Coolest Easter Events In The UK This Year

A long weekend can be a signal to do little more than laze about. However, we’re urging you to make Easter count this year.

We’ve handpicked some of the best and, in some cases, more unusual things to do this Easter. There’s everything from fleeing the undead, to partying like it’s 1939 and much more.

Oh and there’s not a single mention of an Easter Egg. That last sentence didn’t count.

All of this belongs to you

Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL; Vam.ac.uk

Ever given a moment’s thought to all the great stuff that’s on show at the museums dotted about the UK? Well, now’s the time to consider the role of public institutions in the modern day with the aptly-named ‘All of this belongs to you’ exhibition. Among all kinds of architectural and design brilliance, expect to see the hard drives that held documents leaked to The Guardian newspaper by Edward Snowden. Intriguing and informative to the end.

2.8 Hours Later

9, 10, 11, 17 and 18 April in various cities across the UK; 2.8hourslater.com

Technically, yes, this is a couple of days after Easter, but it’s so good we don’t want you to miss out (perhaps spend Easter weekend making your outfit). This interactive game – this year called Ruin – pits teams against the undead (well, actors convincingly playing the undead). And don’t panic: once infected, you get to go to a zombie disco.

Edinburgh International Science Festival

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF; Sciencefestival.co.uk

Anyone with a penchant for science against a pumping backdrop should head to the Edinburgh International Science Festival’s late events. Cue LateLab on Saturday 4 April – a festival event that transports revellers inside the software world of a computer. Even if you’re just there for a beer and boogie, it’s a night with byte.

Letters Live

Time Machine at Manchester Art Gallery

Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, Manchester M3 4PR; Manchestergalleriestimemachine.org

Portuguese contemporary artist Joana Vasconcelos has all but taken over Manchester Art Gallery, so get down while you can (Time Machine runs until 1 June). Vasconcelos is renowned for her large-scale sculptures, and these new and recent pieces simply dominate the museum; one includes War Games (2011), a black Morris Oxford car covered in toy rifles and LEDs.

Laughterhouse at Slaughterhouse

13-15 Fenwick Street, Liverpool, L2 7LS; Laughterhousecomedy.com

There are comedians you have to see live, and then there’s Phil Nichol. Seeing the Canadian firebrand perform is akin to watching a bomb explode, such is the manic energy he puts into grabbing a gig by the throat and throttling it into submission.

Blitz

83 St Georges Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1EF; Proudcabaretbrighton.com

OK, the Second World War might not necessarily scream, “Party!”, but Blitz – a word-of-mouth smash – is a cracking night. Held on the first Friday of every month, you’re going to party like it’s 1939 (to 1945), with all and sundry in appropriate fancy dress. A bit like Goodnight Sweetheart, but much, much better.

Simply Paranormal Ghost Hunt

Leeds Asylum Thackray Museum, Leeds; Saturday 4 April; Simplyparanormal.co.uk

For fans of the horror genre, this is a chilling must. After all, you’ll experience vigils, séances, table tipping and all the other things that go bump in the night (or at least pretend to, if you’re a cynic). The Thackray Museum used to be The Leeds Union Workhouse building, where staff worked gruelling hours, before being buried in the nearby cemetery – try not to think of this during the late-night Ghost Hunt.

Billingsgate Seafood School Easter Classes

Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Wat, London E14 5ST; 2-4 April; Seafoodtraining.org

Eschew the chocolate binge and bid adieu to that bunny; this Easter is all about fish according to revered seafood school Billingsgate. Sign up for one of three special cookery classes over the long weekend that will teach you to make everything from tuna burgers to the intriguing seafood sausages. With prices starting at £80 (with an optional 5am jaunt to the local market thrown in for foodie stalwarts), see what floats your boat.

Hawksmoor Seven Dials

11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG; Hawksmoor.com

Once a Covent Garden fruit warehouse, Hawksmoor Seven Dials – sister restaurant to the Hawksmoor mothership – couldn’t be further from that realm with its carnivorous fare and punchy cocktails. Think beef dripping chips, kimchi burgers, hot dogs and for Easter Sunday, the full roast beef works, including Yorkshire puddings the size of tennis balls. Consider this the ultimate carnivore’s pilgrimage.

No matter what you do this Easter weekend, make the most of it. Whether it's time spent with friends or family, wring every last drop from the luxurious four-day stretch.

If you're out with friends, here are three three bars where you can enjoy Haig Club, a new single-grain scotch whisky from the house of Haig perfect for any social occasion. And, if you're visiting family, why not take a bottle of Haig Club and make the delicious Ginger Smokestack. 

To be in with a chance of winning a night out at Gaucho – enter our competition here.

HAIG CLUB GINGER SMOKESTACK

“The smoked tea brings a modern twist to this iconic whisky and ginger serve and the ultra-smooth Haig Club whisky combined with refreshing ginger ale goes down a treat, bringing a touch of style to any occasion” says Haig Club ambassador David Sinclair.

Method: Build in an old fashioned glass over cubed ice, before garnishing with two slices of apple and a sprig of mint.

Ingredients: 50ml Haig Club / 20ml ginger ale / Top up with cold-brewed lapsang souchong (smoked) tea (2 units of alcohol per serve)

Mr Fogg’s

15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, London, W1J 6JD: mr-foggs.com

This is a glorious throwback to the late 1800s, when bushy moustaches were worn non-ironically, top hats were the norm and Jules Verne gave us Phileas Fogg, star of 1873 novel Around The World In 80 Days. The walls might be adorned with the type of global bric-a-brac that would make a gap year traveller blush, but plush Mr Fogg's is ideal for a post-work Haig Club.  

China Tang

The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA; dorchestercollection.com 

Nestled in the basement of The Dorchester, this impressive dining space is the reserve of moneyed tastemakers and those in search of the best dim sum in town. Think mango spring rolls and North Chinese red-cooked lamb in a clay pot served up against an art deco backdrop that evokes a sense of Thirties Shanghai. 

Gaucho

25 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4QR; gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Staffed by waiters and waitresses that look like they’ve waltzed off a catwalk, this is a steak house with both style and substance. From the plate of steak cuts shown to all diners at the start of proceedings to the Argentinian-style cheese breads, succulent empanadas and dulce de leche pancakes, this is foodie mecca.

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The HAIG CLUB word and associated logos are trade marks. © Diageo Brands B.V. 2015