There's always plenty to do at Easter in London so I've put together this list of the best for 2012. The Bank Holiday weekend for Easter 2012 is Friday 6 April to Monday 9 April but activities often take place over two weeks.
Easter is a Christian festival which gives the UK two bank holidays: Good Friday and Easter Monday. UK schoolchildren get two weeks off school so expect the major London attractions to be busier. Most people celebrate Easter by eating far too many chocolate Easter eggs but here are some other ways to enjoy this springtime holiday.
Church Services
© Laura Porter
Easter is technically a religious event, although it may be hard to see that these days. You could attend an Easter Service at one of the landmark places of worship such as Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, or St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square which usually has live choral and orchestral music during holy week.
Chocolate Easter Eggs
© Hotel Chocolat
What do we want? Chocolate! When do we want it? Now! OK, you can't get away from the chocolate Easter eggs every year. Hotel Chocolat produces Extra Thick Chocolate Easter Eggs which are simply yummy. Check out the Easter Egg Sandwiches (Buy Direct) - what a fantastic idea! I've also got lots of tips on Where To Buy & Try Chocolate in London.
If you miss traditional sweeties go to Hope and Greenwood in Covent Garden for all your old favorites.
Kew Gardens - Kew's Maya Chocolate Adventure
© RBG Kew
Kew Gardens are beautiful in spring and Easter at Kew is all about family adventure, fun, learning and, of course, heaps of chocolate! They always have an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday (9.30am-1pm) and youngsters can collect tokens to get a Easter chocolate treat.
If you want to learn more about where chocolate comes from, there are chocolate themed family trail around the garden and you could take part in a chocolate workshop throughout the Easter Holidays.
Easter Skate Eggstravaganza
The Easter Skate Eggstravaganza starts at 7pm on Good Friday with the Long Good Friday Night Skate - a 3 hour skate past London's most-loved visitor attractions. The Easter Bunny Stroll on Easter Sunday starts at 2pm and is the one to get dressed up for. Bunny girls (and boys) will strut their stuff on an 8 mile relaxed roll on a high profile route around London’s West End. As it is Easter Sunday, after the skate there's an Egg & Spoon Race on Serpentine Road in Hyde Park. And the evening fun continues at 7pm with the Easter Bunny Party for boogieing bunnies!
- Find out more at www.lfns.co.uk
- Free Skating in London
Eggsellent Easter at the London Eye
© London Eye
An Afternoon Tea private capsule is also available during the Easter season but even if you go in a 'normal' capsule remember they've got new touch screen guides to help you identify landmarks. Plus, the London Eye River Cruise is always enjoyable in the springtime.
Hot Cross Bun Ceremony
The Widow's Son pub in Bromley-by-Bow in east London has a bizarre Easter Bun ceremony on Good Friday. Every year a sailor adds a hot cross bun to the collection in honor of a widow who baked a bun for her only son who died at sea. You might like to try this Bow walking tour while in the area.
The Widow's Son, 75 Devons Road, Bow Common, London E3 3PJ Tel: 020 7515 9072London Harness Horse Parade
The London Harness Horse Parade is an annual event that takes place every Easter Monday (so, Monday 9 April is the 2012 date). It is a wonderful opportunity to see working horses such as the Friesian horses from Harrods. The London Harness Horse Parade is actually held a short train ride south of London. Find out all the details on the London Harness Horse Parade Visitor Information.
Family Activities at London Attractions
© Laura Porter
All of London's major attractions have special events for children over the Easter holiday. Some may have egg hunts or decorating eggs which are fun pastimes. Try the V&A, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and the British Museum.
With The London Pass you can pack in loads of sightseeing without spending a fortune. Whether you are taking the whole family or plan to cram in loads of sights on your own The London Pass gives you the freedom to try hundreds of locations for a set price.
London Walking Tours
Now the weather is better(!) why not try a walking tour of London? You could join a guided tour or download a tour if you prefer to be independent. The City of London - the financial district - is a good choice over the Easter weekend as it will quiet without the workers. It is full of historical architecture so is good to see.
