Easter in Great Britain

When we think about something special at Easter in Spain, we usually think of Easter eggs (like the one in the photo to the right). Of course, there are "torrijas" all over the country. There are also lots of different cakes, sweeties and so on, according to the place where you spend your Easter holidays.


What about Great Britain and Ireland? What's the meaning of Easter for Britons? Remember they are not a Catholic, but an Anglican country. Even the name is from Anglo-Saxon origin, a goddess of fertility and springtime.


Easter in Britain and Ireland is similar throughout all four countries and, as in Spain, involves traditional cooking and baking with the highlight of the weekend of festivities involving copious amounts of chocolate eggs. Have you ever thought that Spaniards and Britons shared customs and traditions?


The two important cakes at Easter are the Simnel Cake and Hot Cross Buns. They were my first contact with Easter traditions in Britain during my first stay with my "British family" at Alice's. I must say that they were a Catholic family, a minority in London.


Hot Cross Buns are marked with a cross and were eaten by the Saxons to honor their goddess Eostre - it is thought the bun represented the moon and the cross the moon's quarters. To Christians, the cross symbolizes the crucifixion and traditionally eaten warm with butter on Good Friday (on the photo on the right).


The Simnel Cake signifies the end of Lent but as it was originally made on Mothering Sunday, I consider it deserves an entry apart.


Anything else important about Easter? Any other memories to share with you? Yes. It's nothing to do with food and drink, but all the same, you must know that British people share some traditions, as chocolate eggs and that they are not all so shy and reserved and you may think of them. "Easter Bonnet Parade" is a good example.

Ir a: http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/interests/food-drink/features/easter-food-traditions.aspx (about all kinds of traditions)

Ir a: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/ (news about 2009 Easter)