The Garden of England will be celebrating Easter in style this year with loads of family-friendly activities for you and the troops to enjoy during the school holidays.
CELEBRATE IN STYLE
A gorgeous carpet of Daffodils, Narcissi and Anemones leads you to the door of Leeds Castle, where you’ll find a host of Easter activites within the spectacular 500 acre estate.
Little explorers will discover hidden Easter eggs as you follow a traditional trail through the Woodland Walk, and help colourful circus characters break the code to be rewarded with a chocolate prize. And the circus acts don’t stop there – Baldwin the Fool and Godfrey Pugh will be performing their jolly jester show and inviting kids to learn circus skills.
After all the fun and games, indulge in some delicious praline filled eggs or clotted cream fudge available in the Castle shop.
Opening times: Thursday 2 April – Sunday 19 April; 10.30am-6pm
Price: Adults £24; children 4-15yrs £16; kids under 15 go free
GET ACTIVE
Get those peddles pumping with a bike ride with a family bikeride around Bewl Water Country Park in Lamberhurst this Easter Sunday. Kids will love watching the boats, playing on the playground and even have the chance to cycle across the dam wall. Either pop into a pub for some grub, or bring a picnic and enjoy the delightful surroundings of the open fields and country lanes.
Opening times: 9am-sunset
Price: Car with up to 5 people costs £8
EASTER TRAILS
Kent’s most beautiful properties are hosting Easter trails and hunts. Gather the troops and get ready to hunt for eggs in magical courtyards, ancient parklands, and historical rooms.
Leeds Castle (Maidstone): Thursday 2 April – Sunday 19 April
Ightham Mote (Sevenoaks): Saturday 19 April, 10am – 4pm
Country Park (Faversham): Tuesday 7 April, 10am – 12pm
Hever Castle (Hever): Monday 6 April – Thursday 9 April
Mount Ephraim Gardens (Faversham): Sunday 5 April – Monday 6 April
MEET THE NEWBORNS
Meet baby animals at Brogdale Collection’s three-day Easter extravaganza in Faversham. Kids can catch the tractor trailer for a ride through the blossom filled orchards and meet the Easter bunny to collect their chocolate teat. Mum and dad can enjoy the marketplace and stock up on local cheese, meat, wines and beers.
Opening times: Friday 3 April – Sunday 5 April; 10am-3pm
Price: Adults (16+) £12; children £10; family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £25
FESTIVALS
For those who are looking for something a little different, head to the Medway Festival of Steam and Transport at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham where bands and live acts will be performing all weekend.
Sunday 5 – Monday 6 April; 10am-6pm
Dover Castle will be playing host to Roman gladiators, medieval knights and princesses, and Victorian toymakers this Easter. Brave kids can tackle the WWII assault course and get hands-on with knights training.
Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April; 10am-5pm
Find out more: For a list of Easter events taking place this spring in Kent, go to visitkent.co.uk
MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE…
If a day trip isn’t enough, gather the family and set off on an Easter weekend away