31 March 2023 , 08:56
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With the Easter holidays fast approaching, it's time to plan out how you're going to keep the kids entertained.
To help, we've found seven places which you could visit to not only give the little ones a chance to have some fun, but for the grown-ups too.
There's egg-citing Easter-themed entertainment, exotic animals, impressive animatronics, thrilling outdoor activities and more - so make the most of the Easter break and plan when you take a trip to these brilliant places.
Paradise Wildlife Park
(Paradise Wildlife Park)Paradise Wildlife Park’s brand-new habitats, Sun Bear Heights and Jaguar Jungle, are opening on April 1, 2023 - the 39th anniversary of the park and one year before it rebrands as Hertfordshire Zoo!
These stunning animal habitats have been beautifully and thoughtfully designed for both animals and visitors and contain large floor-to-ceiling windows for effortless animal viewing. There are high walkways which you can stroll along to view the sun bears and jaguars, also built for optimum animal spotting, and if you sneak up on the sun bears, you might catch sight of them sleeping in the trees or sunbathing on a platform.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
The jaguars are just next door to the sun bears. You might be surprised to find them slouching over a branch or unwinding in their pool - if you’re really lucky, you might spy them through their underwater glass!
Why not have a well-deserved break after all that excitement at the new Sun Bear Bakery where you can sit and relax with a coffee and cake, all with the sun bears still in sight below. The keen-eyed visitor may also see the binturong and Asian small-clawed otters, which are with the sun bears in a mixed-species habitat.
After your rest and before you leave, don’t forget to visit the 800 other animals in the World of Animals and more than 40 animatronic beasts in the World of Dinosaurs, roaring and moving in the woods.
Visit today and experience the wonder of wildlife!
Where to go: White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 7QA
Find out more: book your tickets now at pwpark.com
Globe Theatre
(Globe Theatre)Explore London’s famous Globe Theatre and be immersed in 400 years of thrilling history as part of the interactive, family-friendly Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour.
In a new, walk-through exhibition, you’ll be transported back to Shakespeare’s London, relive the Globe’s most iconic shows, and have the chance to try on original stage costumes!
Then, venture into the magnificent wooden ‘O’ itself where expert Guides bring to life its fascinating tales and secrets. You might even catch actors rehearsing on stage!
Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour is available daily and suitable for all ages – it’s the perfect family experience this Easter.
Weather maps forecast 750-mile blizzard dropping three inches of snow next week
Where to go: 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT
Find out more: visit shakespearesglobe.com
The Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa
(The Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa)The Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa promises the perfect base for an Easter break filled with adventure.
Nestled right on the banks of the river Thames, the hotel provides the perfect location to set sail on one of its riverboats and see the sights of nearby Windsor at a leisurely pace.
Spend your days out exploring some of the Runnymede’s neighbouring local attractions, including Legoland, Thorpe Park and Kew Gardens, before returning to the comfort of the hotel. You’ll find everything you need to relax and unwind as a family, as well as on-site activities such as swimming and paddleboards, and a medley of open-air activities, from archery and laser clay shooting to tennis.
Enjoy dining in the hotel’s Leftbank restaurant with dining options to keep your little ones happy - whether it's pizza, pasta, meat, fish or veggies that your little ones like, the buffet restaurant has it all. Not forgetting the extensive dessert station that's guaranteed to please. Plus, there will be some chocolate surprises in store for families!
Where to go: Windsor Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0AG
Find out more: visit runnymedehotel.com
Howletts Wild Animal Park
(Howletts Wild Animal Park)Discover a world of conservation at Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury. Home to one of the UK’s largest herd of African elephants (including three adorable youngsters), a beautiful family of western lowland gorillas, giant anteaters and an impressive amount of leopards and monkeys, Howletts is an ideal choice for a family day out.
This Easter, don’t miss out on the fascinating free educational talks and fun activities delivered throughout the day by Howletts’ Ranger team. You will learn about the amazing animals which call Howletts home and the ground-breaking conservation work the park undertakes in collaboration with its partners at The Aspinall Foundation.
For an extra-special experience, guests can add an up-close-and-personal animal encounter to their visit. Animal encounters at Howletts start from just £15pp* and let guests meet iconic species including the Howletts elephant herd, tigers, snow leopards, rhinos, gorillas, baboons, and giant anteaters!
Howletts’ new Annual Pass offers unbeatable value for families this Easter. Priced from as little as £70 per person*, Annual Passes offer unlimited access to Howletts and their sister park, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve 364 days a year.
*Park entry tickets are not included and must be purchased separately. *Based on an adult annual pass.
Where to go: Bekesbourne Ln, Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL
Find out more: visit aspinallfoundation.org/howletts
ROARR!
(ROARR!)Looking for an egg-citing way to celebrate Easter with your family? Look no further than ROARR!
From April 1 to 17, ROARR! will host a Rainbows and Rhymes-themed Easter event, full of fun activities, a trail and crafts for all ages.
Step into Dippy’s book of nursery rhymes, where some much-loved characters will come to life, such as Little Bo-Peep and Little Miss Muffet. Or take part in the daily hunt for one of the seven special rainbow eggs hidden around the Park to be in with a chance of winning an array of egg-citing prizes. There’s also musical fun to be had with Raz, the resident rhyming raptor, at Dippy LIVE, or add your own positive message to the kindness rainbow and watch it grow.
With more than 25 dinosaur-themed attractions set across 85 amazing acres including indoor and outdoor play areas, Dippy’s Splash Zone, Predator High Ropes, Dippy’s Theatre, Dinomite Indoor Play, and a Secret Animal Garden, there’s something for everyone!
Whatever the weather, ROARR! is the perfect destination for a fun-filled Easter. Adults/children over 90cm from £19.95, free for under 90cm.
Where to go:Lenwade, Norwich, NR9 5JE
Find out more : visit roarr.co.uk
Wildwood with Stagecoach
(Wildwood)We know there’s not a child out there who wouldn’t love to visit Wildwood this Easter, and that parents of those children would love to go to Wildwood even more with 50% off entry!
By using a Stagecoach bus service, that’s exactly what you can get!
Wildwood is Kent’s British Wildlife Park, nestled in the countryside between Herne Bay and Canterbury.
Its immersive animal exhibits are the perfect day out for both you and your little ones. Championing the protection of British Wildlife, Wildwood is home to more than 200 native animals that span its 40 acres of woodland. Whether you’re howling with its European wolves or getting down and dirty alongside the wild boars, Wildwood is the place for the kids to get up close and personal with animals of all sizes. You can even book ahead for one of its experiences with an animal of your choice!
There’s also no need for Google Maps as getting there by bus couldn’t be simpler. Perfectly placed between Herne Bay and Canterbury means you can hop onto Stagecoach’s frequent ‘Triangle’ service from either location, or easily change buses at Canterbury Bus Station, just don’t forget to keep hold of your ticket for half off entry!
Where to go: Wealden Forest Park, Canterbury Rd, Herne Bay, CT6 7LQ
Find out more: visit stagecoachbus.com
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
(Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve)Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Kent countryside yet just an hour from London, the 600-acre Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve near Folkestone is a hidden gem for animal-lovers.
The reserve is one of Kent’s biggest wildlife parks and is home to more than 900 rare and endangered animals, 14 different ways to stay the night, three on-site restaurants and an authentic safari experience which transports guests across a unique 100-acre Kentish savannah.
Seats on Port Lympne’s iconic truck safari are included with all tickets and overnight stays - your safari driver will take you on a fascinating journey where you will see giraffes, zebras, rhinos and many more incredible species. After you disembark from your safari, explore the rest of the reserve on foot to come face-to-face with many more species including gorillas, lions, tigers and red pandas.
After you’ve built up an appetite, be sure to visit The Garden Room Restaurant & Bar for a delicious lunch, afternoon tea or Sunday roast lovingly prepared by Port Lympne’s executive chef, Lee Edney, to showcase the very best of Kent’s seasonal harvest.
Adult tickets cost £29, children's cost £26. Pre-booking required for afternoon tea or Sunday roast.
Where to go: Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR
Find out more: visit aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne