Get cracking: there are hunts across the capital
(Picture: Gabe Pierce/Unsplash)The Easter holidays are upon us, which means a fortnight-long diary needs to be filled to keep the kids entertained.
A great way to get the whole family out of the house is with the promise of an Easter egg hunt. There are trails popping up all over the capital, each with their own themes; some involve exploring acres of plush gardens, while others are more geared towards stoking their creativity with egg-decorating classes and more. More often than not, there’s chocolate involved, too.
Baskets at the ready — here’s where to get hunting.
Peckham Levels
A good choice for anyone who doesn’t want to trek out any further than Zone 2, this hunt takes place within Peckham Levels. Aimed at kids aged between three and 12, eggs will be dotted around the foyers of level five and six inside the building, with guides on to help you spot them if needed.
Free, April 15-17, 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST, peckhamlevels.org
Hampton Court Palace / Kensington Palace
Both Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace have teamed up with Lindt for their Easter hunts this year. Along with their families, kids aged four to 12 will explore the palaces and more than 60 acres of gardens in search of gold bunnies, learning about important figures from the palaces’ histories as they go. Find all the bunnies, and there’s a Lindit chocolate reward at the end (non-choc alternatives are available on request).
Included in general admission (£20 adults, £10 children, under 5s free), April 6-10, 13-17, hrp.org.uk
The National Trust
Four National Trust spots will be getting into the Easter swing of things this year, plotting out nature trails around their gardens. Ham House in Richmond, Rainham Hall in Havering, Osterley Park in Isleworth and Morden Hall Park down in south London will be welcoming families on and around the Easter weekend, with a chocolate egg waiting at the end of the trails.
Usual admission fees plus £3 per trail, various dates, nationaltrust.org.uk
Kenwood House
Sat at the top of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House is taking the egg theme and running with it — not only will there be a trail to investigate, but also games of egg rolling and an egg and spoon race. Eagle-eyed kids who hunt down all the eggs will be rewarded with a chocolate treat and an adventurer’s certificate.
£1.50, April 15-18, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR, english-heritage.org.uk
Hogarth’s House
Here’s one for the arty and crafty kids, taking place at Hogarth’s House in Chiswick. Each child will head out into the Mulberry Garden and collect two Easter eggs, which they’ll then take inside to decorate. They’ll also be shown how to make a basket to carry their creations in, using recycled materials. The whole thing is aimed at those aged five to 11, and spaces are limited to just 12, so book ahead if you want to secure your spot.
£15, April 9, Hogarth Lane, W4 2QN, hogarthshouse.org
London Wetland Centre
While there might not be a chocolate treat included in this one (you can always swing by the shops of the way home and grab one), this trail in west London is more about exploring the lovely retreat of the London Wetland Centre. A flock of bright yellow rubber ducks have been placed around the wetlands — keep the kids entertained by trying to spot them all.
