Image credit: National Trust Images / James Dobson
Designed with families in mind, each National Trust Easter trail features ten activity stations, some showcasing cheery signs of spring such as lambs and bunnies while others venturing off into the wonderful world of mythical creatures or movie magic. And, of course, most end with a chocolate egg. There are 10 to choose from across the local region, taking place in school holidays and over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Stowe, near Buckingham
29 March-14 April
Stowe is a vast and exciting natural playground. The landscape features have been precisely sculpted and provide instagrammable views with winding paths, wildlife-filled lakes and intriguing statues and monuments - perfect for hide and seek.
This spring Stowe Gardens is hosting ‘Feaster’. This spring festival event has a variety of activities for children, families and adults including a book fair, colour run, spring wreath making, storytelling and bingo. (NB - not a traditional National Trust Easter trail with an egg.)
Hughenden, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire
23 March – 7 April
Life-size mythical creatures, riddles, and hidden treasures abound at Hughenden. Discover a mythical twist on classic games; conquer Medusa's Snakes and Ladders or engage in a playful game of Cyclops Eye Spy on the parterre. Upon completion of the 10 activities on your quest, you will receive a chocolate ‘dragon’ egg. Hughendon provides a natural playground for climbing, balancing and make-believe. Children are also fascinated by the interactives in the exhibition about Hughenden’s secret map-making history in the Second World War.
Basildon Park, near Reading in Berkshire
23 March – 14 April
At Basildon Park this spring children and families become director of their own Easter movie in the parkland. Basildon Park is often seen on screen as a location in films and the ten action stations of the Easter trail will help families create their own movie. There are also two pre-bookable Easter wreath-making workshops on 19 and 21 March for adults, with materials and light refreshments included.
Greys Court, near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire
23 March – 14 April
This Easter trail showcases the cheery signs of spring. You may even bump into some grazing sheep and early lambs on your springtime adventure across the country estate at Greys Court. Find the children’s play area nestled in the woodland near to the tea-room and toilets. There’s also plenty of space for some den building. Adults can enjoy the pre-bookable Easter wreath-making workshops on 20 and 22 March.
Waddesdon, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire
27 March – 7 April
Waddesdon is jam-packed with lots of fun games and creative activities. The trail starts on the North Front of the manor and makes its way around the grounds before ending at the Coach House down at the Stables where a chocolate egg is waiting. Further, Waddesdon’s popular Woodland Playground has been newly refurbished for safe play on seesaws, swings and soft bark whilst older children can whizz down the giant contour slide or clamber over climbing frames. In the gardens, children love to spot the rare and exotic birds in the Aviary and learn about their conservation programme. There’s also acres of room to roam and winding paths to chase along in the garden.
Image credit: National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
Cliveden, near Maidenhead on the Bucks/Berks border
29 March – 16 April
You can’t miss the signs of spring popping up around Cliveden in bursts of bright daffodils. The Easter trail celebrates these moments and more with a 10-point trail around the glorious gardens. Cliveden’s giant maze is great for older children to challenge themselves.
Claydon, near Winslow in Buckinghamshire
29 March – 1 April
Head to the lawn for the Easter adventures. With traditional children’s party games and ‘pin the tail on the bunny’, it’ll be a weekend for making memories. It’s also worth visiting the house at Claydon before heading to the trail. Florence Nightingale’s quarters are always fascinating, and you’ll be wowed by the sumptuous interiors.
Ascott, near Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire
29 March – 14 April 10am-4pm
Ascott is an Old English manor with a black and white half-timbered façade. The variety of the gardens is enchanting with a wonderful mix of formal and informal, fountains, sculptures and colourful bedding plants interspersed with architectural hedging. There’s a festival feel at Easter with lots of colour and bunting as the backdrop for some old-fashioned family fun. Along Egg Hunt, activity stations include Springtime Simon Says, giant marbles and welly wanging.
Image credit: National Trust Images / Megan Taylor
White Horse Hill near Uffington in West Oxfordshire
29 March – 1 April
The Bronze Age Uffington White Horse can be seen from miles away, leaping across the head of a dry valley. An Easter adventure in a neolithic landscape offers the chance to walk in the footsteps of dragons, warrior tribes and kings on this easter trail. Dramatic views, burial mounds, hillforts, Giants Steps and a Dragon Hill: there’s lots to children to discover.
Chastleton, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxfordshire
29 – 31 March
Explore the Wilderness Walk at Chastleton and find out more about all the creatures and critters that call it home. Then head to the house to spot the Easter bunnies hiding there in this Jacobean treasure which has remained virtually unchanged for 400 years.
National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus normal National Trust admission/free entry for National Trust members.
To find your nearest trail visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire
