Best family Easter days out in Hampshire & West Sussex – 2026 guide

From National Trust egg hunts and heritage steam railways to dinosaur adventures and spring festivals, discover the best family-friendly events across Hampshire and West Sussex this Easter holiday.

Spring has arrived in Hampshire and West Sussex, bringing blossom-filled gardens, longer days and a packed calendar of Easter adventures.

Whether you’re hunting for chocolate treats in historic parkland, hopping aboard a heritage train, meeting authors and wildlife experts, or enjoying toe-tapping theatre with the kids, there’s something to delight every age group. Here’s your guide to the standout family events and experiences to book now.

Easter Adventures at National Trust: Hinton Ampner & The Vyne

Our much-loved National Trust national treasures are always a good starting point for Easter egg hunts. Hop into the challenges the Easter bunny has left at Hinton Ampner and The Vyne as you make your way along the trail and take part in 10 games and activities for the whole family to enjoy, March 21st to April 12th.

£3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg to tuck into.

A Topsy-Turvy Tea Party at Mottisfont

Head slightly further afield to Mottisfont for a Topsy-Turvy tea party, March 21st to April 12th, compete in the scone and spoon race, try giant sandwich jenga, plate spinning, toss the teabag, a biscuit rolling station, and a spinning wheel where you can design your own sandwich. Slug and cress anyone? Little ones can also then draw their sandwiches for display in the stableyard. The all-important choccy egg awaits at the end.

Spring Festival at Petworth House and Park

Petworth welcomes you to its Spring Festival from April 4th to 19th with talks, demonstrations, a community art installation, art and craft workshops and family fun. Pick up a Tilly Plants a Tree trail map from March 28th to April 12th and shop at the Makers Market, April 11th & 12th and much more.

Full details of all events at nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/petworth/events.

Nature Writing at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens

Hear from seven of Britain’s leading nature writers at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens (the former home of Britain’s first ecologist) on Saturday, 21st March, 10am–5pm.

The line-up includes natural navigator and author Tristan Gooley, and novelist, nature writer, podcaster and children’s author Melissa Harrison. The day concludes with photographer Anne-Katrin Purkiss discussing her exhibition South Downs Portraits: Lives in a Landscape, on display in the museum’s Discovery Room.

For more information, visit gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk.

Animal Antics at Farnham Maltings & Museum of Farnham

Get wild with an animal-filled Easter at Farnham Maltings and the Museum of Farnham, with family theatre from The Zoo That Comes to You, hands-on crafts like soap making and cupcake decorating, plus animal drama parties and puppet workshops.

Visit real farm animals at the Museum for a holiday packed with creativity and furry fun for all ages.

For more information, visit farnhammaltings.com.

All Aboard the Easter Bunny Train at Watercress Line

The Easter Bunny will be visiting The Watercress Line this Easter. Enjoy travelling on the heritage trains with themed sing-along songs and jokes and much more Easter related fun, April 2nd – 6th.

Bring your own furry friends along for a photo with the Easter Bunny, and get a little memento of your day.

Book at watercressline.co.uk/special-days/easter-bunny-train.

Riverside Escapes with Farncombe Boat House

Farncombe Boat House is open from late March until the end of October for self-drive day boats and holiday boats. Enjoy a day out on the River Wey with friends and family, or a weekend exploring further downstream. Available for weekends, midweek breaks and weekly holidays on the River Wey.

Book at farncombeboats.co.uk.

Family Shows at Camberley Theatre

Monsters, K-POP, science and gruff goats all feature in Camberley Theatre’s family fun holiday shows. There’s a Monster in your Show – March 31st & April 1st – sees Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures leaping from page to stage in a new musical show. Watch a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim with a smoke blaster in Exciting Science, April 6th.

Get ready to sing, dance, and party like never before at K-Pop Party – the live concert experience on April 7th and join The Three Billy Goats Gruff on April 8th with catchy songs, funky dances and a rapping troll in this fun family show.

To book call 01276 707600 or visit camberleytheatre.co.uk.

Classic Steam Adventures with The Railway Touring Company

Step aboard for a day trip to remember, where the journey is just as exciting as the destination. The Railway Touring Company offers unforgettable days out aboard classic steam trains, travelling through picturesque countryside, dramatic coastlines and historic towns.

Relax in heritage carriages, with the option of Premier Dining, featuring freshly prepared onboard meals served with silver at your seat. Each tour captures the elegance, magic and nostalgic charm of steam travel.

Discover more at railwaytouring.net.

Dinosaurs & Dr Seuss at Theatre Royal Winchester

Forget cute fluffy chicks and bunnies for Easter, how about an Easter dinosaur? For the first time since 1881, the home of dinosaurs, London’s Natural History Museum, is going on tour.

Go on a pre-historic journey to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and watch the life-like dinosaurs come alive right on stage at Theatre Royal Winchester on April 10th. There’s mischief and mayhem with stage adaptation of Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat on April 7th & 8th. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.

Book at theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk.

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