Egg-citing Easter Adventures on Your Doorstep!

From local garden trails to attractions further afield, we’ve found Easter activities to suit every family – and they all share one delicious theme.

Standen House and Garden

Arts and Crafts heritage meets Easter fun at Standen. Running from Saturday 14th March to Sunday 12th April (10am-4.30pm, last entry 4pm), the trail takes you through the picturesque hillside gardens with activities including hook a duck, skittles and plenty of opportunities for Easter selfies. Inside the house, spot the hidden Easter eggs amongst the Morris & Co. interiors.

At £3.50 per trail including garden entry (free for National Trust members), you get your trail sheet, bunny ears and a choice of dairy, vegan or Free From chocolate egg, dietary needs are catered for.

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead | nationaltrust.org.uk/standen

Bluebell Railway

For something different, combine Easter with heritage steam trains. On 1st and 2nd April, hop aboard the
Bluebell Railway for a magical journey with Easter Bunnies meeting and greeting families at Sheffield Park and onboard the trains as they travel through the Sussex countryside.

Then from 3rd to 6th April, a mobile zoo brings an extra element of discovery to your day out. Kids’ tickets are just £1 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (all-day rover ticket), making this an affordable family adventure. Book early to secure your seats.

Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park | bluebell-railway.com

Sheffield Park and Garden

Sheffield Park offers two Easter activities this spring. On Saturday 14th March (10am-3.30pm), there’s a free Easter bonnet making drop-in at Peacock Place – suggested donation, no booking needed.

From 21st March to 12th April (10am-5pm, last entry 4pm), meet the garden’s feathered residents on the duck-themed Easter trail. Test your aim on the duck hoopla, shake your tail-feathers on the balance beams, and enjoy games for the whole family. At £3.50 per person (normal garden admission applies, free for National Trust members), you get your trail sheet, bunny ears and a choice of dairy or vegan Free From chocolate egg. Simply turn up and pay on the day – and if you time your visit right, combine it with a steam train ride on the Bluebell Railway, which stops at Sheffield Park station just a 15-minute walk across the parkland.

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield | nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park

British Wildlife Centre

For something completely different, the British Wildlife Centre runs its Easter trail on Sunday 5th April. Spot Easter eggs hidden amongst over forty species of British wildlife – they might be on the otter pond banks, in the red squirrel copse, or being guarded by Ethel the eagle owl.

Spot them all and win a chocolate treat, plus every entry goes into a prize draw for Family Membership worth £195 – a year’s unlimited visits for two adults and up to four children. That’s a prize worth entering for. The trail is free to enter (normal admission fees apply), and you can time your visit around the keeper talks that run every half hour, or walk through the red squirrel enclosure for a remarkably close encounter. Plan to spend a few hours here – the café serves good food at reasonable prices.

There’s an exclusive 2 for 1 offer for RH Uncovered readers in this issue – check the advert on page 11 for details.

British Wildlife Centre, Newchapel, Lingfield | britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Hever Castle

The Great Dragon Egg Hunt at Hever Castle runs from 28th March to 19th April (10.30am-5pm, included in admission). Young adventurers follow a trail through the historic castle grounds, discovering hidden dragon eggs, learning dragon-themed facts and collecting letters to solve a secret word puzzle. Complete the quest and head to the information kiosk to reveal the answer and collect your prize.

Before setting off, children can design and make their own Dragon Shield in the Think Tank craft activity (11am-5pm daily). Over the Easter weekend (3rd-6th April), there’s the chance to meet Inferno the smoking dragon in the Castle Forecourt at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.With spring flowers blooming throughout the award-winning gardens, it’s the perfect time for an Easter day out.

Hever Castle, Edenbridge | hevercastle.co.uk

Gatton Park

If you’ve got young children, Gatton Park’s Easter hunt over the weekend of Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th April could be ideal. Running from 10.30am to 4pm, this trail is specifically designed with little ones in mind – solve the clues, complete the fun activities, and earn your Easter treat at the end. There are topical activities throughout, and refreshments available to purchase if you’re making an afternoon of it.

It’s worth noting that if you book online you’ll pay £8 for adults and £3 for children. Turn up on the day and it’s £10 for adults, subject to availability. At Easter, that usually means book ahead or risk disappointment.

Gatton Park, Reigate | gattonpark.co.uk

Godstone Farm

If you’re after a full day out, Godstone Farm pulls
out all the stops from Saturday 28th March through Sunday 12th April. The new baby animals are always a spring highlight, and this year they’ve added ‘Animals In Action’ to the programme, plus hands-on animal interactions, an Easter bunny egg trail, and the chance
to meet the Easter bunny himself.
With over five hundred friendly animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, a space hopper track and the option to transform into a bunny for the day (£5 extra, available until 6th April), it’s the kind of place where you can spend the whole day.

Day entry is £19.95, with pre-booking getting you the best prices. Keep hold of your welcome leaflet when you arrive – it lists all the timed activities so you don’t miss the best bits.

Godstone Farm | godstonefarm.co.uk

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

If you’ve got curious kids, Leonardslee’s Garden Explorer challenge is made for them. Running from 21st March through 12th April (9am-5pm daily), armed with a trail booklet and a pocket full of stickers, they’ll crack clues, hunt for characters, solve plant puzzles and complete challenges hidden among the trees, lakes and gardens.

Each stop brings them closer to the final test: the Garden Explorer obstacle course, where they can run, balance, crawl and sprint their way to becoming an official Garden Explorer. At £3 per child (£2.50 for members), the trail includes everything needed plus an Easter prize to take home. Garden entry is free for members and under-2s, otherwise normal admission applies. Pre-booking essential, and the wallaby joeys will be out for feeding at 12pm if you want to make a full day of it.

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Lower Beeding | leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Box Hill

National Trust traditions at Easter have a special appeal, and Box Hill offers not one but two cracking activities this year. The Easter trail runs through the natural play area from Wednesday 25th March through to Sunday 12th April (10am-4pm daily), with challenges along the way before you collect your treat. At £3.50 per trail, you get the sheet, bunny ears and your choice of dairy, vegan or Free From chocolate egg – booking needed.

But here’s what really caught our attention: egg rolling down the big hill. This grand old tradition takes place daily from Friday 3rd to Monday 6th April at 10am and 3pm. Bring your own decorated egg – there’s a prize for the best – and watch it tumble down Box Hill’s famous slopes. No booking needed for the egg rolling, and normal National Trust admission applies to both activities.

Box Hill, Tadworth | nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill

Polesden Lacey

Grizwald the Griffin is hosting an ‘Easter Fest’ at Polesden Lacey this year, running from 21st March to 14th April (10am-3pm). The children’s trail follows a spring fete theme with activities throughout. The route is accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs, following hard-surfaced paths with some gentle slopes.

Pick up your trail sheet (£3.50) from Visitor Reception, make your way through the Welcome Area to start, then return at the end to collect your chocolate egg. Like Box Hill, the kids will get bunny ears and a choice of chocolate – dairy, vegan or Free From options for different dietary needs.

The trail is outdoors, so dress for whatever weather spring decides to throw at you (National Trust admission applies).

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham | nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey

Nymans

The Springfest trail at Nymans brings all the fun of a festival to Easter. Running from Saturday 21st March to Sunday 12th April (10am-5pm, last entry 4.30pm), this National Trust trail takes you through the spring garden with activities along the way. Find your festival name, tell a joke at comedy corner, or try some mindful yoga poses while taking in the beauty of the garden.

Pick up your trail sheet (£3.50) from reception – no booking needed – and there are bunny ears and a choice of chocolate at the end: dairy, vegan or Free From options, so everyone can enjoy the fun. Normal National Trust admission applies, or free for members.

Nymans, Handcross | nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

Borde Hill Garden

Ludo the Lamb is racing in the Lamb National, and he needs your family’s help. This story trail at Borde Hill runs from 28th March to 20th April (10am-5pm), following Ludo’s journey as he prepares for his big race. Along the route, meet his friends – Ed from Shearin Baa-Baa Shop, Choupette Lagerfeld designing his racing jumper, and Harry Hip Hop hosting the end-of-race Easter party.

Look out for Easter eggs hidden within the story boards, then join the race near the finish. Leap over the hurdles, tell the Shepherd the secret word, and claim the prize. The trail’s designed for ages 3-8, with interactive games and challenges throughout. Spring is spectacular here – magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and daffodils are in full bloom. At £4.50 per trail plus garden admission (free for members), fuel up at the café before or after, and the Adventure Playground is perfect for burning off energy.

Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath | bordehill.co.uk