself, hotels are going further to make females feel at home by offering women-only floors and rooms with more feminine touches, stocked with magazines and hair straighteners. Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has seen a rise in the number of single occupant females booking rooms right across their portfolio, with properties in the UK being some of the most popular. In response, SLH is making its English properties more female traveller-friendly. Dukes London (rooms from £269 per room, per night) has women's-only floors. The hotel also recently welcomed its first female bartender, Maria Antonietta Varamo, to the world-famous DUKES bar. Meanwhile, The Capital Hotel & Apartments (rooms from £245 per room, per night) has created a list of local restaurants and bars that are particularly recommended for solo female travellers, as well as also offering a female private guide to accompany women guests to shops and museums on their first trip to London. In the North West, The Chester Grosvenor (rooms from £132.67 per room, per night) finds that the service offered by its female chauffeur is particularly appreciated by women staying alone. For more information or to book, visit www.slh.com

Sex in the (capital) city

For the wanton sex goddesses amongst us, London Cabaret Festival (1 – 31 October) has a thrilling calendar showcasing cabaret's vital elements of sex, innovation and transgression. One of the highlights includes Cabaret Roulette (Bethnal Green Working Men's Club on 17 October), a new show based around a concept chosen by the last show's audience. October's 'Ghost Stories' event is bound to heighten the senses, with experiences that scare and excite in equal measure. Ticket prices vary. For more information and full events listings, visit www.londoncabaretfestival.com

For those looking for love in the capital, the V&A's monthly Late Night events are a good place to start. Full of potential Mark Darcys (and of course, the odd Daniel Cleaver...), the evenings feature live performances, cutting-edge fashion, debates, one-off displays and installations, special guests, bar and food, and guest DJs. From sound installations, to film, music and workshops, explore destruction as a catalyst to create. Held on the last Friday in every month (except December) from 18:30 – 22:00. Free entry. For more information, visit www.vam.ac.uk

Lose 20lbs

If like Bridget, you are forever resolving to lose that stubborn 20lbs, forget the gym – girls are more likely to find success by crunching iron at a hard-core boot camp. Gruelling exercise and guaranteed inch loss is promised at boot camps run by Wild Fitness on the Isle of Wight. The 3-day 'Energizer' course is held at Northcourt, a beautiful old English manor with quirky, wild trimmings – the ultimate escape for a British Wildfitness experience, including three group training sessions per day, practical workshops and series of stress-busting activities. All this is accompanied by fresh, home-grown cuisine and lodgings at Northcote Manor. Package costs £725 per person for a shared standard room and £935 per person single standard room. For more information or to book, visit www.wildfitness.com

If all that sounds too tasking, how about of spot of spiritual healing? You don't need to don a backpack and head for the Far East to 'find' yourself. Just pop to Gloucestershire for the weekend and enrol on a three-night 'Open to The Goddess'. Your guide Anna Ziman will help you and the other women in your group to uncover the real you. The sessions take place at various locations, from Norfolk to The Forest of Dean. It might sound slow-paced, but this is stirring stuff – the idea being that it teaches you to bring new 'powers' into your everyday life. Prices vary, depending on venue. For more information, visit www.goddessworkshop.co.uk

Vodka and Chaka Khan

When you've had a day that calls for Vodka and Chaka Khan, England's nightlife reigns supreme. Manchester is well known for its party scene. Head to the Northern Quarter, where you'll find some of the best independent bars and traditional pubs around as well as a host of live music venues. For an experience like no other check out Common (www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk), a bar on Edge Street in which hosts regular DJ nights and exhibitions. For big hair and big emotions, popular club night Ultimate Power (www.ultimatepowerclub.com), regularly tours the country playing your favourite power anthems. Get dressed up, and prepare your vocal chords for a big night. Forthcoming venues include The Fleece in Bristol (4 October), Komedi Brighton (4 October) and Ruby Lounge Manchester (19 October). Channel your inner Bridget and belt out a steering rendition of Celine Dion's, All By Myself (without the judgement!). Ticket prices vary.

Re-inject some va-va-voom with a stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, which offers a 'Friday Girls' Night In' package. This good old-fashioned girly sleepover includes a beauty treatment (choose from an Express Manicure or Pedicure by Jessica or a Tension Release Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage), sparkling wine, chocolates and a selection of chick flicks, including of course, Bridget Jones' Diary. Even better, Saturday morning offers the chance to unwind and enjoy a dip in the onsite Jacuzzi and thermal suites. Package costs £119 per person. For more information, visit www.doubletreechester.co.uk

LBDs, big knickers and Christmas jumpers

Go in search of the perfect LBD and all-important big knickers at Oxfordshire's Bicester Village, an hour by train from the London station of Marylebone. Here, you'll find Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Burberry and Vivienne Westwood, as well as niche British labels and international designers – with stock constantly updated – at a minimum discount of 30% on the original price. For more information, visit www.bicestervillage.com

For that 'so bad it's good' Mark Darcy-inspired Christmas jumper, check out London's Beyond Retro on Brick Lane. Each year this vintage institution celebrates the festive season with an array of classic yuletide garments and winter warmers. Jumpers start from £14. For more information, visit www.beyondretro.com

Set-jetting

The beloved Bridget Jones feature film, based on Helen Fielding's novel, features many iconic London locations, and its star cast of Renee Zellwegger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are already rumoured to be reassembling for the third instalment. Previous locations depicting Bridget's London included Borough Market, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Kensington Gardens. Incurable romantics will, no doubt, want to recreate that wonderful moment when Colin Firth kisses Renee Zellweger in the snow. This scene was filmed outside the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, across the road from the Bank of England. Brit Movie Tours offer a 'London Film Locations and TV Walking Tour' taking in some of mentioned locations. Tours run on Fridays at 10:30 and cost £12 per person. For more information or to book, visit www.britmovietours.com

Outside of the capital, Stoke Park took a starring role in the film as the spot where Daniel Cleaver whisked a rather windswept Bridget away for a much longed-for mini break in the country. After an eventful afternoon's rowing, filmed on the Club's glistening lake, the couple retire to the Club's grand Pennsylvania Suite. Those that have already found love can relive the romance by booking Stoke Park's 'Bridget Jones Mini Break' package. The stay includes one night's accommodation in a Mansion or Pavilion Room, a bottle of chilled chardonnay, a three course dinner, beauty treatment and Bridget Jones's Diary DVD to take home. Package stars from £490 per room, based on two people sharing. For more information or to book, visit www.stokepark.com

Finally, Syon House took the prize home for 'Best Supporting Architecture' as the backdrop to the Darcys anniversary party. The property is home to the Duke of Northumberland and features 30-acres of gardens within a 200-acre park transformed by Capability Brown and a stunning domed conservatory designed by Charles Fowler in the 1820s. A real 'set-jetting' hotspot, Syon House has appeared in a host of other films including, Gosford Park, The Madness of King George, The Wings of the Dove, Emma and The Avengers. The House is open until Sunday, 27 October 2013. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £4.50 for children. For more information, visit www.syonpark.co.uk

For more girly holiday ideas, visit www.visitengland.com