Our Easter Adventure Quests are back and now at over 30 sites across the country. From Pendennis Castle in Cornwall to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland, gather the family and join us for a cracking adventure. Hunt for clues around the sites, track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat.
If building is more your thing, why not come along to one of our LEGO® Brick Build events happening at the following sites.
- Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
- Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
- Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
- Dover Castle, Kent
- Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire
- Osborne, Isle of Wight
- Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Use the search bar below to see all the adventure quests and brick builds and find event near you.
EASTER ADVENTURE QUESTS
Join us for a cracking adventure quest at our sites this Easter holiday. Hunt for clues in the grounds, track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat.
You can take on the quest any day of the school holidays for just £2 on top of the ticket price. Choose your preferred site below and book online to save 15% on your entry ticket.
-
North East
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
Yorkshire and the Humber
East Midlands
-
North West
Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Birdoswald Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall
West Midlands
Boscobel House and The Royal Oak
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
London
-
East of England
South East
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
South West
EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Get ready to conquer your day out. Make a sword and shield, or learn how to paint your own eggs. Check out our 'how to' videos and activity guides below...
-
How to make a shield
Get prepared for your Easter adventure by making your own shield. Decorate it with your own heraldic design and have the best looking protection around.
-
How to make a sword
No adventure is complete without a trusty sword at your side. Take a look at our instructions for making your own out of cardboard and improve your swordsmanship.
-
How to Decorate Eggs for Easter
Looking for fun crafts and activities to enjoy this Easter? Look no further than our guide to decorating Pace Eggs with colourful dyes.
-
How to paint a Henry VIII Easter Egg
Use our tutorial to take your egg decoration to the next level and learn how to paint your own decorative Henry VIII Easter Egg.
How to Make Saffron Buns
Join Mrs Crocombe, the Victorian cook, as she shows you how to create your own Saffron Buns. They are a lovely treat, guaranteed to bring a bit of colour to any Easter table.
Alternatively try your hand at following one of our historic recipes for hot cross buns, simnel cake or the ultimate pancake pie – Banniet Tort.
Watch on YouTubeHistory In Focus
-
Skipping at Easter
There are many traditions we associate with Easter: bunnies, hot cross buns and, of course, eggs. But one custom that might not spring to mind is skipping. Here we explore why the simple game of jumping over a swinging rope was historically so popular at Easter time — and in some areas, still is.
-
Holy or heretical? A history of hot cross buns
We all love a hot cross bun at Easter time, but for how long have people enjoyed this tasty treat, and how has the hot cross bun evolved over time? Dr Eleanor Barnett delves into the history of this Easter staple to discover its association with magic, superstition and religion.
-
How did medieval monks and nuns celebrate Easter?
Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter explains how abbeys and priories now in the care of English Heritage provide tangible evidence of the intense spiritual significance of Lent, Holy Week and Easter to medieval monks and nuns.
-
How the Synod of Whitby settled the date of Easter
Uncover what happened at the landmark meeting between Christian missionaries as they decided the system for determining the dates of Easter - one we still use today.
-
5 Things You Might Not Know about Easter
Easter has always been a time of celebration, but today's festivities look very different to those of previous generations. Find out about lucky Hot Cross Buns, traditional Easter sports and Edward 1’s colourful eggs.
-
How an Easter tradition was hatched
Why do we associate treasure hunts with Easter? Discover where the egg hunt originated from and how it came to be a part of our Easter celebrations.
Podcast: The History of the Easter Hunt
Step into England's story with the English Heritage podcast.
Join presenter Charles Rowe and Senior Properties Historian Andrew Hann to discover how the seasonal tradition of the Easter egg hunt started, how the tradition has evolved, and when natural eggs were replaced by the chocolate variety we're more familiar with today.
Listen on soundcloudMore to Explore
-
Top 10 Castles
Want to be a king or queen for the day? We asked our Facebook followers to name their favourite English castle.
-
Victorian Cookery Recipes
Watch Victorian recipes being brought to life, and discover the reality of life below stairs at a Victorian country house.
-
Family Days Out
Planning your next family day out? Our special historic places are full of options for mums, dads and children alike.
-
BECOME A MEMBER
Start a year of adventure. An English Heritage membership offers an unlimited annual pass to over 400 historic sites across the country plus free entry for up to six children.