Today I want to share A Lady in London’s guide to the best places to visit in the UK in spring with you. There are lots of beautiful spring travel destinations in Britain, and the coming months are the ideal ones for seeing the best of the season (even if you have to wait until next year).

Places to Visit in the UK in Spring

Visiting the UK in Spring

One of the best things about visiting the UK in spring is that the country’s green spaces burst into life with blossoms and bulbs.

There are also fewer people around, shoulder season travel deals to take advantage of, and less traffic on the roads.

If you’re concerned about the British weather, don’t worry. The weather is unpredictable year-round in the UK, so you’re just as likely to experience rain in July as in March.

If you have proper clothes and a sturdy umbrella, you’ll be okay no matter the weather. My spring packing list can help. If you’re in the UK, I also recommend this umbrella. If you’re in the US, this one is perfect.

Wisteria House in Kensington, London in Spring

If you love colorful flowers and gardens, spring is a great season to be in the UK. The timing of the blooming varies every year, and different flowers blossom at different times.

In London, daffodils and magnolias are usually at their peak in February or March, tulips and pink blossoms in March or April, and wisteria in April or May. The farther north you venture, the later the season starts.

You can check before you travel if you have specific flowers you want to see. Instagram can help, as many people share photos and videos of spring in the UK there.

Places to Visit in the UK in Spring

So where should you travel? My list of places to visit in the UK in spring stems from my personal experiences. I’ve been to all the destinations on this list in spring, and I can vouch for how worthwhile they are.

Spring Blossoms in London

1. The Cotswolds in Spring

First on my list is the Cotswolds. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is pretty all year, but a number of places come into their own in the springtime.

Not least among them are the gardens. Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftsgate Court Garden, and the Painswick Rococo Garden are my top picks. There are National Trust Cotswolds properties with gardens dotted throughout the area, too.

Cotswolds villages like Broadway, Kingham, Chipping Campden, and Upper Slaughter are great to visit in spring, too. They’re quieter than in the summer months, and just as beautiful.

Given the area’s proximity to the UK capital, it’s easy to take spring day trips from London or spend a spring weekend in the Cotswolds to take in the seasonal highlights.

My favorite hotels in the Cotswolds are great places to enjoy spring at its finest, too. I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do if you stay there.

Magnolias at Hidcote Manor Garden in the Cotswolds, UK in Spring

2. Kent in Spring

Next on my list of the best places to visit in the UK in spring is Kent. Out in the southeast, the Garden of England is one of the top spots to be this season because of its legendary blooms.

The prettiest of them can be seen on the grounds of Kent’s historic castles. From Sissinghurst Castle Garden to Hever Castle and Walmer Castle near Deal, they burst into life in spring.

Kent is also famous for its coast, and sunny spring days are great for taking a walk from Folkestone to Dover or exploring seaside towns like Margate and Ramsgate. They’re some of the best places to go to the seaside near London.

Kent is also known for its English drinks, and there’s great wine, cider, and beer tasting in Kent. From breweries to cellar doors, there are lots of places to sip and savor this season.

Hever Castle Italian Garden in Spring

3. Abbotsford House in Spring

Up in Scotland, Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders is one of the best places to visit in the UK in spring (and one of the best places to travel in Scotland at any time of year).

The former home of Sir Walter Scott, the house is a great literary destination. It’s inspiring to tour (just wait ’till you see the library).

But the gardens at Abbotsford House really come alive in spring. The tulips alone make it worth taking day trips from Edinburgh or spending days out in the Scottish Borders to see.

With the backdrop of the towers and turrets of the house, Abbotsford’s flower beds are some of the best spring gardens in Britain.

Abbotsford House in Spring

4. Gower Peninsula in Spring

Out west, the Gower Peninsula in Wales is one of my favorite places to visit in the UK in spring. This area is ideal for day trips and weekend breaks in Wales because it’s a fun spot to get out into nature in Britain.

From daffodils to gorse, the flowers of the season paint this coastal area in bright yellows.

Whether you go to Worm’s Head in Rhossili, the ruins of Weobley Castle, the former medieval deer park of Parc Le Breos, or the beaches of Langland Bay and Caswell Bay, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of spring in Wales here.

Gorse on the Gower Peninsula in Wales

5. Scottish Hebrides in Spring

Back up in Scotland, the Hebrides islands are some of the best places to visit in the UK in spring.

I spent a week sailing in the Scottish Hebrides one May. I enjoyed it so much I went back the following May for another 7 days of sailing in the Scottish Hebrides.

Spring is the perfect time to explore the Hebrides because the weather is at its best, spring bluebells carpet islands like Lunga, and the high season crowds haven’t descended on the islands yet.

From the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Arran, there are great places to visit in the Hebrides this season.

And if you want to get away from it all, you can sail from the islands to the Knoydart Peninsula. It’s considered the most remote place in the UK, and it’s an amazing secluded spot.

Puffin and Bluebells in Lunga in the Scottish Hebrides in Spring

6. Northumberland in Spring

Just south of the border with Scotland, Northumberland deserves a spot on my list of the best places to visit in the UK in spring.

From coastal castles to North Sea beaches and picturesque towns, there’s a lot to love about this part of England.

Some of my favorite places to travel in Northumberland in spring are Berwick-upon-Tweed, Bamburgh Castle, Craster, Alnmouth, and Alnwick Castle.

They’re ideal to visit in spring because they’re less busy than in the high season. They’re also great places to walk, eat, and explore on sunny days.

Whether you want to enjoy seafood al fresco in Craster or explore the extensive gardens and grounds at Alnwick Castle, there’s something for you.

If you want to learn more about where to go in the county in spring, you can take a look at my 3-day Northumberland itinerary.

Street in Berwick-upon-Tweed

7. Oxford in Spring

When it comes to university cities, Oxford is a great place to visit in the UK in spring. Its golden stone buildings glow in the warm sunshine, and the college grounds and gardens show off their spring blooms all season long.

Whether you want to stroll through Christ Church Meadow on a warm afternoon or seek shelter in the Ashmolean Museum on a rainy one, there’s a lot to do in Oxford in spring.

And that’s to say nothing of punting in Oxford, which is a great way to spend a sunny day on the river. In fact, there’s so much to do in Oxford there’s no shortage of ways to spend your time.

It’s easy to do an Oxford and Cotswolds day trip if you want to combine two of the places on my list into one excursion, too.

Oxford in Spring in the UK

8. West Sussex in Spring

Not far from London, West Sussex is one of the best places to visit in the UK in spring. With lush gardens and great towns and villages, it’s an ideal part of England to see during the season.

Daffodils and other spring bulbs cheer up the green hills, and long-distance walking routes like the South Downs Way are great places to get outdoors in spring.

With a weekend in West Sussex, it’s easy to see highlights like Petworth House, one of the best stately homes near London. The gardens are lovely in spring.

And even if you only have one day or night, you can still go to some of the best places to visit in West Sussex. From cozy pubs on rainy days to picture-pretty villages on sunny ones, there’s a lot to love here.

Cottage in Charlton, West Sussex

9. Surrey in Spring

Right near West Sussex, Surrey is another of my favorite places to visit in the UK in spring.

This is not least because of all the spring lambs around the county. Between them and the fields of yellow flowers, it’s hard not to want to be in this part of England in spring.

Add to that pretty villages like Shere, great country walks in Surrey, and lots of spring blossoms and blooms, and Surrey has a lot going for it at this time of year.

Spring Lamb in Surrey, England

10. Wye Valley in Spring

When it comes to underrated travel destinations, the Wye Valley tops my list of places to visit in the UK in spring.

This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the border of England and Wales is packed with beautiful places to see in the season.

From shopping for antiques in the market town of Ross-on-Wye to admiring the ruins of Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire, there’s a lot to do, rain or shine.

And when the sun is shining, it’s great to go to Symonds Yat Rock and take in the panoramas over the River Wye. There are trails through the Forest of Dean from Symonds Yat, too. They’re perfect for seeing signs of spring.

The Wye Valley isn’t far from Hay-on-Wye, either. The annual Hay Festival is a literature lover’s dream come true, and it’s a great spring travel destination if your visit coincides with it.

Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley in Spring

11. London in Spring

I have to end my list of the best places to visit in the UK in spring with London. The UK capital is an amazing place to be this season, not least because of its spring flowers and events.

Spring in London brings stunning daffodils, magnolias, tulips, wisteria, and other flowers with it.

From the rhododendrons in the American Garden in Dulwich Park to the wisteria on the houses in Kensington and the tulips in Holland Park, the city is awash in color.

There are lots of spring events in London, too. From the Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom to the Head of the River Race and the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, there’s something for everyone.

Add to that great photo opportunities for spring walks in London, and there are a lot of reasons to visit the city.

Spring Wisteria in Kynance Mews, London

Best Places to Visit in the UK in Spring

I hope my list of the best places to visit in the UK in spring has inspired you to travel in Britain during the season. I’m confident you’ll love this time of year here as much as I do, even if you have to wait until next year to come.

If you’re visiting later in the year and want additional inspiration, my lists of the best places to visit in the UK in summer, places to visit in the UK in autumn, and places to visit in the UK in winter can help. Happy travels!

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Places to Visit in the UK in Spring

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