Seasonal Britain: Springtime

With the clocks going forward, and April on the horizon, spring finally feels like it's on the cards after a long and wet winter. As the weather begins to warm up and the landscape bursts into bloom, now might be the perfect time for a stay-cation in the UK. From stunning gardens to scenic hikes, there are plenty of activities to enjoy across the whole of Britain.

Things to Do:

Visit the Chelsea Flower Show in London: Every May, the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (famous for the Chelsea Pensioners) are transformed into a riot of colour and fragrance for the Chelsea Flower Show. The world-famous event is the is the perfect place to admire stunning floral displays, learn about the latest landscaping trends, and discover new plans and gardening products (also some celebrity and royal spotting too). Be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly. 

Take a springtime hike in the Lake District: Inspiring generations of hikers, artists and poets (did anyone say "Daffodils"?) the Lake District have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. In spring, the hillsides and woods are dotted with wildflowers and the fells and mountain passes are beautifully green. There are plenty of trails to choose from, whether you're looking for an easy stroll or a challenging climb. Don't miss walking around Buttermere or Crummock Water for some of the most breath-taking views in the whole of England. Be sure to pack a picnic.

Visit Edinburgh in the Springtime: Scotland's capital city is a great place to visit in the spring, with plenty of cultural events including the Edinburgh International Festival in May. Be sure to visit Edinburgh Castle, which offers stunning views of the city and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. You can also explore the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which features over 13,000 plant species from around the world.

See the Bluebells in bloom in Wales: Wales is famous for it's stunning native Bluebell displays, which can be seeing in woodlands across the country in April and May. Bluebells are protected in the UK and are often most spectacular and in greatest number in ancient woodlands. Some of the best places to see them include Coed-y-Brenin forest park in Snowdonia National Park, and the National Trust's Bodnant Garden in Conwy. Be sure to bring your camera and capture the magical beauty of the carpets of flowers throughout the woods.

Explore the Cotswolds: Now I might be biased, but the Cotswolds, a region of rolling hills and picturesque villages (one of which I call home), is a must see destination in spring. From the honey-coloured stone buildings of Bourton-on-the-Water to the charming market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, there's plenty to explore up and down the old Roman Fosse Way. Consider planning a road-trip starting in Bath and ending in Stratford-upon-Avon (or visa versa) and take advantage of the fantastic EV Charging Network all the way along the Fosse Way.

Seasonal specialities:

Hot Cross Buns and Simnel Cake: Easter might not be the religiously important festival it once was in Britain, but a lot of the traditions (and especially the baking) continue to this day. None more so than Hot Cross Buns and Simnel Cakes. Traditionally, Hot Cross Buns are a spiced sweet bun made with currants and raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and eaten on Good Friday and Simnel Cake is a fruit cake made with marzipan and eaten on Easter Sunday. They can both be found in tearooms and supermarkets up and down the country. 

Lamb: Spring is the season for lamb, and plenty of upland areas across Britain given over to sheep-farming. Wales, however, stands uncontested in it's love of lamb and so it would be a crime not to enjoy some while you're here. It is often roasted with rosemary and served with mint sauce. Book into a local pub on a Sunday for a Roast Dinner around the Brecon Beacons or Snowdonia to pretty much ensure your lamb is as field-to-fork as you can get.

Asparagus: Evesham is the place to go for British Asparagus, in season from late April to early June and often served with butter and lemon. So much so, the town turns over to the Vale of Evesham Asparagus Festival from St. Georges' Day (23rd April) when the first crops are harvested, till the end of the season on the 21st June.

Things to do:

St Patricks Day (17th March): While not specifically a UK festival, centuries of Irish immigration and long established communities across the country turn out to celebrate in style, particularly in areas with strong Irish communities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. While not specifically linked, thousands of Irish Horse Racing fans also descend on Cheltenham around St Patricks Day for the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most important racing festivals in Britain.

Hay Festival (May/June): The annual literature festival takes place in the Welsh literary juggernaut of Hay-on-Wye and features talks, reading, and other literary events. Don't let it's surroundings in the Welsh border town deceive you, the Hay Festival has gone on to set up sister festivals in Asia, Africa, the Americas and in several locations across Europe, and attracted some of the biggest names in world politics, journalism, literature, poetry and music.

Tips for traveling the UK in Spring:

- Book accommodation early, as many public holidays take place around Easter and in May making holiday bookings more difficult if not planned in advance. 

- Dress in layers and prepare for rain, as the weather can be more unpredictable than normal.

- Take advantage of public transport, which is affordable and efficient in most areas.

- Try local cuisine, such as fish and chips or shepherd's pie to support local fisheries and farmers.

- Check the local event calendar for festivals and cultural events happening near you.

With these top things to do in spring, you're sure to have a memorable trip, whether you're interested in culture or horticulture (see what I did there) there's always something to do.