A Cracking Easter Weekend in London

Just in time to rescue us from the winter doldrums comes springtime and the prospect of a long Easter weekend. For some of us, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to get in a bit of gardening whilst lounging about the house. But for others, it’s time to get out and dive deep into all the eggy fun life has to offer. In other words, it’s time for an Easter weekend in London.

We’re here with whole basket of events, activities and other fun things to do in London that will make Easter 2022 a snap, starting with where to stay:

Hotel packages for couples and families

Building your London Easter around even just an overnight stay will give you more flexibility to enjoy the holiday as you please, at your own pace. Even better, choose a hotel that not only puts you in the middle of all the Easter action, but offers five-star luxury and amenities on terms that are a treat in themselves.

Blue Orchid Hotels’ (BOH) trio of Tower Suites, The Rochester and The Wellington more than meet those lofty requirements. These hotels in central London cosset guests with niceties like fine in-house dining and spa treatments – as well as a choice of spacious rooms suitable for everyone from couples to families. There’s even an assortment of packages on offer to wrap it all together at prices that are plain delightful – ‘Sunday Funday at Westminster’, ‘Sunday Funday in the City’, ‘Family Time’ and ‘Relax and Unwind’ may be just what you need to make this Easter as memorable for luxury as it is for fun.

Family-rated fun

The Aldgate Egg Hunt

Family and friends of all ages can join in this scavenger-style hunt for chocolate treats, starting with finding the first of 10 clues at the Dorsett City Hotel in Aldgate High Street. The whole hunt takes approximately 30-40 anticipation-filled minutes, and admission is free. Runs 4th to 13th April.

Spring Explorers at the Natural History Museum

The nature and biodiversity of springtime are the basis of this series of fun and fascinating activities at the Natural History Museum. Though clearly aimed at kids, even adults will enjoy such interludes as Spring Hunt Bingo, Poo Detective, Minibeast Encounter and more. Admission is free. Enquire for specific dates, times and bookings. Runs from 4th to 17th April.

Vauxhall City Farm

Anytime is a good time to visit your farmyard friends at Vauxhall City Farm – but for Easter, the focus will naturally be on rabbits, of which they have plenty. Pet them, cuddle them, and watch where you step as you move on to the other 13 or so animals who make this rural oasis their home. Free admission.

Dino Kingdom

Giant lizard fans will be bowled over at this awesome outdoor dinosaur experience at Gunnersbury Park. Animatronics and high-tech augmented reality bring the creatures to life, all amid 72 hectares of picnic-friendly parkland. Event runs to 18th April. Family tickets £49-59. Check out the link for booking and information.

Grown-up diversions

Top Cuvée Easter egg hunt

Easter Sunday will see registered over-18s gather at Top Cuvée’s shop in Highbury for a distinctly different kind of egg hunt – one with ‘eggs’ provided by the varied and delicious likes of Tony’s Chocolonely, Yard Sale Pizza, Jolene bakery, Supa Ya Ramen, Mam Sham, Patty & Bun, Brindis and others. Register here.

London Easter 10k

A Sunday of boozy egg-hunts and roasted meats is sure to leave you in a stupor. Snap out of it by waking early on 18th April to run three laps of Regent’s Park. There’s a children’s race too – perfect for burning off the last of those sugar highs. All finishers get a special Easter-themed medal! The torture begins at 10.30am sharp. Book here.

Easter at Up at The O2

Here’s your chance to enjoy one of London’s most stunning venues as well as Easter treats in a breathtaking new way. Twice a day, guided groups can climb up The O2’s iconic roof – then take a break at the 52m summit to decorate a few Easter biscuits while enjoying the view. Runs from 11th to15th April. Tickets from £35.00. Book here.

Arts & culture

Inspired! At Guildhall Art Gallery

The Guildhall Art Gallery has drawn from its renowned permanent collections for an exhibition that examines visual artists’ inspirations in Victorian poetry, plays, novels and music. Rediscover some old favourite paintings, sculptures and drawings – and along the way, appreciate storytelling in a whole new way. Runs until 11th September. Tickets £8 (adults). To book visit the link.

Elegant and Enchanting at Kew Gardens

Nestled in Kew Gardens’ Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art is this exquisite collection of works by botanical artists from Japan, China and Thailand. Featured artists include Asuka Hishiki, Hideo Horikoshi, Mariko Ikeda, Mieko Ishikawa and Kimiyo Maruyama. Runs to 24th April. Admission included with entry to the Gardens: book via this link.

Back to the Future: The Musical

Children of the 1980s all the way up to the present day will be thrilled with this new take on this cinema classic. The Adelphi Theatre production includes amazing special effects (including a flying DeLorean) as it tells the tale of accidental time travel. Runs to 23 October. Tickets from £19.95.

Easter dinner ideas

Blacklock

If your instincts tell you that a traditional steak and chop house may be a great place to find a proper Easter meal, you’re right. Soho’s Blacklock specialises in roasts “almost as good as your mum’s”, and for Easter, even mum might be a little jealous of their Cornish lamb leg, Yorkshire pudding, duck fat roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy.

The Farrier

Modern-rustic charm makes this Camden Stables Market gastropub a very comforting place to be, Easter Sunday or otherwise, but what makes it outstanding are the roasts. For Easter, you won’t go wrong with their beef, chicken, pork or veggie roasts, which naturally come with all the trimmings.

Smokehouse Islington

As the name heavily hints, meat is definitely on the menu at this Islington backstreet favourite. For Sunday roasts, the meats are specially selected and smoked in-house, giving an irresistible extra dimension to choices like Gloucester Old Spot pork ribeye and rare-breed Lincoln russet beef. It all comes with excellent Yorkshire pudding – and it all pairs magnificently with their intriguing global beer menu.

Holy Carrot

Those looking for a hearty plant-based option will hit the jackpot at this renowned veggie eatery in Knightsbridge. The Easter weekend specials include brunches as well as all-day ‘Large Plates’ like smoky aubergine and crispy mushrooms, shepherd’s pie, and ‘crab’ burger.