Norfolk's Natural Playground Awaits: Brilliant Family Days Out This April
Spring is here and Norfolk's beautiful outdoor spaces are calling us to visit! We've rounded up a selection of nature-based events for your little explorers this Easter season.
As the days stretch longer and daffodils nod their golden heads, it's the perfect time to head outdoors with your family. We’ve rounded up an overview of family adventures across our beautiful county, we hope that you get a chance to explore some of them!
Easter Trails and Egg Hunts Galore
The National Trust has come up trumps again this year with a variety of Easter trails across their Norfolk properties. From just £3.50 per trail, your little explorers will receive a trail sheet, adorable bunny ears and a choice of dairy or vegan chocolate egg (brilliant for those with dietary requirements, as they say they're suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies. Please complete your usual checks).
Blickling Estate (1) is running their trail daily from 5-22 April, 10am-5pm (with last trails starting an hour before closing). While normal admission charges apply, National Trust members and under-5s enter free. Why not make a day of it? Head into the daffodil-filled gardens, take turns at fun games and challenges along the way, including a photo-op with props, a rabbit racetrack and a chance to create your own egg-cellent characters! more info here
Oxburgh Estate offers their trail during the same period (5-22 April, 10am-4:30pm). It's a wonderful opportunity to explore the beautiful gardens while completing fun activities along the way. more info here
Sheringham Park (2) invites families to hop, skip and frolic around a trail through their wild garden and woodland. Enjoy 10 nature-themed activity stations including giant quoits, nature mobile making and bird watching. The park itself is free to visit from dawn till dusk, with a £6.50 car parking charge for non-members. more info here
Felbrigg Hall (3) takes a slightly different approach with their free-to-access estate (though non-members pay £5 for parking). Their trail includes 10 nature-themed activity stations – seed planting, welly wanging and even an interactive water wall! Last trail starts at 3pm. more info here
Morston Quay offers their Easter trail between 5-22 April, 10am-4pm. Put your skills to the test with welly-themed hoopla, "Pin the Tail on the Rabbit," and help lost eggs find their way back to the right basket – plus numerous other activities dotted across this stunning coastal location. more info here
Horsey Windpump invites you to come along and explore the Norfolk Broads with their trail taking place between Saturday 5 to Tuesday 22 April 2025, from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. How about competing in an egg and spoon race or seeing how many ducks you can hook? If you love puzzles, try matching the eggs or even creating your own. And that’s just the beginning! With 10 exciting activities to explore around the site, there’s plenty of fun to be had. more info here
Wildlife Wonders
For the budding David Attenborough’s in your family, Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Cley Marshes (7) is hosting dyke dipping on 9 April (10:30am-12pm). Little ones can learn about the wonderful wildlife found in ponds and dykes from their custom-built platform – booking essential! more info here
At Strumpshaw Fen, the RSPB has two cracking events. "Nature Tots - Signs of Spring" (6) offers under-5s and their grown-ups a chance to explore spring signs through stories, crafts, mud kitchens and bug hunting (pre-booking required). more info here
Meanwhile, "Eggs Marks The Spot" (4) invites families to track down Captain Benjamin Bittern's hidden treasure of golden eggs around the reserve, with nature-themed activities along the way. Self-led pond dipping equipment is also available to hire for £4.50 per kit. more info here
Horsey Windpump and Morston Quay both offer wildlife spotter sheets from their visitor welcome points – why not make a game of ticking off creatures spotted during your visit? Morston even has wildlife bingo sheets with two difficulty levels – shout BINGO when you've spotted them all! more info here
Steam and Farm Fun
The Bure Valley Railway's Easter Eggspress promises an "eggciting" day out with a FREE Easter Egg for every child who completes their Easter Stamp Trail at both Aylsham and Wroxham. Easter Lunch Boxes will be available, or treat yourselves to pre-booked Easter Afternoon Tea at the Whistlestop Café. more info here
Animal lovers will adore Hirsty's Family Fun Park's Spring Baa-Nanza (9) (5-21 April) where you can search for eggs, pet new born lambs and possibly witness a lamb or calf being born! more info here
Similarly, Church Farm Stow Bardolph (10) offers an Easter Egg Hunt (18-21 April) – find matching egg halves to claim your chocolate prize. more info here
Gardens and Holkham Highlights
Holkham Hall (5) has multiple offerings this April. The "Easter Fun in the Walled Garden" features animal encounters, a "sow and grow" activity, games, storytelling from Dave Tonge and chocolate treats. Perfect for children up to eight years old. more info here
Alternatively, try the free "Holkham Park Easter Trail" (5-17 April) – crack the code by finding all the Easter egg trail boards hidden around the park (parking charges apply). more info here
Hoveton Hall Gardens invites families to their "Easter Treasure Quest" (18-21 April, 10:30am-5pm) more info here, while Somerleyton Hall Gardens hosts their Easter Egg Hunt from 16-21st April. Complete the trail around their stunning gardens. Children will receive an Easter Egg prize at the end of the trail. more info here
Woodland Wanders
High Lodge (12) in Thetford Forest offers their Stick Man trail where little ones can help Stick Man find his way back to his family tree - more info here. They're also hosting Zoolab Animal Handling Encounters on 16 April (bookable show times throughout the day). more info here.
Sandringham Estate Play Area will host an Easter Egg Trail on 20 April (10:30am-2pm) in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance – a splendid way to enjoy the royal estate while supporting a vital charity. more info here.
Community Events
Several local community events round out the calendar:
DodoDinosaur Dinosaur Egg Hunt (14) at Chapelfield Gardens (6 April) and Waterloo Park (13 April) more info here
Lingwood Village Hall's Easter Eggstravaganza (21 April) more info here.
Bawsey Estate & Country Park's Easter Fair (13) (19 April) more info here.
Nelson's Journey Easter Egg Hunt at Octagon Barn (13 April) more info here.
North Walsham Play Easter Egg Hunt at Memorial Park (19 April) more info here.
Old Buckenham Country Park's Easter Weekend (11) (18-21 April) more info here.
Pensthorpe Giant Easter Egg Hunt (8) (5-22 April) features enormous 4-foot tall 3D eggs more info here.
Whitwell and Reepham Easter Egg Hunt (19 April) more info here.
Holt Garden Centre Easter Trail (17-22 April) offers free goodie bags more info here.
Final Thoughts
April in Norfolk truly offers something for every family, whether you fancy woodland adventures, steam train journeys, animal encounters or simply a good old-fashioned Easter egg hunt.
Do remember to check websites for any last-minute changes and always dress for our ever-unpredictable British weather - layers and wellies are your best friends for outdoor adventures!
After compiling this list we have decided to try out quite a few of these events - which will you choose first?
Please note: GroWild Kindergarten Ltd is not affiliated with any of the above mentioned activities, events or businesses and is signposting information only. GroWild Kindergarten Ltd cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from purchasing a ticket and/or attending any event mentioned above.