Easter is a great opportunity to enjoy a family holiday. With the schools closed for two weeks, it’s easier to get away for the long Easter weekend or even a week. There are special Easter events held in towns, villages and visitor attractions across the UK, and the milder weather opens up the possibility of outdoor adventures.
Make the most of the Easter holidays for some time away with the family. Here are a few of our favourite places in the UK for a family-friendly Easter holiday.
Combining a beautiful coast with lush green countryside, Dorset is one of the prettiest places in England. The Dorset springtime is mild (around 15 degrees C in April), and the coast paths and country lanes burst into colourful bloom. While it’s not beach weather (for most of us anyway), you can certainly enjoy a seaside stroll with an ice cream.
Look out for family-friendly Easter activities such as chocolate egg hunts. Try the Easter egg trails at Monkey World or Swanage Railway for something a bit different.
See our holiday cottages in Dorset.
It just feels natural to head for the “Garden of England” in springtime. There are plenty of Easter activities laid on across Kent, including at Hever Castle, Leeds Castle and Walmer Castle, and there’s a fabulous-sounding LEGO event at Dover Castle.
We’re drawn to the free food and drink festival at Broadstairs over the Easter weekend, which will feature around 100 stalls from Kent’s food producers. Kent is always a good place for a family holiday, from the shops and eateries of Canterbury to the splendid seaside entertainments at Margate.
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The woods are the best place to spot the signs of spring. Bright bulbs bloom beneath the trees, which are coming back into leaf in a rush of fresh green. There are pathways and trails all around this lovely National Park, with routes for all ages and abilities.
Families can learn more about the Forest and its flora and fauna at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst. This is one of several lovely old towns in the area, and there’s also Southampton if you need a day of museums and larger shops.
See our holiday cottages in Hampshire.
There is so much on for families over the Easter holidays in the Peak District. There are Easter events and activities at Hardwick Hall, Kedleston Hall and Chatsworth to name just three, and there’s always lots going on at Alton Towers, Gulliver’s Kingdom and Drayton Manor.
If you and the family love exploring, hiking and climbing, the Peak District is the perfect holiday destination for you. It’s especially lovely at this time of year, with new spring grass, birdsong and those impossibly cute newborn lambs.
See our holiday cottages in The Peak District
North Wales has been a popular spot for families for generations. We love its varied coast, ranging from near-deserted beaches on Anglesey to traditional resorts like Llandudno with its Victorian prom and pier. If you leave the coast, you’re just minutes away from the mountains and lakes of majestic Eryri.
This area has a wealth of National Trust properties (including Bodnant Gardens, Penrhyn Castle and Plas Newydd), so you’re never far from a chocolate egg hunt! Look for signs of spring at RSPB Conwy and spend a sunny afternoon wandering around the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay.
See our holiday cottages in North Wales.
Easter is an excellent time to visit Scotland. There may be snow in the higher ground, but April is often pretty dry and you should get to enjoy plenty of spring sunshine. Although the towns and visitor attractions are busier during the Easter holidays, it’s still quieter than it is in the summer.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in this part of Scotland, from Loch Ness to Skye, and if you love castles, you’ve come to the right country. The Cairngorms National Park is the ideal holiday destination for families that enjoy fresh air and exercise, with a choice of outdoor activity centres as well as exceptionally good walking.
See our holiday cottages in the Highlands.
Take a look at our collection of luxury holiday cottages for families, which have plenty of room for everyone and often feature family-friendly touches like enclosed gardens and access to play equipment. Our family-friendly cottages make the perfect base for your springtime adventures and Easter egg hunts!
What’s the best thing about staying in the UK for your summer holiday? Your dog can come, too! For many of us pet parents, it simply wouldn’t feel like a holiday unless our four-pawed family members are part of the party.
At Handpicked Cottages, we have a great selection of luxury dog-friendly cottages, many with special features like outside showers, walks from the doorstep and cosy dog beds. You’ll find our dog-friendly cottages all over the country, from Devon’s sandy beaches to the rugged terrain of the Highlands.
To help you choose your dog-friendly holiday destination, we’ve put together a list of suggested places. Whether your pooch prefers an energetic run along the shore, a long walk in the hills or simply an afternoon by the fire, there’s something for every dog here.
Lovely Suffolk has everything you need for a successful dog-friendly holiday: lots of countryside for walkies, a fabulous coastline and plenty of welcoming pubs and cafes. It’s also home to Britain’s Most Dog-Friendly Destination 2024, Bury St Edmunds.
The historic market town won the award for its blue sticker scheme. Over 140 dog-friendly shops, eateries and attractions in the town (including the cathedral!) display a blue paw print sticker, making it super-easy to spot a pet-friendly place to visit. We love this town-wide initiative.
See our Suffolk holiday cottages (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
The majestic Lake District is a popular destination for families with energetic dogs. Collie owner? This is the holiday spot for you! The Lake District has some of the best walking in the country, and you’re rewarded for your exertions with breathtaking scenery.
Does your dog enjoy a dip? The famous lakes provide the perfect opportunity for a refreshing swim or paddle (just avoid all areas with blue-green algae), and there are also some great beaches along the Cumbrian coast. Look out for dog-friendly boat trips on the larger lakes like Ullswater and Windermere.
See our Lake District cottages (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
Great news: one of Wales’ most beautiful beaches, Rhossili Bay, is dog-friendly all year round. The Gower is simply stunning and one of our favourite places for a coastal dog walk. The Welsh capital Cardiff (Caerdydd) welcomes dogs – we recommend Bute Park and the grounds of Cardiff Castle as top exercise spots.
Two of the top visitor attractions in the region are dog friendly. Explore the fascinating open air museum at St Fagans with your pup, or enjoy the lovely surroundings of Tintern Abbey (Tintern village is also really accommodating).
See our South Wales cottages (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
If you own a sea dog, there’s nowhere quite in Cornwall’s league for a pooch-friendly holiday. There are some absolutely gorgeous year-round dog beaches in Cornwall, including beautiful Harlyn Bay near Padstow (also good for kids) and Bamaluz Beach in the middle of St Ives.
These two towns are really dog-friendly, and your pooch will get so much attention in the local establishments! And this is why we love a Cornish holiday – the people really love animals and go out of their way to make them feel welcome.
See our Cornwall holiday cottages (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
Like Bury St Edmunds, Edinburgh has also picked up plaudits for being a great place for dogs. As well as pup-friendly shops, eateries and pubs, there are lots of green spaces in and around Edinburgh, from central Inverleith Park to the magnificent Arthur’s Seat. Calton Hill is a gentle alternative to Arthur’s Seat, but still with incredible views.
A little further afield, Portobello Beach is dog-friendly and is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. The hills, rivers and woods outside the city are ideal for longer walks, and you can easily get to a wide choice of country parks from Edinburgh.
See our holiday cottages in Edinburgh and Lothians (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
The rolling hills, meandering rivers and many footpaths of the Cotwolds are a dog walker’s dream. This pretty part of England remains one of our favourite destinations for pet-friendly holidays, not least for the many excellent pubs and cafes that welcome dogs.
There are also plenty of dog-friendly visitor attractions to choose from. Try the circular walk at Broadway Tower or the woods at Westonbirt Arboretum. Cotswold Wildlife Park accepts dogs on leads (which is pretty unusual, and very good news for families with both kids and dogs).
See our Cotswolds Cottages (use the filter to find dog-friendly accommodation).
We really are a nation of dog lovers, and Britain offers a fantastic choice of dog-friendly holiday destinations. Take a look at our collection of luxury holiday cottages that welcome dogs, and read our guide to choosing the pawfect accommodation for you and your pet.
Please note: even in the most dog-friendly holiday resorts, there may still be some restrictions, such as certain hours for beach use or a requirement for dogs to be kept on the lead.
If you have any questions, you can use our form below to send an email and we’ll be in touch.