EASTER learn fascinating dragon-themed facts and collect letters along the way to solve a secret word puzzle. All activities are included in general admission.
Easter Family Fun with National Trust, various locations across Kent Until 19 April; nationaltrust. org. uk
Kent’ s wealth of remarkable National Trust locations are also joining the upcoming Easter celebrations with a jam-packed lineup of family events across the county. Tunbridge Wells’ Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Tenterden’ s Smallhythe Place and Westerham’ s Chartwell will all play host to joyous trails complete with garden games, challenges and plentiful chocolate eggs. Emmetts Garden in Sevenoaks will also hold its popular Edwardian Easter Festival, with the anticipated addition of traditional fairground rides from 3- 12 April, and don’ t miss the Easter biscuit decorating session at on 15 April at Knole in Sevenoaks.
The Great Ocean Egg-sploration at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Chatham Until 19 April; thedockyard. co. uk
Help Horatio the Sea Hare save the ocean eggs! Inspired by the dockyard’ s fantastic exhibition of The Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, this Easter a powerful current has swept through the historic dockyard and scattered precious eggs from the sea creatures featured in the competition’ s photographs across the yard. Horatio is the ocean’ s Easter Bunny; instead of hiding chocolate eggs, Horatio lays curly ribbons of ocean eggs and helps his ocean friends protect their nests. The current, however, has caused a commotion in the ocean and now eggs from Horatio’ s friends have been carried far and wide. It’ s now up to Kent’ s brave ocean explorers to help bring them home … Are you up for the challenge?
SEASONAL CREATIVITY & EASTER ENCOUNTERS
Easter in the Orchards at Brogdale Farm, Faversham 3- 5 April; brogdalecollections. org
A wonderful month to pay a visit to Brogdale’ s orchards as thousands of fruit trees burst with beautiful blossoms, for three-days across the Easter weekend Brogdale Collections will open its orchards for visitors to enjoy a fun-filled trail, alongside seasonal activities and nature adventures. Children can look forward to making Easter crafts, wildlife spotting, face painting and looking out for the Easter Bunny hopping around the orchards waiting to say hello!
Easter Journeys & Egg Crafting with the Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Until 19 April; kesr. org. uk
Hop aboard the Kent & East Sussex Railway’ s heritage steam trains this Easter holidays as kids go free until 19 April. Throughout the holidays, kids will receive an Easter activity sheet to complete on board the train to receive a special K & ESR Easter badge. On arrival at Bodiam station, families can also enjoy various free crafts in the Waiting Room, from wooden egg decorating to an origami rabbit workshop. Adding to the spring fun, the Easter Bunny will also be making appearances at Tenterden Town station during the Bank Holiday weekend, so be sure to say hello and snap a picture!
EASTER FEASTS & ALTERNATIVE CELEBRATIONS
Broadstairs Easter Food Festival, Broadstairs 3- 5 April; broadstairsfoodfestival. org. uk
A free-to-enter foodie extravaganza perfect for savouring the much-loved flavours of Easter from Kent’ s array of producers, makers and chefs. Discover a wonderful selection of local produce- from farm-fresh vegetables and artisan cheeses to handcrafted baked goods and small-batch preserves- meet the passionate producers behind these award-winning creations, and watch exclusive live demonstrations from familiar Kentish experts. Easter crown making is also sure to keep the children entertained.
Pups, Dino-Fun & Easter Breakfasts at Dobbies Garden Centres, Ashford & Gillingham Until 12 April; dobbies. com
Making this Easter their very best yet, Dobbies Garden Centres’ two popular Kent locations are all set for a thrilling Easter calendar. New for 2026 is the Dino-mite Party, a dinosaur-themed afternoon spectacular running from 9- 12 April and filled with prehistoric activities and themed eats.
Brand new and one for the four-legged friends in our lives, Dino-Paws, in support of Dogs Trust, will invite friendly pups to enjoy dinosaur-themed treats, toys and games on 4, 11 and 12 April. Not forgetting Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast on 3 and 6 April a delicious family-friendly Easter morning spread featuring a very special guest- the Easter Bunny!
DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRES
© Stewart Attwood
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY www. insidekent. co. uk • 29