Take time out this Easter in Wiltshire – a county with lots of family-friendly things to do! VisitWiltshire have put together their top 10 things to do to for a day out for the family, including what’s on, attractions to visit and places to stay!
What’s On:
• Easter Egg Hunts… of course
Why not take part in one of the Easter Egg Hunts that will be happening around the county including at the National Trust properties of Lacock Abbey, Stourhead and Mompesson House.
Bowood House & Gardens will be opening for their new 2017 season on 1st April and they have an Easter Bunny Trail running from Friday 14th – Monday 17th April.
• Steaming Hot Events
Hop aboard the Easter Egg-spress and meet the Easter Bunny as he travels on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway where children will each receive a chocolate egg. Visit Crofton Beam Engines for their Easter steaming weekend from Saturday 15th – Monday 17th April.
• Chocolate Making and Tasting
Sample some treats at an Easter chocolate tasting workshop at Goodfayre in Cross Keys Arcade, Salisbury. Children both big and small will enjoy the chance to taste chocolate from around the world.
• Sporting Fun
If you fancy some non-stop racing car action, then the Spring Action Day at Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday 8th April is a must. It’s the official start to the performance car season with drifting demos and passenger rides. Petrol heads will love it!
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is taking place over Easter weekend, where visitors can see canoeists begin their gruelling journey in Devizes along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Look out for children’s TV star Steve Backshall who is taking part this year!
• Live Theatre Shows
Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in the interactive show taking place at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre from Wednesday 19th – Thursday 20th April. Suitable for ages 3+. Don’t forget to check out Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre, The Pound Arts Centre and Wiltshire Music Centre for additional ideas.
• Religious Events
Salisbury Cathedral will be holding various services during the Holy Week. The Churches Conservation Trust’s Imber Church has its Easter Open Days from Friday 14th – Monday 17th April from 11am – 4pm. This is a rare opportunity to visit the ‘lost’ village of Imber in the heart of Salisbury Plain.
Attractions to Visit:
• Spring Babies and Family Fun
A number of Wiltshire attractions have plenty of new animals born at this time of year including Roves Farm, Cholderton Charlie’s Farm and Studley Grange Butterfly World and Craft Village.
• Longleat’s New Marvellous Monsters
Open from Saturday 8th April, visitors can look out for the swarm of Marvellous Monsters, 20+ larger-than-life animatronic bugs, which will be taking over the park in order to raise awareness for the need to conserve these species. Visitors will come face to face (or maybe eye to antennae) with these humongous creepy crawlies and get a brand new perspective on these bizarre but fascinating creatures.
• Museums in Wiltshire
Trowbridge Museum will be running various craft activities for young children over the Easter holidays including making delicate daffodils and woolly lambs! Wiltshire Museum in Devizes will be offering textiles and felt-making activities suitable for ages 11 and under on Wednesday 19th April and The Salisbury Museum will be giving you the chance to help make a giant mosaic for Easter followed by storytelling and an Easter archaeology trail on Saturday 15th April.
• Rainy Day Fun
Take a trip to The Merchant’s House on Marlborough High Street and learn about the conservation of this impressive 17th century house. Find the clues and crack the codes at Salisbury Escape Rooms or 11th Hour Escape Rooms. Enjoy a spot of ‘indoor’ retail therapy at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon or Cross Keys Arcade in Salisbury. Improve your culinary skills at one of the Wiltshire cookery schools, Vaughan’s Cookery School, Lucknam Park Cookery School or The Farm Cookery School.
There is so much more to see and do in Wiltshire. Don’t forget to check out the VisitWiltshire website – it’s a great place to find out more: www.visitwiltshire. co.uk/whats-on
