This Easter weekend, you could have breakfast at home and just a few hours later enjoy lunch with a view of the London Eye or dinner with Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop.
Whatever your preference, Avanti West Coast can make it simple. So take advantage of the bank holiday weekend and hop on a train for a spring break in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
When is Easter Weekend in the UK?
Easter falls on a different date each year between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. Although the placement of the date may seem random, for the answer we need to look to the skies.
That’s because Easter Sunday is officially the Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox (the Paschal Moon). Since the Paschal Moon falls on the 1st of April, Easter Sunday is the 5th of April in 2026.
Are trains running over the Easter Bank Holiday?
Travel in April is particularly popular in the UK as many of us get to enjoy a four-day Easter weekend. This bank holiday weekend falls on the following dates:
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3rd April: Good Friday – A UK-wide bank holiday
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5th April: Easter Sunday – Not officially a bank holiday but many people have the day off
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6th April: Easter Monday – A bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Are trains running over the Easter Bank Holiday?
The Easter bank holiday is a busy travel period in the UK, but train travel is well-supported across the country.
However, there can be a few alterations to timetables and sometimes scheduled engineering works take place over the Easter bank holiday, so it’s always best to plan your trip in advance.
Are trains running on Good Friday?
Engineering work is due to take place at London Euston and Milton Keynes, resulting in an amended service on a handful of routes. However, many services remain unaffected and will run on a normal bank holiday schedule.
Are trains running on Easter Sunday?
Yes, although services may be reduced, Easter weekend is well-planned for, and there are many routes with trains running to and from major cities.
Do trains run on Easter Monday?
Avanti West Coast trains run on Easter Monday and typically follow a bank holiday schedule.
What to expect from Easter events throughout the UK
Easter weekend in the UK is packed with things to do and see up and down the country, but particularly in big cities. From food markets and family-friendly shows to interactive trails and a host of spring exhibitions, it's a great time to be out and about.
Is Easter weekend a good time for a family city break?
Easter weekend is the perfect time to travel as a family. Since it’s also a school holiday, there are lots of daytime activities and events for all ages scheduled. And, with spring finally in the air, many of the events are outdoors.
Plus, Easter trains make getting around simple and stress-free. No more getting stuck in traffic or scouring for a parking spot in a packed city centre.
Celebrating Easter in London
London is the UK’s most popular Easter destination with a huge mix of events and attractions taking place in every corner of the city. The good news is getting in and out of London at Easter is a breeze with Avanti West Coast.
But with so much on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re planning on celebrating Easter in London, here’s a selection of major must-sees in the capital.
Borough Market
One of London’s premier food destinations, Borough Market is popular all year round, but at Easter it really comes into its own. With a bustling atmosphere and a ton of seasonal spring treats on offer, it’s the perfect starting point.
Follow your visit with a stroll along the South Bank to enjoy a selection of street performers, riverside stalls and gorgeous Bankside views.
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Dates: Open Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Easter Sunday.
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Cost: Free.
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Address: 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL.
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Getting there: The market is a six-minute walk from London Bridge tube station.
The Big Egg Hunt
Every Easter, 123 egg sculptures pop up around London to raise both awareness and funds for wildlife conservation. Your search will take you all over, from Buckingham Palace to Covent Garden, from Battersea Power Station to Sloane Street and beyond.
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Dates: Easter weekend.
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Cost: Free.
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Address: Various locations across London.
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Getting there: Choose where you would like to begin and the nearest station. Walk to find as many as you can in the vicinity, and then jump on the tube or train to your next location.
There are lots of egg hunts happening this Easter around the city, including:
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Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace. The closest station is Hampton Court.
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Kew Gardens Easter Egg Hunt. The closest station is Kew Gardens.
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London Zoo Zoonormous Egg Hunt. The closest stations are Camden Town and Regent’s Park.
London Easter 10k
If you’re on the hunt for something more active this Easter, you can pop on your bunny ears and take part in the London Easter 10k. Aimed at runners of all levels, the route covers the park’s iconic sights such as the famous boating lake and Broads Walk.
Or, if that seems a little like too much physical activity on the bank holiday weekend, you could cheer on the runners from the sidelines. If you would like to join the run, be sure to register in advance.
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Dates: Monday 6th April, 10:30 am.
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Cost: The 10k Run is £30 and the Junior Run is £7.
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Address: Regent’s Park.
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Getting there: Regent’s Park Tube Station is a short walk to the entrance of the park.
Celebrating Easter in Manchester
Another fun and well-connected Easter weekend destination is Manchester. With a vibrant food scene and family-friendly attractions, you won’t struggle for things to do and see in this city.
Science and Industry Museum
This Easter you can expect amazing interactive activities, demonstrations and live shows that are fun for any age.
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Dates: Daily, 10 am to 5 pm.
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Cost: Free (with extra costs for special exhibits).
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Address: Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP.
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Getting there: A half-hour walk or 17-minute tram ride from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
With over 145 acres of stunning landscapes, RHS Garden Bridgewater is the perfect place to spend the day this Easter. Enjoy an egg hunt, craft workshops, a giant bubble show, live performances and the beautiful Guess How Much I Love You™ garden adventure trail.
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Dates: 3rd to 6th April, 10 am to 6 pm.
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Cost: Entry for adults is £17.80, entry for children (5-16) is £5, and under 5’s enter for free.
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Address: Occupation Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ.
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Getting there: Around a 30-minute taxi ride from Manchester Piccadilly.
National Trust Easter Adventures Trail
Manchester’s Dunham Massey is home to a historic Georgian house set in over 300 acres of gardens, winding paths and idyllic grounds.
This Easter, the estate plays host to the National Trust Easter Adventure Trail, filled with fun activities for all the family.
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Dates: 26th March to 19th April.
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Cost: Entry for adults is £12.10, entry for children (5-17) is £6.10, and under 5’s enter for free. Easter events cost an extra £3.50 per person.
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Address: Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ.
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Getting there: A 30-minute taxi from Manchester Piccadilly.
Celebrating Easter in Edinburgh
As the weather brightens up and days get longer, Easter is the perfect time to visit the Scottish capital. Plus, with Avanti West Coast taking you right into the heart of the city to Edinburgh Waverley Station, getting there has never been easier.
There is plenty to see and do in Edinburgh all year round, but this Easter bank holiday has even more to offer.
Easter Play in Princes Street Gardens
This community play takes place in lush gardens with the iconic Edinburgh Castle as its backdrop. Bringing the story of Easter to life in full regalia and with integrated BSL interpretation, it's sure to be an experience like no other.
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Dates: Saturday 4th April, 2 pm.
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Cost: Free.
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Address: West Princes Street Gardens, EH2 2HG.
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Getting there: An eight-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Sitting at the top of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, Camera Obscura is one of the oldest and most-loved tourist attractions in the city. It has 100 weird and wonderful exhibits over five floors and a panoramic rooftop terrace that offers unparalleled views.
Over the Easter bank holiday weekend you can enjoy egg hunts, themed projections and seasonal decorations.
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Dates: 28th March to 19th April, 8 am to 10 pm daily.
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Cost: Entry for adults is £24.95, entry for children (5-15) is £17.95, and under 5’s enter for free.
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Address: 549 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND.
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Getting there: A 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Edinburgh Science Festival
This year's Edinburgh Science Festival theme is ‘Going Global’. There are tons of activities on offer, including an exploration of Scotland’s contribution to the world of science. There are also creative chemistry workshops and a mini dinosaur dig for children.
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Dates: 4th to 19th April.
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Cost: Costs vary for each show/activity, ranging from £9 to around £36.50.
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Address: The festival takes place at different venues around the city.
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Getting there: All venues are accessible from the city centre.
Helpful tips for planning an Easter weekend trip
To ensure a smooth, stress-free city trip this Easter bank holiday weekend, take a look at our checklist below:
1. Always book in advance
Avanti West Coast has plenty of services scheduled this Easter, but it’s one of the busiest travel periods in the UK, so booking tickets in advance is a must. The same goes for attractions you plan to visit at your destination; avoid disappointment by securing tickets in advance.
2. Don’t pack the kitchen sink
The weather in the UK is unpredictable at the best of times, and April is a prime example of the four-seasons-in-one-day adage. However, that doesn’t mean you should pack every coat, boot, sandal and pair of sunnies you own, ‘just in case’.
Trains may be busy, cities certainly will be and lugging around excess baggage is no fun for anyone. Opt for layers that pack down, fold or roll up small to conserve space.
3. Get there early
Racing through the train station as the final whistle sounds in the background is the kind of stress nobody wants. Get to the train station at least 25 minutes before your train is due to leave to give yourself plenty of time.
4. Build ‘buffer time’ into your Easter event schedule
Delays happen, whether that’s your train running late, bank holiday crowds slowing you down or taking a wrong turn while navigating a new city. Don’t cram your schedule too tight; allow plenty of time between attractions.
Travelling for the Easter bank holiday by train with Avanti West Coast
Whichever city break you choose, Avanti West Coast makes it simple. You could invest in a Railcard to save up to a third on attraction tickets, and don’t forget to look out for family fare offers.
Now all that’s left to do is book your tickets and look forward to sitting back and enjoying the scenery as you arrive into the heart of your chosen city.
