Good Morning,
My mother and I will be arriving to London on Easter Sunday mid-morning. We are staying near Westminster Abbey. Will most places be closed for the holiday and what are your recommendations for things to do on this day?
Thank you for your help!
Is Easter the day you will be arriving from the US/Canada on a transatlantic flight? If so, you will probably be sleep-deprived and jetlagged enough that you aren't up to full-scale sightseeing. The usual recommendation for Day 1 is to walk around outside, possibly taking a brief nap (set your alarm!) when you can get into your hotel room.
I enjoyed the three London Walks I took last September. You don't have to arrange them in advance; you just show up and pay £10 per person, so this is something you can make a decision about upon arrival, when you know how you're feeling. Unfortunately, I cannot get the website to display the list of walks scheduled for April 1. I've emailed the company and will post again if I am able to obtain the information for you.
You could also check for a RickSteves audiotour, or use a printed walking tour from your guide book. You really do need a guide book for a large city like London. It's false economy to try to get by without one, because a good guide will save you money in lots of ways, including on public transit.
I think you'll find that most of the sightseeing attractions are open, if you've got the energy to tackle them. (I never do.) The websites of individual museums and sights always show hours of operation; if they will be closed on Easter Sunday, it should be noted.
Here's a .pdf with info on the London Walks options. It's a bit more overwhelming than a list just for Easter would be, but it's all we've got until they get the calendar function on their website fixed.
Thank you so much, we will be arriving from Paris.
Check individual websites for places that you are interested in visiting, but generally, all tourist sites will be open. By law, shops have to close on Easter Sunday, but restaurants will be open.
There maybe some transport restrictions as the authorities use the long weekend to undertake essential works, but this tends to apply more to rail services than the underground.
