Find Easter fun and spring themed days across the Chichester district in West Sussex this April
Egg-cellent entertainment for the whole family.
Hop aboard an Easter Boat Trip
The Easter Bunny will be visiting Chichester Canal this Easter with family activities and treats for children on board an Easter Bunny Boat Trip on a Canal boat as you glide along the two mile section of the Canal, seeing resident wildlife (including a bunny or two!) and enjoying craft activities. Pre-booking essential.
Roamin' Roman Rabbit Trail
Did you know that Fishbourne Roman Palace was home to the country’s first-ever rabbit nearly 2,000 years ago? During the Easter holidays mischievous rabbits will be hiding around the gardens from Simon the Gardener. Sweet prizes await once you've tracked them down! Plus, from 1st to 5th April you can enjoy crafty fun including making a bunny pots, planting Roman carrots, dressing up and more (£1 additional fee per child).
Weald & Downland Living Museum
There's an enticing Easter Egg Trail to explore at Weald & Downland Living Museum as well as storytelling, a puppet show and a Cabinet of Curiosities, plus lots of hands on activities (selected days, please check ahead of your visit). Watch the bakers demonstrate their skills as they bake traditional hot cross buns - there's an opportunity to try them too!
Celebrate the arrival of spring at Petworth (National Trust)
This year's Easter festivities at Petworth House & Garden are part of a new Spring Festival (23rd March to 14th April). Follow a free family trail in the Pleasure Garden (buggy friendly), with activities along the way and six nature-inspired willow sculptures to discover. Children can also get creative with craft stations in the Battery House (3rd-10th April, drop in between 10.30am - 3.30pm. £3 per child).
Garden lovers will want to grab the opportunity to catch demonstrations and talks by experts including Frances Tophill and author Robyn Booth (23rd - 29th March).
A Makers Market pops up on 23rd & 24th March; a collaboration with Petworth Pop Up, featuring handcrafted homewares, candles, jewellery, food and drink, and more.
Plus creative workshops, foraging walks and of course, a host of golden daffodils and other stunning spring flowers to enjoy, thanks to an abundance of new bulbs planted by Petworth's gardening team.
Explore Arundel Castle
The awe-inspiring Arundel Castle reopens on Thursday 28th March. Soak up almost 1000 years of history as you explore some of the original features still in place including the Norman Keep, medieval Gatehouse and Barbican, as well as the Baron's Hall, 14th Century Catholic Fitzalan Chapel, Regency Library and Victorian bedrooms.
Arundel Castle : The Drone Awakens
Explore your inner artist
Pallant House Gallery invites families to come and explore free of charge of 6th April. Creative activities await for the whole family, learn more about the art on display and get hands on with drawing sessions and creating your own goat puppets inspired by the current John Craxton exhibition. There's also a chance to explore the entire gallery and the incredible art on 1st April for £5 (adults, with children able to enter free of charge).
Stately home egg-sploration
The Easter Bunny has snuck into Stansted House and hidden 12 Easter Eggs amongst the stunning State Rooms and atmospheric Servants Quarters. Children are challenged to hunt them all whilst keeping an eye out for that mischeivious bunny. The Stansted Yew Maze and Light Railway will also be open during the Easter Holidays (weather and staff permitting). A stop at the wonderful Pavillion Tea Rooms is also highly recommended.
West Dean Gardens
Follow the family Easter Trail at West Dean Gardens near Chichester - there's a sweet prize awaiting, as well as thousands of spring bulbs putting on a fabulous display. Stop off at the Garden Restaurant for refreshments.
