Spring Staycations: Where to Go Between March and May

Spring is arguably the best value season for a UK break. The days are lengthening quickly, the landscape changes week to week, gardens are at their peak, and both prices and crowds sit well below the summer. The trade-off is unsettled weather and the fact that some seasonal attractions haven't opened yet.

Gardens and blossom

Cornwall gets spring earlier than anywhere else in Britain. Its mild, frost-scarce climate supports a remarkable collection of large historic gardens, many planted with subtropical species that wouldn't survive further north, and they reach their peak from March onwards — several weeks ahead of gardens in the Midlands or the north.

The Cotswolds come into their own slightly later, with blossom in the orchards and villages that look their best before the summer coach traffic arrives. Devon and Dorset follow a similar pattern.

Bluebells and woodland

Britain holds a large share of the world's bluebell woods, and they flower for a short window, typically late April into early May depending on latitude and how mild the spring has been. The New Forest, the woodlands of Kent and East Sussex, and the valleys of the Peak District all hold good displays. This is a genuinely time-limited thing — a fortnight either side and you'll miss it.

Coast and country before the crowds

Pembrokeshire and the Northumberland coast are both at their best in spring for a specific reason: seabird colonies. Nesting season brings enormous numbers of birds to the cliffs from around April, and the coastal paths are far quieter than they will be in July.

The Yorkshire Dales and Lake District are excellent in spring, with waterfalls at good levels after winter rain and lambing across the dales. Note that upland weather in March and April is still genuinely wintry — snow on the tops is common well into spring.

What to watch out for

Not everything is open. Many seasonal attractions, campsites and smaller coastal businesses don't open until Easter, and some not until May. Check individually rather than assuming, particularly if you're travelling early in the season or midweek.

Easter distorts everything. The Easter holidays are the one genuinely busy, expensive period in spring, and the date moves considerably from year to year. The weeks either side of it are dramatically cheaper and quieter for near-identical weather.

Pack for two seasons. A spring day in Britain can move from still and warm to cold and wet within an hour, and upland areas can do all four. Layers and waterproofs are not optional, even in May.

Lambing means dogs on leads. Through spring, dogs must be kept under close control around livestock across most of the countryside. If you're bringing one, see the dog-friendly guide for how to plan around it.

Browse destinations across the UK to compare, or look at campsites if you're happy to gamble on the weather.