5 quintessential British springtime holidays

Get out into the Great British outdoors this season, when vibrant bluebells fill the woodlands and darling baby lambs totter across pastoral landscapes. Whether you’re exploring the gardens of stately homes in the English countryside or heading further afield for an adventure holiday in Wales, spring is the perfect time to immerse yourself in nature with friends and family. Here are a few fantastic spots to consider for your next trip. 

Cotswolds

Live out your best Bridgerton fantasy at a country manor in the Cotswolds, the place pastoral dreams are made of. Idyllic scenes and rolling green hills lie around every corner here, though a car is essential to get around them. Flower fanatics will find much to fuss about as stunning gardens come alive throughout springtime – from the royal boughs at Highgrove to the expansive gardens of historical National Trust properties. Explore the region’s honey-hued market towns and palatial mansions fit for any Austen character. 

Don’t miss: Delicate white snowdrops bloom across the Cotswolds in February, so head to Cheltenham’s famed Colesbourne Gardens to see a floral avalanche take over the ten-acre grounds.  

Yorkshire

Springtime rolls out carpets of bluebells and primroses in Yorkshire, with seas of purple taking over the woodlands as wildflowers pepper the limestone cliffs. Make a beeline for the Yorkshire Dales National Park , where you'll be able to bounce from one magical village to another as you explore the sprawling landscapes. Don’t forget to bring your walking shoes as waterfall hikes are the norm here, particularly around the picturesque Aysgarth. 

Don’t miss: Prepare to take a second suitcase home – the village of Hawes is home to some of the country’s best cheeses. The Wensleydale Creamery is at the top of the list for any travelling gourmands.  

Brecon Beacons

Fields of daffodils, the Welsh national flower, take over the dramatic scenery in Brecon Beacons National Park to herald the arrival of spring. Once you’ve explored the historic market towns and tucked into a Welsh rarebit or two, take to Brecon’s vast verdant landscapes and explore the region’s breathtaking nature. Mountain biking paths, fishing, hiking and more are just a few of the things to keep you moving through the woodlands and ridges scattered across the area. 

Don’t miss: Explore Brecon on four hooves with an unforgettable horse trekking adventure by Unicorn Trails. 

Norfolk

Do as royalty does and head over to Norfolk, where grand stately homes throw open their doors to visitors and bluebells take over the trails at Foxley Wood. Head to the woodlands with your binoculars in tow to spot woodpeckers and speckled butterflies drawn to the springtime activity in the forest, or watch fluffy white lambs take their first steps this lambing season. If you’re planning to visit in May, you’ll get to join the action at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival , filled with all kinds of performances and art exhibitions to inspire you. 

Don’t miss: Sink your teeth into succulent seafood at the Cromer Crab and Lobster Festival , a day celebrating Norfolk’s vibrant fishing heritage. 

Cornwall

Coast and countryside collide to create stunning scenescapes in Cornwall, making it one of the ultimate British holiday escapes, come rain or shine. Filled with lovingly tended gardens, dramatic coastlines and some of the UK’s best fish and chips, it’s well worth a visit at any time of the year – but especially in the springtime. Over at Trebah Gardens , a wave of magenta and lemon rhododendrons slope towards the sea as intrepid Indiana Jones-types scour the Jurassic coast for fossils.  

Don’t miss: Celebrity chef Rick Stein has a big presence in Cornwall, with numerous restaurants around the area. Our favourite? The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, which serves exactly what it says on the tin.