Ideas for days out in East Anglia
Make the most of the Easter break with our pick of the best family days out and attractions…
Days Out in Suffolk
Woodbridge Gingerbread Trail
After the success of last year’s Gingerbread Trail in Woodbridge, the Tide Mill Living Museum and The Cake Shop Bakery are organising another trail to keep families amused over the Easter holidays.
Between 21 March – 15 April, families can buy a trail sheet for £1 at The Cake Shop from 21 March and from The Tide Mill from the 25 March, and follow the trail to find the seven biscuits hidden around Woodbridge town centre.
The trail clues prompt curious kids to seek out some interesting things along the way and if they gather all seven biscuit names they will win an Easter egg shaped biscuit baked by The Cake Shop using Tide Mill flour. Tel: 01394 385295
Located in Kessingland, nr Lowestoft, Africa Alive puts South Africa right on your doorstep. Experience the plains of Africa – an awe-inspiring presentation of the African Savannah, where the animals roam freely together as they do in the wild. Get up close and personal with our Rhinos, Giraffes and Zebras, climb aboard the roadtrain, encounter the ‘King of the Jungle’ and enjoy a stunning bird’s-eye view of the lions domain from the Lookout Lodge. Plus farmyard, lemurs, reptiles and more. Tel: 01502 740291
Set in Thetford Forest is the Forestry Commission’s premier recreation site in East Anglia. You can walk, cycle, play, picnic, barbecue or simply relax and enjoy the forest. Check out the newly launched Stickman Trail and Gruffalo’s Child at new Tree House. High Lodge is also the home of the cycle hire and sales facility, Bike Art and the high wire forest adventure course, Go Ape.
Tel: 01842 815434
Easter Day Out in Cambridgeshire
NFU Lambing Day at Manor Farm Morborne
Not quite Easter but one not to be missed, visit one of the biggest lambing days in the East of England on 13 March from 11am – 4pm. It is a great family day out to see a working farm where you can see lambs being born, hold new born chicks, ride on a horse and cart and climb on the tractors and much more. The Anna’s Hope Fairies will be there too and proceeds will go to charity. Tel: 01733 828916
This zoo is a wonderful combination of beautiful gardens and wildlife from all over the world with lots to see including tigers, snow leopards, lynx, tapir, zebras, wallabies, owls, toucans, storks, hornbills, lemur, parrots, spiders and many others set in 16 acres of spectacular gardens; many featuring aviaries landscaped with rockeries and waterfalls. Tel: 01223 891308
The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is one of the world’s most spectacular aviation heritage complexes with a world renowned collection of nearly 200 aircraft and one of the finest collections of military vehicles. IWM’s Easter holiday activities will be loved by children. Tel: 01223 835000
Easter Days Out in Norfolk
Make Easter Braziliant at Amazona Zoo
Amazona Zoo in Cromer, offers a special Easter day out where families can explore and learn about a varied and fascinating selection of animals native to South America. The zoo is home to over 200 tropical animals and adventure play areas. Visit on Easter Sunday and each child will receive a free cream egg.
Tel: 01263 510741
Easter Eggspress at Bure Valley Railway
Hop on board the Easter Eggspress at the Bure Valley Railway over the Easter weekend, 25-28 March, for an egg-citing day out for all the family. Norfolk’s longest Narrow Gauge Steam Railway is giving a free Easter Egg to every child when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (maximum 2 children per adult). In addition, a colouring corner and a decorated Whistlestop Café add to the Easter themed event.
Tel: 01263 733858
With its 250-year-old landscaped garden, a play area and superb willow pattern garden, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained. You’ll find its renowned collection of Asian Mammals, birds and reptiles in the pleasantly landscaped grounds and gardens of Thrigby Hall. Attractions for all age groups include Snow Leopards, rare tigers, gibbons, deer otters, crocodiles in a swamp house, avaries, waterfowl, gift shop & cafe. Tel: 01493 369477
Easter Days Out in Essex
Easter Adventure Quest at Audley End House & Gardens
Audley End House wants little adventurers to help with its Easter egg hunt from 25-28 March, 11am-4pm. Meet characters from the past with stories of times gone by – maybe a king, a butler, a Roman centurion or even a monk. They assist on the quest as you explore Audley End and crack the clues. Rise to the challenge and win your chocolate reward. Tel: 0370 3331181
Hop aboard this Easter at the Miniature Audley End Railway
The Easter special event takes place from 25 – 28 March, where children can hop aboard the railway to visit the Easter Bunny at his house in the woods and receive a chocolate treat. There’s an Easter Trail too! Price: £10 per person, under 2s free. Tel: 01799 542134
History experience at Stansted Mountfitchet, where you can travel back in time to medieval England of 1066 as you wander through Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village at this world famous living heritage site. Adjacent to the historic castle is The House on the Hill Toy Museum. Tel: 01279 813237
Easter Day Out in Herts & Beds
You’ll need to devote a whole day to take in everything at Woburn. Drive through the Bedfordshire safari park, with 30 species of animals in natural groups just a windscreen’s width away: rhinos, giraffes, lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys and lots more, plus the action-packed Wild World Leisure Area. There’s a foot safari too, and seven daily animal demonstrations and feeding times including penguin feeding and a sea lion demonstration. Children can also enjoy the swan boats and train and the Mammoth Play Ark. Tel: 01525 290407
From 28 March – 13 April children can follow the BIG Love Bedford Easter Bunny Trail, join in Easter egg hunts across town and take part in holiday activities at The Higgins. There are 25 places to find a picture of a bunny so hop to it and match as many as you can. Download an entry form at LOVE Bedford or pick one up at Bluecap in the town.
Located in Broxbourne, the wildlife park has an amazing range of animals including tigers, lions, monkeys, zebras, camels and wolves and what makes it really special is the fact that you can get up close and personal, meeting and feeding many of the animals. There are three themed adventure playgrounds, children’s rides, indoor soft play areas and more. Tel: 01992 470490
