Spring has arrived and there’s a long bank holiday weekend to look forward to! Whether you are travelling with family, friends, or seeking a romantic escape this Easter, there is something in Shakespeare’s England for you to enjoy.
What’s on in Shakespeare’s England this Easter?
You can eggs-pect Easter trails, guided tours, historic houses, delicious seasonal menus, breakfast with the Easter Bunny and much more!
Use this helpful guide to help you decide what to do and where to stay when you visit Shakespeare’s England this Easter (for eggs-tra fun, count how many egg-related puns we have managed to squeeze in!)
Easter Family Fun
Visit the brand-new Zog Playland at Warwick Castle! Whizz down the zip wire and slides, wriggle your fingers in the sand pit, embark on a Golden Star quest and meet everyone’s favourite dragon. Plus, the biggest bird of prey show is back and lots more family entertainment too. Visit the Warwick Castle website for information on how to book.
Embark on an Easter Adventure Quest at Kenilworth Castle (2-24 April). Families can eggs-plore the historic site for clues and challenges, discover traditional Easter games like egg rolling and the egg and spoon race and track down the Easter eggs to win a chocolate treat and an adventurer’s certificate. Find more details here.
It wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt, and if you visit the British Motor Museum over the Easter weekend (15-18 April) you will find an egg hunt with a bit of a Mini twist! Collect the eggs around the museum to claim your reward!
From 9-24 April, the British Motor Museum is also hosting a ‘Mini Madness’ event with a ‘Road Map’ family trail, a family tour with the museum’s own Mini factory costumed characters and you can even design your very own Mini with air-drying clay! For information on all of their Easter holiday activities click here.
Compton Verney has a cracking programme of Easter holiday activities. Play detective on the Easter Trail that roams inside the galleries and around the stunning parkland, or book the kids onto one of the unique all-day holiday camps which include an Adventure Art Camp (12 April) and a four day Animation Camp (19-22 April, 9.30am-4pm).
Visit Shakespeare this Easter
On 23 April, Shakespeare’s England will celebrate the birthday of the world-renowned playwright William Shakespeare, and in the run up to this over the Easter break, there are plenty of places to visit and learn more about Shakespeare’s life in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace will be open seven days a week this Easter with an introductory exhibition, Famous Beyond Words, which shines a spotlight on Shakespeare’s early life in the town as costumed guides show visitors around the house. Book here.
At Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Gardens – marvel at some of the original features and furniture of the 500-year-old Hathaway family home where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be, and wander around the pretty spring gardens. Booking is recommended here.
At Shakespeare’s New Place, you can walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and be inspired at the site that was his grand family home from 1597 – 1616. Explore the beautifully restored gardens and sculptures inspired by Shakespeare’s family life and works. The House Next Door exhibition brings to life the story of the building and the personal life of Shakespeare himself. Book your visit here.
Even though you are on a break from the school run, we recommend a visit to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall where you can sit in the 600-year-old building where a young Shakespeare would have been taught and experience a lesson by a Tudor schoolmaster. Families can try their hand at quill writing, dress up in Tudor clothing, and enjoy some traditional games. The schoolroom is open daily throughout the holidays, and there will be a special Easter challenge from 15-18 April. Pick up the Schoolroom’s newly launched Family Trail that will take you around Stratford, picking key highlights from Shakespeare’s childhood. Find more information here.
If you prefer a guided walking tour, why not book onto a two-hour family-friendly tour with Stratford Town Walk? It starts at 11am from Sunday to Friday, and 11am or 2pm on Saturdays. The tour takes in all of Stratford’s well-known sites with fascinating stories of Shakespeare’s life through fire, flood and plague! (Advance booking is necessary on 07855760377).
Easter Activities for Art Lovers
Why not unleash your creative side with a host of art-based activities in Shakespeare’s England over the Easter holidays?
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry have three family-friendly arts workshops to choose from. You are the Art – Living Sculptures (9-23 April) is a drop-in workshop where children can transform themselves into colourful living sculptures and walk along the runway in extravagant junk modelled outfits, using recyclable materials, and make textured art pieces to take home. Make a collaborative costume art piece with globally renowned artist Daniel Lismore and have your work displayed at the Herbert at the Art Masterclass: Living Sculptures (14 April) or bring your ideas to life through cross stitching at the Art Masterclass: Cross Stitch & Textile Art (21 April).
You are never too young to get creative, and at the Lunt Roman Fort, Baginton, near Coventry, your little ones can learn about the ancient artform of mosaic making this Easter! They will be able to create an artwork, which will become part of a giant 4-metre-long frieze within the museum’s permanent collection.
Easter Inspired Food and Drink
Calling all G&T lovers! Join the first River Avon Gin Tasting Cruise of the year on Easter Saturday (16 April). A 60-minute cruise on the beautiful River Avon through Stratford-upon-Avon taking in riverside sights including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Holy Trinity Church. Enjoy a tutored tasting of the eggs-quisite craft gins produced by Shakespeare Distillery – finish with a souvenir glass of Gin & Tonic – perfect! Book your tickets here.
At the Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, indulge in delicious fish dishes for a traditional Good Friday Supper (15 April), or bring family and friends for a eggs-cellent Easter Sunday Lunch on 17 April, with an Easter egg for the whole party. Book here.
Would you like to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny? At Fairytale Farm over the Bank holiday weekend, you and your little ones can enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast with a VIP visit from the Easter Bunny which includes an Easter tale and a chocolate egg! (Places are limited, book here) Throughout the holidays you can also visit to play Easter Egg Bingo, try your hand at some Easter-themed crafts, and enjoy a cuddle with some super-cute real-life rabbits and guinea pigs!
Where to stay in Shakespeare’s England this Easter
With so much to see and do in Shakespeare’s England this Easter, it makes sense to extend your visit, and there is a whole host of eggs-traordinary places to stay with hotels, spa escapes, family-run guest houses, self-catered accommodation, or glamping sites to choose from.
Award-winning historic country house hotel, Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington Spa, has an Easter Escape offering four nights for the price of three on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Or ideal for visiting friends or family is their Simple Stay offer. Stay in a standard room in the Knight’s Suite, which includes an overnight stay, Nespresso machine and continental breakfast.
Enjoy a family Easter getaway at Coombe Abbey Hotel (including bed and breakfast in a family room, child-friendly menu in the Garden Room Restaurant, Coombe choc box and Coombe crowns).
Why not eggs-tend your Easter weekend at The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon? Their Extend the Weekend offer is available for Sunday and Monday night stays and includes an overnight stay with B&B, a complimentary room upgrade, and a bottle of house wine in your room on arrival! (Available over the Easter bank holiday).
You can browse for accommodation in Shakespeare’s England here.
Plan your Easter visit to Shakespeare’s England
There is so much happening in Shakespeare’s England this Easter that it is impossible to include everything in one place! Visit our Events and Festivals calendar for even more events, and make sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and make sure to subscribe to our mailing list for updates.
Have an eggs-citing time in Shakespeare’s England this Easter! Don’t forget to your share your photos with us on social media with #MyShakespearesEngland.