Easter provides an opportunity for the whole family to head off together for a well earned holiday. Wondering where to go in the UK on your Easter holidays in 2012? Seaside, country, a relaxing or active holiday, there are so many fantastic places to see, so much to do and such a great selection of cottages across the country.
I'm really interested in the varied customs we have across the country. At Easter especially there will be people taking part in events that are not only eccentric but centuries old. So, here are some ideas about places to visit over the Easter break where celebrations will be taking place that may add to the enjoyment of your break, with some recommended cottages nearby.
Hungerford, in Berkshire, is the only place in the country still to maintain the annual Hocktide festival, on the second Tuesday after Easter. The festival dates from the 14th century when Prince John of Gaunt gave the rights of free grazing and fishing on common land to the local people, or commoners. The town crier blows his horn and calls together the Hocktide Court in the town hall. All commoners living in the High Street must pay a fee to ensure their rights of fishing and grazing. Meanwhile Tutti-Men, who carry poles decorated with flowers, are led through the streets by the Orange-Man to collect kisses from all the ladies resident in the High Street. They receive an orange in return. You cannot get a more quintessentially English than October Cottage, a thatched property just over the county border in Wiltshire.
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Egg rolling, a sport in which participants send their specially prepared hard-boiled eggs down a hill, is still a surprisingly popular pastime in England, and one that goes on all Easter weekend. Customs differ from place to place. The winner's egg may be the one that rolls the farthest, survives the most rolls, or is rolled between two pegs. At Ulverston in the southern Lake District on Easter Monday there are Morris Men dancing followed by the main event of egg rolling down Hoad Hill. Duddon Bank Cottage is a 300 year old cottage for four nearby, the perfect setting for an Easter holiday.
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Further up the Cumbrian coast in Workington a game is played between the Uppies and Downies three times over the Easter weekend. Similar to the Shrovetide football game, there are about 100 players on each side, the Uppies being those born above the Cloffocks, in the town centre, where the game begins. The Downies are those born below. The game ends when the ball reaches one of the goal areas at opposite ends of the town. There are no rules, and as a consequence the game can be rough. The local paper even runs a minute-by-minute match report! Just up the coast, and right on the beach, is Bay View Cottage.
Who could fail to be intrigued by the Bacup Nutters Dance. On Easter Saturday a group of Morris dancers dressed in distinctive costumes with turban-like hats, kilts and clogs and blackened faces dance their way through this Lancashire mill town, tucked into the Pennines, accompanied by a brass band. The tradition is said to have originated with Moorish pirates, and to have been brought to Lancashire by Cornish tin miners. The reason for the blackened faces could be down to the mining connection or it may be to protect the dancers from being recognised by evil spirits. The Carlton is just over the hills in Hebden Bridge, a town renowned for its eclectic range of shops as well as a lively local arts scene, perfect for Easter holidays.
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Below are just some of the cottages still available for you to enjoy your UK Easter holidays in 2012.

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