Has the prospect of a few days off work crept up on you and you’re now in a chocolate-induced panic about what to do? The Easter break is peak-time for travel, so you can either jump in and join the crowds or just use the bank holiday to rest and relax. Here are some of our ideas for things to do this Easter. Now hop to it Easter bunnies!
Check last minute availability at a self-catering cottage
It’s a long shot but not every lodge, cottage, cabin or barn will be full this Easter holiday. Owners will be keen to fill gaps, particularly in the harder to fill week days, so chance your luck with a browse of self-catering accommodation sites and you may be able to grab a bargain. Some of our favourites, which also feature their fair share of eco-friendly homes, include Uniquehomestays.com, HolidayCottageCompare.com, SykesCottages.co.uk and HomeAway.co.uk.
You can also read our profiles of eco-friendly accommodation in Cornwall, Norfolk, Suffolk and Fort William in Scotland. And if you don’t have any luck this time, at least you’ve given yourself a head start on finding a place for summer!
Treat yourself to an Easter-themed afternoon tea
Whiling away an afternoon sipping tea and nibbling teenie-tiny cakes just can’t be done during a regular working week. Use the holidays to indulge in a classic treat whether it be traditional, luxury, vegan, fashionable, cool or rustic. Search Afternoontea.co.uk for hundreds of options across the UK including specials and promotions for Easter. We also found a few healthy-sounding vegan options if you’ve overdone it on the chocolate eggs.
Enjoy eco-friendly family fun
We’ve already picked out some of our favourite eco-friendly family days out – from the Eden Project in Cornwall, to BeWILDerwood in Norfolk, llama parks and organic farms. See our 7 of the best…Eco-friendly family days out.
Go for an Easter walk
It may not be summer-high temperatures just yet, but we’re now on British Summer Time so there is no excuse not to get out into the fresh air and make the most of longer days. Walking is a great way to stay fit, explore a local area, do a bit of wildlife watching on the way, and it’s absolutely free.
Take your pick of woodland walks, coastal walks, hill treks, village strolls, or city ambles. Walking Britain provides a free online resource for walkers detailing recommended walks in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trails and other notable areas of the UK.
Feast at a food market
There are lots of farmer’s markets and street food festivals taking place this Easter. Sample some of the best seasonal fare (roast lamb, fresh new greens) direct from producers; or treat yourself to something exotic or handmade (possibly even chocolate-based if you haven’t had enough). One of our faves, the Real Food Market in London is moving to its new home of King’s Cross station as of 1st April (no longer at Southbank, but check out our old review for a flavour of what to expect in King’s Cross). Find out more about Real Food Market here. You can catch another of our faves Street Feast at a couple of dates around Easter – see website for details.
Check your local council website for details of farmer’s markets or food fairs in your area – and get down there. It’s often a ‘use it, or lose it’ situation!
Visit a pier
Yes, it’s not sunbathing weather quite yet, but you can brave a trip to the coast and while away an afternoon on one of Britain’s traditional seaside piers. After all, the British seaside is a classic bank holiday destination – even if it rains! Grab some fish ‘n’ chips, change a pound coin into coppers for a few goes on the arcade machines, and then warm up with a cup of tea on the pier. Here’s our write-up of things to do around Cromer Pier, in north Norfolk, which has just been named the UK’s Pier of the Year.
Explore a National Trust property
We don’t know exactly what it is, but a visit to a National Trust home or garden just screams Easter to us! It’s the start of the tourist season so all of the locations are usually spruced up and ready for the coming months, and there almost always is an Easter Egg Hunt (in a huge garden or woodland) that you can join. Some properties include working farms so you also get an added bonus of new little lambs to spot. Visit NationalTrust.org.uk for details.
Have a sit down
Sometimes a bank holiday is just a great excuse for a sit down. Avoid holiday traffic, avoid tourists and day-tripping families, avoid entry fees and car parking fees…. Just take a seat (preferably outside if you can – we’ve had months of winter, come on, let’s make the most of it), grab a good book (here are a few we recommend) or simply close your eyes and take a snooze….. See you when the egg-madness is over!