Things to Do in United Kingdom in April

April's the sweet spot for these honey-colored stone villages - warm enough for 6-8 mile hikes between Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, but before tour buses clog the narrow lanes. The fields between villages explode with wild garlic and early bluebells, and pub fireplaces still burn in the evenings. Morning mist lifting off the River Windrush creates those scenic England shots without the summer crowds.

Perfect April weather for cycling the Thames Path - not too hot for a helmet, not too cold for gloves. The riverside pubs between Richmond and Hampton Court have just reopened their outdoor terraces, and you'll share the path with locals rather than tourists. Early evening rides catch the sun setting behind Kew Gardens' Victorian glasshouses.

April evenings in Edinburgh hit that perfect pub temperature - warm enough for a slow crawl through the Old Town's historic taverns, but cold enough to justify every whisky tasting. The city's famous for producing more published authors per capita than anywhere else, and the stories flow better when you're not shoulder-to-shoulder with summer tourists.

April brings wildflower meadows to the cliff tops and empty beaches to the coves. The South West Coast Path between St Ives and Padstow offers 10-15 mile day hikes where you might see 50 shades of gorse yellow and only 5 other people. The sea's too cold for swimming, but good for photos of turquoise water against grey granite cliffs.

The Lake District's bridleways dry out in April after winter mud, creating perfect mountain biking conditions around Windermere and Coniston. The trails through Grizedale Forest are rideable without summer crowds, and the pub at the bottom of every valley still serves winter warmers like sticky toffee pudding alongside local ales.