Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Capital days out this Easter
Reporter Sam Lawrie’s top picks for Easter days out in London, including Disney and Harry Potter exhibitions, life-sized board games, Lindt chocolate trails and more...
There’s nothing more exciting than bundling the kids on the train or bus and travelling up to London for a big day out. If you fancy going further afield this Easter break, our capital city boasts a wealth of family fun during the school holidays.
First pick is the Disney 100 exhibition, which has extended its run at the London EXCEL Centre to celebrate the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary.
The show, which has sold more than 185,000 tickets since opening in October, is the largest exhibition that the Walt Disney Archives has ever created, including more than 250 artefacts, costumes and props used in animated films and live-action blockbusters from the world of Marvel and Star Wars.
Explore 10 immersive galleries themed around Disney’s history, music and theme parks with props such as the carousel horse from Mary Poppins and Captain America’s shield.
There’s also a digital reimagining of Walt Disney created using innovative technology, an interactive Mickey and Minnie installation, a new original soundtrack written especially for the exhibit and a family space where kids can interact with character drawings.
If you’re more of a Potterhead than a Disney fan, now is the perfect time to visit the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden, near Watford.
This fascinating tour of the real-life film sets and props used in the Harry Potter franchise is even more enchanting during the school holidays with Magical Mischief.
This event returns for the third year, giving visitors the chance to see behind the scenes and discover how filmmakers pulled off the wizarding pranks and magical mishaps seen on screen.
Find yourself under the watchful eye of Professor Umbridge in the Great Hall, hiding under Harry’s invisibility cloak and swerving the Cornish pixies as you walk through the studio.
For those who are big kids at heart, there’s a chance to step into your favourite board game with Monopoly Lifesized.
This immersive experience in Tottenham Court Road brings the nostalgic family game to life with physical sets and interactive challenges, from staging a heist in Mayfair to building some of London’s most iconic buildings.
Choose from a range of games, including classic Monopoly, City and Luxury, and make your way around the giant board trying to collect as many properties as possible in your 80-minute timeslot.
Another day out for the whole family is Medieval Mayhem at the Tower of London.
The historic tower, which sits on the bank of the Thames at
Tower Hill, is putting on performances of famous fairytales during the school holidays. The shows take place on the south lawn and include a royal pageant, magical giants, medieval characters and mythical beasts.
If you’re a group of animal lovers, there are some brilliant wildlife attractions open during the Easter break.
A brand new space made especially for scaly species and underwater animals is opening at London Zoo on Good Friday.
The world-famous zoo, just off Regent's Park, is unveiling its Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians exhibition, which houses some of the rarest and most unusual creatures on earth, from the snake-eating king cobra to the Chinese giant salamander.
The area will be a hub for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians and will be open alongside the zoo’s existing enclosures, including the living rainforest and lemur walkthrough.
Speaking of aquatic animals, Sea Life London Aquarium on the South Bank is putting on an Easter adventure during the school holidays.
Take the Seahorse Saviours trail, where visitors can take on challenges and figure out clues to learn more about the ocean and its inhabitants.
You will see seahorses as well as the aquarium’s sand tiger sharks, penguins, turtles, jellyfish and stingrays.
When it comes to Easter activities, you can’t beat a good Easter trail, and London has some great ones to choose from.
The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is taking visitors back in time to learn all about Easter celebrations throughout history.
Grab a self-led activity booklet, follow the trail map and find all of the fun facts to receive a chocolate prize at the end.
You can also nab yourself some chocolate at the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at historic Hampton Court Palace.
The gardens at this stunning palace will be filled with Lindt gold bunnies hiding in the daffodils and tulips and it’s your job to find them.
If you follow the trail, solve the puzzles and find the bunny statues, you will be rewarded with your very own chocolate Lindt treat to take home.
Finally, it wouldn’t be the Easter holidays without a touch of tradition.
The religious services at Westminster Abbey take place across the entire bank holiday weekend and offer a chance for visitors to soak up the historic building and community atmosphere.
A particular highlight is the Easter Day Evensong, a traditional service with music from the Choir of Westminster Abbey, hymns and a sermon.