When I was growing up in Colorado, Easter was celebrated quietly at church where I was spoiled with candy and taught that Jesus was resurrected on this day. So I always wondered why we ate chocolate covered bunnies instead of chocolate covered Jesuses–then realized later that it would be way too creepy having little kids chewing off Jesus’ head.

In London, Easter is essentially celebrated the same way as in America, except ten times more extreme and festive. Easter to Londoners is a holiday that is so important that students are given two week breaks around the festivities and where tubes and businesses close earlier than usual.

If you have a craving for a chocolate fix, want a quaint brunch, yearn for Jesus’ teachings, or are just in the festive spirit, check these places out for Easter. After all, it is a national holiday, and not celebrating it is a shame and more importantly, a sin.

For a stroll in the park with the kids try Kenwood’s Easter Trail where for the first time, it’s the children that have to pay and the adults who get in for free. The cost is £1.00 to get in. From 11AM to 4PM until Monday, the 24th.

Chocolate is a staple of Easter, so why settle for anything less than the best? Try Clarke’s– delicious chocolates, pastries, and even bread. Chef Sally Clarke has been receiving loads of raves on her culinary expertise and her signature “clean cut” tastes.

Shop like it’s Easter– like you’re spending all your money on chocolate and have a little money to spare for actual shopping. Quality shopping at that. Who has time for shopping on Easter, anyway? Try these online shopping listed below for the best prices:

*Ciao is one of the largest shopping malls in Europe with 38 million users.

*Kelkoo is like a one stop shop for appliances, toys, and a price comparison chart, what more could you ask for?

*GlassesCentre, where we found Ray Ban Wayfarers for only 52.

Wanna munch and brunch on more than just bunny ears? Here are London’s best breakfast eats:

(from Time Out)

The Breakfast Club-‘The little yellow café in Soho’ dishes up grub throughout the day, but, as its name suggests, is mostly committed to top-notch, restorative breakfasts. The umpteen variations on American, English and Continental favourites include a veggie full English, a bacon, brie and maple syrup toasted sandwich, or, for the more calorie-conscious, good old Special K with freshly squeezed OJ.”

Christopher’s- “This upmarket Covent Garden restaurant styles itself an American bar and grill, so a first-rate, wide-ranging brunch menu is de rigueur. There’s all kinds of fruit, granola, light salads, blueberry pancakes, French toast and bagels, eggs every which way, and more substantial dishes such as steak, eggs and fries.”

Inn the Park-“Oliver Peyton’s underground retreat in St James’s Park serves up a superb breakfast menu until 11am. Traditional British brekkie is the focus: there’s a full English (plus, uniquely, a choice of several kinds of artisan bacon, sausages, black pudding and eggs), and kedgeree or kippers. There’s also a couple of lighter options (fruit, muesli, porridge) and a very impressive range of juices.”

Number Twelve- “This welcoming, stylish hotel restaurant could teach most of its soulless, corporate rivals a thing or two. Head chef Santino Busciglio has just added a Sunday brunch menu to his Italian-influenced repertoire. Top-quality ingredients sing out in dishes such as boiled eggs with asparagus soldiers, soft-poached duck egg with pancetta or boudin and wild mushrooms, and there are salads, soups, seafood dishes and Sunday roasts.”

Is Easter just not Easter without properly celebrating Jesus’ resurrection in a chapel?
Try St. Paul’s Cathedral. The church is a national monument and has survived generations upon generations. The church is a beautiful landmark in itself standing securely overseeing the Thames River.

Here are the times of service:

05:45

Dawn Eucharist

08:00

Holy Communion

09:00

Eucharist with Congregational Music

10:15

Mattins

11:30

Sung Eucharist

15:15

Festal Evensong

18:00

The Eucharist with Hymns