9 Activities for An Awesome May Bank Holiday Weekend
It may only be a long weekend, but you can pack in lots if you’re prepared to do some planning. We’ve got some great suggestions for you, wherever you’re planning on spending your break.
Visit the Nature in Art Gallery and Museum in Gloucester
The Art Gallery and Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to art inspired by nature. The exhibitions and collections are always changing, so if you want to get a fresh perspective on the world, it’s definitely worth a visit. There’s also a coffee shop with homemade cakes, perfect for a meeting with friends or family.
Try the quirky and unusual in Cambridgeshire
Let your imagination take flight in Cambridge as you wander through the city, take a picnic to Jesus Green or a punt along the River Cam. Take time to look around the Fitzwilliam Museum with it’s incredible Italian, French and Flemish art collection then relax at Cambridge’s famous street food market in the centre. For a totally unique event, try Ely’s Eel Festival, a celebration of the humble eel that takes over the whole town for Spring bank holiday. A must for anyone interested the quirky and unusual!
Enjoy a drama
You won’t be surprised to learn that Stratford-upon-Avon is the perfect place to see a Shakespearean wonder, but you might be surprised that the Festival of Motoring is taking place in the city over the Spring bank holiday. Hundreds of vintage and high performance cars descend on Stratford to tour around the town with plenty of activities to keep families busy.
Travel to the beach and hope for some brilliant spring weather
Sometimes a bank holiday calls for some sunshine and a bit of sea air. If this is the vibe you’re hoping for, why not head to Bournemouth and catch some rays at the seaside? They’ve also got a zip line from the pier to get pulses racing.
Visit England's largest national park
The Lake District is the largest national park in England and an area of outstanding natural beauty. Whether you're a keen walker, an adrenaline junkie or just someone who loves to sample great food in tranquil surroundings, the Lakes could be the place for you this May bank holiday. Get booked in at the Hallmark Hotel Preston Leyland (around an hour's drive away) and pray for some sun!
Tea parties in Bedfordshire
Don your best hat and smile at the Cheshire Cat at Swiss Garden’s Mad Hatters Tea Party, watch Morris dancers and try your hand at maypole dancing.
Go to the UK's City of Culture
There's never been a better time to visit the city of Hull, in England's north-east. Immerse yourself in the city's history in its year as the UK's cultural capital. With museums, music venues and green spaces aplenty, this is a hidden gem to explore with a Spring bank holiday weekend packed full of events for everyone.
See the animals at Chester Zoo
One of the UK's biggest and best zoos, Chester offers fun for all the family - coo at the baby elephants and take in the new 'Islands' exhibit, themed around the habitats of south-east Asia.
A family festival in Merseyside
Take a trip to Birkenhead Park this bank holiday for a three-day family festival of art, food, music, and workshops. For the adventurous, pop along to the Medieval encampment and see what life was like in the Middle Ages! Drop into Liverpool for the launch of the Summer of Love season celebrating the Golden Anniversary of 1967’s infamous summer with exhibitions and performances. In the UK, there are so my places to visit without too much travel time, so make the most of this bank holiday by going somewhere new.