Across the UK, ancient traditions blend with home-spun celebrations as families and friends gather to celebrate Easter. From Cornwall’s wildflower-strewn coastline to Cotswold hills dotted with daffodils, spring awakens the British landscape from it's winter slumber. With a bank holiday weekend in the diary, whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a family break during the half term, or a peaceful solo retreat, we have rounded up the very best Easter holiday destinations.
Framed by dramatic cliffs, blonde beaches and poetic countryside immortalised in Thomas Hardy’s novels, Dorset has long been a favourite holiday destination for lovers of the outdoors. Home to the iconic Jurassic Coast – England’s first World Heritage Site – this 95-mile stretch is a geological wonder. Head to Chesil Beach in search of fossils or visit Durdle Door, a limestone stone arch extending out into the sea and the layered cliffs at Lulworth Cove.
Where to stay: Zephyros, Kingfisher Farm, Sugar Ray and Fjall
As diverse as it is beautiful, Kent flaunts the very best of coast and country. The shoreline is dotted with pastel cottages, harbour towns, and beaches set beneath towering white cliffs, while the hinterland is home to grand stately homes and gardens woven between patchwork fields. Ashdown Forest – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – offers sweeping views over the countryside. This storied landscape provided both the inspiration and setting for A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh; visitors can wander the famed Hundred Acre Wood and play a game of Poohsticks on the original bridge.
Where to stay: Maison Blanche and Romany
With two striking coastlines, two National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Devon is a county of remarkable beauty. The south coast – fondly dubbed the English Riviera – is lined with traditional seaside villages and secluded coves. Visit the sailing Mecca of Salcombe or venture inland to Dartmoor, where rugged landscapes whisper of ancient myths and legends. A county of contrasts, Devon promises an unforgettable escape for families seeking an Easter holiday destination with adventure and tranquillity in equal measure.
Where to stay: Verte, Botania, The Brandy Thief and Watermark
Best known for its storybook villages and sweeping valleys, the Cotswolds attracts many visitors for its historic sepia feel. After long rambles along the Cotswolds Way there’s no shortage of traditional inns offering a drink beside a log fire. Beyond its picture-postcard allure, the region has also evolved into a hub of creativity, drawing a wave of designers, artists, and writers. In their wake, sustainable restaurants, natural wine bars, and curated homeware shops have flourished, infusing this pastoral county with a dynamic energy.
Where to stay: Anthology Farm, The Knapp, The Walled Garden and Four Hundred Summers
There’s a stylish underbelly to the Cornish coast that flies in the face of predictable seaside sojourns. Beyond the wild moorland, iconic surf spots, and pastoral landscapes, Cornwall glints with an artistic flair. After hiking across the storied expanse of Bodmin Moor or wandering through picturesque fishing villages, catch an open-air performances at the Minack Theatre and discover harbourside restaurants serving up pot-caught octopus. Should April showers set in, the Eden Project offers an inspiring escape, whatever the weather.
Where to stay: Castle Trematonia, Monterey, Morwell and Ukiyo
