If you’re looking for a freebie – and followed Winchester BID’s Spooky Winch Word Hunt – families will love the Bunny Hop Trail, which runs from Friday 29 March to Sunday 14 April. Collect a trail sheet from the visitor information centre on the ground floor of The Guildhall, The Arc on Jewry Street, Winchester City Museum in The Square and explore the city to find the nine Easter-themed words. Return your completed sheet to receive a little Easter treat and be entered in to the prize draw to win an Easter-inspired hamper.
Journey outside the city to Gilbert White’s House and Gardens in Selborne to enjoy their Garden Birds Egg Hunt, which runs from Saturday 23 March to Sunday 14 April. Find ten eggs hidden around the garden while learning about native birds and their nesting habits, and spot the odd one out to claim a chocolate egg.
Alternatively, if you have a dog take them for a walk and admire the flowers of Chawton House.
Jane Austen’s House has a special Easter Tour on Saturday 30 March. This unique tour will take inspiration from Easter traditions and the welcome signs of spring, bringing the house that Jane Austen knew and loved to life.
From Friday 29 March until 14 April Marwell’s Det-egg-tive Trail will be running throughout the Easter break for wannabe sleuths to help find the cheeky egg thief. The colourful trail will be free on the Marwell Zoo App. Paper copies, complete with a Marwell Zoo pencil will also be available for £2.50. Help the Easter Bunny work out who the stolen eggs belong to and collect evidence to discover who is the Marwell egg thief. Enter your answer at the end for a chance to win two adult and three child memberships! Keep an eye out for hidden golden eggs around the park and scan the QR code for a chance to win an egg-cellent prize. There will be garden games, a special Easter tipi photo op, plus candy floss and fresh hot doughnuts on the hall drive. Little ones can meet the Easter Bunny and receive a special gift in the exclusive bunny den at Marwell Hall from Friday 29 March until Monday 1 April (£5 per child, full terms and conditions on the website).
Come and meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy Easter themed activities across the railway, including:
– Hop on board the heritage trains for some Easter themed sing-a-long songs with the Easter Bunny’s helpers
– Make your own Easter Ears activity and Easter colouring
– Enjoy a free activity sheet and Easter egg spotter trail
– Strike a pose with Easter themed selfie spots
For families:
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (Tue 02 – Wed 03 Apr) tells the story of a boy who loves books especially about pirates and tries to convince his sister that reading is fun! This adaptation based on Julia Donaldson’s book that delves into a range of stories features puppets and enchanting songs and is recommended for ages 3 – 8.
Dear Zoo (Sat 06 – Sun 07 Apr) tells of Ben and Sally who write to the zoo for the perfect pet but what will they be sent? Based on Rod Campbell’s beloved lift the flap book, this adaptation sees his distinctive illustrations leap from the page in a show full of puppetry and songs. A perfect intro to theatre for young children.
The Singing Mermaid (Sat 13 – Sun 14 Apr) tells of a mermaid tempted to join a travelling circus with the promise of a life of excitement – but she is tricked by the dastardly circus master. Another adaptation of a Julia Donaldson classic, it features enchanting puppets, music and songs and is perfect for audiences aged 3 – 8.
For adults
Kendal Mountain Tour 2024 (Thu 04 Apr) is an evening of award-winning films showcasing the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and the year’s most daring feats of courage and tales of human resilience – perfect for seasoned explorers and everyone with a sense of adventure and who appreciates the planet. The event’s guest speaker is one of the country’s top travel writers, Ash Bhardwaj.
Comedy star Jon Courtenay (Fri 12 Apr) is a Britain’s Got Talent winner whose brand-new show, Bigger, features his trademark brand of musical comedy and an updated version of his hilarious one-man musical.
Winchester Cathedral is hosting a series of Holy Week and Easter services starting on Sunday 24 March with a Palm Sunday Sacred Concert, Buxtehude Membra Jesu Nostri. All principle services will be streamed online so that people from around the world can join in.
On 3 – 5 April, there are Family Easter craft workshops at the Cathedral Undercroft and Lower Deanery Garden, booking advisable.
Whatever you do make sure to stop for a bite to eat. Winchester is packed with independent coffee shops and restaurants serving up delicious snacks and meals. Enjoy stacks of pancakes, burgers and thick shakes at Josie’s on Jewry Street, fish and chips and gelato from Shoal on the ground floor of the Guildhall, comically named pies from Piecaramba on Parchment Street and many more. For more inspiration, click here.
