Easter marks the true beginning of the outdoor events season in the UK. With the clocks having sprung forward and the days growing longer, the Easter school holidays are the perfect time for family days out, egg hunts, farm visits, and spring festivals. From the National Trust's annual Cadbury egg hunts to spectacular garden openings and traditional community events, there is plenty to fill the Easter break.
National Trust Easter egg trails
The National Trust runs Easter egg trails at hundreds of its properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland each year. These trails involve following clues around the grounds and gardens to solve puzzles, with a chocolate egg as the reward at the end. The trails are designed for children and are suitable for a wide age range, with most taking between 30 minutes and an hour to complete.
Trails typically run from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, though some properties extend them across the full two weeks of the school holidays. A small charge, usually around £2 to £3 per trail, applies on top of normal property admission. National Trust members get free entry to the grounds, making the trails excellent value for members.
Some of the most popular properties for Easter trails include Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, Stourhead in Wiltshire, Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, and Bodnant Garden in Wales. Arriving early on the day is advisable, as popular properties get very busy by late morning during the Easter weekend.
Farm visits and lambing season
Easter falls right in the middle of lambing season, making farm visits one of the most rewarding activities for families. Many farms across the UK open their doors to visitors during March and April, offering the chance to see and sometimes bottle-feed newborn lambs.
Farms offering lambing experiences include Cotswold Farm Park in Gloucestershire, founded by Adam Henson of BBC Countryfile. Chatsworth Farmyard in Derbyshire and Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire are also popular destinations. Mudchute Farm in east London offers a free urban farm experience, making it an excellent option for London families.
Many of these farms combine lambing with wider spring activities including tractor rides, egg decorating workshops, and Easter-themed craft activities. Booking in advance is increasingly necessary for popular farms during the Easter holidays, particularly for specific experiences like lambing sessions.
Garden openings and spring flower events
Spring is when the UK's gardens come alive. Several major garden events coincide with the Easter period:
- Kew Gardens -- The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are spectacular in spring, with the bluebell wood, cherry blossom walks, and the temperate house all at their best. Kew runs a family Easter trail and additional spring programming during the holidays.
- Keukenhof-style displays -- While the Netherlands has Keukenhof, the UK has its own impressive spring bulb displays. Leeds Castle in Kent, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, and Waddesdon Manor all stage beautiful spring plantings.
- RHS gardens -- The Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Harlow Carr (Yorkshire), Rosemoor (Devon), and Hyde Hall (Essex) all offer spring flower displays and Easter family activities.
Easter events at heritage attractions
English Heritage, Historic Scotland, and Cadw (the Welsh heritage body) all run Easter events at their properties. Expect a mix of historical re-enactments, craft workshops, egg hunts, and themed activities. English Heritage properties like Dover Castle, Stonehenge, and Osborne on the Isle of Wight typically offer programmes that combine Easter themes with the history of each site.
Warwick Castle runs a substantial Easter programme including jousting displays, birds of prey shows, and themed entertainment throughout the castle grounds. Tickets should be booked in advance as the Easter weekend is one of the busiest periods for the castle.
Traditional Easter events
Several traditional Easter events take place across the UK each year:
Egg rolling
Egg rolling is a traditional Easter custom, particularly popular in northern England. The most famous egg rolling event takes place on Easter Monday at Avenham Park in Preston, Lancashire. Participants decorate hard-boiled eggs and roll them down the park's steep grassy slopes. It is a simple, joyful event with a history dating back centuries. The tradition also continues at various locations in the Lake District and the Scottish Borders.
Morris dancing
Easter is a key date in the Morris dancing calendar. Many Morris sides perform their first dances of the season over the Easter weekend, and you can often find displays in market squares and village greens across England. The Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, and the Welsh Marches are particularly good areas for catching Morris dancing at Easter.
Easter parades and bonnet competitions
Easter bonnet parades remain popular in communities across the UK, particularly in primary schools and at community events. The town of Battersea in London hosts an Easter parade, and many local villages run bonnet competitions as part of wider Easter fairs.
Indoor Easter activities
British weather being what it is, having indoor backup plans for Easter is sensible. Museums and galleries across the UK run Easter workshops and activities:
- The Science Museum and Natural History Museum in London run family workshops during school holidays.
- Cadbury World in Bournville, Birmingham, offers chocolate-making experiences that are naturally popular at Easter. Book well in advance as Easter slots sell out.
- The Eden Project in Cornwall runs spring and Easter events within its biomes, combining tropical warmth with seasonal activities.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centres in Manchester and Birmingham offer indoor LEGO-building activities with Easter themes.
If you are looking for more ideas for rainy days, our guide to the best indoor events covers options that work year-round.
Planning your Easter activities
The Easter school holidays typically span two weeks, giving families plenty of time to fit in several activities. Here are some tips for making the most of the break:
- Book popular attractions early -- Easter is one of the busiest periods for family attractions. Cadbury World, Warwick Castle, and popular farms all benefit from advance booking.
- Check opening dates -- Not all seasonal attractions are open for the entire Easter holiday. Some events only run over the long weekend itself.
- Mix free and paid activities -- Balance ticketed attractions with free activities like park visits, nature walks, and community events to manage the holiday budget.
- Layer clothing -- April weather in the UK can range from warm sunshine to hailstones in the same afternoon. Layers and waterproofs are essential.
For event organisers running Easter activities, setting up ticketing for your Easter event helps manage capacity during this popular period. Timed entry slots work particularly well for egg hunts and farm visits, ensuring a good experience for every family.
Our guide to the best spring events and festivals covers even more ideas for the season ahead.
