What To Do Over The Easter Weekend

The Connaught Grill is doing Easter properly. Helmed by executive head chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez, the Mayfair restaurant is serving up a milk-fed lamb roast for the long weekend. Expect leg and slow-braised shoulder, both cooked over the Grill’s signature wood-fired flames and served with traditional trimmings. Don’t skip dessert – the chocolate brioche with buckwheat and chicory ice cream is a decadent finish, but the crêpes suzette, flambéed tableside on a silver trolley, is the real showstopper. Start with a martini from the silver tray.

Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL

Visit THE-CONNAUGHT.CO.UK

If you fancy a culture fix over the bank holiday, head to the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace for The Edwardians: Age of Elegance. The exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the glamour and transition of early 20th-century Britain – from high-society portraits to delicate fashion sketches, it paints a vivid picture of a changing world. Expect works from Sargent and Lavery, plus beautiful objects that once adorned royal homes. 

The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA; until 10th November

Visit RCT.UK

Updown Farmhouse – the charming country restaurant-with-rooms near Deal – is going all in for Easter. On Friday 18th April, children can join a chocolate egg hunt around the farmhouse grounds at noon. Then, on Monday 21st April, the annual Easter party brings festive fun in spades, including a bouncy castle, egg painting and biscuit decorating in the barn. Kids require a ticket (adults go free) and you can book in for lunch separately. Expect a seasonal menu of spring produce cooked over fire – think lamb, jersey royals and wild garlic everything.

Updown Road, Betteshanger, Deal, CT14 0EF

Visit UPDOWNFARMHOUSE.COM

Pirates aren’t just for pantomimes. The National Maritime Museum’s blockbuster exhibition reimagines the swashbuckling stereotype, delving into real stories of piracy through the centuries. From treasure maps and naval warfare to modern-day piracy and pop-culture references (hello, Jack Sparrow), the show features rare artefacts, immersive displays, and tales that span the globe.

Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF; until 2026

Visit RMG.CO.UK

Tucked away above Fashion Street in Shoreditch, Café Mission’s rooftop terrace is now open for the season. This hidden spot blends warehouse cool with bohemian charm. Count on parasol-covered seating by day and a relaxed buzz come sunset. Chef Chris Golding – formerly of Sachi and Dinings – is in charge of the menu, which includes standout brunch plates like shakshuka with smoked chilli, and poached eggs with avocado on grilled shokupan. There’s also a concise list of sandos, salads, natural wines and classic cocktails. Ideal for a low-key day in the sun or a laidback evening overlooking the city.

3rd Floor, 7-9 Fashion Street, Shoreditch, E1 6PX

Visit MISSION-E1.COM

Known for its artful pastries and hand-cut pasta, Pophams has cooked up something special for the Easter holiday – and this one’s just for kids. Available at the London Fields restaurant, the new two-course Easter menu is a charming, child-sized twist on the Pophams pasta experience. Options include spaghetti with pistachio and basil pesto, or rigatoni with a buttery tomato sauce, followed by scoops of creamy vanilla or rich chocolate gelato. At just £8 for two courses, it’s the perfect way to introduce little ones to the joys of fresh pasta – and gives grown-ups an excuse to settle in for a glass of wine and a long lunch. 

197 Richmond Road, London Fields, E8 3NJ; until 19th April

Visit POPHAMSBAKERY.COM

Shopping and snacking go hand in hand – and Liberty's new Seventy-Five is a chic new stop-off for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea. Created by head chef Joe Holness, its modern British menu makes the most of seasonal ingredients, with standout dishes like goat’s cheese croquettes and Swaledale chicken with wild garlic. If you’re popping in for a mid-shop pick-me-up, we recommend the afternoon tea. It’s elegant, understated and worth making a habit of.

Regent Street, Carnaby, W1B 5AH

Visit LIBERTYLONDON.COM

Easter isn’t just for the kids. At Seed Library – Mr Lyan’s sultry subterranean bar in Shoreditch – the holiday gets a grown-up twist with an indulgent pairing made for late-night snacking. Available across the long weekend, the Chocolate Bunny Toastie features smashed-up Maltesers bunnies melted into sourdough and toasted until golden. On the side? An egg-cup shot of milk bourbon, cacao and pine honey – a boozy little chaser that balances sweetness with a whisper of woodland smoke. Pop in for a pre-party pick-me-up or finish your evening with a decadent bite.

100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ; until 21st April

Visit SEEDLIBRARYSHOREDITCH.COM

Part Easter tradition, part open-air art trail, the Sloane Street Big Egg Hunt is a must for families this season. Taking over Chelsea in partnership with The Elephant Family, this London-wide initiative features 20 artist-created eggs hidden throughout Sloane Street and Duke of York Square. While you’re there, browse the fine food market or grab brunch from local favourites like Vardo or Manicomio. 

Duke of York Square & Sloane Street, Chelsea; until 27th April

Visit DUKEOFYORKSQUARE.COM

Estée Lalonde’s cult wellbeing brand, Mirror Water, is landing at Selfridges for a limited time – and the immersive pop-up is every bit as dreamy as you'd expect. Running from 14th to 21st April, this serene sanctuary in the middle of the store offers a mindful pause from the hustle and bustle. Expect soothing diffusers, a calming ASMR soundscape and an uplifting postcard exchange designed to spread a little love and light.
 
Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB; until 21st April 

Visit MIRRORWATER.EARTH

Following its sold-out debut at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, Playfight has landed at Soho Theatre – and it's not to be missed. Written by Julia Grogan, the witty and raw coming-of-age play explores friendship, sexuality and identity, centred on three girls growing up under an ancient oak tree. Poetic, powerful and often laugh-out-loud funny, it’s one of the buzziest plays in London right now.

Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3NE; until 26th April

Visit SOHOTHEATRE.COM

Down in Somerset, the Newt is hosting an idyllic Easter celebration filled with food, flowers and fun. Across the long weekend, there’s a sprawling egg hunt through the gardens, a pop-up Spring Fair showcasing local makers, and plenty of activities for kids – from traditional games to storytelling. Adults can enjoy cider tastings, garden tours and delicious seasonal food in the on-site restaurants. 

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton, BA7 7NG

Visit THENEWTINSOMERSET.COM

Introduce little ones to the joys of a proper afternoon tea at Fortnum’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon – where Easter gets a sugar-dusted upgrade. Grown-ups can enjoy the refined classics – think finger sandwiches, scones and Champagne – while younger guests are treated to a magical top plate of bunny-shaped sablé biscuits, handmade chocolate eggs and jewel-toned pâte de fruits. Don’t miss the adults-only twist on tradition: an apricot and white chocolate egg for dessert, and a savoury quail scotch egg with tangy piccalilli. 

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St James's, W1A 1ER

Visit FORTNUMANDMASON.COM

If ever there was a scent to define the season, Acqua di Parma’s ‘Buongiorno’ is it – all citrus groves, Tuscan hills and spring sunshine. To celebrate its launch, the fragrance house has teamed up with La Petite Maison for an Easter collab. Available on Easter Sunday only, the dessert and cocktail pairing channels the essence of the Med: a delicate basil meringue-filled Easter egg topped with lemon chantilly, matched with a bright and herbaceous ‘Buongiorno’ cocktail that riffs on a classic Southside – expect mandarin, basil and just a hint of ginger. All this, alongside LPM’s signature Riviera dishes (salt-baked sea bass or lamb cutlets with aubergine caviar), makes for a lunch that feels like a holiday. 

Available at all LPM locations; Easter Sunday only

Visit LPMRESTAURANTS.COM

Easter feasting doesn’t get more luxurious than this. Chef Tommy Banks – of Michelin-starred The Black Swan – has created a stunning Easter Lamb Feast box, available nationwide via Made in Oldstead. Designed to serve four, the centrepiece is a whole Yorkshire lamb leg, surrounded by seasonal sides like roasted savoy cabbage with herb oil, whipped ricotta-topped turnips, and – for pudding – a show-stopping rhubarb crumble with hay ice cream. 

Delivered 19th April; £150 for 4

Visit MADEINOLDSTEAD.CO.UK

One for the children (and the young at heart): the annual Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt returns this Easter, and it’s as charming as ever. Set in the Royal Parks and several key venues across the UK, the trails invite families to follow clues, solve puzzles and spot the iconic golden bunnies hidden in plain sight. A sweet way to spend a spring afternoon – and yes, there are chocolate prizes to be won.

Various UK locations; dates & times vary

Visit LINDT.CO.UK

Southbank’s buzziest rooftop hangout is back. Forza Taps – the breezy offshoot of Peckham’s Forza Wine – has reopened today on the National Theatre’s lower terrace just in time for spring. Expect sundowners with a view, natural wines on tap and punchy ‘Italian-ish’ bites like burrata and anchovies on toast, skewers of bavette with lardo and Chianti-soaked polenta. Add to that bowls of Tardivo with chickpeas and parmesan, and you’ve got a menu made for grazing.

National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX

Visit FORZAWINE.COM

If you're looking to make the most of the extra recovery time this bank holiday, electronic duo JOY Anonymous has you covered. They're hosting a four-day celebration of sound and togetherness over Easter, which kicks off with an intimate panel talk at The Bathhouse in Hackney Wick, before an all-out day rave takes over The Cause on Saturday. On Sunday, catch a stripped-back live performance of their debut album Human Again at EartH Theatre, with a secret event rounding off the festivities on Monday.
 
Multiple venues; 18th-21st April 

Visit JOYANONYMOUS.COM

From artist-designed eggs to indulgent cocoa treats, Battersea Power Station is the place to be this Easter. The Big Egg Hunt 2025 sees 21 oversized eggs hidden around the riverside complex – all hand-painted by leading creatives. There’s also plenty for kids to enjoy, from colourful craft sessions to mini rides, while foodies can stock up on artisan chocolates and sweet bites from the market.

Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, SW11 8DD; until 27th April 

Visit BATTERSEAPOWERSTATION.CO.UK