How do we really celebrate Easter in the UK?

When it comes to celebrating Easter in the UK, many of our traditions blend ancient customs with modern indulgences in ways that might surprise you.

From tucking into hot cross buns to stashing away chocolate eggs, there’s certainly no shortage of food-filled customs to enjoy. But not all of these traditions have their roots in the UK, and some might not even be as commonly observed as you might think…

In this post, we’ll explore the surprising origins of some of our best-loved Easter rituals and show you how they’re celebrated in the UK today.

How Easter is celebrated in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales

While there are sometimes slight differences from region to region, many people partake in the same Easter activities. 

If you’re new to the UK, this is your chance to learn a bit about British culture and find out how our Easter celebrations compare with other Easter traditions around the world.

Lived here all your life? Why not see how many of these traditions your own family sticks to? 

Tucking into Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday

When it comes to Easter breakfasts, nothing beats a warm and comforting hot cross bun. This mildly spiced, soft and fluffy bun is topped with a cross (symbolising the crucifixion of Christ) and filled with plump raisins and candied fruit for a delightful balance of sweet and savoury.

In the UK, much like our fellow Commonwealth nations, we enjoy hot cross buns on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent and the start of Easter celebrations — a tradition that supposedly dates back to around the 12th century.

While hot cross buns are “technically” meant to be enjoyed on Good Friday, many of us can’t resist the temptation to indulge in them as soon as they appear on supermarket shelves, which is often as early as the beginning of Lent. 

Topped with lashings of butter and accompanied by a classic cup of English Breakfast tea, they’re the perfect way to start a spring day in the UK.

Gifting Easter eggs to friends and family

The tradition of giving eggs at Easter dates back to pagan spring festivals that celebrated renewal and fertility — themes that were often symbolised by eggs and hares. These motifs gradually merged with Christian traditions surrounding resurrection and new life, which is why we now associate Easter with eggs and the Easter Bunny.

Originally, Easter eggs were real decorated eggs, but by the 19th century, chocolatiers in France and Germany began creating elaborate chocolate versions. And by the late 1800s, these luxe chocolate eggs had made their way to the UK.

Today, British families tend to exchange their Easter gifts over the Easter weekend, and although many adults gift chocolate and hampers to other adults at Easter, kids’ Easter eggs are non-negotiable — most British children consider them less of a seasonal treat and more of a constitutional right! 

Getting together for an Easter Sunday family dinner

When it comes to Easter feasting, families all over England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales mark Easter Sunday with a traditional roast dinner, which is usually served at lunchtime or in the afternoon.

In a nod to its springtime symbolism and biblical connections, lamb is usually the meat of choice and is typically accompanied by fresh vegetables, crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and tangy mint sauce.

As for Easter table décor, daffodils are a common sight. These bright yellow flowers, also known as Lent lilies, are synonymous with spring in the UK and normally bloom between Ash Wednesday and Easter. You might see them placed in a vase at the centre of the table, surrounded by scattered mini Easter eggs and other egg-themed decorations.

Savouring Easter puddings and desserts

After the roast, many British households enjoy a decadent Easter dessert. 

Simnel cake — a rich fruit cake decorated with marzipan — was once the traditional pudding of choice, but it has become an increasingly rare sight since other elaborate afters started creeping onto the Easter table.

These days, you’re more likely to find treats like mini Easter egg rocky roads, tangy fruit trifles, comforting ‘hot cross bun’ bread and butter puddings, and sticky sponge cakes served with cream or vanilla ice cream.

For many British children, the allure of actual chocolate is so strong that they’d happily skip dessert in favour of tucking into their chocolate stash. Most are much more interested in snacking on a White Nibbly Egg or a Dozen Chocolate Quail Eggs. Who can blame them?

If you feel the same, take a peek at our Extra-Thick Patisserie Egg. Crafted from ultra-thick milk chocolate with a brownie-cheesecake twist and served with a selection of dessert-inspired treats, you get pudding and Easter chocolate in one. Result.

Always been one for a slice of Simnel cake? Try our Tipsy Simnel Cake Tiddly Eggs for a grown-up, modern twist on this classic Easter tradition.

Eating boiled eggs with soldiers

While not strictly an Easter tradition, boiled eggs with soldiers is a popular breakfast during the Easter bank holiday weekend. This simple yet comforting meal consists of soft-boiled eggs served with strips of golden, buttered toast known as “soldiers” for dipping. 

The name “soldiers” is said to be linked to the uniformity of the neatly cut toast strips, which are arranged alongside the egg like soldiers in formation.

What’s the secret to a great egg and soldiers? A perfect soft-boiled egg. If the yolk is too firm, it’s un-dippable; too runny, and you risk a yolk explosion. It’s a breakfast that requires a bit of skill, but get it right, and the yolky reward inside is well worth it.

If you’re the kind of person who appreciates eggs in all forms, don’t forget to check out our novelty egg-inspired creations. In honour of the classic British breakfast, we’ve created a charming Egg on Toast Lolly, as well as a Caramayo Chocolate Egg Sandwich modelled on real slices of bread — perfect for popping inside your own Easter picnic hamper.

Decorating eggs at school

In primary schools across the UK, it’s not uncommon for children to decorate hard-boiled eggs as part of their Easter crafts. Quite often, it becomes a competition, with children competing to come up with the most imaginative egg possible. These not-so-ordinary eggs get painted, rolled in glitter, decorated with colourful feathers, and are sometimes even turned into characters with faces on them. 

For those that are lucky enough to keep their fragile masterpieces intact and win a prize, the reward is normally something like a milk chocolate Easter egg or a chocolate Easter Bunny Rabbit. Yum.

Children’s Easter egg hunts

Although we’d argue that our Easter eggs are simply too good to hide, many children adore the thrill of an Easter egg hunt. 

This playful tradition traces its roots back to late 16th-century Germany, where theologian Martin Luther is believed to have organised egg hunts as a reference to the resurrection story. 

Queen Victoria, whose mother was German, was said to be charmed by the ritual as a child, and it wasn’t long before families across the UK were arranging their own Easter treasure hunts. 

Today, it’s relatively common to see British children running around their homes and gardens with baskets in hand, hoping to unearth a sweet surprise. 

What happens when an egg gets left behind? Well, it usually becomes part of next year’s hunt… not that we’d recommend eating it. 

Religious observances

Although Easter in the UK is mainly a secular affair these days, with most Brits embracing the festive feasts, chocolate indulgences, and fun family traditions, a quieter, more reflective side of the holiday still endures. 

For Christians, Easter remains a time to honour its ancient religious origins, which is why across the country, communities gather in churches on Easter Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.

Even to those who aren’t religious, these observances serve as a gentle reminder of the holiday’s deeper roots, symbolising hope, renewal, and a link to a rich cultural heritage. 

Celebrate Easter with Hotel Chocolat

While Easter in the UK isn’t just food, it certainly plays a big part in our celebrations. If you’re planning to enjoy Easter in the UK this year, don’t forget to check out our latest Easter offers. From lavish Easter gift boxes to dinky Easter Selectors and other novelty treats, we have everything you need for a memorable Easter celebration.