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Spring is just about here, and with it the promise of brighter days, a host of daffodils, birdsong….and ALL the chocolate Easter eggs you can possibly cram in, good times ahead!
*shout out to my fellow Type1 parents who will be doing ALL the maths for the aforementioned Easter treats*
Easter Trails and Egg Hunts
One of our favourite activities to do in the run up to the Easter period (besides eating Easter eggs) is hunting for them! An outdoor egg hunt or Easter trail ticks all the boxes – exercise, fresh air and enjoying the Spring sunshine (ok, so the jury’s still out on that one…but I’m ever the optimist!)
Trentham White Rabbit Easter Trail
We started early this year and hopped off to Trentham Estate to test out their White Rabbit Trail.
Discover Wonderland and hunt for the white rabbit hopping around the Gardens!
Trentham Estate
The trail winds around the gardens and lakeside and is suitable for all ages and abilities. My boys particularly enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland theme and the beautiful spring planters and pots at each destination brought a bright pop of colour and fragranced the air (the hyacinths smell absolutely incredible).
Set against the backdrop of the historic gardens with thousands of tulips springing to life, there’s something for all the family to enjoy.
Trentham Estate
Don’t forget to take some photos as you wander through your very own Wonderland, the big purple chair makes the perfect prop!
Once you’ve completed the trail and found all the letters, you can pop your trail sheet back into reception and your little explorers will get a chocolate prize for their efforts and they might even get to meet the Easter Bunny too.
Standard Garden admission applies, trail sheets are available for £2.50
The White Rabbit Trail is running up until Sunday 24th April.
Coombes Valley Dinosaur Trail.
Now then, who said Easter eggs had to be all about cute little chicks and chocolate, this RAAWWRRsome trail is definitely on our list…
We have had a dinosaur escape at Coombes Valley! We hope that our warden has rounded up all the dinosaurs but we know this is dinosaur nesting season so we need your help to check for nests and eggs.
RSPB Coombes Valley Nature Reserve
The play trail and tree top walk will be open too, so this will make a great day out and and we may even burn off some chocolate fuelled energy.
Running 9th – 24th April.
RSPB Coombes Valley suggests a £4 donation for car parking but it is free to enter.
Pavillion Gardens Easter Events
There is lots going on at Pavilion Gardens to keep you and your little ones entertained over the Easter period this year.
The Easter Trail will be running from Saturday 9th April until Sunday 24th April. We haven’t yet done an Easter Trail at Pavilion Gardens but we did enjoy the Superhero trail during February half term, so I imagine this will be a similar kind of event that takes you through the gardens following picture clues on a circular route.
The miniature train and boats will be open from Saturday 2nd April until Sunday 24th April too if the weather behaves itself.
The inflatables will be back in the Octagon Hall on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April, then back again on Saturday 9th April until Wednesday 13th April.
It is advised to book these sessions in advance to avoid disappointment. But honestly these are so much fun, and my boys had a blast at half term – great for avoiding those April showers too!
The ‘Easter Extravaganza’ which is new for 2022 will take place from Friday 15th April until Monday 18th April and includes:
- 50 stalls within the Octagon Hall
- The Circus Academy on Sat/Sun
- Balloon Modelling Fri/Mon
- Face Painting Sat/Sun
- Food Vendors on the Promenade
- Roller Disco in the Octagon Tues/Wed
For more information about any of the events above click here
Lambing Events
If you want in on some lamb snuggling (I mean, who doesn’t?), here’s our top picks on where to go locally with the kids.
The Lambing Shed at Blaze Farm
Blaze Farm opened its lambing shed on Saturday 2nd April this year. We highly recommend visiting, we have been here for the last few years and we are booked in again over the Easter holidays. It’s just an amazing event, seeing at first hand the wonder of a ewe giving birth to her lambs and observing how she cares for and feeds her lambs thereafter.
You can also don a disposable apron and get up close and personal with some slightly older lambs and give them a good old cuddle. This makes for some lovely photo opportunities and the kids really love it.
It can get busy though, so you might have to queue to handle the lambs but Blaze Farm also has plenty to offer while you wait. Why not grab an ice cream, as they stock a wide range of their award winning Hilly Billy ice cream which is all made on the farm using milk from the Peak District. Check out the specials board for limited edition flavours.
Entry to the Lambing Shed is £5pp and must be pre-booked online.
Picnic with the Lambs at Fordhall Organic Farm
Admittedly Fordhall Organic Farm is a little drive out from our local area but we think it’s well worth it. Last year was our first visit to this event, but I made sure to book up again for the end of the Easter holidays this year.
Bring your picnic blanket/chairs and we will provide you with a delicious picnic each and exclusive access to our field of lambs, pick your own spot and spend an hour watching the happy lambs skipping and playing on the bales.
Fordhall Organic Farm
As activities go this one was one of the most relaxing one’s we’ve done…yes, I did take the boys! But, they were happy to sit enjoying their lunch while the lambs grew in confidence and came to investigate what was in our picnic bags.
But don’t worry, there is a ‘safe’ area for the lambs and ewes to retreat into if they become a little overwhelmed, so everyone is happy.
Dotted around the field are bale animals, a bale selfie spot and maze, there’s also a little playground and lots of lovely nature trails on site.
Plus, this year children’s picnic bags also include a seasonal activity pack, pencil and the new spring trail leaflet based on a theme of pollination – the children are the busy bees, follow the clues and ‘buzz’ around the farm!
Picnic slots are every 30 mins between 12pm and 2pm.
Visit here to book.
So there you have our pick of outdoor activities, let me know if we’re missing out on something special!
Here’s to Spring, sunshine and school holidays!!
Please Note:
Some infections can be passed from sheep and other animals to humans.
If a pregnant woman becomes infected, it could harm her and her unborn baby’s health.
If you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant, avoid close contact with sheep during the lambing season, which runs from January to May.
All images are my own unless otherwise credited and must not be reproduced without permission.
Dirt, Diggers and Dinosaurs 