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With longer days and the school holidays here, there are outdoor events going on across the county to mark Easter this year.
Here's our guide:
The Big Faversham Easter Egg Hunt
On Easter Saturday, April 3 there will be a hunt in the town which is open to all. The trail starts at Faversham Baptist Church in St Mary’s Road, where you will be given your clue sheets. Then hunt for the clues in shop windows across the town. The trail takes around 45 minutes to complete, and there will also be an app version which takes a slightly longer route around the town. The hunt is suitable for all ages, and there are prizes. The trail will be in groups allowed by coronavirus restrictions, and participants are asked to follow social distancing rules. Organisers Khushi Feet are raising money for schools for street children in Kolkata, India, and there is a suggested donation of £1. More details here.
Brogdale Family Easter Trail, Faversham
Over Easter weekend, Brogdale Collections is opening its orchards for families to take part in a trail hunting down Easter egg letters hidden among the flowering fruit trees. Follow the trail map to find all the eggs and solve the missing word quiz. Children will also be able to meet the Easter Bunny. Visitors can also see the wildlife garden and enjoy the children's play area. It runs from Good Friday, April 2 to Easter Sunday, April 4. Entry must be booked in advance at £6; £3 for children with under threes free and £15 for a family ticket. Book at brogdalecollections.org
Easter Trail, Betteshanger Park, Deal
Head out on a family adventure at the park which reopens on Monday, March 29, between 9am and noon from Good Friday April 2, to Sunday, April 18, when you could even meet Peter Rabbit himself. There will be free chocolate and Easter egg for youngsters, with tickets in advance costing £10 per child, with two adults free. The route is buggy friendly but will have undulating terrain in some areas. Visit betteshanger-park.co.uk to book.
Charlie's Crazy Golf, Folkestone Harbour Arm
The new nine hole course at Folkestone Harbour Arm is open open daily from Monday, April 12 to Sunday, April 18.
The course comes from Charlie Hodsdon, who has taken inspiration from Folkestone for the design.
One of the holes includes a lighthouse, similar to the one on the arm, and another includes a painted house, a nod to the Holiday Homes art work scattered around the town.
It will be open everyday from 10am to 6pm and then be open at weekends and throughout the summer holidays.
A round costs £2.50, with under threes free.
Chartwell, Westerham
Emerge from winter hibernation to follow the activity trail through spring flowers bursting into colour and get to know some of Chartwell's animals and wildlife. The trail runs through to Sunday, April 18 and costs £3 plus normal admission. Pre-book at nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell
Adventure Quest, Dover Castle
Youngsters can search for dragon eggs as part of the outdoor trail at Dover Castle, which reopened this week. The event, which includes a chocolate treat and certificate at the end, costs £1.50 per child plus usual admission costs, and runs from 10am to 5pm daily until Sunday, April 18. Book your visit in advance at english-heritage.org.uk/
Easter Bunny Hunt, Great Comp Gardens
Explore the seven acre garden near Borough Green with a children's Easter Bunny Hunt, which runs from Good Friday, April 2 to Sunday, April 18. There's a free chocolate prize at the end for those who find all the bunnies (or an alternative for those who aren't able to have chocolate). For the grown-ups there's also a chance to see the collection of 52 different varieties of magnolia within the gardens. Entry is £8.50 for adults, £3 for ages six to 17. The Old Dairy Tearoom will be serving takeaway food and drinks. Details at greatcompgarden.co.uk
Hop Farm Family Park, Beltring, Paddock Wood
The family park is opening for the school holidays, when youngsters can see animals ranging from donkeys and llamas to alpacas, rabbits and ducks - and some spring lambs. It will be open from Monday, April 12 to Sunday, April 18, with online booking now open. The park will be open from 10am daily, and outdoor fun also includes an adventure play park and crazy golf. Find out more here.
Leeds Castle, near Maidstone
The Easter Trail for children to tick off the clues on colourful boards around the estate and solve a mystery puzzle runs from Monday, March 29 to Sunday, April 18. The trail is included in the cost of an admission ticket. The playgrounds, gardens and takeaway kiosks will be open. Details at leeds-castle.com
Lullingstone Castle and World Garden, near Eynsford
The castle and World Garden kicks off its 2021 season with an Easter Trail and quiz where aspiring plant hunters will be able to scour the landscaped grounds and The World Garden for Easter clues and then report on their discoveries to claim a surprise, plus the chance to meet some Easter characters. The event will run from Easter Saturday, April 3 until Easter Monday, April 5, and is open from 11am to 5pm. Entry is £10, while children under 16 go free. Details at lullingstonecastle.co.uk
Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst
From emerging blooms to leaping lambs, nature has it all this Easter at the Lamberhurst castle. Join the egg trail to discover seasonal flowers and new estate features - and there's a chocolate reward at the end. More at nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle
Walmer Castle gardens, near Deal
There's a legendary quest on offer for visitors over the school holidays from Monday, March 29 to Sunday, April 18, as the castle reopens its gardens. Crack the clues and search for the dragon eggs on quest boards as you explore our outdoor trail - intrepid explorers who track down the hatched dragon will be rewarded with a chocolate treat and certificate. It costs £1.50 per child which includes a pencil for your quest, plus normal admission costs.
Details at english-heritage.org.uk
Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells
The gardens reopen to visitors from Monday, March 29, and there will be Punch and Judy performances on selected dates during the Easter holidays on the outdoor stage area in the adventure forest, from Good Friday, April 2 through to Sunday, April 18. Find out more at groombridgeplace.com
Easter trail, Hever Castle
There will be a fun trail to follow through the grounds of the historic castle for the Easter school holidays. Download the map and trail from the website and then follow the clues to discover more about “things that hatch”. Children will be able to learn a little about each creature that starts life in an egg before finding them hiding in the gardens.
Children from seven to 14 can explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and and three slides, while under sevens have the natural play area, Acorn Dell. The popular Water Maze will also be back. The restaurant will be serving takeaway food or you can bring a picnic and enjoy the views of the blooming gardens. You will need to pre-book your visit and read the Know Before You Go information before travelling. One way systems are in place. Details at hevercastle.co.uk/visit
For more days out ideas across Kent click here.