MOTTRAM HALL & SPA
Cheshire
Where and why: Situated not far from the footballers’ enclave of Wilmslow, this four-star hotel, housed in a Grade II listed building, boasts an 18-hole championship golf course. Not knowing a birdie from a bogey, my husband and I headed straight to the £15million Champneys spa. We chilled out in one of the swanky poolside cabanas (available to hire for £60) before doing a few laps of the 20-metre pool, one of three.
There’s also a Jacuzzi, steam room and saunas, as well as a gym, if you’re feeling energetic. I opted for a spa treatment instead, hot stones being used to ease out knots in my neck and shoulders, followed by a blissful scalp and foot rub. Our suite was spacious and elegant with a huge comfy bed, and a sitting area, roll top bath and high-end Elemis products. On the menu: Robe-clad spa guests can enjoy lunch in modern restaurant Raffaella’s. My beetroot hummus and grilled fillet of coley with salad was light and tasty, and my husband’s smoked trout rillet followed by harissa roasted chicken with chorizo and bean casserole hit the spot. Dinner was fancier at the stylish Carrington Grill, offering classic fare. I started with a couple of oysters (£7), followed by grass-fed sirloin steak (£36.50) with a peppercorn sauce, while my husband had grilled tiger prawns in a romesco sauce (£16) and sea bream with mussels and lobster chowder (£30). Puds of vanilla brulée (£9) and chocolate orange cheesecake £9) rounded off a delicious dinner. Breakfast was in the same restaurant with a plentiful buffet selection, plus hot breakfast options served to your table. While you’re there: Count the Porsches and Aston Martins you pass as you drive to the picturesque village of Alderley Edge – we got to double figures. After a browse in the boutiques and a cafe stop, there are plenty of walking trails in the nearby National Trust woodland. Wake-up call: Rooms start from £141 per night, room with spa and lunch, £300. champneys. com/hotels/mottram-hall
THE Easter holidays are almost upon us. Kids will inevitably eat too much chocolate and will need to get out into the great outdoors for fresh air and exercise. There’s no shortage of family days out on offer. The National Trust alone is offering more than 195 Easter trails across the country over the Bank Holiday weekend and the school holidays, where parents and children can explore mazes and meadows, parkland, kitchen gardens and woodlands all showing signs of spring.
Other public gardens will also be staging Easter egg hunts, nature trails and arts and craft events. Here are just a few of the family-friendly activities to enjoy over Easter.
The Big Brick Build
Selected English Heritage venues
& dates between Mar 29 and Apr 14
This year, English Heritage’s Big Brick Build events will run across seven locations nationwide. Children aged four and over can build their own piece of history from Lego bricks, which will form part of a new artwork. Whether it’s a mini Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, the stables at Audley End, Essex or a life-size version of Queen Victoria at Osborne, Isle of Wight, kids can get busy, while master builders pull all the pieces together to form the final collaborative masterpiece.
Last year, participants made a giant model of Stonehenge out of 400,000 Lego bricks. This Easter’s aim is to help make a Lego brick mosaic of Stonehenge.
Treemendous Woodland Olympics and Easter Trail
Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon,
North Yorkshire, Mar 31 and Apr 1
Fairytale folk will entertain the children over Easter with a theatrical family adventure bringing the woodland Olympics to life. While some cheeky creatures may try to distract them, all young Olympians will have the chance to be a woodland medal winner by finding the fairies hidden among the trees on this enjoyable trail. There’s also an Easter show for two-to-eightyear-olds on both days, with Story Craft Theatre.
Titanic Walking Tour, Art and Hidden Histories
Tudor House and Garden, Southampton, Apr 4 Packed with 800 years of history, there’s plenty of hidden historic tales to explore at Southampton’s Tudor House & Garden this Easter – with some spring themed print-pressing art thrown in.
The Titanic Walking Tour on April 4, takes a step back in time to 1912, walking key sites in the Titanic’s story – Southampton was home to many members of the crew who worked aboard the doomed vessel.
On the same day, there’s an workshop that explores the art of the press-print at the Trio of Spring Prints workshop in the house’s walled garden.
Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, Mar 23-Apr 14
The popular Easter hunt will return to Henry VIII’s famous palace, with families invited to explore the gardens on the hunt for hidden Lindt gold bunny statues, peeking out from the spring blooms.
Each statue offers a chance to match the names of influential characters from Hampton Court Palace’s history to the distinctive red ribbons, with a little Lindt gold bunny chocolate treat awaiting those who find
Enjoy RHS Gardens each of the statues hidden along the trail.
Visitors during the Easter holidays will also have the chance to explore the maze and encounter a selection of these characters roaming the palace.
Easter Trail
Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, Rossie Braes, Montrose, Scotland, Apr 1-19
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is running a self-led Easter nature trail for families – follow the clues inside and outside of the visitor centre and crack the code to win a prize. You can also enjoy panoramic views across the incredible estuary reserve, with telescopes and binoculars available to get a close up view of local wildlife.
Giant Egg Hunts
All main RHS Gardens – RHS Bridgewater, Salford; RHS Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire; RHS Hyde Hall, Essex; RHS Rosemoor, North Devon; and RHS Wisley, Surrey, selected dates from Mar 23-Apr 14 The gardens will be bursting with spring bulbs and blossom at Easter, so be inspired by the flora and fauna while the children get some fresh