Easter fun and spring themed days across West Sussex
Find egg-cellent entertainment for the whole family this Easter holiday. From Easter Egg Hunts to family trails and festivals, read on for some of the best events taking place over the Easter Holidays and Easter Weekend in West Sussex. There'll be no school's out boredom here!
Things to Do in the Easter Holidays
Scroll down for great ideas of places to explore this Easter break. As spring is in the air why not make the most of getting out into the fresh air, exploring the magnificent South Downs and the stunning West Sussex coast?
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.
A green-themed family Easter trail
There's an eco theme to the Easter celebrations at Weald & Downland Living Museum as the museum looks at sustainable ways to celebrate the season. Follow the Eco Easter Trail; a free-range adventure exploring the site to find Easter decorations made from recycled materials - you can have a go at making your own too, at the woodland Eco Making Station. You can also enjoy storytelling and an array of hands on activities (selected days, please check ahead of your visit). Don't forget to visit the Bakehouse to sample Easter Biscuits!
Celebrate the arrival of spring at Petworth (National Trust)
This year's Easter festivities at Petworth House & Garden are part of the Spring Festival. From Saturday 5th to Monday 21st April: families are invited to adventure on a free 'Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden' trail around the Pleasure Garden, with fun games and activities along the way.
A Makers Market pops up on 5th & 6th April; a collaboration with Petworth Pop Up, featuring handcrafted homewares, candles, jewellery, food and drink, and more.
Keen gardeners won't want to miss horticultural experts offering talks in the Garden Theatre Marquee including Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost, Head Gardener of Knepp Charlie Harpur, authors Vanessa Berridge and Rebecca Bevan, and daffodil judge and exhibitor Richard Hilson. See more information here
Come and create your own bluebell and add to this a display in the Exhibition Room, plus of course enjoy a host of golden daffodils and other stunning spring flowers in the Pleasure Gardens.
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
An Easter Egg hunt with cracking prizes
Join Northlands Farm for a fabulous, and GIANT, Easter Egg trail plus a huge variety of animal adventures. Families will love setting off on this epic hunt across 20 acres of farmland finding the hidden eggs, then petting animals, getting crafty and playing traditional games. Add in tractor rides and animal talks and this is a family-friendly Easter experience to be remembered.
Let your creative side go wild
Pallant House Gallery invites families to come and explore free of charge on their Easter open day. The day will be packed with activities for the whole family, so you can all learn more about the art on display and get hands on, too. Plus, there's tours, talks and show and tell. Book your free place here.
Stately home egg-sploration
The Easter Bunny has made a sneaky visit to 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 mischievious 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.
Plan a family getaway to Goodwood
Make a break for the stunning surroundings of West Sussex with a stay at The Goodwood Hotel, combining relaxation for you and adventures for your children. Taking inspiration from Goodwood's inimitable events like the Festival of Speed, Revival and Horseracing, you and your family will be able to indulge in endless fun together. Tackle Remote Control Car Time Trials, or try the Little Golfers programme at Goodwood’s Short Game course, The Copse, led by PGA professionals. Join a game Kwik Cricket or try horseriding, and you can even challenge yourselves at 'Sports Day'. Further adventures lie in Den Building, an Easter-inspired open-air screening of the Peter Rabbit Movie and even make your own chocolate bar and an Easter Party. Enjoy all this, plus delicious food and drink on hand, for an Easter to remember. Easter packages offer weekend stays from £250 a night, with mid-week stays from £160 per night, or £175 inclusive of a Family Activity Pass. Kids’ activities can be booked separately throughout the Easter weekend.
