Easter is fast approaching – this year, Easter Sunday is the 21st of April, and a great opportunity to escape the 9-5 for a long weekend of family fun. Hosting your own egg hunt sound too tiring? Not to worry – there’s plenty to do across the North West this April.
Cadbury’s Egg Hunt
Dunham Massey, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ
Sat, March 30 – Mon, April 22, 10:30am-4pm
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
Based on Nick Butterworth’s new book ‘One Springy Day’, families will join Percy the Park Keeper and his woodland friends on a seasonal activity trail around the grounds! Receive a scrummy chocolate prize for finding all the clues. Entry to the trail costs £2.50 on top of admission.
A Tudor Easter
Speke Hall, The Walk, Speke, L24 1XD
Saturday, April 6 – Friday, April 19, 10:30am-4pm
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate
The Tudors were rooted in nature – and Easter time was no different! Discover Easter at Speke Hall: create your own floral posy to protect you from old smells, listen to tales from the bard and solve the Apothecary’s Trail. Admission charges apply.
Giant Duck Trail
Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, L40 0TA
Saturday, April 6 – Monday, April 22, 9:30am-6pm
www.wwt.org.ukwetland-centres/martin-mere/
25 giant ducks are hidden around the wetland centre – collect your trail card and search for them all to receive a tasty treat. Entry to the trail costs 50p on top of admission charges.
The Wizard of Oz
The Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St. Helens, WA10 1LQ
Saturday, April 6 – Monday, April 22
www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
An enchanting pantomime featuring a star-studded cast, you’ll click your heels and join Dorothy and Toto in Oz! The play includes a brand new script and plenty of chart hits to sing along to. Tickets from £13.
Needle Felting
Mill Street Barracks, Mill St, St. Helens, WA10 2BB
Sunday, April 7, 7pm-9pm
@greentowncic on Facebook
Learn how to make adorable fuzzy animals with needle felting in time for Easter. The two-hour experience is designed to relax you while you learn a new skill! Tickets are £12 including all materials and bookable on Eventbrite.
Easter at Bents
Bents Garden Centre, Warrington Road, Glazebury, WA3 5NT
Tuesday, April 9 – Saturday, April 20
www.bents.co.uk
There’s plenty to do at Bents Garden Centre this Easter! On Tuesday, April 9 from 10am-11am, come and make your own chocolate eggs and lollipops, with chocolatey games and party bags! Costs £15 per child and booking is required.
Easter Crafts
Thatto Heath Library,Thatto Heath Road, St. Helens, WA10 3QX
Tuesday, April 16, 2:30pm-3:30pm
01744 677842
Have heaps of Easter fun at Thatto Heath Library, with plenty of seasonal crafts to make and do!
Outdoor Egg Hunt
Fir Tree Farm Woods, Pimbo Road, King’s Moss, WA11 8RD
Thursday, April 18, 1:30pm-3pm
07754 455473
The Easter bunny has visited Fir Tree Farm Woods – and it’s time to find his eggs! Make your own nest and bunny from natural materials to take home with you. Tickets £5.75, bookable on Eventbrite.
Easter Egg Hunt
Rufford Old Hall, Liverpool Road, Rufford, L40 1SG
Friday, April 19 – Monday, April 22, 11am-5pm
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall
Rufford Old Hall hosts a Cadbury Easter egg hunt this spring. Explore the nooks and crannies of the Hall and grounds, search in the woods and follow the beautiful garden paths to claim a delicious prize. Admission charges apply.
Egg-Chanted Easter Fun
Tatton Park, Mereheath Drive, Knutsford, WA16 6QN
Friday, April 19 – Monday, April 22, 10am-5pm
www.tattonpark.org.uk/home.aspx
Follow exciting adventure trails through the gardens, mansion and parkland, meet fairytale characters, enjoy puppet shows and fill up on seasonal goodies.
The Fairy Godmother has set up a series of mini-unicorn clues around the mansion, while down at the farm you can help the Gingerbread Man escape the cunning fox and enjoy some gingerbread tasting.
The Greatest Easter Show
Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0HQ
Saturday, April 20, 11:30am onwards
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/haydock/
A full day of on-stage circus entertainment, with fire-eaters, illusionists and contortionists, while little ones can join in with circus skills workshops. There will also be a huge carousel and a Ferris Wheel – plus a day of fantastic Jump racing for the adults.
Adult tickets range from £13 to £55, kids go free.
Bents Family Fun Day
Bents Garden Centre, Warrington Road, Glazebury, WA3 5NT
Tuesday, April 9 – Saturday, April 20
www.bents.co.uk
The whole family are invited for a fun day of face painting, Easter crafts, a treasure hunt and all the fun of the circus! There’ll also be the chance to feed some farm animals.
Eggspedition
Mesnes Park, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 9TA
Saturday, April 20, 2pm-4pm
http://necg.weebly.com/whats-on.html
Puzzle your way through a park-wide Easter quiz at Mesnes Park, with plenty of seasonal crafts to get involved in and refreshments available throughout.
Charity Egg Hunt
Victoria Park, Rutland Street, St. Helens, WA10 2EH
Sunday, April 21, 11am-2pm
07584 623869
Victoria Park hosts a huge Easter egg hunt in aid of NBLA (Never Be Lonely Again), a local group helping to combat loneliness and promote friendship in the community. Entry costs £2 per child – meet at St. Mark’s Gate Lodge!