Ten things to do by the coast this month, April 2025 –  Amy McPherson

1. EAT A SPECIAL SRI LANKAN FEAST
Deal – 26 April

Dom Fernando, chef-founder of Soho’s Paradise joins the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse to create a one-off menu inspired by his Sri Lankan heritage. It will celebrate the best of British and Sri Lankan produce, and dining will be communal, with everyone served together (£65pp, updownfarmhouse.com).

2. CELEBRATE JANE AUSTIN
Southampton – 29 March – 31 October

To mark the 250th birthday of Jane Austen, Southampton’s SeaCity Museum is set to host an exhibition centred around the author: A Very Respectable Company – Jane Austen and Her Southampton Circle. This will explore the fascinating group of friends and neighbours who may have inspired the characters found in her novels (seacitymuseum.co.uk/whats-on/jane-austen-exhibition).

3. EAT AND DRINK WITH A SEA VIEW
Filey 19-20 April

The seasonal Filey International Food Festival is back this year, starting with the spring event. This will showcase great food and drink local to North Yorkshire and beyond. With more than 65 stalls to browse – including fresh lobster and crab – you’re sure to be served a delicious weekend topped with gorgeous views across Filey Bay (discoveryorkshirecoast.com/event/filey-international-food-festival/133983101).

4. SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS
Broadstairs – 18-20 April

Visit the Broadstairs Easter Food Festival to support local producers, independent shops, restaurants and pubs based in the Thanet town and its neighbours, Ramsgate and Margate. Expect cooking demonstrations, tastings, Easter fun for children – and a bespoke champagne and seafood bar for the grown-ups (broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk/).

5. RUN THE WELSH COASTLINE
Vale of Glamorgan – 5 April

In 2025, the Vale of Glamorgan Ultra and Coastal Races will celebrate their 10th year. The Ultra route (32.5 miles) stretches along the entire coast of the vale, offering clifftop views and passing 19 beaches. Alternatively, runners may enter the shorter Vale Trail 18.5- or 10-mile races (runwalkcrawl.co.uk/vale-coastal-trail-races-2025).

6. FOLLOW THE HERD (OF ARTY ELEPHANTS)
Dorset – 28 March – 27 May

A colourful herd of elephant sculptures will arrive on the coast in Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis as part of the Stampede by the Sea Art Trail – an event aiming to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare (stampedebythesea.org).

7. DISCOVER CORNWALL’S SURFING HISTORY
Falmouth – From 28 March

At the National Maritime Museum, a new exhibition, SURF! 100 years of Waveriding in Cornwall, will explore the history and influence of surfing culture in the county and celebrate a century of waveriding along its Atlantic coast (nmmc.co.uk/2024/11/surf).

8. FORAGE FOR YOUR FOOD
Dover – 19 April

Join local chef and foraging expert Lucia Stuart for Meadow & Coast: A Forager’s Easter. Learn about coastal geology and vegetation as you gather and cook a beach hut feast in White Cliffs Country (thewildkitchen.net).

9. SAMPLE SUPERB IRISH PRODUCE
Dungarvan – 25-27 April

Now in its 16th year, Waterford Festival of Food is one of Ireland’s largest and longest-running community food events. Get set to enjoy guided taste tours, kitchen-table talks, sustainability workshops and pop-up experiences in unusual locations and nearby towns (waterfordfestivaloffood.com).

10. GET INTO GEOCACHING
Staithes – From April

The new Staithes Geocache Arts Trail lets you explore the coastal village in the North York Moors National Park. Themed around Staithes’ artistic roots, the trail includes works by local resident Paul Czainski and Victorian artist Laura Knight (northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures/geocaching-and-orienteering).