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Get stuck into spring!
From family friendly fun and date worthy destinations to fresh air adventures and food and drink favourites, our route is packed with places that shine in spring.
Get inspired to travel by train this spring!
Spring is made for getting away, and there’s no better way to do it than by train. With great‑value fares, fast journey times and frequent services, travelling with LNER gives you the freedom to explore more with ease. Settle into spacious, comfortable seating, enjoy food and drink onboard, and arrive right in the heart of your destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore. Wherever spring takes you, the journey is all part of the experience.
Get outdoors this spring!
Longer days, lighter moods and places just waiting to be explored. This spring, swap grey skies for fresh air, coastal walks and city breaks that feel like a reset. Wherever you’re headed, let the journey be part of the joy.
Plan a spring trip
Find the best villages this spring!
Spring is one of the best times to explore the quaint villages of England and Scotland, with wildflowers in bloom, milder weather and fewer crowds, get lost somewhere beautiful! Feel the freedom to travel by train and explore somewhere new.
Visit spring villages
LNER Perks turns 5 this spring!
To celebrate LNER Perks 5th birthday, we're going big! Get ready for special offers, extra perks and a chance to win big in our luxury birthday competition.
LNER Perks
Get outdoors this spring!
Longer days, lighter moods and places just waiting to be explored. This spring, swap grey skies for fresh air, coastal walks and city breaks that feel like a reset. Wherever you’re headed, let the journey be part of the joy.
Plan a spring tripFind the best villages this spring!
Spring is one of the best times to explore the quaint villages of England and Scotland, with wildflowers in bloom, milder weather and fewer crowds, get lost somewhere beautiful! Feel the freedom to travel by train and explore somewhere new.
Visit spring villagesLNER Perks turns 5 this spring!
To celebrate LNER Perks 5th birthday, we're going big! Get ready for special offers, extra perks and a chance to win big in our luxury birthday competition.
LNER Perks
Family friendly activities
Jorvik Viking Centre York
Step into Viking York with cutting‑edge ride‑through scenes, lifelike figures and hands‑on displays kids love. Great in spring because queues are shorter than summer.
Why you should go: Visit one of York's most epic attractions, perfect for families to learn whilst having fun!
Opening: Daily (typically 10am to 5pm)
Price: £17.50 adult/£12 child (under 5s go free!)
Where: 19 Coppergate Walk, York, YO1 9WT
Jorvik Viking Centre York
City Cruises York
A relaxing, narrated cruise offering a fresh‑air way to enjoy York in spring. Families can spot landmarks while staying warm inside the covered boat if the weather dips.
Why you should go: A York City Cruise in spring is a relaxed, family‑friendly way to enjoy fresh air, blooming riverside views and bite‑sized history together, without the crowds or the walking.
Opening: Daily spring sailings
Price: £15 adult/£9 child (under 5s go free!)
Where: King's Staith Landing, York, YO1 9SN or Lendal Bridge Landing, York, YO1 7DP
City Cruises York
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
A colourful celebration of the new growing season, with vibrant floral displays, show gardens and live demonstrations to enjoy in the fresh spring air. Families can wander at their own pace, explore eye‑catching installations and enjoy plenty of space outdoors.
Why you should go: The Harrogate Spring Flower Show is a feel‑good spring day out for families, offering colour, creativity and outdoor inspiration as the season comes to life.
Opening: Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 April 2026, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Price: Early bird £24 adult/£29 after 7 April, children go free!
Where: Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
Jorvik Viking Centre York
Step into Viking York with cutting‑edge ride‑through scenes, lifelike figures and hands‑on displays kids love. Great in spring because queues are shorter than summer.
Why you should go: Visit one of York's most epic attractions, perfect for families to learn whilst having fun!
Opening: Daily (typically 10am to 5pm)
Price: £17.50 adult/£12 child (under 5s go free!)
Where: 19 Coppergate Walk, York, YO1 9WT
Jorvik Viking Centre YorkCity Cruises York
A relaxing, narrated cruise offering a fresh‑air way to enjoy York in spring. Families can spot landmarks while staying warm inside the covered boat if the weather dips.
Why you should go: A York City Cruise in spring is a relaxed, family‑friendly way to enjoy fresh air, blooming riverside views and bite‑sized history together, without the crowds or the walking.
Opening: Daily spring sailings
Price: £15 adult/£9 child (under 5s go free!)
Where: King's Staith Landing, York, YO1 9SN or Lendal Bridge Landing, York, YO1 7DP
City Cruises YorkHarrogate Spring Flower Show
A colourful celebration of the new growing season, with vibrant floral displays, show gardens and live demonstrations to enjoy in the fresh spring air. Families can wander at their own pace, explore eye‑catching installations and enjoy plenty of space outdoors.
Why you should go: The Harrogate Spring Flower Show is a feel‑good spring day out for families, offering colour, creativity and outdoor inspiration as the season comes to life.
Opening: Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 April 2026, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Price: Early bird £24 adult/£29 after 7 April, children go free!
Where: Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
Spring into romance with a date in Edinburgh
A peaceful wander through one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful green spaces, where spring brings blossom, colour and quiet corners to explore together. Couples can stroll themed gardens, enjoy skyline views and take their time discovering hidden paths and benches. The perfect place for a springtime date.
With LNER’s fast, frequent trains, a spring date in Edinburgh is closer than you think - travel from London from £41.40* when booked three weeks in advance!
Why you should go: The Royal Botanic Garden is a relaxed, romantic spring activity that lets couples slow down, enjoy nature and spend quality time together just outside the city centre.
Opening: Daily, with extended daylight hours through spring
Price: Free entry to the outdoor gardens (some glasshouses and tours may be ticketed)
Where: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ
More date worthy picks
Stroll Princes Street Gardens
In spring, the gardens come alive with colour and blossom, making it a lovely place to pause, wander and enjoy views of the Castle without straying far from the city centre.
Walk the Water of Leith
A peaceful riverside walk that feels tucked away from the city, perfect for a relaxed wander past water, wildlife and picture‑perfect Dean Village.
Go cherry blossom spotting in St Andrew Square or The Meadows
Spring brings bursts of pink across the city, and these spots are ideal for a short detour, a coffee stop and a few photos together.
Go for coffee or drinks outdoors
As the weather softens, Edinburgh’s cafés and bars spill outside, ideal for a casual drink or coffee break while soaking up the spring atmosphere.
Sunset views from Calton Hill
An easy climb with big rewards, Calton Hill is a classic spot to catch the changing spring light over the city without committing to a long hike.
Stroll Princes Street Gardens
In spring, the gardens come alive with colour and blossom, making it a lovely place to pause, wander and enjoy views of the Castle without straying far from the city centre.
Walk the Water of Leith
A peaceful riverside walk that feels tucked away from the city, perfect for a relaxed wander past water, wildlife and picture‑perfect Dean Village.
Go cherry blossom spotting in St Andrew Square or The Meadows
Spring brings bursts of pink across the city, and these spots are ideal for a short detour, a coffee stop and a few photos together.
Go for coffee or drinks outdoors
As the weather softens, Edinburgh’s cafés and bars spill outside, ideal for a casual drink or coffee break while soaking up the spring atmosphere.
Sunset views from Calton Hill
An easy climb with big rewards, Calton Hill is a classic spot to catch the changing spring light over the city without committing to a long hike.
A spring date to fall for in London
A relaxed canalside walk through one of London’s most scenic hidden routes, leading into the lively atmosphere of Granary Square. Couples can wander the towpath at their own pace, watch narrowboats drift by and finish with drinks or people-watching beside the fountains as spring arrives. Who doesn't love exploring whilst putting the world to rights with their partner?
Turn your spring date plans into a London escape, with advance fares from Edinburgh from just £41.40* when booked three weeks ahead.
Why you should go: Regent’s Canal and Granary Square offer a laid‑back spring date that blends peaceful waterside walking with a vibrant end point, perfect for spending time together without rushing.
Opening: Daily, year‑round; Granary Square fountains operate during daylight hours
Price: Free to explore
Where: Regent’s Canal towpath (King’s Cross section) & Granary Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4BH
Next stop: more date ideas
Wander through St James’s Park
Spring brings blossom, ducklings and colourful flowerbeds, making this one of London’s most romantic spots for a gentle stroll near Buckingham Palace.
Explore Columbia Road Flower Market on a weekend
A short, lively wander through blooms, plants and street atmosphere, perfect for soaking up spring colour and grabbing coffee nearby.
Coffee and people‑watching in Covent Garden
As the weather warms, outdoor tables and street performers make Covent Garden ideal for an easy pause between sightseeing.
Walk the South Bank at sunset
A relaxed riverside stroll with views of landmarks like St Paul’s and the London Eye, especially lovely as the evenings grow lighter.
Sit among the flowers at Chelsea Physic Garden or Hyde Park
Spring is the perfect time to slow down in one of London’s green spaces, whether that’s a historic garden or a simple park bench in the sun.
Wander through St James’s Park
Spring brings blossom, ducklings and colourful flowerbeds, making this one of London’s most romantic spots for a gentle stroll near Buckingham Palace.
Explore Columbia Road Flower Market on a weekend
A short, lively wander through blooms, plants and street atmosphere, perfect for soaking up spring colour and grabbing coffee nearby.
Coffee and people‑watching in Covent Garden
As the weather warms, outdoor tables and street performers make Covent Garden ideal for an easy pause between sightseeing.
Walk the South Bank at sunset
A relaxed riverside stroll with views of landmarks like St Paul’s and the London Eye, especially lovely as the evenings grow lighter.
Sit among the flowers at Chelsea Physic Garden or Hyde Park
Spring is the perfect time to slow down in one of London’s green spaces, whether that’s a historic garden or a simple park bench in the sun.
A taste of spring
Spring is the perfect time to plan a trip around food, with markets, festivals and pop‑up dining taking over parks, squares and neighbourhoods. From ticketed food festivals to relaxed, walkable markets and street food spots, these foodie experiences are ideal for building a day (or weekend) around good food, good company and a lively spring atmosphere.
Newcastle food & drink festival
A lively spring food festival bringing together global street food, craft beer, sweet treats and live chef demonstrations, all in a walkable park setting close to the city centre.
When: 2 - 4 May 2026
Price: Ticketed from just £7.95 per adult (under 5s go free!)
Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle food & drink festivalHarrogate Spring Flower Show's Food Hall
Alongside the floral displays, the show’s food hall is a highlight in its own right, packed with local produce, artisan food, drinks and indulgent sweet treats, perfect for browsing between gardens.
When: 23 - 26 April 2026
Price: Early bird £24 adult/£29 after 7 April (children go free!)
Where: Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
Harrogate Spring Flower ShowLondon King’s Cross Canopy Market
A relaxed weekend market under a covered canopy, featuring artisan traders, fresh pastries, seasonal street food and small‑batch produce, ideal for an easy spring wander.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday (check times on the website)
Price: Free entry
Where: King’s Cross Canopy Market, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4BH
King's Cross Canopy MarketOuseburn Craft Beer & Food Stroll
A casual, make‑your‑own foodie crawl through the Ouseburn Valley, where independent breweries and kitchens serve craft beer, small plates and spring‑ready outdoor seating.
Open: Check individual places
Price: Depends on where you go
Where: Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne (grab a Metro from Newcastle centre to Ouseburn)
Ouseburn food and drinkLeeds Spring Street Food Spots
As spring events return to the city, pop‑up street food stalls appear around Millennium Square, offering quick bites and crowd‑pleasing flavours alongside Leeds’ outdoor events.
Open: Check individual places
Price: Depends where you go
Where: Millennium Square and surrounding city‑centre locations, Leeds
Leeds Millenium Square street food
Newcastle food & drink festival
A lively spring food festival bringing together global street food, craft beer, sweet treats and live chef demonstrations, all in a walkable park setting close to the city centre.
When: 2 - 4 May 2026
Price: Ticketed from just £7.95 per adult (under 5s go free!)
Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle food & drink festivalHarrogate Spring Flower Show's Food Hall
Alongside the floral displays, the show’s food hall is a highlight in its own right, packed with local produce, artisan food, drinks and indulgent sweet treats, perfect for browsing between gardens.
When: 23 - 26 April 2026
Price: Early bird £24 adult/£29 after 7 April (children go free!)
Where: Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ
Harrogate Spring Flower ShowLondon King’s Cross Canopy Market
A relaxed weekend market under a covered canopy, featuring artisan traders, fresh pastries, seasonal street food and small‑batch produce, ideal for an easy spring wander.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday (check times on the website)
Price: Free entry
Where: King’s Cross Canopy Market, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4BH
King's Cross Canopy MarketOuseburn Craft Beer & Food Stroll
A casual, make‑your‑own foodie crawl through the Ouseburn Valley, where independent breweries and kitchens serve craft beer, small plates and spring‑ready outdoor seating.
Open: Check individual places
Price: Depends on where you go
Where: Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne (grab a Metro from Newcastle centre to Ouseburn)
Ouseburn food and drinkLeeds Spring Street Food Spots
As spring events return to the city, pop‑up street food stalls appear around Millennium Square, offering quick bites and crowd‑pleasing flavours alongside Leeds’ outdoor events.
Open: Check individual places
Price: Depends where you go
Where: Millennium Square and surrounding city‑centre locations, Leeds
Leeds Millenium Square street food
Get stuck in to a spring day out!
Spring is the perfect time to explore somewhere new, when the days feel brighter and plans feel easier. Think relaxed train journeys, fresh‑air adventures and destinations that come into their own at this time of year. Here are a few spring‑ready days out to get you started.
Travelling by train makes getting away effortless. With a great choice of food and drink onboard, spacious, comfortable seating and arrivals right into the heart of your destination, you can enjoy freedom when you travel this spring with LNER.
Edinburgh
Spend a spring day exploring Edinburgh Old Town, starting with cobbled streets and historic closes along the Royal Mile before heading into the National Museum of Scotland for an easy‑to‑dip‑in explorer visit. Break up the day with lunch or coffee nearby, browse independent shops, then finish with a gentle walk to Princes Street Gardens or a sunset view from Calton Hill - all within walking distance of Edinburgh Waverley railway station.
Leeds
Spend a spring day exploring Leeds city centre, starting with shopping, galleries and cafés around Trinity Leeds and Victoria Quarter before heading out for food or a wander through nearby streets and arcades. As evening falls, round off the day with a spring show at Leeds Arena or the Grand Theatre, from live music and comedy to touring productions, all within easy walking distance of the railway station or a short hop on a bus across the city.
Lincoln
Spend a spring day discovering Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, following a Cathedral Quarter Spring Treasure Trail past cobbled streets, historic landmarks and independent shops. Take time to explore Lincoln Cathedral and Castle, pause for coffee along Steep Hill or Bailgate, then enjoy views across the city before winding back through the quarter.
Durham
Spend a spring day exploring Durham city, starting with the Durham Riverside Loop Walk as it winds along the River Wear beneath the Cathedral and Castle. Pause for coffee in the city centre, wander cobbled streets and historic squares, then finish the day with views across the peninsula or a relaxed meal nearby, an easy, scenic way to experience Durham at its most atmospheric.
London
Spend a spring day immersed in London’s cultural scene, starting with spring exhibitions at the British Museum, the V&A or Tate Modern, where rotating shows and permanent collections make it easy to dip in and out. Break up the day with a walk through nearby neighbourhoods or a riverside stroll, then finish with dinner or drinks close by.
Looking for another season?
Summer
Get summer started with the ultimate summer book-it list! From weekend escapes, to sporting and cultural events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Get summer started
Autumn
A season filled with falling leaves, hot chocolates, and pumpkins, autumn is the ideal time of year to discover new and exciting places around the UK!
Autumn adventures
Winter
The colder months call for cosy activities that definitely won't break the bank in the lead up to Christmas! Get ready to wrap up the year with coastal walks, food and drink festivals, and family-friendly fun all the way.
Winter warmers
Summer
Get summer started with the ultimate summer book-it list! From weekend escapes, to sporting and cultural events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Get summer startedAutumn
A season filled with falling leaves, hot chocolates, and pumpkins, autumn is the ideal time of year to discover new and exciting places around the UK!
Autumn adventuresWinter
The colder months call for cosy activities that definitely won't break the bank in the lead up to Christmas! Get ready to wrap up the year with coastal walks, food and drink festivals, and family-friendly fun all the way.
Winter warmers
