© National Maritime Museum, London.
Easter is a time for celebration. Whether you are religious, or just enjoy indulging in the festivities associated with the Christian holiday, there are plenty of options in London. Whether you are looking for a religious service, a nice meal, some culture, or a good night out, we’ve listed the top London Easter events.
Below we provide a review of some of the best places to visit this April.
Egg Hunts
Take the children out to enjoy Easter, and get involved in the action yourself with an organised Easter egg hunt.
Kew Gardens
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate factory by participating in an exciting Easter egg hunt, in the beautiful surroundings of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. With a range of activities and a traditional Easter egg hunt from 9.30am to 12.30pm, Kew Gardens provides the ideal location for chocolate lovers to celebrate. Find out more information on the Kew Gardens website.
Image by Helen Maybanks
Cutty Sark
Reopened two years ago, after a £25m restoration, the tea clipper ship provides an enchanting location for children to enter the Easter egg hunt. With a treasure trail designed around the ship, youngsters and adults alike can search for eggs and must count how many are hidden, with one special golden egg to be found.
Open on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st April from 10am, tickets can be purchased for the Cutty Sark experience from £7 for children
Church Services
Although for many, Easter has become more about chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits, if you are Christian and wish to celebrate the true meaning of the festival, there are many great services to attend.
Messiah
Celebrate the Easter holidays in traditional style by visiting the famous Royal Albert Hall, and watch a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The 2014 performance will be held on Good Friday, 18th April, and this year’s show is sure to be as enchanting as ever. Originally performed 136 years ago,Messiah has become a choral masterpiece.
St Pauls Cathedral
The iconic St Paul’s Cathedral provides a full schedule on Easter Sunday, for those in the City of London. The Dawn Eucharist kicks off the day at 5.45am, with the last service commencing at 6pm.
Arts and Crafts
Easter is also a great excuse to do something a little cultured. Especially if you are a family, couple or individual who has begun to take London for granted. Remind yourself about just how much the city has to offer.
The Photographers Gallery (John Deakin and the Lure of Soho)
If you fancy an alternative choice this Easter, visit The Photographers Gallery and see the Under The Influence: John Deakin and the Lure of Soho exhibition. Deakin, considered one of the finest post-war photographers, explores the colourful characters of Soho, from the 1950’s and 1960’s, producing some striking imagery.
Cartoon Museum
Visit the Cartoon Museum near Holborn and witness the evolution of cartoons, from the 18th Century to today.
The museum programmes events for each exhibition, as well as a wide range of unrelated events, providing fun for all of the family. Over the Easter period, the exhibition in focus is ‘Spitting Image’- charting the lifespan of the popular British satirical puppet show. The programme became a hotbed for young talent, with the likes of Ian Hislop, Harry Enfield, Hugh Dennis and Steve Coogan, all featuring at some point.
More details can be found on the Cartoon Museum website
Hot Cross Buns
The hot cross bun is a sweet treat synonymous with Good Friday. The cross depicts the crucifixion of Christ, and whether or not you are a believer, this currant based delicacy can be a great food to enjoy over the Easter period.
Gail’s
Gail’s artisan bakery is an excellent place to enjoy famous hot cross buns – warm and delicious, fresh from the oven. A chain bakery, which manages to maintain unique and individual produce and a welcoming vibe. Packed with currants, sultanas and cranberries and glazed with spiced syrup, the hot cross buns from Gail’s artisan bakery, will leave you wanting more and more.
Widow’s Son Hot Cross Bun
Every Good Friday at The Widow’s Son in Bromley by Bow, a sailor comes and adds a hot cross bun to a growing net of the symbolic food, with the ritual going back decades and decades. The oldest buns exist as a metaphor – signalling the passing years and reminding customers of the story behind the tradition.
The Widow’s Son was built in 1848, and when the widow’s son left to become a sailor, she promised to make him a hot cross bun when he returned from sea. It was suspected he drowned at sea, and she never gave up hope, making a fresh bun each year in hope of his return. A sombre tale, but a day that is now celebrated by many regulars and outsiders alike.
Get down to The Widow’s Son in Bromley by Bow to join the festivities this Easter.
Restaurants
Celebrate and emulate your very own Last Supper, by eating at one of London’s top restaurants.
Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor is a British steakhouse and cocktail bar, with London restaurants in Air Street, Guildhall, Seven Dials, and Spitalfields. Priding themselves on tender, home grown British beef, cooked over real charcoal, the food from this mini-chain has gained many plaudits, with Giles Coren, from The Times suggesting the meat was “Flawless. The best steak you’ll find anywhere” – High praise indeed.
A relaxed and authentic atmosphere, with the rare adage of a BYOB night. Monday’s are dedicated to wine, and for just £5 on Easter Monday, you can bring a bottle of your favourite red, and socialise the night away.
Burger and Lobster
With restaurants in Mayfair, Soho, Farringdon, The City and Knightsbridge, if you love good quality burgers or a tasty lobster, this Russian owned chain is for you.
It is very simple, you enter the restaurant, and decide whether you want a burger or lobster. The lobster is fresh, high quality and cooked to perfection. The food is so delicious that many who have tried this restaurant, quickly end up with weekly reservations, and are on first name terms with their waiters.
Visit the Burger and Lobster website for exact addresses.
Events and Nightlife
Why not let loose to the full this Easter? Dance and drink to celebrate Easter weekend this year at some of the capital’s top venues.
Pacha (Thursday)
Situated near Victoria station, the infamous Pacha nightclub is hosting a massive night of house music on the 17th April.
The Thursday before Easter is always a big clubbing night, as it allows those hardcore partiers the weekend to recuperate from their night of decadence and excess.
Tickets are £10 in advance, or £14 on the door and can be bought through the website.
Nuts Pub Crawl (Ladies Friday)
Starting at 9pm on Good Friday, 18th April, the Nuts Pub Crawl is sure to attract a large crowd. With free entry, free shots, professional pictures and discounted drinks, what is not to like when getting jolly this Easter.
Tickets are £10 for men and £6 for ladies, with four clubs in Central London part of the free entry promotion.
Find out more at the Nuts Pub Crawl website.
Buttoned Down Disco at Jazz Café (Saturday)
Buttoned Down Disco at the Jazz Café in Camden is the place to be for all chilled out jazz enthusiasts. But wait – to go, you need to be invited. In an attempt to keep passing trade out, and music lovers and individuals with similar mind-sets in, the Buttoned Down Disco decided to adopt an invite only policy to their parties.
Request your invite now through the Buttoned Down Disco website, and if accepted, get your disco gear on and be ready to dance from 9pm onwards, April 20th.
The Church (Sunday daytime)
Located near Elephant & Castle tube station, The Church is a bar which comes with a famous reputation around London.
Created over thirty years ago by two Aussies with a penchant for beer, The Church is a great way to give your support to Easter this year (whilst having a drink or ten!). A very relaxed atmosphere, which allows fancy dress and encourages patrons to have fun. Head down on Sunday April 20th, from 12pm-4pm and get your drink on.
Something A Little Different…
London Horse Parade (Monday)
If you fancy a break from the City and want an alternative way to spend Easter this year, the London Harness Horse Parade may be up your street.
Hop on a train from London Kings Cross or Victoria and head to The South Of England Centre, Sussex. The parade provides onlookers with a glimpse of days gone by, and the two parades are both over 100 years old.