There's plenty going on in every corner of Britain this Easter to mark the occasion and keep you entertained. From giant Easter egg hunts to spring fairs, quizzes and spectacular outdoor performances, your Easter weekend can be packed full of fun for all the family…
Meet Bobtail Bunny and friends at Paultons Park
Come face to face with Bobtail Bunny and his forest friends at Paultons Park over Easter, the home of Peppa Pig World on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Alongside a chance to meet the cute characters, exciting spring activities workshops will include opportunities to create Easter cards, rabbit magnets, pop up bunnies or a Daffodil Windmill.
When? 5 - 23 April
Discover more about the final days of Jesus in Trafalgar Square, London
Immerse yourself in a moving portrayal of the final days of Jesus in the heart of Trafalgar Square, as 100 Wintershall players put on a free public performance of The Passion of Jesus. The open air 90-minute production uses huge screens to maximise its visual impact and features a striking interpretation of the crucifixion.
When? 19 April (Two performances: 12pm and 3.15pm)
Join the Junk Orchestra at Leeds Castle
Sample daily musical jamming sessions with the Junk Orchestra, where you can create a merry beat using instruments made from bits of old rubbish, on the Pavilion Lawn at Leeds Castle in Kent. Each of your instrument creations will help to form an incredible litter sculpture, developed by award-winning eco-artist Sarah Turner.
When? 19 - 22 April
Take in the scenery from the Isle of Wight steam railway
Enjoy the Isle of Wight’s spectacular scenery from aboard the island’s steam railway before embarking on the Desmond Duck Treasure Hunt in search of Easter treats. An Easter Bonnet Parade will take place on each day, alongside regular flying displays from Haven Falconry.
When? 19-22 April
Go celebrity duck spotting
Join a very different flock of ducks at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre over Easter, as 14 giant Dusty Ducks will brighten the wonderful wetland area. Lovingly designed by a host of different celebrities, including Joanna Lumley and Steve Backshall, each brightly coloured 6-foot-tall duck will form the Celebrity Dusty Duck Trail before they head off to auction after Easter.
When? 30 March - 6 May
Discover glow in the dark eggs at Cheddar Gorge and Caves
Venture into Cheddar Gorge and Caves this Easter and be on the lookout for hidden glow in the dark eggs in the many mysterious chambers of Gough’s Cave. After discovering all of the glowing eggs, adults and children over 8 can embark on an exhilarating Black Cat Free Fall experience, leaping into the darkness from 30 feet up, or those aged over 12 can test their brain power in a race against the clock to get out of Cheddar’s Escape Rooms: The Vault or Caved In.
When? 6 - 22 April (The Free Fall experience is available all year, dependant on weather conditions)
Don hand-crafted headgear at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Create an extravagant Easter Bonnet at the Palace of Holyroodhouse before donning the headgear to take part in a fantastic Easter parade. Go in search of other weird and wacky headgear that has been worn throughout the ages as part of the Easter trail, when wigs, crowns and other wonderful hats will be hidden around the Edinburgh palace.
When? 8 - 21 April (Easter Bonnet making and parade on 21 April)
Hunt for chocolate at Coughton Court
Embark on an expedition around the picturesque grounds of Coughton Court on a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, before enjoying an array of traditional games and family events at the National Trust site. Packwood House, also in Warwickshire, Newark Park in Gloucestershire and A La Ronde in Devon are among many other National Trust sites to have Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts too.
When? 19 - 22 April (A La Ronde, 6 - 22 April)
Experience all the fun of the fair
Enjoy the thrills of the fair this Easter at the iconic Manchester Central in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy a host of rides, try their luck at classic funfair games and tuck into delightful cuisine from an array of food stalls. Open for two sessions each day, tickets for the funfair provide unlimited goes on all of the rides – and best of all, everything is inside!
When? 13 - 23 April (2 daily sessions, 10am and 2pm)
Revel in Manchester’s music scene
Experience 3 days of musical mayhem as more than 130 bands play their finest tunes at the Manchester Punk Festival. Spread across 8 venues in the city, all within walking distance of each other, the festival also includes a comedy and poetry stage, and a pop-up record store. The When in Manchester Festival also returns for its fifth edition this Easter, featuring 19 of the region’s best up-and-coming artists at 3 venues in the city’s Northern Quarter.
When? 19-21 April (When in Manchester, 20 April)
View the south coast from the top of the tower
Enjoy stunning views of Portsmouth and the south coast from the top of the Emirates Spinnaker Tower before meeting the stars of hit CBeebies show Bing – Bing and Flop. Be brave enough to wander across the glass floor while staring down at a 100 metre drop, or relax in the beautiful sky garden as the first plants of the season start to bloom, all while taking in the breath-taking sights.
When? 13 and 20 April (Meet Bing and Flop at selected times)
Let curiosity run wild on the Mount
Follow the curious Easter hunt trail around the harbour and village on St Michael’s Mount to learn more about the people that call the island home. You can hunt for answers on the way to be in with a chance of being rewarded with a delicious chocolate surprise.
When? 7 - 22 April (except Saturdays)
Roll up for circus and superhero fun
Mark Easter in style at Yorkshire’s Thornton Hall Country Park, with a range of egg-citing activities for all the family. Enjoy circus performances and workshops as part of the Great Show Spectacular on Good Friday, before joining the Easter Rabbit for an enthralling Egg Hunt or capping the weekend off with fancy dress at the Superhero and Princess Party.
When? 19, 21 and 22 April (Circus performance, 19 April; Easter Egg Hunt, 21 April; Superhero and Princess Party, 22 April)