London Easter Holidays 2027: Dates, What Is Open and Family Plans

The London Easter holidays 2027 give families about two weeks of spring break, starting on Good Friday, and two bank holidays fall right at the start. It is one of the busiest times of the spring for family sights, but most museums, parks and attractions stay open throughout. If you plan around the long weekend and book the paid sights early, Easter works well for a family city break. This guide covers the exact dates, what is open, what to book, plans for different ages and how to keep costs down.

London Easter holidays 2027: the dates

• Good Friday: 26 March 2027 (bank holiday)
• Easter Sunday: 28 March 2027
• Easter Monday: 29 March 2027 (bank holiday)
• School holidays: most London borough councils list the spring break from Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027. Some schools, including academies and some boroughs, set slightly different dates.

The busiest days at attractions are usually the bank holiday weekend and the weekdays of the first week, when both local families and visitors are out. The second week is often a little calmer.

Clocks go forward to British Summer Time on the last Sunday of March, which in 2027 is Easter Sunday itself, 28 March. Evenings get lighter from that day, which helps with outdoor plans.

Photo: Daniel Case / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

What is open over Easter

Museums

London's large free museums, such as the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the V&A and the National Gallery, normally open over the Easter weekend, including Good Friday and Easter Monday. Hours can change on Easter Sunday, so check each museum's site in March. Free entry still applies, but some museums ask visitors to book a free timed slot at busy times, and the queues for the Natural History Museum can be long in school holidays.

Paid attractions

Most paid attractions, including the Tower of London, the London Eye, the zoo, Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace, open daily over Easter. Many run Easter trails or family events. Prices for timed tickets are often higher on peak days, and the cheapest slots sell out first.

Shops and restaurants

Shops in England can open on Good Friday and Easter Monday. On Easter Sunday, large shops (over 280 square metres) must close by law, so most supermarkets and department stores are shut that day. Smaller shops, cafes and restaurants decide for themselves, and many stay open. Book restaurants for Easter Sunday lunch if you have a place in mind.

Transport

The Tube, buses and trains run over Easter, often on a Sunday timetable on the bank holidays. Planned engineering works are common over long weekends, so check TfL and National Rail a few days before you travel. Our guide to London transport for tourists explains fares and caps.

What to book early

• Timed tickets for the Tower of London, the London Eye, Kew Gardens and Hampton Court on bank holiday dates.
• West End shows, especially family musicals, for matinees during the holiday.
• Restaurants on Easter Sunday.
• Hotels and family rooms. Rooms with space for children go first. Book as soon as your dates are set.
• Day trips by train, for example to Windsor, Oxford or the coast. Fares are lower when booked ahead.

Family plans by age

Under 5s

• Morning in a big park with a playground: the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, or Coram's Fields near Russell Square (adults must come with a child).
• The Natural History Museum's dinosaurs, early in the day.
• A ride on the top deck of a bus through the centre, which costs one standard bus fare per adult and nothing for children under 11.
• Short days with long lunches, and one big outing at most.

Ages 6 to 11

• The Tower of London, with the Yeoman Warder tours and the Crown Jewels.
• The Science Museum's interactive galleries, some of which charge a fee.
• A river boat from Westminster to Greenwich for the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and the park.
• Easter trails at Kew Gardens or Hampton Court, which usually run through the school holidays.

Teenagers

• The South Bank, Borough Market and a walk across Tower Bridge.
• Camden Market and Regent's Canal.
• A West End show or a backstage tour.
• A day trip to Oxford or Cambridge by train.

Keeping costs down

• Use the free museums as anchors for each day.
• Kids travel free. Children under 11 travel free on buses, and on the Tube when travelling with a paying adult (up to four children per adult).
• Use contactless caps. Each adult's daily travel is capped. Make sure each adult taps their own card, and uses the same card all day.
• Picnic in the parks when the weather allows. Spring in London is unpredictable, but there are plenty of dry, mild days.
• Pick one paid attraction a day, and plan the rest around free sights nearby.

Our London on a budget guide lists many free options that work in spring too.

A four-day Easter plan

1. Day 1 (South Kensington): Natural History Museum at opening, lunch, then the V&A or the Science Museum. Kensington Gardens and the Diana Memorial Playground in the afternoon. 2. Day 2 (Westminster and the river): Westminster Abbey from outside, Big Ben, the London Eye, then the South Bank. 3. Day 3 (The City and Tower): Tower of London in the morning, Tower Bridge, then a boat to Greenwich. 4. Day 4 (Out of the centre): Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace, both at their spring best.

Our 4 days in London itinerary follows a similar pattern. You can copy it into RoamerPlanner, add your timed tickets to each day and share the plan with the rest of the family. For more on the season, see London in spring.

Getting in and out of London over Easter

If you arrive by train or plane over the long weekend, plan the journey carefully. Rail engineering works are often scheduled for bank holidays, and some lines run replacement buses. Heathrow and Gatwick are busy at the start and end of the school holiday. Leave extra time for security and passport control, and check the route from the airport to your hotel the day before you travel.

Weather and packing

Late March and early April in London can be cool, windy and showery, with sunny spells. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket for everyone and comfortable shoes. A small umbrella helps, and a spare set of clothes for young children is useful for park days.

London Easter holidays 2027 FAQ

When are the London Easter holidays in 2027? For most London state schools, from Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027. Check your school or borough for exact dates.

Are London museums open on Easter Sunday? Most large museums open on Easter Sunday, but hours can be shorter. Check each museum's website.

Is London busy at Easter? Yes, especially over the bank holiday weekend and at family attractions. Book timed tickets early and arrive at opening time.

Are shops open on Easter Sunday? Large shops, including most supermarkets and department stores, must close by law. Many smaller shops, convenience stores and restaurants stay open.

Sources: UK government bank holidays for England and Wales; London borough council term dates for 2026 to 2027 (including Camden, Ealing, Brent, Haringey and Bexley); TfL fares pages. Checked 30 October 2026. Museum and attraction hours for Easter 2027 are not yet published; check each site in March 2027.

Cover photo: DiscoA340 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0