Make the most of your bank holiday weekend

Spring’s first long weekends are finally in sight – Easter, the Early May Bank Holiday, and that blissful bonus one at the end of May. Whether you’re itching to get out and about, or you’ve got a list of home improvement jobs you’ve been meaning to start, these bank holidays are the perfect moment to slow down, head out, or spruce up your space. And because we love bringing people together, our Howden branches will be hosting a whole lineup of community events across April and May. keep an eye on your local branch for events such as:

• Coffee mornings – your favourite blend, served with good conversation
• Family fun days – games, activities, and guaranteed smiles
• Spring netwalking – fresh air + great people = the perfect morning
• Spring markets – local makers, seasonal treats, and that “I didn’t mean to buy this but I love it” energy
• Business networking sessions – relaxed, local, and genuinely useful

They’re all designed to help our communities connect – and you’re always invited.

Big days out across the UK

If you’re in the mood for a day out, the April and May calendar is packed. Food lovers can spend hours wandering through one of the many independent food and drink festivals running nationwide, meeting local producers and discovering dishes you immediately want to recreate at home. For something bigger and louder, the UK’s air shows return for the season. The English Riviera Airshow and the Midlands Air Festival are two favourites – equal parts nostalgia, noise and spectacle.

If history calls your name, spring is one of the best times to visit National Trust and English Heritage sites. Easter trails wind through gardens, children race each other between ancient walls, and even the grownups leave with a grin. Hampton Court’s Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt continues to be a crowd-pleaser. Prefer a free day out? Some of the UK’s top museums and heritage sites won’t cost you a penny. From St Fagans in Wales to the National Railway Museum, from the RAF Museum Midlands to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History – there’s no shortage of adventures that won’t dent your bank account.

And if you love a festival, spring has you covered: comedy in Machynlleth, mountains in Keswick, family fun at TOTFest, and the joyful mashup that is AberFest.

Craft, sports and rainy day creativity

The British weather loves a plot twist, but there’s plenty to do indoors. IKEA and Dobbies regularly run workshops, like ‘Sip and Paint’ for adults. Pets at Home hosts brilliant My Pet Pals sessions for little animal lovers While Hobbycraft’s craft workshops are perfect for keeping those hands busy.

Fancy a sporty weekend? Barclays Big Tennis Weekends offer free sessions across the UK – a great chance to pick up a racket, try something new, or rediscover a hobby you forgot you enjoyed.

Staying home? Make it a Big DIY Weekend

There’s something satisfying about using a bank holiday to make your home feel more like… home.

A simple garden spruce up – clearing leaves, trimming edges, refreshing pots – can transform a space in an afternoon. And keep an eye out: and don’t forget, Howden branches will be running a seed giveaway to help your spring bloom.

Indoors, small projects go a long way. Adding a shelf (or finally fixing the one that wobbles), giving bathroom grout a deep clean or a bold new colour, swapping kitchen handles for something fresher, or even repainting your cabinets – these are the kind of jobs that feel small in the moment but change how you feel when you walk into a room. And if you’re new to DIY, don’t worry. The best projects start with a free weekend and a good playlist.

Make your bank holiday one to remember

Whatever your plans – exploring, feasting, crafting, flying kites, painting cupboards, or doing absolutely nothing – we’d love to be part of your long weekend. Our branches are hosting events that bring communities together, and you’re always invited.

Want to see what your local Howden branch is up to this spring? Pop in and say hello!