14 Top Places to Visit in the UK in Spring (2021 Update)
Want to discover the top places to visit in the UK in Spring? Then read on…
As more of the UK’s lockdown restrictions (hopefully) lift over the spring, many of us are gearing up to get out and about.
Sure, things won’t be back to ‘normal’, but I’m positive we’ll soon have the opportunity to return to day tripping and exploring beyond our ‘local’ area.
With that in mind I’ve put together this updated list to some of the best UK spring destinations, highlighting top spots for spring picnics, scenic walks and spotting bluebells!
This list is far from a definitive guide to the best UK destinations to visit in Spring – it’s designed more as a taster of the beautiful towns, cities and coastal areas the UK has to offer. But hopefully you’ll be inspired to visit somewhere new, or maybe be reminded of a UK destination you once fell in love with!
Top places to visit in the UK in Spring!
Brighton
There aren’t many places in the UK more beautiful in the sunshine than East Sussex’s favourite coastline, Brighton.
Venture down and you’ll see a city spring to life after its quieter winter season. The Royal Pavillion beams surrounded by beautiful, tropical gardens, the North Laines and its many indie stores and coffee shops are bustling with excitement and the infamous pier is the perfect spot to saunter in the warmer breeze – and enjoy a cheeky bag of chips (if the seagulls don’t get to them first!).
Take a short drive out of Brighton to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature at Beachy Head and Seven Sisters Country Park. Both are great spots for a picnic with family or friends.
Bristol
Forget London, if you want a spring city break with some va-va-voom then visit Bristol!
The biggest city in the southwest of the UK, it’s a buzzing cultural metropolis with the quintessentially British villages of the Cotswolds to its north and the lush, the green countryside of Somerset to its south.
Also a hop, skip and a jump from Bath, a UNESCO heritage site full of Georgian beauty, Bristol has a rich history of its own, largely focused around the maritime trade.
The city has lots of different things to see and do and there’s something for everyone whether you’re all about the history, into getting up close and personal with cuddly animals or love everything science and high-tech.
Want some more inspiration? Check out our guide to 15 epic things to do in Bristol.
Cambridge
If you’re after a historic university city then you can’t beat a trip to Cambridge (although I may be a little biased as I grew up not too far from here). The city’s beautiful in spring and punting, Cambridge’s version of a gondola trip, is a wonderful, chilled way to see the city – especially the university grounds and the Bridge of Sighs.
Take a picnic and enjoy the city’s green spaces, before heading into the city centre for a bit of retail therapy or culture in one of Cambridge’s many museums…
Cornwall
One of the original British staycation destinations, the endless beaches, harbours and rolling countryside of Cornwall will take your stress away in an instant.
Rent a VW camper van or pitch up in one of the region’s many campsites, then plan a road-trip taking in Newquay’s surf culture, the Eden Project, Padstow, St. Michael’s Mount and Tintagel Castle.
For those up for a challenge, be sure to check out Via Ferrata CornwalL, A 60-acre outdoor adventure site providing the ultimate high-wire and climbing route around a disused granite quarry. It will soon be offering guests the chance to also try out kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, coasteering and archery.
The Cotswolds
As England’s country garden, you’ll find the Cotswolds overflowing with postcard pretty villages, fields of wildflowers, thatched cottages and teashops galore.
I head here all the time for day trips to beautiful towns and villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Tetbury and Minchinhampton Common, where the cows rule the roads.
Spring is the perfect time to visit – the flowers begin to bloom and everything comes back to life, plus it’s when all the great country fetes kick off. You can’t beat a tombola, cake sale and a bit of welly wanging!
A while back we asked some local bloggers to share their personal Costwolds’ highlights – why not check it out?
Dartmoor National Park
There’s so much to do in Dartmoor National Park and the surrounding area that it’s a great destination for a long weekend adventure, as Emma recently discovered.
Take a road trip across the moors, visit the Cistercian monastery Buckland Abbey, the Morwhellam Quay open-air museum or Dartmoor Zoo – whatever your passions they’ll be something to pique your interest…
Harrogate
The Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate has been voted the happiest place to live in the UK and also the third most romantic destination in the world.
Its compact town centre is easy to get around and there’s quite a lot to do both in the town itself and the neighbouring countryside. If you like spas, good food, castles and gardens, then this is a destination for you!
Find out more about what Harrogate has to offer in spring, including the beautiful RHS Harlow Carr.
The Lake District
Not only is the Lake District a World Heritage Site, it’s best seen in May when the bluebells are out and the weather is at its best.
Imagine this – long walks through the bluebells at Rannerdale, followed by a picnic by the lake. Once you’re here, there is so much to do and it can all be done for free if you so wish, making it a great choice for the cost-conscious.
Although if you’re happy to spend a tenner or so, then Sally Fielding, of Sally’s Cottages recommends going to Muncaster Castle.
“I make a pilgrimage there each May as this is the best place in the whole of the Lake District for bluebell woods. Not only that, but the rhododendrons are in full bloom too.
“When I go, I always combine it with a visit to Stanley Ghyll waterfall which makes you feel as though you’re in the rainforest – and it’s free.
“Oh and if you’re feeling brave, combine this with a trip over Hardknott and Wrynose passes – Britain’s steepest road!”
Manchester
Manchester’s great for a cultural weekend escape all year round, but it’s the perfect choice for this Spring because in May RHS Bridgewater Garden opens – The first new Royal Horticultural Society’s garden in 17 years!
The 154-acre garden is currently the largest gardening project in Europe, and will feature one of the UK’s biggest Walled Gardens, a Kitchen Garden, orchards, and a Chinese Streamside Garden amongst other spaces.
Norfolk
Laura’s been exploring a lot of Norfolk over recent years as this is where her boyfriend is based. She’s discovered the county has so much to offer visitors – from boating on the Broads and exploring Norwich city through to beautiful beaches, which are often visited by sunbathing seals!
Laura shares her top tips for visiting Norfolk in this post.
The New Forest
The New Forest is one of my favourite UK destinations. Made up of a mix of pastureland, heath and forest, it’s a truly beautiful place to explore, as you visit the towns and villages dotted throughout the boundaries of the national park.
Appointed a royal forest by William I, it was an area used by nobility and royalty to host hunts, although those that lived there – known as commoners – were given special rights including permission for their animals to freely graze the land. Still in place today, this is something that makes the New Forest such a unique place, as its free roaming ponies can be seen throughout the area and often can be found wandering along the town and village high streets!
Whatever the UK spring weather may have in store, the New Forest has a lot to offer from country walks and animal parks through to indoor family attractions and historical sites. There’s also beautiful flowers galore – first to arrive are the carpets of bluebells and snowdrops, swiftly followed by cowslips, daffodils and more…
Skomer Island
Spring is the time to visit Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire as the puffins return early to mid April after the winter and the spring flowers are in full bloom.
Explore the island on foot and meet the migrant birds, witness the first landings of puffins to the island, watch the amorous displays of guillemots and razorbills and see the island start to bloom with daffodils and wildflowers.
During the spring Skomer is covered in a display of beautiful bluebells so vast that the island appears blue. Puffins, rabbits and short-eared owls are particularly active throughout the day, making this the perfect UK destination for wildlife lovers!
Swansea Bay
In the Swansea Bay area of south Wales you’ll find the picturesque Mumbles and Gower, with its cute independent shops and restaurants, ancient castle, undulating hills and fresh sea air.
The region is home to Rhossili Bay, an award winning three-mile stretch of beach that’s considered the best in the UK. But beyond Rhossili, there’s also Pwll Du Bay, which is a little off the beaten track, Caswell Bay and Three Cliffs Bay, meaning there’s a beach for everyone.
Oh, and if you’d like something a bit more quirky, why not have a go at tobogganing at Pembrey Country Park – it’s a blast!
In spring the temperature can get up to a balmy 20 degrees, which makes it a great time to get outdoors and explore the beautiful welsh countryside…
The Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales are a UK great spring destination – it’s perfect for bluebells, spring lambs and spring salmon!
We recommend a trip to the market town of Sedbergh, a destination that’s totally under the radar but is perfect for an outdoor-focused spring getaway. it’s ideal for quiet riverside walks and lazy picnics. But if you want something more action packed then you can indulge in wild swimming in one of the four rivers, sailing and kayaking on Killington Lake, horse riding.
The town also sits squarely at the heart of a number of the UK’s most iconic long-distance trails, perfect for those that enjoy walking or horse riding. For walkers highlights include the Pennine Journey, and the Dales Way, for horse riders there’s the outstanding Pennine Way.
Top Places to Visit in the UK this Spring – pin for later!
40 Comments
Leona
All amazing suggestions! I personally love Kew Gardens in spring #mondayescapes
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
It’s been a very long time since I visited Kew – thanks for the reminder. I must go back!
Annabel Kirk
Lovely photos! I’m keen to visit Margate, will have to read more about it on your blog! #Mondayescapes
Trip Lounge
I’d love to take a road trip and visit some of these places, they look like something out of a fairytale!
#MondayEscapes
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Aww what a lovely image!
thetravellingwilbennetts
Some amazing suggestions here – some I have had on my to do list for a while – definitely the Cotswolds. You should definitely add the Yorkshire Dales on to that list – the area around Bolton Abbey and Grassington a must. Loads of great walks and in spring blessed the cuteness of lambs bouncing around everywhere. #MondayEscapes
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Fields of lambs are one of my fave parts of spring!
Truly Madly Kids (@TrulyMadly7)
I spent all my childhood holidays in The Gower – such a beautiful coastline #mondayescapes
Keri
I hope I brought back some fond memories!
Nicky@Go Live Young
We are so lucky with the places we have to visit in the UK…and springtime is a beautiful time of year #MondayEscapes
Keri
I agree Nicky, I think spring might be our most beautiful season!
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
Great list of spring inspiration! I haven’t ventured to Wales for years but some fab suggestions. I love London in the spring too! #mondayescapes
Keri
Thanks Elizabeth! 🙂
Angie
This is a great post. I definitely agree with the Norfolk recommendation, but I am a bit biased too! We visited Cornwall in camper van in May last year and had a fabulous time. Warm long days but without the crowds of summer. I am yet to visit Bristol, I must add this to the list for a weekend destination #farawayfiles
Keri
ah you should definitely visit Bristol Angie – so much to see and do!
Janis
Some great places on this list, we visited Margate recently and it’s certainly on the up #farawayfiles
Keri
I see it was praised in that report that came out this week about UK seaside towns…
Corey | Fifi + Hop
Great list! Many of these I know, but actually there’s a bunch I don’t – such as the New Forest. Love the sound of it! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
Keri
Corey – the New Forest?! You need to get yourself back over here to visit – it’s one of the most magical parts of the UK!
Daisy - Dais Like These Family Travel Blog
Spring is my favourite season for sure and it is so pretty in the UK at this time of year, I love it! I had never heard of Skomer Island – it looks amazing!! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Keri
It really does, doesn’t it Daisy! 🙂
Clare Thomson
You’ve got me thinking about Skomer Island now, Keri! And I do fancy a trip back to Cambridge… Thanks for inspiring me on #farawayfiles
Keri
Looks like Skomer’s quite a popular choice – I better go and beat the rush! 😉
museummum
So many lovely ideas here, you’ve almost made me wish we weren’t going away this Easter! We love the New Forest too, and get a day trip to Brighton and Margate in each year. Would love to see more of the Cotswolds #MondayEscapes
Keri
Ah I love Brighton, I miss visiting every year – had friends there but they moved to the Cotswolds – another nice place to visit them!
otisandus
Some fabulous suggestions here, I haven’t visited Skomer island but it looks stunning, and we are yet to visit Norfolk too somewhere I really need to visit this year! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Keri
It looks like Skomer Island is going down a treat. I hope you get to visit – doesn’t it sound wonderful?
bavariansojourn
I have four to tick off until I have visited your list, and I am ashamed to say I haven’t ever heard of Skomer Island before, it looks so lovely! I had to live abroad for 8 years to realise how beautiful my own country could be, it really does open your eyes! Thanks so much for joining in with #CulturedKids
Keri
No totally understand, I often take local, UK destinations for granted. I’ve still so many to visit myself!
Scarlett Roitman
Having lived in the New Forest for five years, I can certainly vouch for that! Thanks for all the inspiration – I’m ashamed to say there are quite a few places on your list that I have never visited! #CULTUREDKIDS
Keri
What a lovely place to live Scarlett, I’m so jealous!
Cultural Wednesday
Yes please to all of them! We see Norfolk in the Spring quite a lot as it is where I grew up and can thoroughly recommend it as a county to explore
Keri
Ha ha! I’ve only visited Norfolk once, but it really surprised me. And when Laura talks about all the seals on the beach I get even more jealous!
Nancy | MapandFamily
I love the New Forest in every season but Spring is probably my favourite. So much more inspiration here as well though! #culturedkids
Keri
Thanks Nancy, glad you enjoyed reading this and we gave you some new ideas!
Truly Madlykids
It’s all about the UK travel! I’ve been thinking about revisiting Cambridge, it is such a beautiful city, and I love the new RHS in Manchester, so many goodies in here #culturedkids
Keri
Hope you get to visit some as things open up – yay!
Ryan K Biddulph
I love the colors on those homes in Bristol Keri.
Ryan
Keri
Me too! I love discovering pastel streets!
Jan (@Chimptrips)
We have just spent a week in the Cotswolds and it really does look fantastic in Spring. Plus it’s a great time to see all the lambs. #mustseeplaces