What’s on for families in the Easter holidays 2023 in the Cambridge region?

Spring has arrived and Easter will soon be upon us. Adrian Peel looks at what’s on for families over the school holidays.

Go an Easter egg hunt with the National Trust, various dates

The National Trust is running Easter egg hunts again at many of its sites, including at Anglesey Abbey, the Wimpole Estate, Wicken Fen, Houghton Mill and, over the border in Suffolk, the Ickworth Estate.

The trails are priced at £3 per child, which includes an Easter trail sheet, pencil, bunny ears and Rainforest Alliance Certified dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg.

Booking is not needed at Wimpole, Wicken Fen or Ickworth, where the trails run from April 1-16, but is essential for those who want to try the trails at Anglesey Abbey (April 11-16) or Houghton Mill (April 7-10).

Times vary slightly - operating from 9.30am or 10am in the morning, with the last trail leaving at around 3 or 3.30pm.

Admission prices apply. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/easter-egg-hunts for details.

Crack a code on the Enchanted Egg Trail at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, April 1-16

Can you crack the code of the enchanted egg and claim your Easter prize?

The secrets of the enchanted egg are hidden in the plants and places around the garden. To join in the outdoor fun for all ages, pick up a free trail booklet on your way into the garden and set off on a springtime adventure.

The trail runs from 10am to 6pm each day and children must be accompanied at all times. Standard garden admission applies for accompanying adults.

Visit botanic.cam.ac.uk/whats-on/the-enchanted-egg-trail/.

Meanwhile, you can also enjoy the stunning photography on display in the garden’s exhibition, in association with the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.

Easter Eggxhibition at Milton Road Library, Cambridge, April 5

Bring us your craziest, most insanely decorated Easter egg, between 10.30 and 11am to display in the library’s Easter Eggxhibition. For details and to reserve a spot, go to bit.ly/40dLuYe.

Make an Easter flower basket at children’s workshop, Battersea Bloem, 10 Hamilton Road, Cambridge, April 2

Children can enjoy working with flowers, foliage and moss to create a magical basket to take home.

Flowers from local growers outside of Cambridge will be used and children will be taught about the different flowers and plants being used for the arrangement and how best to care for them.

Children need to be proficient in using scissors, able to independently sit on a bar stool and an adult will need to accompany them. Find the details at eventbrite.co.uk/e/childrens-easter-flower-basket-workshop-tickets-569844639657 and batterseabloem.com.

Jurassic Arcade at the Grand Arcade, Cambridge, April 1-16

Journey back in time as Grand Arcade turns positively prehistoric this Easter with the arrival of a herd of full-size animatronic dinosaurs.

The dinosaurs – which last invaded Grand Arcade in 2021 – are back by popular demand for an Easter exhibition. Dino-fans can pick up a free Jurassic Trail map to guide them through 250 million years of natural history, encountering super-sized species on all floors of the shopping centre.

They are promised a feast of fascinating dino facts accompanying each exhibit displayed on panels, created with the help of the Sedgwick Museum. In the spirit of Easter, there will also be an egg hunt, though not of the chocolate variety. Instead, adventure-lovers are invited to scour the Jurassic Trail for a selection of huge hatching dinosaur eggs.

Visit grandarcade.co.uk.

Master holiday bushcraft at Wandlebury Country Park, April 3-6

Designed for children aged 5-12 and run by experienced qualified teachers from Wild Thyme & Embers, these sessions run from 8.30am-4pm and will focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills. Following a forest school approach, encouraging self-confidence and sense of achievement, they will cover shelter building, knots and rope work, use of cutting tools and whittling, plant and tree recognition, seasonal woodcrafts, fire-lighting techniques, wilderness cooking skills, natural art and crafts and woodland games.

The cost per day is £40 per child and children will need a packed lunch, a larger water bottle, appropriate clothes and shoes/boots, plus a change of clothes

​Book at wildthymeandembers.co.uk/holiday-bushcraft-club/.