Easter arrives when spring is at its peak and new life is all around us; the whole of Britain is in bloom and there’s nowhere better to be.
Colourful eggs nestle in hiding places, churches fill with Easter displays, and stately homes welcome families for Easter holiday activities.
We’ve scoured the country for things to do during the Easter holidays. Read on for family holiday inspiration.
Cottages for Easter
Top Easter events at UK attractions
The UK promises a host of amazing attractions boasting exciting days out for children and their parents. From Easter egg hunts to chocolate-making, we've picked out a huge choice of wonderful family-friendly attractions to visit during the Easter holidays
Enjoy animal feeding at Chatsworth House in the Peak District
The magnificent Chatsworth House is an impressive destination for days out all year round, whatever the weather, with historic interiors to astound. However, the remarkable acres of grounds are especially magical to explore during spring – and especially at Easter! You can meet animals in their farmyard, explore the wonderful Woodland Adventure Garden, and investigate the giant rockery.
Highlights
- Easter activities include Easter egg hunts and daily animal feeding
- Find your way through the a-maze-ing Chatsworth maze
- Follow the Little Explorers Garden Trail
Peak District cottages
Go on a bluebell walk at Loughrigg Fell, Cumbria
Our list is full of Easter egg hunts, workshops and exciting family activities! But for a chance to really get back to nature at this very special time of year, we wanted to put stunning Loughbrigg Fell in Cumbria on our list. Spring is the only time of year you'll see a carpet of beautiful bluebells spread out across the hillside. Plan a trip, pack your walking boots, and get into nature in the lovely Lake District.
Highlights
- The views over Rydal Water are outstanding
- Loughrigg Terrace is the walking trail that everyone loves over the fell
- A 3-mile walk takes you to nearby Rydal Cave or simply hop in the car and head into Grasmere for lunch
Ambleside cottages
Tackle the Easter Adventure Quest at Audley End, Essex
A grand old Victorian mansion in Essex, with opulent interiors and beautiful grounds, Audley End is full of family fun for an Easter day out. The renowned Capability Brown designed the award-winning gardens – enjoy an Easter Adventure Quest through the fantastic landscape, then head inside afterwards to see the servants' wing, state rooms and enjoy a cuppa in the cafe.
Highlights
- Follow the quest through fairy-tale gardens and grounds
- Meet the horses in the stables
- The Big Brick Build is taking place across similar dates – check the website to enjoy two events in one big day out!
Essex cottages
Easter workshops at The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Head for the National Botanic Garden of Wales this Easter for beautiful spring flowers and Easter fun. Over the years, they have run all kinds of exciting Easter activities to inspire youngsters and their parents. As if that wasn't enough, the gardens themselves are bursting into life with a variety of vibrant, scented, springtime flowers to admire and their usual wonderfully cultivated collection of flora.
Highlights
- Visit the Apothecary's Garden and Hall, the Aqualab, and explore the Arboretum during an Easter day out
- Workshops have previously included fairy wand making and unicorn cupcake decorating, with mini Easter eggs for everyone!
- Choirs, bands and sheepdog shows add to the long list of fun entertainment often lined up
South Wales cottages
An Easter egg hunt at Traquair in Scotland
You’ll find organised Easter Egg Hunts at almost every stately home across the country, but there’s arguably nowhere as exciting as Traquair in Peeblesshire, in the Scottish Borders, to hunt for your chocolate fix. Their annual Easter Extravaganza is so exclusive that it takes place on one day only – and this year there's a whopping 6,000 mini eggs hidden throughout the largest hedge maze in Scotland. All in all, this makes for one of the best Easter days out in the UK.
Highlights
- Over 6,000 mini eggs are hidden throughout the grounds!
- A series of hunts throughout the day ensures no child leaves empty-handed
- Under 5s are treated to their very own Easter Egg Scramble in the walled garden
Scottish Borders cottages
A chocolatey experience in Yorkshire
Nestled within the picturesque streets of Yorkshire’s historic capital, York’s Chocolate Story is a delight for families with a sweet tooth. Their Easter Bunny Hunt takes place during the Easter holidays, perfect for a family-friendly day out this Easter! Read our confectionary blog for further chocolate-themed breaks.
Highlights
- You can join a fully guided, interactive, Easter-themed tour
- Book yourself onto York Chocolate Story’s hands-on Easter Masterclass to learn the art of chocolate-making
- Try your hand at Easter-themed Truffle Rolling – a crowd-pleaser for the whole family
York cottages
Easter activities at Holkham Hall in Norfolk
If you want to completely immerse yourself in the Easter spirit, head to Holkham Hall in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. Every year, they pull together an abundance of Easter-themed activities, making this one of the top Easter holiday destinations on our list. There are always plenty of sweet Easter delicacies including hot cross buns, chocolate and cakes. Beers, ciders and spirits are also available to buy – the perfect nightcap to enjoy back at your holiday cottage after a fun Easter day out.
Highlights
- To get involved in the Holkham Park Easter Trail, pick up a trail sheet and find clues at Easter egg trail boards hidden all over the estate
- Sit out on the lawn with a tasty dish from one of the food vans especially set up at their food fair, Mini Easter Feast in the Park
- Easter in the Walled Garden includes a wonderful petting corner where children can cuddle little animals of all shapes and sizes
Wells-next-the-Sea cottages
Meet Peter Rabbit at The World of Beatrix Potter, Lake District
What could be more apt at Eastertime than a trip to The World of Beatrix Potter, at Bowness-on-Windermere, home of Peter Rabbit and all his friends? You may be able to book in as a guest at one of Peter Rabbit’s Tea Parties which are usually put on at various times during the week – guests are served up a delicious tea of home-baked goodies, and young imaginations will be set alight by an actor reading the famous Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Highlights
- An interactive exhibit offers 360-degree views of the spectacular Lake District scenery just as Beatrix Potter would have seen it
- Enjoy a self-guided tour of the exhibition that brings to life the magical stories of Peter Rabbit and friends
- Step outside to see the enchanting garden that is an attempt to bring to life the garden from Beatrix Potter's illustrations
Windermere cottages
See floral displays at Leeds Castle in Kent
Spring sees the UK looking blooming marvellous, and a trip to Kent, the Garden of England, is a must for any green-fingered family during the Easter break. We recommend visiting the majestic Leeds Castle. There’s lots of outdoor space so you can take in the springtime landscape blooming into life! Enjoy a flavour of the exotic in the Lady Baillie Mediterranean Garden Terraces and treat your senses with a wander through the Culpeper Garden, packed with pretty English flowers and manicured hedgerows. Why not make a day of your visit?
Highlights
- The Princess Alexandra Gardens are awash with vibrant blooms, including daffodils, narcissi and anemones
- The Knight’s Stronghold Playground and Squire’s Court Playground will burn off some energy for the children
- The maze will challenge their minds (and sense of direction!)
Leeds cottages
Meet animals at Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Spring is all about newborn animals and getting outside in the fresh air. Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire has this in spades, and so much more that the kids won’t know what to do first – there's lots for little ones to enjoy! They can burn off a little steam with the bouncing pillows, a Puddle Play Park, the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, funfair rides and an indoor soft play area.
Highlights
- Meet cute animals, including Easter chicks and lambs waiting to be bottle-fed, and look forward to the fun pig race too
- Peter Rabbit and friends will be putting on outdoor shows every day with a chance to meet and greet the furry critters afterwards too
- Easter egg hunt and an Easter grotto to round off your day out
Heart of England cottages
Step inside the biomes at the Eden Project, Cornwall
The iconic biomes which sit within an abandoned quarry close to St Austell in Cornwall host all manner of events all through the year, so you can be sure of a terrific range of Easter holiday activities. It's a great day out for families no matter what time of year, so any Easter events offer a bonus during your visit. You’ll need a day at the Eden Project because there’s so much to see.
Highlights
- The Great Big Easter Egg Hunt takes centre stage at this giant garden attraction
- Two biomes with their rainforest and Mediterranean environments to explore
- Crazy golf, a wildflower-inspired maze and soft play all offer lots of family fun!
St Austell cottages
Bounce around at River Dart Country Park, Devon
River Dart Country Park in Devon is a beautiful, natural location for a range of Easter outdoor activities. Set on the edge of rugged Dartmoor, the park is chock-full of adventure for all the family. There are adventure playgrounds, daredevil activities, a bike park, an assault course, a fort, climbing frames, canoeing and so many more Easter things to do. Take part in the wide range of activities on-site, or simply step out and ramble the scenic countryside that makes up this country park.
Highlights
- Hire bikes and take in the beautiful spring landscape on two wheels or test yourself on the Commando Assualt Course
- Let children discover the Secret Valley as you explore or hop aboard the Pirate's Ship
- See which birds they can spot from the Observation Tower
Dartmoor cottages
Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Blickling Estate in Norfolk
This magnificent parkland and hall in Norfolk is a gem for families all year round, and in springtime, the fantastic grounds are the perfect place for an unforgettable Easter egg hunt with the kids. Dive into this creative spring trail and enjoy a real outdoor adventure in a spectacular setting. There are lots of lovely activities running for children and parents this Easter including the Secrets from the Stores exhibition – very special items including a hoard of doll pieces, ceramic flowers and a key to a missing door – and the Early Spring Explorer sheet for kids that you can pick up at reception.
Highlights
- The fantastic, creative Easter egg hunt for all the family!
- Children can also get stuck into den-building in the woods
- Blickling Bull is hiding in the main house, while robins are hiding in the gardens – see what your children can spot!
Norfolk cottages
Free workshops at One Garden Brighton
Enjoy Easter family fun in bustling Brighton, a gorgeous, cosmopolitan coastal city that’s a great choice for families. Several Easter egg hunts are on offer and other Easter activities will occupy you come rain or shine, but we wanted to spotlight the lovely One Garden Brighton is a delightful community hub that has Easter activities throughout most of April allowing kids to get hands-on and creative. Afterwards, head to the beach for a walk with a view, and perhaps a bag of fish and chips.
Highlights
- Garden Easter Egg Hunt is free (donations kindly received) where you can search the gardens for eggs that spell out a spring word
- Easter bunny origami is another free, fun workshop for older children who love to get creative, available throughout the Easter period
- Seed Pots workshops and Colourful Easter Egg Designs workshops are both available on specific dates, and the team are only asking for a £1 per child
Brighton cottages
Head to the coast for a family beach clean
Springtime is all about doing away with dirt and clutter and starting afresh and the same should go for our beautiful country too. Why not get outdoors and teach your children about how detrimental the rubbish in our oceans can be? Club together with thousands of others across the country to do your bit for our beaches and aquatic environments. Take a look at Surfers Against Sewage to find a beach clean near you or your holiday destination.
From the palm-tree-laden shores of Cornwall to the ethereal white sand of Scotland's Highland coast, beach cleans take place all around the UK. No matter which coastline you're heading to, you'll soon find a beach clean to join in, or you can simply start your own! You don't need to join a big group, get the family down to the beach for an Easter walk and spend 5 minutes cleaning up the shores while you're there. Beach cleans are Easter activities that really bring the family together.
Highlights
- The chance to get outside in some of the UK's most outstandingly beautiful destinations!
- If you join a beach clean, you are likely to be provided with useful tools so you may not need to bring your own (but please do if you're keen!)
- If you decide on a 5-minute beach clean with your family, you have the freedom to do it whenever suits you during your holiday
Coastal cottages
A perfect Easter getaway
There are plenty of cottages with big gardens, perfect for hiding chocolate eggs, and retreats with contemporary kitchens so you can cook up an Easter feast!
If you’ve spotted a great event, browse our cottages for Easter and begin planning your family holiday.
Cottages for Easter