Things to Do in United Kingdom in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in United Kingdom
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom season means gardens across the country are genuinely spectacular - from Kew Gardens to Yorkshire's RHS Harlow Carr, you'll catch tulips, daffodils, and early magnolias at peak display, without the summer coach tour crowds
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after Easter (April 20-21, 2026), meaning accommodation drops 20-35% compared to peak summer rates, particularly in London where you might find Zone 1 hotels at £120-180 instead of £250-350
- Daylight stretches to around 14 hours by late April (sunrise 5:45am, sunset 8:15pm), giving you genuinely long days for sightseeing without the July tourist crush at major sites like Stonehenge or Edinburgh Castle
- Local seasonal food hits its stride - British asparagus season begins mid-April, lamb is at its best, and farmers markets across the Cotswolds and Kent are worth planning routes around rather than just stumbling upon
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 18°C (64°F) and sunshine one day, then 8°C (46°F) with sideways rain the next, which makes packing frustrating and outdoor planning a bit of a gamble
- Easter weekend 2026 (April 17-20) creates a pricing spike and accommodation crunch, particularly in Bath, York, and the Lake District where hotels book out 8-10 weeks ahead and raise rates 40-60% for that long weekend
- Some coastal attractions and island ferries still operate on reduced winter schedules until May - the Isles of Scilly, for instance, has limited flights and sailings, and several Scottish island routes run only 3-4 times weekly
Best Activities in April
Historic Garden Tours and National Trust Properties
April is legitimately the best month for British gardens before they get trampled by summer crowds. The walled gardens at Sissinghurst, the woodland walks at Bodnant, and the spring displays at Kew hit peak bloom. Temperature sits in that sweet spot of 10-13°C (50-55°F) for comfortable walking without overheating, and you'll actually get decent photos without fighting through tour groups. The National Trust properties combine garden access with historic houses, and many run special spring events. Worth noting that rainy days actually make the gardens more atmospheric rather than ruining them.
Literary Walking Tours and Historic City Exploration
The cooler April weather makes walking tours through Bath, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Stratford-upon-Avon genuinely pleasant rather than sweaty slogs. You'll cover 5-8km (3-5 miles) comfortably in 10-12°C (50-54°F) temperatures. Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Oxford's college courtyards are spectacular without the June-August shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and you can actually hear your guide. The occasional rain shower tends to clear out casual tourists, leaving serious walkers with better access. Literary sites tied to Austen, Shakespeare, and the Brontës make more sense when you're experiencing similar weather to what they wrote about.
Coastal Cliff Walks and Seaside Village Exploration
The South West Coast Path, Seven Sisters cliffs, and Cornwall's coastal routes are at their best before summer crowds arrive. April temperatures of 11-14°C (52-57°F) are ideal for the 8-15km (5-9 mile) sections most people tackle in a day. Wildflowers start appearing on clifftops, seabirds are nesting, and you'll have dramatic views without the haze that builds up in summer. The UV index hits 8 on clear days, which surprises people given the cool air temperature - that coastal reflection is real. Rain gear is non-negotiable as coastal weather shifts quickly, but storms are genuinely dramatic rather than just inconvenient.
Traditional Pub Experiences and Regional Food Tours
April weather practically demands proper pub sessions, and you'll catch the tail end of cozy fireplace season while spring menus introduce local asparagus, new season lamb, and fresh seafood. The 70% humidity and cool temperatures make those 16th-century low-ceilinged pubs feel appropriately atmospheric rather than stuffy. Yorkshire, the Cotswolds, and the Lake District have concentrated clusters of historic pubs within walking distance. Food tour operators in cities like London, Bristol, and Manchester run smaller groups in April compared to summer, meaning better interaction and actual conversations with vendors at Borough Market or the Northern Quarter.
Castle and Historic Site Visits with Reduced Crowds
Major sites like the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, Warwick Castle, and Windsor Castle operate full hours by April but see 40-50% fewer visitors than peak summer months. You'll actually get decent photos at the Crown Jewels without someone's selfie stick in frame. The cooler weather makes exploring outdoor fortifications and ramparts comfortable for the 2-3 hours most people spend at major castles. English Heritage and Historic Scotland sites often run special April events tied to medieval history or Easter traditions. Indoor castle sections provide natural rain backup without feeling like you're compromising your day.
Scottish Highlands and Lake District Scenic Drives
April offers that perfect combination of snow-capped peaks, emerging green valleys, and minimal traffic on single-track roads. The North Coast 500, Glen Coe, and Lake District passes are genuinely dramatic with late-season snow above 600m (1,970 ft) creating contrast against lower elevation spring growth. Daylight extending to 8:15pm means you can cover 200-250km (125-155 miles) comfortably without night driving on unfamiliar roads. Midges don't emerge until late May, so you can actually stop for photos and short walks without being eaten alive. That said, some higher passes may close temporarily after heavy rain or late snow, so build flexibility into routes.
April Events & Festivals
London Marathon
Typically runs on the last Sunday of April (likely April 26, 2026), bringing 40,000 runners and massive crowds to central London. The route passes major landmarks from Greenwich to Buckingham Palace, creating road closures and transport disruptions but genuinely electric atmosphere. If you're in London that weekend, embrace it rather than fighting it - watching from Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, or the Embankment gives you free entertainment and insight into British sporting culture. Just avoid trying to cross the route between 9am-4pm.
St George's Day
April 23 is England's national day, though it's far more low-key than Celtic equivalents. Some towns (particularly in the West Midlands and Yorkshire) run small parades and medieval fairs. It's worth knowing about mainly because some attractions run special events or reduced hours, and you'll see more English flags than usual. Not a major tourist draw, but adds context if you're wondering why pubs are busier than expected on a Wednesday.
Easter Weekend Traditions
Easter 2026 falls April 17-20, bringing bank holiday closures, special church services, and traditional events like egg rolling competitions in Lancashire and hot cross bun ceremonies. Major attractions stay open but often charge premium prices. Many Brits take the full four-day weekend for domestic travel, meaning coastal areas, national parks, and historic towns get genuinely busy. If you're visiting over Easter, book everything 8-10 weeks ahead and expect to pay 40-60% more for accommodation.