The family fun begins this weekend with many schools starting their Easter break, though some start their holiday next week. With this in mind we’ve done some digging around and found some great events across the UK in the coming weeks, fun for all the family.
We’ve done our best to segment our list by location (eg Manchester, London, Devon etc) but unfortunately we can’t cover everywhere. So if you can’t see a location near you then scroll to the bottom of this article and we’ve listed some great resources for finding events just like the ones we are listing today.
Manchester & Surrounding Areas
Leverhulme Park Green Team – Sat 31st March, 10am – 3.30pm
Leverhulme Park, Bolton – Practical conservation tasks including hedgelaying, wetland improvement, coppicing, path work, grassland management and surveying opportunities. You don’t need any experience just enthusiasm and a reasonable level of physical fitness. Brews, biscuits, training and Personal Protective Equipment will be provided. You need to register for this event, more details from The Wildlife Trust.
Nature’s Fools? – Sun 1st April, 10am – 12 noon
Stalybridge Country Park, Stalybridge – “From dancing weasels to the elephant hawk moth, many of our native beasts have an almost uncanny ability to fool their predators or prey. Join our three (3) mile walk to see who’s the fool now.” Find out more from BBC Things to Do.
The Museum Allotment – 3rd April to 13th April, 11am – 4pm
The Manchester Museum, Manchester – Come along to Plant a Turing Sunflower. World famous for his work on computing, Alan Turing also suggested that everything from tiger stripes to the seed patterns in sunflower heads are linked to mathematics. Plant a Turing Sunflower and get involved in an exciting experiment to celebrate his centenary. Planting will take place at The Manchester Museum and is part of the Turing’s Sunflowers project at MOSI. Some activities may need to be booked in advance and could cost up to £1.50, Find out more from the Manchester Museum.
Northwich Wildlife Watch Group – Sat 7th April, 10am
Marshall’s Arm Nature Reserve, Hartford – Come and join the Wildlife Watch team to learn more about local wildlife. earn, play games and make craft items. Activities include: Building shelters and dens, Mud monsters, Exploring and orienteering, Spring treasure hunt & Willow weaving. £2 per child. For more information visit the BBC or Cheshire Wildlife Watch.
Wild Woods – Tues 10th April, 1pm – 3pm
Knott Hill Local Nature Reserve, Ashton under Lyne – Fun days for familes. There will be a variety of activities such as mini-beast safari, den building, a nature walk and woodland crafts. More information from the BBC or Tameside Countryside Services.
Seven Acres Rangers (Bolton) – Fri 6th & 13th April, 10am – 4pm
Bolton Environment Resource Centre, Bolton – Practical conservation activities on Seven Acres reserve.You don’t need any experience just enthusiasm and a reasonable level of physical fitness. For more information visit the BBC.
London & Surrounding Areas
Easter Eggstravaganza @ WWT London – Sat 31st March, 11am – 4pm
WWT London Wetland Centre, London – Find out how our ducklings grow and what they like to eat. There are two interactive shows each day where you can find out more about these fluffy characters and join in with some special games. This activity runs each day until 15th April.
Find out more from WWT London.
Creatures of the Night Walk – Sat 31st March, 8.30pm – 9.30pm
Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve, London – 8pm on Saturday the 31st of March is EARTH HOUR. Come along to enjoy Earth Hour with us and celebrate the earth’s wild places with your children. Helen Wallis will give a “Creatures of the Night” talk by the entrance to the reserve. Then she will lead a torchlit walk around the reserve to look at newts (which are nocturnal!) and minibeasts. For more info visit BBC Things to Do.
Farm Babies, free family activities – Weds 4th April, 11am – 4pm
Vauxhall City Farm, London – Meet the new arrivals and celebrate spring on this farm this Easter. Meet the chicks, help bottle feed the lambs (time to be announced), create a spring craft and sow a GIANT sunflower. This activity will also run on Thurs 5th April. For more info visit Vauxhall Farm online.
Warley Place, Open Weekend – Sat 7th & Sun 8th April, 10am – 5pm
Warley Place nature reserve, Brentwood – The Reserve will be open to the public every weekend between the Sat 3 Mar to Mon 9 Apr, including Good Friday and Easter Monday, from 10.00am – 5.00pm daily, weather permitting. CM13 3HU (no toilets on site). For more information visit Essex Wilflife Trust.
Easter at Osterley – Sun 8th April, 12noon – 4pm
Osterley Park (National Trust), Osterley, Middlesex – Follow the clues on our Easter trail in the park with a chocolate prize for every child (whilst stocks last). For more information visit BBC Things to do.
Easter Playscheme for Over 8’s – Mon 9th April, 10am – 3pm
East Reservoir Community Garden (WWT), London – Free craft and wildlife activities for over 8s with the London Wildlife Trust to celebrate the arrival of Easter. Places must be booked (and consent forms signed on the day) first come, first served, but it is free to attend. Booking for this event is essential and easy. For more info visit London Wildlife Trust.
Wildflower Walk – Weds 11th April, 10am – 3pm
East Reservoir Community Garden (WWT), London – Wildflower expert and conservation ecologist Tony Wileman will be taking us on a walk around East Reservoir, identifying wildflowers and any other interesting plants we come across. For more information visit BBC Things to do.
Edinburgh & Scottish Borders
Arthur’s Secrets – Tues 3rd & 10th April, 1pm – 3pm
Holyrood Park Education Centre, Edinburgh – Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice! Find out about the people who lived and worked in the Park from 7 thousand years ago up until the present day and learn more about the rare wildlife that makes the Park so special. Over 8’s only. For more info click here.
Trimontium Walks – Thurs 5th & 12th April, 1.30pm
Roman Heritage Centre, Market Square, Melrose – A guided walk from medieval Melrose past the abbey and along the Tweed Valley path to Newstead mason’s village. A curcuit of the hidden Roman fortress of Trimontium includes views from the towering Leaderfoot Viaduct, followed by tea in the village hall. Return to Melrose by the same route or the riverside (15 mins longer). Dogs welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit The Trimontium Trust.
Easter Egg Hunt – Fri 6th – Mon 9th April, 12noon
Newhailes,Newhailes Rd, Musselburgh – Join in the Family fun with us this year as you follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win an Easter egg! Children must be accompanied by an adult. £2 per child. For more information visit National Trust for Scotland.
Easter Holiday Children’s Wildlife Quiz – 31st Mar – 15th Apr, 10.30am
Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate – Collect a quiz from the ticket office and find out more about the wildlife on the estate. A self-led, drop-in event runnning throughout the Easter holidays, encouraging children to look closer at the natural world around them. £1 per child.
Visit National Trust for Scotland for more info.
Springwatch at Harlaw – Weds 11th April, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Harlaw House Visitor Centre, Harlaw Road, nr Balerno – Spring has sprung. Nature has awoken. Join the Pentland Rangers at Harlaw Wildlife Garden for fun nature activities. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Under 16’s only. For more information visit Pentland Hills.
Nothing Near You Here?
Not to worry, next week we’ll post another 3 locations with lots of events. In the mean time here are a few websites to check out for more events near you this easter.
- BBC Things to do
- National Trust Events
- Your Local Wildlife Trust
- The Wetland Wildlife Trust
- Also check your local zoo’s for events
including: Edinburgh Zoo, Paignton Zoo & Chester Zoo - And finally, visit your local parks
If you think we’ve missed an event from our list of amazing Easter events do let us know, leave a comment below and we may add it in!
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