The top five things in Britain this Easter
What’s not to love about Easter at home in the UK? All those piles of chocolate eggs. A slap-up roast lamb dinner on Easter Sunday.
Mounds of buttered hot cross buns. And the long Easter weekend. Slip your coat off and d’you feel that? The temperature’s warming up, the days are getting longer and the scent of blossom swirls through the streets. Here’s our guide on what to do at Easter in the UK.
A spring fling at home in the UK
Why a spring staycation is always a good idea
Who doesn’t love the UK in springtime? When the country’s warming up and the Easter holidays land. Finally the lighter days are upon us and you can shrug off your winter coat, pack your thermals away until next winter, and relish our great outdoors. And it’s Easter too – a momentous chance to take advantage of the long, chocolate-fuelled weekend and get out and about. Whether you’re looking to roam through woods blossoming with bluebells with barely a soul in sight, or take the kids on a riveting Easter egg trail.
Our 5 favourite things to discover in Britain during Easter
Blooming public gardens, buttered hot cross buns and rosy-cheeked walks along some of the UK’s finest walking trails. Britain in spring is a sight to behold. Here we reveal the best places to visit in the UK during the Easter holidays.
1. Easter traditions
Get into the Easter spirit
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As soon as Good Friday hits, you’ve got four long days to play with. Plenty of time for lazy afternoons in beer gardens, sun-dappled picnics in parks, and country walks in the creeping warmth. Kids in tow? It’s got to be a National Trust property, for chocolate egg trails, or a farm where your little ones can meet the newborn lambs. But to truly understand the significance of this religious holiday, step inside a church or cathedral over the Easter weekend. Westminster Abbey is an astoundingly atmospheric space to pull up a pew, as is the distinctive dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, even if you’re a non-believer.
Look out for:
- Easter trails at Blenheim Palace.
- Blooming bluebells in Aughton Woods, Lancashire.
- Egg throwing at Muncaster Castle, Cumbria.
2. Easter walks UK
Stretch your legs in springtime
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Spring has landed in the UK. The trees are blooming, the days are warmer and we’ve bid farewell to those long, dark nights of winter. A perfect time then to explore idyllic pockets of countryside along incredible walking trails. Discover the moody skies and terns of the Lake District, where lambs tot through fields of daffodils and walkers clamber up its highest peak, Scafell Pike. For something less challenging, pick a section of the bucolic Cotswolds Way, winding from Chipping Camden to pretty-as-a-picture Bath. Or wander through the green and serene county of Sussex, stopping to gaze over wild beaches on the South Downs Way.
Look out for:
- Paddle-boarding on Windermere, Lake District.
- The thatched cottages of Stanton.
- The windy views from Beachy Head.
Cultural Fact File:
Dress appropriately. The weather can turn quickly in the UK.
Never drop litter and leave no trace.
Planning on wild camping in England? You need the landowner’s permission first.
3. Spring gardens UK
Tranquil, diverse and beautiful
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There are some incredible gardens to seek out across Britain, many of which are particularly beautiful during spring. Some are smothered in enchanting wildflowers, others are meditative with a tangle of Japanese-style blooms. Down in Cornwall, the Lost Gardens of Heligan is a truly atmospheric place to gaze over towering palm trees and vast swathes of rhododendrons. On the fringes of London, 500-acre Kew Gardens is a calming and tranquil spot with an incredibly diverse botanical collection. Up north in Northumberland, you’ll find the contemporary Alnwick Garden where you can lose yourself in the Bamboo Labyrinth.
Look out for:
- The neo-classical gardens at Stourhead Garden.
- The oldest topiary garden in the world at Levens Hall.
- Leafy woodland walks at Heythrop Park.
Easter chocolate
Time to indulge
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So it turns out us Brits are just a little bit obsessed with chocolate. And that obsession goes into overdrive during Easter. But where should you go if you’re looking for something truly standout when you’ve had your fill of Cadbury’s Crème Eggs and good ole Mini Eggs? For the chocolate connoisseur, it’s time to meet the British artisan chocolate makers using unique, almost science-like methods to create incredible chocolatey concoctions. Head into Paul A Young’s Soho branch in London – a guy who has achieved almost cult like status. Visit Charbonnel et Walker on Bond Street’s Royal Arcade or Le Jeune Chocolatiers in Covent Garden for some of the finest chocolate that will send you all aflutter.
Look out for:
- Dormouse Chocolates, Manchester
- Pump St Bakery, Suffolk
- Willie’s Cacao, Devon
UK Easter city breaks
The best of Britain
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Spring has sprung and it’s an ideal time for a UK city break. Head north to Edinburgh and walk through the green spaces of Princes Street, warming up afterwards with a wee nip in one of its cosy pubs. Elsewhere, discover the blooming RHS Garden Bridgewater in Manchester, and the city’s thriving food and music scene. Or in Bath, mooch around its Georgian streets filled with drooping cherry blossom trees and wallow in one of its natural hot springs. And then there’s London. For golden-evening strolls along the Thames, searching for spring blooms at the iconic Columbia Road Flower Market, and steaming mugs of coffee and cakes in its artisan cafes.
Look out for:
- London’s buzzing Broadway Market in the sun.
- People watching in Manchester’s Cutting Room Square.
- A walk up Edinburgh’s rocky summit, Arthur’s Seat.
Insider tip:
Take your picnic blanket to one of London’s iconic parks to see where the real Londoners go when they want to escape the chaos.
The UK in spring is alive and kicking. Why head overseas when you can find incredible country walks, blooming bluebell woods, kiddie Easter trails and the perfect weekend city break? And if you like chocolate, well, you can’t really go wrong… even if the drizzle breaks out.
Thinking of travelling to Britain? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
