SPRING INTO EASTER!
With fun and frolics across the UK, your family holiday can be filled with jollity
EAStER is nearly upon us, so do it differently this year. Whether you fancy camping in a church, herding ducks round an assault course, hiking up a mountain or teeing off, we’ve found the perfect quirky breaks. And there might even be some chocolate . . .
POTTER WITH BEATRIX
With the release of the film Peter Rabbit, there’s no better time to explore the Lake District that inspired Beatrix Potter. Stay at the grand 18th-century Storrs hall, with views over Windermere, and visit the World of Beatrix Potter.
EASTER TREAT: A Beatrix Potterinspired afternoon tea at the hotel (£29.50 per person).
DETAILS: Rooms from £205 B&B for a family of three, (storrshall.
com, 01539 447111).
CAMP IN A CHURCH
Enjoy camping without the soggy tent. ‘Champing’, invented by the Churches Conservation trust, is a new trend. Cosy camp beds are set up in 26 churches in the UK, with hearty breakfasts from local B&Bs or farmers. EASTER TREAT: Really getting into the spirit! DETAILS: Children from £25 and adults from £49 per night,
(champing.co.uk, 020 7841 0436).
MANOR HOUSE EGG HUNT
CHILDREN stay free at Brooks Country house in herefordshire this Easter. there’s a giant chess board, a games room and the chance to collect eggs from the hotel’s chickens. EASTER TREAT: Search for the chocolate variety on an Easter egg hunt across the 13-acre estate on Easter Sunday. DETAILS: three nights from £407 B&B for a family of three (brookscountryhouse.com, 01989 730211).
COASTAL CARAVANS
GRANDPARENTS and parents can get involved in the Easter extravaganza at haven holidays. Led by the nature Rockz Rangers, everyone goes on guided nature trails, learning new skills such as fire-building, sandcastlecrafting and crabbing.
With 36 sites along the British coast and spacious caravan accommodation, there will be something to suit every family. EASTER TREAT: Enjoy one of the UK’s biggest Easter egg hunts, with prizes guaranteed. DETAILS: haven is offering threenights self-catering on the Easter bank holiday from £299 per family, based on six sharing
(haven.com, 0333 202 5250).
KING OF THE CASTLE
SETTLE into the opulent rooms at Glenapp Castle near Ballantrae in Ayrshire. the four-day Easter break includes delicious feasts, a falconry display — with golden eagles and baby owls — along with family-friendly games galore. there are 36 acres of grounds to explore, and even archery lessons. EASTER TREAT: Egg-painting and hunts for chocolate eggs in the pristine grounds. DETAILS: Four nights for two adults and one child is £1,380 per room, including Easter activities (glenappcastle.com, 01465 831212).
SWEET TEA IN DURHAM
At SEAHAM hall, a luxury boutique hotel set on a clifftop on Durham’s heritage Coast, there’s a new chocolate-dedicated afternoon tea to satisfy sweet cravings.
Grab a table with a sea view and feast on dark chocolate financiers with salted caramel, milk chocolate and amaretto mousse, sandwiches and tea. EASTER TREAT: indulge without the calories at the spa. DETAILS: Rooms from £295 B&B (seaham-hall.co.uk, 0191 640 3935).
FULL-ON ADVENTURE
FROM egg-painting to kitemaking and treasure hunts at Celtic manor Resort, in the Usk Valley, South Wales, there’s a back-to-back itinerary. try archery, footgolf and crazy golf, with luxurious lodgings and acres of land to explore. EASTER TREAT: Children can master Easter bonnet-making. DETAILS: two nights in a hunter Lodge around Easter costs from £970 for family of four (celticmanor.com, 01633 410 262).
HIKING AND GOLF
ADVENTUROUS adults should head to the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, which sits at the base of the mourne mountains, in northern ireland.
take an Easter Sunday hike up the 850-metre high Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in northern ireland, or enjoy dramatic coastal views while playing a round at the two worldfamous 18-hole links of the Royal County Down Golf Course. EASTER TREAT: Enjoy a pint of locally brewed maggie’s Leap and a special Easter roast at onsite pub the Percy French. DETAILS: From £190 B&B, ( hastingshotels.com, 02843 721066).
EQUESTRIAN EASTER
HEAD for Five Saints Riding Centre in Carmarthenshire, where you will learn the basics of riding and horse care.
Cosy farmhouse accommodation is set in the Cothi Valley. EASTER TREAT: Guide your horse on an equestrian-inspired chocolate hunt. DETAILS: three nights from £425pp based on a family of four, including riding lessons,
(fivesaints.com, 01558 650580).
GALLOP TO ASCOT
THOROUGHBREDS aren’t the only talented beasts at Ascot’s Spring Family Raceday. Colliedogs from the Quack Pack will be diversifying their herding skills on indian runner ducks, and in the Ferret Roadshow children can guide the scurrying creatures through assault courses.
there’s also animal meet-andgreets and hands-on fun such as foraging/cooking classes included in the ticket price. EASTER TREAT: Search for Peter Rabbit’s golden carrot and scoff chocolate eggs. DETAILS: Starts 11am this Sunday at Ascot Racecourse, Berks. Adults from £25, under-18s free
(ascot.co.uk, 0844 346 3000). Family rooms at the Royal Berkshire hotel from £149 B&B.