Easter Staycations: Planning a UK Break for the Easter Holidays

Easter is the first big holiday of the year for many UK families: two bank holidays, two weeks of school holidays, and the first chance of spring weather. It is also one of the busiest times for UK travel, so a little planning goes a long way. In 2027 Easter falls early, which changes what you can expect from the weather and from what is open.

At a glance

Easter Sunday 2027: 28 March. Bank holidays: Good Friday, 26 March, and Easter Monday, 29 March, in England and Wales; Good Friday only in Scotland. School holidays: for most councils in England, 26 March to 9 April 2027. Book: early for the bank holiday weekend.

What an early Easter means

The weather

Late March can bring anything from spring sunshine to snow on the hills. Pack for both, and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor days.

What is open

Many seasonal attractions open for the year around Easter. In an early year, some open later or with reduced hours, so check before building a trip around one. Most National Trust and English Heritage properties are open from late March.

Spring is starting

An early Easter is a good time for daffodils and lambs. Bluebells and most blossom come later. See our guides to daffodil walks and lambing breaks.

Breaks that work at Easter

A family cottage

A cottage gives you space, a kitchen and flexibility for changeable weather. The bank holiday weekend sells out first, so book that early, or travel midweek in the second week of the holidays when prices often drop.

City breaks

Cities like York, Edinburgh and Bath work in any weather, with museums and attractions that suit children. Our guide to city staycations has more.

The coast

Seaside towns wake up at Easter, with cafés and attractions reopening, but the beaches are still quiet compared with summer.

Easter activities

Egg hunts and trails

Many National Trust, English Heritage and other attractions run Easter egg trails over the holidays, often included in admission. They are popular, so arrive early on bank holidays.

Heritage railways

Many heritage railways run their first big services of the year at Easter, often with Easter-themed trains for children.

Pitfalls to avoid

Bank holiday traffic

Roads to popular areas, especially the West Country, the Lake District and the coast, are very busy on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Travel early in the morning or on a different day if you can.

Engineering works

Network Rail often schedules major engineering works over Easter. Check your route before booking train travel.

Minimum stays

Some holiday cottages insist on minimum stays or set changeover days over Easter. Check before you book.

For more, see our guides to bank holiday breaks, family staycations and spring staycations.