How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
After a long winter, many of us look forward to welcoming in the longer, warmer days of spring.
So, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate the beginning of a new season, we’ve put together a list of nine things to do and places to visit in April in the UK. From food and drink events to outdoor adventures and Easter celebrations, hopefully, there’s something for everyone.
1. Sip on some whisky at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Northern Scotland
If you’re a whisky enthusiast, you won’t want to miss Northern Scotland’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
Speyside is the home of several world-class whiskies, including Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, and Macallan, and has over 50 distilleries – many of which open their doors to visitors during the festival. You meet the makers, sip on fine whiskies, and learn more about the production process.
Plus, with live music, arts and crafts workshops, delicious food stalls, and outdoor trails, you don’t even have to be a whisky drinker to enjoy this festival.
The Spirit of Speyside will run from 29th April to 4th May 2026. You can find a full programme of events and book tickets on their official website.
-
United Kingdom | 7 days | Accommodation Included
Small group adventures. Don't just travel, Explore!
Includes taxes and fees
2. Explore the UK’s best-kept secret at the Walk Scilly Festival, Isles of Scilly
If you’d like to get away this month, why not spend a week exploring the beautiful Isles of Scilly? Renowned for their turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and sunny microclimate, the Isles of Scilly are often considered the UK’s best-kept secret, and the ultimate backdrop for exploring on foot.
Returning for its 20th year, Walk Scilly Festival offers a series of guided walks designed to celebrate the best these beautiful islands have to offer.
This year, you can delve into history with resident archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer, spot endangered seabirds with environmental historian Dr Rob Lambert, and much more. The festival runs from 10th-19th April 2026, and you can find the full event programme and book tickets on the Visit Isles of Scilly website.
For further reading, you might also like to read our article: From Scilly to Skye – Exploring the islands of the UK.
-
London - St. Mary's - St. Peter Port - Honfleur
France & England | 5 nights
Departs: 15 Jul 2028
Includes taxes and fees
3. Enjoy sweet treats at York Chocolate Festival, York
York’s Chocolate Festival is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Widely known as the ‘Chocolate City’, York is the home of various classics like KitKat, Rowntree’s, and Terry’s Chocolate Orange. And, with workshops, food stalls, tasting events, and demonstrations from local traders, chocolatiers, and chefs, its Chocolate Festival is the perfect place to get to its beating heart.
The festival is free, with optional paid-for sessions, and will run from 1st to 5th April 2026. You can learn more on the York Food Festival website below.
-
One Traveller York for Christmas*
United Kingdom | 5 days | Accommodation Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
4. Go on a bluebell walk, UK-wide
A bluebell walk is one of spring’s unique joys, and with almost half of the world’s bluebells found in the UK, there’s no better place to head outside on the lookout for these beautiful flowers.
While you shouldn’t have to travel too far to spot bluebells, several locations are particularly well-known for their beautiful displays, including Hardcastle Crags (West Yorkshire), Blickling Estate (Norfolk), and Dinefwr Park and Castle (Carmarthenshire).
Check out this list of 15 of the best places to see bluebells across the UK from Time Out to find a spot near you. You might also like our article: 8 of the best places to see wildflowers in the UK.
5. Soak in the atmosphere at the London Marathon, London
Running the London marathon is an incredible achievement, but there’s something to be said about spectating, too, where you don’t have to cover 42.2km or train for months in advance.
The support of spectators along the marathon route creates a hugely fun and buzzy atmosphere, making it a fantastic day out.
This guide to following the London Marathon from TCS London Marathon has tips on navigating the crowds, best places to spectate, and television coverage if you’d like to watch from home. This year, the London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26th April – head over to the official website to find out more.
-
One Traveller London for Christmas*
United Kingdom | 5 days | Accommodation Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
6. Find your groove at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Gloucestershire
If you love music, why not head to one of Europe’s biggest jazz festivals this spring? It’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s 30th anniversary, and over 50 fantastic artists – across genres from contemporary jazz to soul, blues, and pop – are set to perform.
Running from 29th April to 4th May 2026, this year’s lineup includes artists like Lady Blackbird, Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell, Yazz Ahmed, Emma Rawicz, and Tinariwen.
You can grab your tickets via the official website using the button below.
7. Admire beautiful blooms at Harrogate Spring Flower Show, North Yorkshire
Gardening enthusiasts might like to head to the Harrogate Flower Show this April. Running from 23rd to 26th April, it’s the first major event in the national gardening calendar.
Guests can spend days among spectacular floral installations, brushing up their skills at floristry workshops, and speaking to experts who will share secrets of the trade and tips for creating beautiful arrangements at home. There’s plenty of stalls selling garden must-haves and tasty treats, too – perfect for some gentle browsing before settling in by the bandstand for some live music.
Harrogate itself is a beautiful town, popular for its traditional cafe culture, pristinely kept green spaces, and proximity to the Yorkshire Dales. So there’s plenty to explore in the nearby area, too. You can get your tickets on the official website below.
-
Ramble Worldwide North Yorkshire Coast & Country*
England | 6 days | Accommodation Included
Quote REST2026 and get £100 off your first holiday.
Book a FREE taster walk this summer!
Check provider site for taxes & fees
8. Celebrate National Shakespeare Day, Stratford-Upon-Avon
April 23rd is National Shakespeare Day, so if you love all things Shakespeare, you’ll want to head to Stratford-Upon-Avon this spring.
As the playwright’s birthplace, every year, people gather in Stratford-Upon-Avon for live performances, colourful parades, and immersive workshops. Enjoy costume-making sessions, creative writing groups, short-scene performances from your favourite Shakespeare plays, and much more.
You can find out more about Shakespeare on the National Today website below.
If you’re looking to get into the spirit of Shakespeare this April, you might like Shakespeare’s Ghost: A One-Man Performance over on Rest Less Events, performed by award-winning actor and playwright J.T. Turner.
9. Enjoy Easter-themed events, UK-wide
Easter falls in April this year, and if you’d like to celebrate, there are plenty of ways to get involved, from church services to hot cross buns and Easter egg hunts.
In Lyme Regis, there’s an Easter Bonnet Parade, Cornwall’s Eden Project has a full Easter programme of crafts, games, and activities, and there’s an enchanted forest Easter trail at The Jungle in Londonderry.
Over 100 National Trust and English Heritage properties are also hosting their own Easter-themed events, including adventure trails and egg hunts, perfect for all the family. Browse National Trust and English Heritage Easter events to find one near you.
To learn more about Easter, check out our article: Why do we eat chocolate eggs at Easter?
Final thoughts…
As the days draw out and the weather warms up, April is an ideal time to make fun plans. Whether you decide to welcome spring with an idyllic bluebell walk or attend some of the many exciting events being held across the UK, we hope this list has inspired you.
For more ideas, head over to our travel or art and culture sections. Here, you’ll find everything from must-see museums to days out in the UK.
What plans do you have for April? Have any of the ideas on this list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines