Easter comes early this year, March 29th – April 1st, which gives us an opportunity to enjoy the glories of spring as well of course, as eating chocolate!

There’s so much more to Easter than just choccy eggs, for many it has the deepest religious significance, for others it affords a long weekend of spending time with your loved ones hopefully with some bright cheery spring sunshine then and beyond.

This Easter pop along to a National Trust property near you for a family trail. Jam-packed with outdoor activities, games, riddles and crafts, every Easter celebration is different and ends with a chocolate egg.

Make your way along the trail at Avebury while taking part in 10 fun, creative, and playful activities inspired by our native wildlife for the whole family. The trail takes place between March 23rd and April 14th, so go along and explore the beautiful gardens of Avebury.

Basildon Park is going to the movies, March 23rd-April 14th, as children and families become director of their own Easter movie in the parkland. Basildon Park is often seen on screen as a location in films and the 10 action stations of the Easter trail will help families create their own movie. There’ll be plenty of walking, fun games and photo opportunities to be had along the way. There are also two pre-bookable Easter wreath-making workshops on March 19th and 21st.

Follow the trail through Highclere Castle’s gardens and woodland, finding clues en route to win a chocolate Easter egg at the end on Saturday, 6th April. Show off your creations in the Easter bonnet parade, meet some of the farm animals and take to the bouncy slide in a day of family fun for all ages. Please pre-book adult tickets and confirm how many children are coming with you so Highclere can ensure every child receives an Easter egg once they have completed the trail. Donations to the chosen charity on the day (suggested donation £5) are invited when collecting a map for the Easter Trail on arrival.

Explore Shaw House and follow the clues to find all the bunnies hidden around the historic rooms on Saturday, 13th April, 11am-1pm. Themed crafts will also be available in the Activity Room. Suitable for ages 4 – 8 years old, but younger and older visitors are welcome. Suggested donation £1.

Buscot Park house and gardens reopen for the summer season on Good Friday, 29th March, and will be open 2-6pm daily over the Easter bank holiday weekend. New for 2024 is a free sculpture trail around the gardens, featuring stunning glass sculptures by Gloucestershire artists Sally Fawkes and Richard Jackson. More here.

Hop into spring with a joyful Easter egg trail scavenger hunt at Town Gardens in Swindon on Saturday, 30th March. Children will crack the code, claim delicious treats, and create lasting memories. The trail starts at the bandstand by 10am.

Celebrate new life at Roves Farm near Swindon this spring with the birth of lambs and baby goats. Boer goat nannies will be kidding from 12th March and the kids will be included in the bottle feeding sessions once old enough from around early April, perfect timing for the Easter holidays! The second lambing takes place at the farm from April 6th to 23rd. Spend some time on the viewing walkway looking out over the barn as the day’s action unfolds. You may be lucky enough to see a lamb or two being born. And of course, there will be all the usual fun on the farm with daily activities, indoor and outdoor play, tractor rides, Rugrats & Rascals sessions, meet & feed the animals & lots more.

Crofton Beam Engines will be letting off steam on March 31st and April 1st when you can enjoy a look behind the scenes over the Easter weekend.

Easter fun awaits at Bowood House & Gardens from March 29th to April 14th where the Bowood Easter Bunny has hidden 10 large eggs through the Arboretum. Find the eggs, unscramble the letters and guess the word to win a prize. On Easter weekend, March 29th to April 1st, four golden eggs will be hidden within the grounds, along with one rainbow egg each day, (Friday –  Monday inclusive). Those that find a golden egg will win a chocolate Easter Egg and the rainbow egg winner will win a Season Ticket. Book here.

Meet rare breed ponies, pigs, sheep, rabbits, ducks, geese, goats, and more at Cholderton Charlie’s Rare Breeds Farm near Salisbury. Offering a range of events and activities during the Easter holidays, this is a fantastic place to take the children during Easter. Adults will also want to stop by the Farm Shop to browse gifts and locally produced food and drink and gifts before heading home. Visit choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com

Instead of Easter bunnies how about Easter horses? Huntersfield Equestrian Centre near Faringdon hosts regular pony camps, days and rallies during holidays and mid-term breaks. Open to children between the ages of four and 16 years, no prior experience is needed, just a positive and eager attitude to learn more about horses and their care. And of course there’s loads of fun to the activities too. Find out more and book at huntersfieldec.com

Image: National Trust/Paul Harris