Where to Spend Your Easter Holiday in the UK

“Easter is all about spending quality time with our loved ones – and what could be better than making the most of this long weekend by taking a holiday together? Luckily, there are many incredible destinations right on our doorstep. Here are our top choices for where you should spend your Easter holiday in the UK.

Edinburgh
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If a sightseeing-filled city break is what you’re looking for this Easter, Edinburgh is exactly what you need. The Old Town is packed full of family-friendly attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland, with many venues hosting special Easter events over the weekend.

Coincidentally, springtime is one of the best times to be in Edinburgh, as the city’s gardens, including the Royal Botanic Garden, will be in full bloom. And if the weather is particularly good, you can spend the day at Holyrood Park, taking on the challenge of climbing up Arthur’s Seat, which boasts far-reaching views over the city centre and the surrounding countryside.

Causeway Coast
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Easter weekend is an ideal time to take a long road trip and there are few driving routes as spectacular as Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast. Dotted with man-made marvels and natural masterpieces, you’ll need to set aside a few days to see all that this coastline has to offer.

Made up of thousands of basalt columns, the Giant’s Causeway is an unmissable stop. However, this is only the beginning of what you can see along the Causeway Coast. Explore the castles of Dunluce and Carrickfergus, take in the view from Mussenden Temple and walk across Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Top it all off by creating a one-of-a-kind chocolate treat for Easter during a workshop at Castlerock’s Chocolate Manor.

The New Forest
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Filled with charming villages, walking trails and wild ponies, New Forest National Park is one of the UK’s most unique destinations for nature lovers. During Easter, many of the area’s popular attractions open their doors for family-friendly events, such as craft sessions and Easter egg hunts.

There is no end to what you can get up to in the New Forest during spring. You can spot newly sprouted bluebells at Exbury Gardens, watch playful otters at New Forest Wildlife Park or admire classic cars at the National Motor Museum. If you’d like to try out a more active pursuit this Easter, sign up for horse-riding or take to the water for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Pembrokeshire
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An Easter trip to Pembrokeshire gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the most stunning stretches of Welsh coastline. In fact, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is considered to be the UK’s only completely coastal national park and it’s filled with a multitude of attractions.

Most travellers base themselves in Tenby during a Pembrokeshire holiday; this seaside town features rows of bright houses and a popular beach. From Tenby, it’s easy to explore the sights. Pembrokeshire’s biggest draw is its natural attractions, such as the serene beaches of Barafundle Bay and Freshwater West. Just remember to keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and whales, which are all regular visitors along this wild coastline.

Northumberland Coast
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There really is something for everyone along the Northumberland Coast, which is home to ancient structures, fishing villages, fragrant gardens and countryside walks. This scenic region has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with these beautiful landscapes truly coming alive in spring.

Those travelling with kids in tow will be besotted with this area. Stop by Bamburgh Castle for archery demonstrations and alpaca treks. If it’s a warm day, head down to the beach beneath the castle walls for a lengthy stroll. There are many other places to include during a Northumberland Easter holiday; view the flowers at Alnwick Garden or take a boat ride to Lindisfarne, home to the ruins of the island’s former priory.

North York Moors National Park
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North York Moors National Park is an ideal choice for a quiet Easter getaway to the countryside. This national park is known as a walker’s paradise, with its rolling hills of heather and long trails. However, even if the weather doesn’t play along, there’s still a lot you can get up to during a holiday in North York Moors.

Begin your sightseeing at the atmospheric ruins of Rievaulx Abbey or discover 1,000 acres of parkland at Castle Howard. Over Easter weekend, you can take a step back in time at Ryedale Folk Museum, which will be hosting themed workshops and chocolate egg hunts. In the evenings, wrap up warmly and head outdoors to do some stargazing; this part of the UK has some of the darkest skies in the whole country.

Isle of Lewis and Harris
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To really get away from it all, an Easter visit to Scotland’s Isle of Lewis and Harris will make you feel like you’ve wandered far off the beaten track. But don’t be fooled by the slower pace of island life here – there are many things to do in Lewis and Harris.

History enthusiasts will be delighted by the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones and the ancient dwellings at Bosta Iron Age House. If your visit coincides with sunny weather, make a beeline for Luskentyre Beach; with its sky-blue waters and white sand, it’s one of the prettiest beaches in all of the UK. Stay in a hotel in Stornoway, where you’ll find restaurants as well as souvenir shops selling Harris Tweed, a local handwoven cloth.

Derry~Londonderry
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Interchangeably referred to as Derry and Londonderry, the second-largest city in Northern Ireland offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor attractions, which will give you plenty of options in the changeable weather that can accompany an Easter-time visit.

Stay at a hotel in Derry~Londonderry’s city centre so that you can make the most of your time in this city. Get your bearings by taking the one-mile loop around the 17th-Century city walls. To learn more about this city’s fascinating history, visit the Tower Museum and the Guildhall. On sunnier days, you can take the short drive out to Ness Country Park, where you’ll find forest walks, springtime bluebells and a waterfall.

Dorset
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Dorset, located in southern England, is a firm favourite with families all year round. Its popularity extends to Easter as well, with Dorset’s otherworldly sights, bustling seaside towns and peaceful beaches drawing crowds of visitors to these shores.

Dorset’s most famous landmark is Durdle Door, a large limestone arch that frames a picture-perfect bay. Other outdoor activities in the area include fossil hunting; Dorset is part of the Jurassic Coast, so named for the innumerable fossils found here. The best fossil beaches are Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Other worthy stops in Dorset include the castles of Lulworth and Corfe, Lulworth Cove and Brownsea Island.

Anglesey
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Anglesey, located off the coast of northern Wales, is a hidden gem packed with historical sites and awe-inspiring scenery. This island also offers Easter holidaymakers a rare opportunity to see the full spectrum of British wildlife.

You can spot elusive red squirrels at Newborough Forest, catch glimpses of kingfishers and woodpeckers at Dingle Nature Reserve and watch puffins and razorbills at South Stack Lighthouse. However, an Easter weekend in Anglesey wouldn’t be complete without taking a photo at Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch train station, which, unsurprisingly, bears the longest place name in all of Europe.

Feeling inspired to travel somewhere new this Easter? Start planning your Easter holiday in the UK today!”