What To Do in Spring in the UK and Ireland
Spring in the UK and Ireland is an enchanting experience all guests to this part of the world should experience. Signalling the birth of new life, the beginning of the warming weather and the welcoming of longer sunlight, there is much to be appreciated about this season. So what are the top things to do in the UK and Ireland during spring? Let me share from my personal experience the top 10 places I have found to be magical.
Coming up:
Why I love Spring in the UK and Ireland
Don’t get me wrong, I adore the cooler weather, snow and all that comes with it, but I cannot wait for spring. As I write this post, I feel somewhat biassed. It’s approaching the end of winter – a true Scottish winter – and I’ve just about had enough of thick coats, freezing winds, and shorter daylight hours.
Spring was always my favourite season back home in Australia (partly because it’s my birthday, but partly because of the flowers too) - and it’s no different here. The thing I’ve noticed about touring Ireland and the UK is that you can really feel the change in seasons. It’s different in Australia, the transitions feel a little more subtle. But here? You feel it when winter hits. You can see spring. I, for one, am already planning my small-group holidays for the year because I cannot wait until I can get back out in nature and go for some walks.
With that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to do a little blog about some amazing places to visit in the UK and Ireland in spring. I might be cheating and using this blog as a way to research my own trips. #JobPerk
When is Spring in Ireland and the UK?
Travelling to the UK and Ireland for spring, you’ll be looking to come in the months of March, April, and May. Not only is it a beautiful time to travel, but you might also get the added perks of fewer crowds and cheaper prices.
10 Places to Visit in Spring in the UK and Ireland
The Cotswolds
Kent
Scottish Hebrides
Oxford
Northern Ireland
Snowdonia National Park
Discover Wales
Go Puffin spotting
Visit the Cliffs of Moher
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
1. The Cotswolds
Visiting the Cotswolds this spring is a must. I don’t think anything says ‘Britain’ to me like the Cotswolds. Even the name is just so very British. Every time I say it, I say it with a little fancy accent of my own. According to the history books (and by that, I mean Google), the Cotswolds came into its wealth centuries ago thanks to the thriving wool trade. It’s one of the reasons you’ll see many fine manor houses and churches throughout the quaint English region.
On top of that, bluebells come bursting out of the ground in spring, and it's just a fraction of what keeps me daydreaming about the Cotswolds. Although I still need a photo of me surrounded by tiny blue flowers stat. But this charm comes as no surprise as the Cotswolds are named as England's largest Area of Outstanding Beauty.
Not to mention, the Cotswolds has been featured in many films and shows over the years thanks to its beauty, from Harry Potter to The Crown.
I might start with Burford, known as the “Gateway to the Cotswolds”, and you can too on our 1-day Oxford & Traditional Cotswold Villages tour. Or there are our new tours from Bristol!
2. Kent
Kent. Say it aloud. Such a sharp, regal word. In fact, Kent is one of the most beautiful places in the UK and I’m very eager to return one day. Nicknamed ‘the Garden of England’, Kent is legendary for the endless blooming flowers you’ll find during your visit. For this reason, it's a perfect spot to add to your must visit UK list this spring.
You’ll spend your time surrounded by rolling green hills, stunning scenery, and historic buildings, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. It’s also in Kent where you’ll find the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, which are utterly unmissable.
Hever Castle won’t disappoint during spring and was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, so it’s perfect for history lovers. Don’t forget about the British castles you can see too, including Dover Castle, which has 900 years of history, including the tunnels which were used as headquarters and a hospital in WW2.
3. Scottish Hebrides
Spring is probably the best time to tour Scotland’s Outer Hebrides; the days are starting to get longer, and the wildlife is out and about. There are so many Scottish islands to choose from – from favourites like Harris and Lewis, to the lesser known ones including Scalpay and Eriskay.
It’s also the perfect place to really get a taste of traditional Gaelic culture. If you’re itching to hear some Scottish Gaelic spoken in everyday life, you may just get lucky in the Hebrides. And in the bars and pubs of an evening, don’t be surprised to hear some traditional folk music and perhaps you might even join in on a cèilidh night. I recommend flat shoes to everyone. Flat. Shoes.
The Hebrides are also the perfect UK place to visit during spring to reconnect with nature after a long and dark winter. From white-sand beaches to rolling hills, you won’t run out of amazing sights. They are 100% on my UK places to visit in the spring bucket list.
4. Oxford
A tour from Oxford may have a completely different pace to the Outer Hebrides, but there’s something to be said for this gorgeous university city. And just imagining the landscape during spring is enough to make us want to visit this UK destination. Surely you can picture it? Wandering the cobbled streets with a long, yet light, jacket billowing behind you. The buildings are all awash with the warm glow of sunset, and you’re off to a local pub with your friends to enjoy the evening. You can easily see why Oxford became so famous.
Within our guide to Oxford we showcase that there’s plenty to do both in and out of doors, and it’s an easy day trip from London or Bath. We go there on our 1-day Oxford & Traditional Cotswold Villages tour from London and our 1-day Beyond the Cobbled Streets: Untold Cotswolds & Oxford from Bath.
If you're looking for something a bit longer and want to see more of England, consider our multi-day tours: 2-day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford tour from London, 2-day Enchanting England and Wales: Stratford & Oxford tour from Bristol or our 4-day Coasts and Castles of England & Wales tour from Bristol which includes an afternoon in Oxford on day 4.
5. Northern Ireland
For such a tiny country, Northern Ireland boasts endless gorgeous spots, most of which are going to knock your socks off in spring. Don’t believe us? You’ve got the Giant’s Causeway, an awe-inspiring landscape of basalt columns shaped by giants over 60 million years ago... or so the legend says. There’s the Dark Hedges, an incredible avenue of beech trees that is now one of the most photographed places in the country. But watch out, they’re supposedly haunted. There’s the Causeway Coastal Route, a spectacular 200km drive along a rugged coastline steeped in history, myths, and remarkable geology.
6. Snowdonia National Park
I’ll be honest, I’d not heard of Snowdonia (now named Eryi as of 2023) until this year and now it’s at the top of my list for places to travel to this spring. I was talking with this man who mentioned the Snowdon Mountain Railway and now I am obsessed with the thought of getting this cute little train up the mountainside. There’s even a café halfway up the mountain, I hear. Hiking up and around the National Park is, of course, extremely popular as well.
But if sitting back and enjoying the scenery as it passes you by sounds more up your alley, we’d be more than happy to take you for a lovely drive through Snowdonia on our tours to Wales.
7. Discover Wales
Many people overlook Wales as a top UK destination for spring, and we think that’s a crying shame. It’s a country filled with rich history, stunning landscapes, and plenty of adventure. Having been there myself, I can confirm the scenery really is something to marvel at.
If you love a self-drive trip, this would be the place to do it. I highly recommend exploring Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, as it takes the cake (or Bakestones, a Welsh cake treat) for the most variety. In amongst your rolling hills and valleys, there are estuaries, woodlands, and coastlines.
Rocky beaches with craggy volcanic outcrops right out of a dark dream. Over 600 miles of public footpaths and bridleways. 286 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. If you’re a nature-lover like myself, you’ll never want to leave. Adding it to your top UK places to visit this spring is a must.
Alternatively, Rabbie’s would be happy to take you there. We have a new tour, the 3-day Mountains & Coasts of South Wales, that is now available out of Bristol.
8. Go Puffin spotting
When I moved to Scotland, my dad insisted that I could not come home to Australia until I saw the Puffins and took some photos for him. I think this is a totally reasonable request and something that was high on my bucket list before I visited the Isle of Mull on a four day tour. Now that I've seen them in all their tiny glory, I could head home... but I won't.
If you don’t know what a Puffin bird is, have a quick google or discover our guide to everything you need to know about these birds. They look like cartoons and might just be one of the cutest animals on the planet. These seabirds can be found diving into the water to gather sustenance or lounging in large colonies on coastal cliffs or islands. They’re not the easiest animal to come across, as they only come ashore a few months each year. However, if you’re visiting Scotland between April and July, head north to places like Staffa or Orkney and you might get lucky. Seeing one in person may just make your spring trip to the UK that much sweeter.
9. Visit the Cliffs of Moher
When going to see something as iconic as the Cliffs of Moher, you want to be sure you don’t miss anything. While weather can never be guaranteed, spring is a great time to visit this Irish destination.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s biggest attractions. Formed over 320 million years ago, these cliffs rise 700ft out of the Atlantic waters and run along the coast of Clare for almost 14 kilometres /8 miles.
The cliffs are also rich with wildlife, so get your camera ready. We head there on several of our small-group tours, including our 11-day Complete Ireland Experience tour.
10. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Perfectly timed for the beginning of Spring, Ireland’s famous St Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on the 17th of March. Find yourself anywhere in Ireland and you’ll likely see something to do with the event. But we recommend heading into one of the bigger cities for it, such as Belfast or Dublin, where our tours from Ireland start from.
St Patrick’s Day is both a cultural and religious festival. You don’t have to be religious or Irish to celebrate, as the Irish are an incredibly welcoming bunch. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Timing your trip to Ireland for the start of spring allows you to join in with the festivities and become one of the locals for the day.
What can you expect? Lots of green, for starters. Face paint, clothes, shamrock outfits – you name it. In a city, you’ll definitely find a parade of some kind to enjoy. Perhaps a festival or céilithe. Highly recommended. If you’re interested in joining in on the festivities , we’ve listed some great places in Ireland to celebrate St Patrick’s Day for you to do so.
Enjoy the Beauty of Spring in the UK and Ireland With Rabbie’s
Wildflowers, sunshine, and leaving behind those dozen layers. There are so many things we love about spring. The UK and Ireland are stunning places to visit all year round, but spring adds a magic to the landscape that is hard to beat. Wherever you end up this spring, we hope you enjoy it. But don’t forget, you can take the hassle out of planning when booking a tour with our friendly driver-guides.
About the author
Bronwyn Eley, Writer
Bronwyn grew up in Sydney, Australia with a yearning to see as much of the world as possible - which explains why she now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. She spends much of her time popping in and out of other countries, and exploring as much of Scotland as she can. Her other passions include photography, travel and martial arts but her truest passion is telling stories through her writing.