WE’RE well and truly hopping our way through March and it’s very nearly Easter already – which means it’s time to get hunting for those eggs.
There are fun activities taking place up and down the country.
Here Sun Travel’s Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of them.
LEEDS CASTLE, KENT
THE Easter egg hunt at Leeds Castle this spring will be no ordinary one as little ones are being tasked with retrieving a lost treasure belonging to two Great Danes, Boots and Danny.
Following a special trail with interactive installations and displays, children will have to complete challenges while they learn about the animals that live in and around the medieval castle in the Kentish countryside.
The trail costs £2.50 per child, including a chocolate prize, while admission to Leeds Castle costs £30 per adult and £22.50 per child.
See leeds-castle.com.
WHEN: March 29 – April 14
STAY: Sat within the 500-acre castle estate, the four-person Battel Hall Cottage oozes country charm with exposed wooden beams and a feature fireplace.
Three nights’ self-catering costs from £144.50pp.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE, SOUTH WEST LONDON
THE golden Lindt bunny is considered the creme de la creme of all Easter choccies — and it seems they’re, well, breeding like rabbits at Hampton Court Palace.
Kids aged five to 12 will spend 90 minutes weaving through the colourful gardens in search of gold bunny statues.
They will then have to match the red ribbons on the statues to the names of influential people who lived and worked at the palace in order to win their own (edible) Lindt bunny.
Tickets from £27.20 for adults, £13.60 per child and kids under five go free.
See hrp.org.uk.
WHEN: March 23 – April 14
STAY: If you really want to take advantage of this pretty region of London, you won’t be disappointed by The Mitre Hotel, right on the bank of the River Thames and next door to the Palace.
The very stylish family rooms cost from £333 per night, based on four sharing.
For more details see mitrehamptoncourt.com.
EDEN PROJECT, CORNWALL
THE egg-themed scavenger hunt is just a small part of the mega Easter festivities taking place at the Eden Project in Cornwall this spring.
For the adults there will be food events, old school games such as milk bottle skittles and hoopla, and a pop-up market selling artisan bread, jams, chutneys and brownies.
Kids will be able to join special games, play dress-up in their own mini shop or stall and collect stamps to earn prizes.
Tickets cost from £33 per adult and from £11 per child while under fives go free.
See edenproject.com.
WHEN: March 29 – April 14
STAY: The Premier Inn St Austell is just over a mile away from the Eden Project and a short drive from the beach.
Family rooms cost from £69 per night based on four sharing.
See premierinn.com.
STOURHEAD, WILTS
THE egg trail at Stourhead in picturesque Wiltshire is not only an bargain at £3pp, it is also sure to be one of the most scenic in the country, with this National Trust site described as “a living work of art” when it opened in the 1700s.
Little ones will wind their way through the flower-filled gardens, weave among rare and mystical trees and stroll around a tranquil lake to earn their chocolate egg (vegan versions are available too).
Tickets for the trail can be purchased for £3 at reception on the day.
Normal admission fees also apply of £20 per adult, £10 per child or £50 per family.
WHEN: March 23 – April 14
STAY: If there’s a big group of you, it’s definitely worth spending a few nights at 89 Church Lawn which sits right at the entrance of Stourhead overlooking the impressive gardens.
The cottage, with a roaring fireplace, sleeps seven and costs from £141.14pp for two nights’ self-catering.
See nationaltrust.org.uk.
EASTNOR CASTLE, HEREFORDSHIRE
TO celebrate its 200th birthday, Eastnor Castle, near the market town of Ledbury, is holding a “mEGGastars” treasure hunt with clues dotted all over the historic grounds.
When kids have solved the riddles and collected their chocolatey prizes, there’s even more fun to be had exploring the Knight’s Maze, swinging on ropes in the woodland play area and clambering across the junior obstacle course.
The egg hunt is free for anyone with admission to the castle and grounds.
Tickets cost £14 per adult and £8 per child or £40 for up to two adults and three kids.
See eastnorcastle.com.
WHEN: March 24 – April 4
STAY: A traditional coaching inn, The Feathers Hotel, is a ten-minute drive from Eastnor Castle and has twin and double rooms from £180 per night.
