The Easter half term is almost upon us, and with it comes days to fill with exciting things to do. Fortunately for us here in Bristol and the surrounding area, there is an abundance of family-friendly places to visit and activities to take part in.
We've compiled a list of some of the city's special Easter and springtime events that are welcoming visitors now and in the next few weeks. Some of the events featured in the list below run way beyond the Easter period, so you don't need to panic if you can't fit them all in among your egg hunts and Easter bunny visits.
From Easter trails and egg hunts, to pedal planes, crafts, book characters, dinosaurs, fossils and more - here's what you can find in Bristol this season...
Read more: Bristol dog is the star of new international ad campaign
Read more: International Women's Day marked with huge installation in Redcliffe Caves
Avon Valley Easter EGGStravaganza
When: March 29 - April 14
The Keynsham-based adventure park is promising a "uniquely bonkers celebration of the chocolate-filled holiday" with an attraction it describes as "the UK’s first ever Candy Cannon", which will be shooting hundreds of sweets metres into the air, giving visitors the chance to catch them.
There will also be a daily live lambing event, and shepherds will be giving educational talks as well as lamb bottle feeding demonstrations. Visitors are invited to meet the expectant mums and hopefully witness a live birth. There will be a daily Easter egg hunt as well as an adults-only after-dark hunt on March 30.
Making an appearance alongside the Easter Bunny will be The Grinch, who has conquered Christmas and will now be trying his hand at stealing Easter in the park’s first ever Easter Show. Tickets and details can be found on Avon Valley's website.
Fossil fun at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
When: Now - April 30
Telling the story of Mary Anning (1799-1847), an early palaeontologist celebrated today for her fossil finds, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will be putting a very special fossil on permanent display, said to be her 'second significant find'. The fossil will be joined by a small artist's model of a statue of Mary made by sculptor Denise Dutton from January 13 to April 30, as part of the Mary Anning Rocks! UK tour.
Find out more here.
Gruffalo Party Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum
When: Now - September 14
The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and, to celebrate, an interactive family trail is taking place at Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire. It features party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.
While on the trail, you'll be searching for missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember - including balloons, pine cones, apples and even the Gruffalo himself. What's more, you'll be able to complete fun activities and rubbings as you go.
There will be a Gruffalo Party Trail pack sold at the welcome building of shop, for £4. Find out more here.
Living exhibits at Brunel's SS Great Britain
When: Now - December 31
During spring, the SS Great Britain will be launching new living exhibits on the top deck of the famed ocean liner. Ferns, orchids and other specimens that were transported on board the ship will be planted in six replica Wardian cases.
Visitors can expect to hear previously untold stories about the cargo and passengers who travelled on the SS Great Britain. Curators have scoured cargo manifests and passenger diaries, and collaborated with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the National Archives, to build a picture of how plants were transported across the oceans.
Visitors can also expect workshops for both adults and children, with a programme of activities like flower pressing, Victorian crafts, early photography techniques, talks and tours, to enjoy. Find out more here.
Easter adventures at Dyrham Park and Tyntesfield National Trust
When: March 23-April 14
An Easter egg hunt is taking place at Tyntesfield, complete with bunny ears, trail sheet and an 'edible prize' - you can find out more about this event here.
While Dyrham Park will be offering up games, challenges and face painting, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt trail, too. Find out more about this event here.
Prehistoric Sea Life at Bristol Aquarium
When: March 23 - April 14
During these dates visitors to Bristol Aquarium will get to learn all about the wild and wonderful creatures that called our seas home some 200 million years ago. You'll also be able to meet a fossil hunter on March 24, when Dr Mark O'Dell visits the aquarium between 11am and 3.30pm, and explore some of Mark's fossil collection.
There will also be a range of aquarium and prehistoric talks and activities, as well as a colourful egg trail and hidden dinosaurs in the botanical house to find. Book your tickets here.
Easter at Wookey Hole
When: March 23 - April 14
The Wookey Hole Witch will be celebrating Easter by roaming around and saying hello to visitors, in addition to hosting an Easter Egg Hunt around the park where children can collect a free Easter treat at the end. There will also be a brand new experience in the 4D cinema and live shows from the Wookey Hole Circus everyday.
Plus, visitors can stay at the Wookey Hole Hotel and have a round of golf at the newly refurbished golf course. Find out more here.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt at Bristol Zoo Project
When: March 23 - September 1
This interactive sensory trail is based on the famous children's story of the same name, and will lead you to a real-life bear. The award-winning animation will be brought to life through a series of installations.
Visitors will follow in the characters' footsteps to brave the elements. You can find out more here.
Giants' Easter Hunt at Clifton Observatory
When: March 28-April 14
The legendary giants of Avon Gorge have hidden eggs around the Giant’s Cave, Camera Obscura and museum at Clifton Observatory for children to find this Easter. The Giants' Easter Hunt will run from 10am-5pm every day. Find out more and book your tickets here.
New children's surf session at The Wave
When: March 28 onwards
Children as young as four years old can now learn to surf with their parents in these new coaching sessions at The Wave, the inland surfing lake just north of Bristol. The 1.5 hour sessions include dryland coaching, followed by an hour in the water which will help children gain confidence with their parents/carers by their side in the water.
Sessions cost £60 for the parent and child combo ticket. During Easter holidays, there will also be a Secret Surfers Easter Trail, where children are encouraged to follow a trail around The Wave site, find the hidden letters to spell out the code word and claim a prize. Find out more here.
Easter Sculpture Festival at University of Bristol Botanic Garden
When: March 29-April 1
Celebrate and marvel at nature at University of Bristol Botanic Garden’s Easter Sculpture Festival with handcrafted sculptures, interactive workshops and family-friendly activities like willow-weaving, wood-turning, stone carving and pottery, all set against the backdrop of blossoming trees and vibrant flowers. Find out more here.
- Join our WhatsApp group dedicated to events, reviews and food & drink news
Pedal Planes at Aerospace Bristol
When: April 3-4
Discover Bristol’s aerospace and aviation legacies at Aerospace Bristol this Easter, where you can step aboard the last Concorde to fly (which was partly made in Bristol, too), and this Easter younger visitors will also have the chance to pilot their own pedal planes. Find out more here.
Woodland of Wonder - Free community arts festival
When: April 3-13
Produced by Broadmead BID (Business Improvement District) in partnership with The Methodist Church, John Wesley’s New Room, and Sparks Bristol (a sustainability and innovation hub), Woodland of Wonder celebrates the natural world and invites all ages to enjoy exhibitions – for free - and allow creativity to flourish with nature-themed craft workshops and photography walks, plus performances from stilt-walking trees! Find out more here.
