Easter traditions really begin in the UK a long time before Easter, 41 days to be precise. This is Shrove Tuesday, or as it's now more often known, Pancake Day. It's is not just another one of those "national days" like unicorn day or doughnut day, but our version of Mardi Gras: the last day before Lent begins, when people would consume the last of their rich, fatty foods before fasting.
Pancakes are the traditional dish on Shrove Tuesday, as they would allow people to use up things like milk, eggs, and sugar, which wouldn't be allowed during Lent. Though it's now more popular to give up just one thing during Lent, rather than all pleasure-giving foods, the tradition of gorging on pancakes beforehand remains. British pancakes are much thinner than American pancakes, and when it comes to toppings, lemon juice and sugar are traditional.