Ten of the UK’s best budget days out this Easter
Spring into action this Easter and plan a big, bargain adventure at beauty spots across the UK. We’ve picked the best penny-pinching days out, from epic egg hunts to free food festivals, via puffin-spotting cruises, bluebell woods and a vintage rollercoaster – and they’re all less than £25 each
05/03/2025
Join the Big Brick Build
When? 12-21 April
Whether you’re tackling a mighty castle or a scaled-down Stonehenge, everyone’s welcome at the Big Brick Build, recreating ten English-Heritage landmarks in LEGO. For Gothic grandeur, why not take on the cliff-perched Whitby Abbey (£6.50-£11; free for under-fives) Afterwards, stroll Whitby’s cobbled lanes and quayside, pausing for a flaky hake and chips at local favourite Mister Chips.
Spot an enormous Easter egg…
When? 24 March-27 April
If you’re in London over Easter, join the Big Egg Hunt by searching for more than 100 eggs dotted across the city. These are no ordinary eggs – they’re two-foot whoppers, decorated by an impressive lineup of artists and creatives, from fashion designer Anya Hindmarch to bear-loving artist LUAP. The eggs will be auctioned for charity, but it’s free to join the fun – download the free app and expect surprises along the way.
…Or meet a very big bunny
When? Throughout Easter
For an Easter egg trail with an epic backdrop, consider Brodie Castle (£8.50-£14), a turreted tower house not far from Inverness. Follow the clues to claim a chocolate egg over the Easter weekend, then head to the Playful Garden, home to a 26ft sculpture of a white rabbit, along with spinning daffodils and rainbow-making unicorns.
Give Dreamland a whirl
When? Throughout Easter
Hop on a high-speed train from London, and you can be in Margate in 90 minutes, strolling by the beach, playing crazy golf, or sipping a flat white at Big Shot. Take in the art at Turner Contemporary (entry is free), or head for the iconic Dreamland, a vintage amusement park. With no admission charges, it’s a token (£3) to give the Chair-O-Plane a spin or to ride the swooping Rock ’n’ Roller coaster.
Nearest airport: London Gatwick
Walk among the bluebells
When? Throughout Easter
Nothing says spring like a rustling dell scented with native bluebells. Close to Sevenoaks, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens (£7.50-£13 entry; free under-4s) is a prime place to seek them out. Its Bluebell Festival isn’t until late April, but you should still find some early blooms dappling the chestnut woods, along with bunnies to hunt for over the Easter Weekend. The Woodland Trust has the lowdown on some other bluebell woods, as does the National Trust.
Take the plunge in Penzance
When? Throughout Easter
Opened in 1935, the Jubilee Pool is the UK’s largest sea-water lido: a triangular, Art Deco beauty overlooking the North Atlantic. The main pool is still chilly in April, but there’s also a geothermal pool, where the saltwater is warmed to a balmy 30°C (£12.50-£14.50). Once you’ve dried off, with a detour to the sauna, the town is a delight to explore, from Chapel Street’s hip boutiques to pubs such as the Admiral Benbow.
Embrace your inner gamer in Manchester
When? 5-21 April
Impress eye-rolling teens with tickets for Power Up, Manchester Science & Industry Museum’s hands-on gaming exhibition. An £8 day pass gets you access to more than 150 consoles and five decades of gaming, from oldies like Sonic and Street Fighter to cutting-edge VR. When it’s game over, hit the Northern Quarter for street art, laidback cafés and Afflecks (aka vintage-lovers’ heaven).
Eat your way around Broadstairs
When? 18-20 April
Old-fashioned seaside charm? Broadstairs has it in spades with its sandy bays, sunset skies and fishermen’s cottages. Easter also brings the free-entry Broadstairs Food Festival, where the bounty runs from local cheeses and ciders to takeaway crab rolls. Save space for an ice-cream at the legendary Morelli’s, sliding into a pink leatherette banquette for a luscious, cherry-topped sundae.
Nearest airport: London Gatwick
Set sail for the Farne Islands
When? Throughout Easter
If you’re craving outdoor adventure, head to the fishing village of Seahouses, an hour’s drive from Newcastle. From here, Billy Shiel’s blue-and-white boats explore the craggy Northumberland coast and the wildlife-filled Farne Islands. Grey seal-spotting trips (£20, free for under-fives) run year-round, weather permitting, while two-hour puffin cruises (£25, free under-fives) start up in April, also taking in seals, cormorants and squabbling guillemots.
Taste the ultimate hot cross bun
When? Throughout Easter
Spending Easter in Edinburgh? Don’t miss the slow-proved sourdough hot cross buns at Twelve Triangles (£3.75). They’re perfectly spiced and liberally spiked with sultanas and candied peel. Pick yours up at the bakery’s Comely Bank outpost, then stroll to the nearby Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, awash with colourful rhododendrons. Entry is free, while an Easter Trail (£3) will keep sharp-eyed kids entertained.
