Spring is the easiest season to love travelling in. The days get longer, the cold starts to lift, gardens and parks burst into colour, and the summer crowds have not arrived yet. If you are looking for the best places to visit in spring, the UK and Europe give you plenty to choose from: blossom in London and the Cotswolds, walking breaks in the Lake District and Cornwall, city breaks in Paris and Amsterdam, and coastal trips that feel like a proper reset after winter.
We plan most of our own trips for spring, and not just because the weather turns. Spring travel is usually cheaper than summer, the light is beautiful, and places feel alive again after the quiet winter months. Here are the trips we would actually recommend.
London in blossom
London in spring is a different city from London in January. Cherry blossom lines the streets of Greenwich, Kew Gardens comes alive, and the parks fill up with daffodils. Kew is worth a full day if you like gardens — the glasshouses are warm even on a grey day, and the treetop walkway gives you a view across the whole gardens.
Beyond the gardens, spring is a good time for walking the neighbourhoods: the South Bank, Hampstead Heath, and the canals around Little Venice are all at their best as the trees come into leaf. It is also a good time for the big museums, before the school holiday crowds arrive.
London suits a weekend city break and works well for families too — the parks, the free museums, and the river all give kids room to run around. Pack a light waterproof, because spring showers are a real thing.
The Cotswolds: villages, gardens, and slow walks
The Cotswolds in spring are about as pretty as England gets. Villages like Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Chipping Campden look their best with blossom over the stone cottages and lambs in the fields. The walking is gentle — rolling hills, old footpaths, and plenty of pubs along the way.
Spring is the best season for the Cotswolds’ gardens. Hidcote Manor Garden and Kiftsgate Court Garden are both worth a visit, and the smaller village gardens often open for charity days. Base yourself in one village for a couple of nights and explore on foot or by local bus, rather than driving through five villages in a day.
The Cotswolds suit couples and anyone who wants a slow, peaceful break — walks, cream teas, and early nights, not nightlife or big-city energy.
Cornwall and the south-west coast
Cornwall in spring is a different experience from Cornwall in August. The beaches are empty, the coastal paths are quiet, and you can actually park near the places you want to see. The gardens are a highlight: Trebah and Glendurgan on the Helford River are famous for spring colour, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are at their best as the planting wakes up.
The South West Coast Path gives you as much or as little walking as you want — a short stretch between two villages, with a pub lunch in the middle, is one of the best spring days out in the UK. St Ives, Falmouth, and Padstow all make good bases.
Cornwall suits walkers, families who like the beach without the crowds, and anyone who wants sea air and a slower pace. Spring weather on the coast can change fast, so pack layers and a waterproof even when the morning looks sunny.
The Lake District: walking without the summer crowds
The Lake District in spring is quieter, greener, and — on a good day — every bit as beautiful as in summer. The lower fells are walkable from early spring, the daffodils around Ullswater are famous, and the lakes look their best in soft spring light. Keswick and Ambleside make good bases.
Spring is a good time for a first visit if you are new to fell walking. Start with gentle routes — a lakeside walk, or a low fell with a clear path — and build up from there. The weather can still be cold on the tops, so check the forecast and take proper kit even on a short walk.
The Lakes suit walkers of all levels, families, and anyone who likes being outdoors. Spring will not promise sunshine, but the days when the cloud lifts and the light hits the water make up for the grey ones.
Amsterdam: tulips, canals, and bikes
Amsterdam in spring is famous for one reason: tulips. Keukenhof Gardens, about half an hour outside the city, is one of the largest flower gardens in the world, and in spring it is a sea of colour. The tulip fields around Lisse are worth a bike ride if the weather is kind.
In the city, spring is a lovely time to hire a bike and ride along the canals, or take a boat trip when the trees along the water are in blossom. The museums are busy year-round, so book tickets ahead whatever the season.
Amsterdam suits a long weekend city break, couples, and first-time visitors to the Netherlands. It is compact and easy to get around, and spring is one of the most pleasant times to be outdoors.
Paris in spring: the cliche that holds up
Paris in spring is a cliche for a reason. The chestnut trees along the boulevards come into flower, the parks fill up with people sitting in the sun, and the city feels lighter after winter. It is a good time for walking: the Marais, Montmartre, and the streets along the Seine are best explored on foot.
Spring is also a good season for day trips — Versailles’ gardens are at their best, and the Loire Valley chateaux make a fine two-day add-on. Book the big sights ahead, since spring weekends are popular, but it is still calmer than the summer peak.
Paris suits couples, art lovers, and anyone who wants a classic European city break — first-timers and repeat visitors alike.
Gardens and blossom closer to home
You do not need to travel far for a spring trip. Some of the best spring days out in the UK are garden visits:
- Kew Gardens, London — huge, varied, and good in any weather thanks to the glasshouses.
- Bodnant Garden, Wales — famous for spring colour, with the mountains of Snowdonia as a backdrop.
- Stourhead, Wiltshire — a landscaped garden around a lake, at its prettiest in fresh spring green.
National Trust and Royal Horticultural Society gardens across the UK run spring events and blossom walks — check their websites for what is on near you.
Coastal spring breaks: Norfolk, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight
If you want the sea without the summer crowds, the English coast in spring is hard to beat. Norfolk’s wide beaches are empty, and the nature reserves are busy with migrating birds. Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is great for walking, with Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove at their quietest. The Isle of Wight is an easy ferry ride and feels like a proper getaway, with coastal walks and gardens that wake up early in the mild climate.
Coastal trips suit families, dog owners, and anyone who wants fresh air and open space. Too cold to swim, but ideal for walking, rockpooling, and sitting outside a beach cafe with a coffee.
| Trip | Best for | Spring highlight |
|---|---|---|
| London | City break, gardens | Cherry blossom and Kew Gardens |
| Cotswolds | Slow walks, villages | Blossom over stone cottages |
| Cornwall | Coast paths, gardens | Empty beaches and spring colour |
| Lake District | Walking, lakes | Daffodils and quiet fells |
| Amsterdam | City break, flowers | Tulips at Keukenhof |
| Paris | Classic city break | Parks and boulevards in flower |
| Norfolk coast | Beaches, birdwatching | Wide empty sands |
| Isle of Wight | Easy island getaway | Mild climate, coastal walks |
Practical tips for spring travel
Spring is a forgiving season to travel in, but a little planning goes a long way:
- Pack layers. Mornings can be cold and afternoons warm, sometimes on the same day.
- Check opening times. Some gardens and seasonal attractions open for spring, and hours can change — check the official website before you travel.
- Book popular gardens ahead. Keukenhof and the big UK gardens can sell out on sunny spring weekends.
- Watch for school holidays. Easter and the May half-term bring crowds and higher prices; the weeks between them are often the quietest and cheapest.
- Be flexible. Spring weather is changeable — a backup indoor option, like a museum or a good pub, keeps a rainy day from spoiling the trip.
FAQ
What is the best month for a spring trip?
It depends where you are going. For blossom and gardens in the UK, late March through May is the main window, with April often the peak for cherry blossom. For southern Europe, May is lovely — warm but not hot, and ahead of the summer crowds. Early March can still feel like winter in the north.
Where is the best place to see blossom in the UK?
Kew Gardens in London is the best-known spot, and Greenwich Park is excellent for cherry blossom. Beyond London, the Cotswolds villages, Bodnant Garden in Wales, and the walled gardens at places like Hidcote all put on a good show. Your local park may surprise you too.
Is spring a cheap time to travel?
Usually, yes — spring is generally cheaper than summer for flights and accommodation, especially outside school holidays. The weeks after Easter and before the May half-term are often the best value, though popular events like tulip season can push prices up, so book early if you have a fixed date.
What should I pack for a spring trip?
Layers are the answer: a light waterproof jacket, a warm layer for the evenings, and comfortable walking shoes cover most spring trips. Sunglasses are worth packing too — spring sun can be surprisingly strong.