Golden daffodils, fluffy lambs, sunshine and chocolate eggs. There’s lots to love about springtime and plenty of reasons why Easter family holidays in the UK are such a joy. A self-catering cottage holiday at this time of year puts you right in the middle of the UK countryside as it wakes up from winter. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, no problem. Our guide to making the most of Easter attractions, activities and events will have you covered come rain or shine. Here’s how to plan your Easter getaway:
Easter holidays for families in the UK: why a cottage break works so well
Self catering is often the best option for holidays with young children as you can set the pace around family life. There are no set meal times, and the choice of whether to eat in or out is up to you. Plus, you’ll all have plenty of space to relax.
Whether you’re looking for Easter weekend getaways or a two-week holiday, our search facility gives you the flexibility to choose the dates that work for you. Our family-friendly cottages collection has you covered whatever you’re planning:
- Grandparents joining you? You’ll find spacious cottages for multigenerational living.
- Packing a football or badminton racquets? Find a cottage with private outdoor space where kids can play safely.
- Prepared for rainy days? Cottages with onsite facilities such as games rooms and soft play areas keep kids entertained whatever the weather.
Photo: Picnic in the grounds of Forest Barns, Gloucestershire
Easter attractions and days out with kids: from castles to theme parks
Attractions up and down the country deliver egg-cellent days out with kids. When booking Easter family holidays, it’s often easiest to pick a cottage that’s close to the kinds of days out you know your kids will enjoy.
- Got a knight in training on your hands? Base your stay near one of the UK’s historic castles. Many offer Easter-themed activities for little ones.
- Sweeten a day out at a stately home or RHS garden with the promise of chocolate. Easter egg hunts and trails are a great way to get kids exploring our national treasures.
- Want to cuddle cute animals? Look for farms and zoos that offer Easter petting experiences.
- Big-name theme parks like Thorpe Park and Legoland add Easter trails and adventures to the mix, combining roller-coaster thrills for teens with gentler attractions for little ones.
Photo: Enjoy a ride on the steam trains, 5 minutes away from Bridge End Farm Cottages, Cumbria
Easter events and egg hunts across the UK: trails, shows and seasonal fun
If you’ve already chosen your perfect cottage, take a look at nearby local attractions to plan your holiday. The National Trust is always a good bet for Easter-themed activities. Cliveden in Buckinghamshire and Sutton Hoo in Suffolk are just two locations offering National Trust Easter trails in 2026. Staying near York? The city’s annual Food & Drink Festival includes an Easter egg hunt.
Remember, you’re on holiday to relax, so don’t go overboard when planning your itinerary. We recommend booking one big-ticket day out, then looking at local ‘what’s on’ pages for more low-key events that will fit in with the weather and everyone’s energy levels.
Photo: Enjoy some relaxing space to play family games at Quay Lodge, Suffolk
Easy Easter activities for families near your cottage, whatever the weather
Speaking of the weather…Easter family holidays bring the promise of sunshine, but also a strong likelihood of April showers. If you’ve booked a countryside cottage with onsite facilities such as an indoor pool, soft play barn and games room, you’re sorted. The kids will be happy when it pours and if the clouds suddenly clear, you can pile into the car, head off on bikes or go for a beach walk. City-based Easter attractions at museums, aquariums and soft play centres also come to the rescue on rainy days – see what’s on offer locally.
Photo: Kids can enjoy endless fun at the games barn and soft plat at Eaton Manor Country Estates, Shropshire
Planning Easter holiday breaks: dates, tickets and stress-saving tips
Kids love holidays, but they also love routines, naptime and plenty of snacks. Here’s how to plan a stress-free family break where you get to relax too:
- If you’ve got kids in school, check your dates before you book. Easter weekend is from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026, but school holidays vary.
- Book key attractions and Easter egg hunts early during school holidays.
- Be realistic in terms of travel times and pack games and snacks for long journeys.
- Plan days so that you use nap time for car rides or train hops.
- Pack for spring weather – that means waterproofs and layers.
- Follow big days out with a cottage-based rest day that could include a low-key activity like a beach walk.
Choosing the right Easter holiday cottage for your family
You can search our collection by region, or by browsing our family-friendly collections to find your perfect Easter holiday cottage in the UK. Filter your search to find cottages with facilities such as pools and games rooms, dog-friendly options, enclosed gardens, multi-generational layouts and proximity to key attractions. If you’re reading this in March, check out our late deals and Easter offers too – you could find your perfect cottage for less.
Photo: Outdoor fun in the sand pit at Broomhill Manor, Cornwall
Easter family holidays with Premier Cottages: from Cornwall to the Highlands
Browse our collection and you’ll discover a huge range of award-winning cottages across the UK – from family-friendly farm stays in Cornwall to luxury lodges in Scotland. Each property is unique, but they all have one thing in common: our rigorous quality controls. Only four- and five-star cottages make the cut here, so you can book your stay with complete peace of mind. Even if you’ve left it to the last minute… Just head for our Late Deals section, where you’ll find Easter offers and late availability discounts.
Photo: Take a leisurely dip in the private pool at The Lost Manor, Devon
Find and book your Easter family cottage with Premier Cottages
Your perfect Easter holiday is just a few clicks away. Simply browse Premier Cottages’ family-friendly and regional collections, filter your search for the features that matter to you (pool, games room, dog-friendly, EV charging, etc), then book direct with cottage owners for your chosen dates.