Easter guide 2021 – events and activities for children and families across England
Make your Easter an egg-stremely good one with Visit England
The last year may have been very different for families but children can still have an egg-citing time this Easter.
Visit England has put together a guide including lots of local events to actually attend and online activities.
The list includes Easter eggs hunts, walks, bake-off competitions and virtual campfires.
First up, here is Visit England’s selection of online events that everyone can take part in from the comfort of their own homes.
After that, we will look at local events across the country which you can attend.
Part 1: Virtual Events
Virtual Children’s Chocolate Bake Off
April 6
For budding bakers, The Farm Cookery School in Chippenham, Wiltshire will run a virtual Brownies and Chocolate Nests masterclass and competition.
There are classes for under 7s, 7-10s and 11-16s which will run from 10 – 11am with judging and winners announced at 3pm.
Prices from £10 per device/household.
Cosy up to a virtual campfire
Easter Monday April 5
Dabble in crafts and sing along with the Girlguiding’s online Spring Social, bringing the magic and excitement of camp to families at home over the Easter holidays.
Be sure to have hot chocolate and Easter eggs at the ready.
www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/events-and-opportunities/event-and-opportunity-finder/
The Bowes Museum Virtual Family Fun Day
April 10 (register by April 1)
Join guides at different locations aronud the museum to discover the love story of its founders.
A craft pack will be delivered to you with items to create a theatre with characters connected to the museum.
A range of other online Easter activities are available on the museum website.
Locals can visit the Spring trails with guided prebookable outdoor tours available from March 29.
The prices are £3 per person for a Virtual Family Fun Day craft pack and £3 per person for outdoor guided tour.
Jane Austen’s House Virtual tour live
April 3, 15 and 24
Join expert guides for a new virtual tour of Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire from the comfort of your home.
A Jane Austen expert will guide you around the house and outbuilding with lots of opportunities to chat and ask questions.
£5 per person.
Part 2: Local Easter events, from traditional egg hunts to energetic outings and perfect picnics
Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk
Eastertide family walks and trails with friendly activities and acres of gardens and woodland to explore.
Take up the challenge to find the huge wooden eggs hidden around the walk and to ‘scramble’ the clues to ‘crack’ the code they reveal.
From £13.50 to £17.95 (under 4s free).
www.kentwell.co.uk/events/eastertide
Canoe Easter Egg Hunt, New Forest
April 2 to 11
Paddle along the waters of Beaulieu River in Canadian-style canoes, before disembarking for an Easter egg hunt with a twist.
Hidden hidden chocolate eggs are scattered along the riverside.
Adults £34.00 and children £25 (16 years and under).
www.newforestactivities.co.uk/activities/canoeing-easter-egg-hunt/
English Heritage, various sites
English Heritage will welcome visitors back to more of its historic sites from March 29.
All sites scheduled to open enjoy large outdoor spaces, such as historic gardens, extensive grounds and even a battlefield.
National Trust Easter Excitement, nationwide
Available from March 29
Easter adventures await in many National Trust locations across the country from Easter Trails to Easter egg hunts.
Bookings and activities for local residents only. Advance bookings required.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/join-the-easter-egg-hunts
Sewerby Hall and Gardens, Yorkshire
Sewerby Hall and Gardens in Yorkshire will reopen the gardens, cafe (takeaway-only, no seating available), play area and toilets from March 27.
Adults £3.80, children £2.70.
www.sewerbyhall.co.uk/coronavirus/
Commandery Gardens, Worcester
From April 2 – 18 (excluding Monday, April 12)
The gardens will open free for local residents seeking a breath of fresh air, a walk and a coffee at Easter.
There will also be a free Family Fun Fitness Trail available in the gardens with exciting tasks to complete for budding explorers.
And there will be a Lotrail happening on Fort Royal Hill organised by Friends of Fort Royal Park.
www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
Bamburgh Castle (grounds only), Northumberland
From March 29
Discover Northumberland’s stunning coast from the grounds of Bamburgh Castle, witness outstanding sea views and explore nine acres of Northumberland with a history dating back thousands of years.
£6 per adult, pre-booking required.
Bolton Castle Gardens, Yorkshire
Available from March 29
Visit the country gardens, including the maze and vineyard. Enjoy superb views of Bolton Castle and the glorious Wensleydale valley.
Falconry displays will recommence from 12 April. Pre-booking recommended.
Raby Castle Easter Trail, County Durham
The park and gardens burst into life in the spring and there is plenty for families to discover in the acres of parkland.
This Easter the castle has a brand new trail for families where you can keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls Raby home.
There are ducks and swans on the lake along with red and fallow deer in the park.
https://www.raby.co.uk/events/easter-trail/
High Force Waterfall, Barnard Castle
Open daily from March 27 to April 11
The Woodland Walk to High Force Waterfall – one of England’s most spectacular waterfalls – is home to a huge variety of birds, insects and animals. The trail is open daily from 10am and is included in the admission ticket to the waterfall.
Newby Hall, Harrogate
Opening from April 1
The stunning gardens and extensive adventure playground at Newby Hall will reopen just in time for the Easter holidays.
This year they are starting the season with an enchanted wood family trail in the magical woodland walk.
The Arundell Lakeside Easter Egg Trail & Picnic Lunch, Devon
Easter Saturday April 3
Collect your picnic lunch from The Arundell Deli and walk down to the Arundell Lake in Tinhay for the Easter Egg Trail.
Picnic by the lake, follow the trail of clues and walk back to the deli to collect Easter prizes.
From £15 per adult, £10 children (includes picnic lunch and entry for the Easter Egg trail).
Easter Picnics at Weston Park, Staffordshire
Available: April 2 – 5
This Easter, Weston Park has a real treat – picnics in the park. Pre-book your picnic, pick it up as you head into the park and settle in for an Easter themed hamper of delights, with plenty of beautiful spots to enjoy, overlooking Temple Pool, by the Deer Park or on the lawns at the front of the house.
Visitors must also pre-book tickets into the estate separately.
From £20 for two – £56 for six people – limited number of picnics available each day, pre-booking required.
www.weston-park.com/event/picnic-tickets/
Picnics at Rufford Abbey from Josephine’s Tea Room, Nottinghamshire
Grab a picnic from Josephine’s Tea Room and take it to Rufford Abbey, a former 12th century Cistercian Monastery and country house.
Take a stroll around the lake, check out the gardens and then find your perfect picnic spot on the large grass area at the side of the magnificent abbey.
From £27 per box, suitable for two.
www.josephinesnottingham.co.uk/ //
www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/rufford-abbey-country-park-p355911
Energetic Easter Experiences for the family, Durham
Easter weekend opening: April 2 – 5
For a more energetic Easter experience for the family, head to Weardale Adventure Centre, with canoeing, rock climbing, archery, and caving.
www.thisisdurham.com/whats-on/easter-weekend-weardale-adventure-centre-p1067431
The Outdoor City SUP (Standup-paddleboarding) Experience, Sheffield
From April 3
For another energetic ways to burn off the Easter eggs, take to Sheffield’s historic Victoria Quays waters for standup-paddleboarding.
After a quick introduction (and once you’ve cracked standing up) set off on a short journey along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal.
£40 per person
www.dcoutdoors.co.uk/off-the-shelf-adventures
Day Boat Hire with Drifters, various locations
Available from March 29
Drifters day boats will be available to hire to single households to explore England’s network of inland waterways from various boat yards across England.
Full tuition is included so those new to narrowboating can get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks.
Pricing from £99 (per boat), day boat hire from £10.00.
www.drifters.co.uk/day-boats/ https://www.drifters.co.uk/enjoy-a-day-out-boating-this-spring-on-your-local-canal/
The Wave, Bristol
Available from March 29
An inland surf destination where everyone can surf on consistent, safe waves all year round. The Wave will be running surf sessions, rolling a fantastic variety of waves to suit all levels of surfer, from beginner to expert.
Egg-straordinary Eggcups at Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury
Making egg cups at Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury
April 13 and 14
Take the family for a day of clay modelling to create their very own eggcup.
£20 per person
www.eastnorpottery.co.uk/2021/03/10/easter-themed-pottery-fun-for-families-eggstraordinary-egg-cups/
Hidden Tracks Cycling Tours, London
From March 29
Join a cyclist expert guide for off-road rides both around the city and out of London.
Hidden Tracks Cycling takes groups of up to 10 people. Most rides last between four and a half to five hours.
The cost is from £40.
Exmoor Explorer Walks, Exmoor
Launching April 12
A series of 10 short walks showcasing the best landscapes, wildlife and history Exmoor has to offer.
Each route is easy to follow, with relatively gentle terrain and range from taking less than an hour to about two and a half hours for the longest.
Waterproof route guide will be available from Exmoor National Park Centres or from the online shop.
Easter Breakout, Bristol
April 14 and 15
The Parking Lot Social’s Easter Breakout event offers a variety of entertainment.
There will be an Easter pantomime, family movie, interactive Social Kids party and some live comedy.
Ticket prices vary by event.
www.visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-parking-lot-social-at-bristol-airport-p2897253
*Always check individual websites and government guidance first.