Family treats for Easter in the South

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Our all attraction tickets saves visitors up to 85% when they visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this Easter.  Get entry to 11 attractions all year round, subject to special events, and visit as many times as you like.   Whether looking to experience the new audio guide featuring a host of characters on board the world’s most famous warship, HMS Victory; seeing the exciting new projections that bring the Tudor crew to life at the Mary Rose or discovering Cold War submarine HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, there is plenty to see and do. Over the Easter period, many of these exciting attractions are hosting Easter activities for all the family to enjoy.

Action Stations

This interactive showcase of the modern Royal Navy is jammed full of physical challenges for all ages including a climbing tower, a 20m Ninja Force obstacle course and Sky Tykes challenge for the under 7s.  Trail around the simulators this Easter to find all the hidden coloured Easter Eggs hidden and take part in a variety of Easter crafts to include making your own bunny mask & mini Easter chicks.

Royal Navy Submarine Museum

Join in the egg-citing game of submarine hide and seek this Easter on selected days. Find the hidden clues to solve the egg-shaped puzzle. Then visitors can try their hand at winning a prize with fun family games plus uncovering Easter bonnets with a difference, uncovering submariners hats hidden in the museum.

Boathouse 4

Recently visited by HRH The Princess Royal, Boathouse 4 is home to a boatbuilding academy where students work in front of the visitors on a collection of historic and new ships. The Forgotten Craft exhibition celebrates the essential role played by small boats to the Royal Navy over the years and includes fun hands-on games including the 8m mast climbing challenge which is now included in the all attraction ticket.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy

Wednesday 12th April and Wednesday 19th April 11am – 4pm Hot on the heels of the opening of Pioneers to Professionals: Women and the Royal Navy, meet our costumed historian as she shares what life was like for women who joined the Royal Navy for the first time during the First World War. This includes a special vintage dress up photo shoot using green screen technology. Free with a valid Historic Dockyard ticket on Wednesday 12th and 19th April between 11am-4pm. And every day find Wilfred the Royal Navy pet rabbit’s paw prints and use the clues to solve his Easter riddle.

Anzacs on Board

First World War Gallipoli Campaign survivor HMS M.33 welcomes re-enactors on board on Saturday 22 April as part of Anzac Day commemorations. Anzacs were Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who played a vital role in the ill-fated campaign from 1915.

The Mary Rose

Highlights at the award-winning museum this Easter include Tudor Soap Making and Beeswax candle making. In Tudor times soaps were made by hand and included natural ingredients such as dried lavender, cloves, olive oil and pepper corns. This craft activity allows children to make their very own Tudor style soap. At a small cost to cover materials, children can pick which dried ingredients to make their soap from and create their very own soap by hand following traditional methods of soap making.

HMS Warrior 1860

Daily Easter activities on Warrior include a navy-inspired sailor slang ‘Jack Speak’ family trail this Easter half-term. Ever wondered what medicines the ill sailors would have been given or what weapons the men would have used in battle? Come and listen to a Sick Berth talk, watch a small arms demonstration, or even step into the crew’s shoes and see a Gun drill on the gun-deck.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk

 

Arundel Castle to host three-day Easter spectacular

Make this an Easter to remember with Arundel Castle’s much-loved Normans and Crusaders event, taking place on 15-17 April. The family-friendly event will transport visitors back to 1215 during the Barons War, when unpopular King John battled with the Barons over money and leadership disagreements.

Visitors to the popular event will also have the chance to witness captivating archery shows, as well as test their own targeting skills with a new and free feature – have-a-go archery for the over 8s.

The event will also feature stunning falconry displays, ancient cookery demonstrations and enchanting tales from a professional storyteller. Filled with the sights and sounds of the late Norman period, this event promises entertainment for the whole family this Easter. April also sees the return of the Annual Tulip Festival and with over 36,000 tulips – this year’s display will be the largest ever showcased at the Castle. Arundel Castle will reopen on 01 April from 10am until 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, Mondays in August and Bank Holiday Mondays. www.arundelcastle.org.

 

Be part of the energy at Betteshanger this Easter

Hop down with your little bunnies to Betteshanger Park, near Deal, for an energy-fuelled Easter holiday.

Donkey Day

Kick off the holiday activities, the award-winning Mike’s Donkeys return to the Park on Sunday, April 2nd. Bella, Charlie, Danny and Dermot, the loveable donkeys, will be making a special Easter visit to Betteshanger between 11am and 3pm. Chin rubs, back scratches, cuddles and carrots are the order of the day. Families are also invited to take part in the Little Donkey Quest and spot how many donkeys can be found around the Visitor Centre and Play area. Free event.

Savage Skills

The UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike stunt team, visit Betteshanger for the first time on Sunday, April 9th. With a jaw-dropping show, the stunt riders will showcase spectacular stunts including awesome balancing skills, twists and turns and death-defying back flips. Prepare to be amazed during this high adrenaline, action-packed event.  Performances take place at 12pm; 1pm; 2pm and 3pm. Free event.

Easter Egg Hunt

This year the Egg Hunt will run from Good Friday, April 14th, through to Easter Sunday, April 16th. Coloured gems will be scattered throughout the 250-acre Park and families are invited to hunt for the treasures. On return of their riches to the Visitor Centre, the intrepid hunters will claim a chocolate egg. £4.00 per egg hunter. Pre-booking recommended.

Easter trail 9.30am – 4.30pm, Saturday 1st – Monday 17th April

Follow the spring chick on a fun trail as it explores Betteshanger. Fun in all weathers and a great way to explore the outdoors. Welly boots advisable! £1.50 per trail sheet.

Betteshanger Basecamp

10am – 4pm, Monday 10th – Thursday 13th April Betteshanger’s popular school holiday club, Betteshanger Basecamp, returns for the Easter holidays. Children are guaranteed an exhilarating, fun-filled day exploring the Park. With at least two activities programmed per day, they could be kicking up dirt on the mountain bike trails, taking aim on the archery range, digging for fossils in the coal spoil, racing through the military-style obstacle course or building dens in the woods. They’ll probably come home a bit muddy but they’ll get loads of fresh air and have heaps of fun in the great outdoors. Suitable for ages 8–14. Sessions cost £25 per day and all equipment is included. Breakfast and lunch bolt-ons are available. Sessions happen whatever the weather, so participants should dress appropriately. Early booking advised for this popular club.

Really Wild Wooders Forest School holiday club

9am – 3pm, Monday 10th – Thursday 13th April Really Wild Wooders holiday club is jam-packed with fun and adventure. Days will be full to the brim with learning how to use a whole range of different tools, light fires, campfire cooking, creating woodland crafts, building dens, making friends, climbing trees and exploring the amazing forest school site at Betteshanger. Kids will come home buzzing with excitement, with hundreds of stories to tell, plus lots of skills they will be able to share. Suitable for ages 8 and over. £25 per day which includes all activities, equipment, snacks and hot drinks. Pre-booking essential.

 Really Wild Wooders Forest School family days

10am – 2pm, Friday 14th April A wonderful day spent enjoying quality family time in a beautiful natural environment, learning new skills, building dens, making woodland crafts, swinging on the rope swing or relaxing in the hammock, plus campfire snacks and plenty of hot drinks. £15 per adult, £10 first child, £8 additional children, under-1s free of charge. Maximum 3 children per adult. Pre-booking essential.

Easter craft activities (11am-3pm, 14th – 16th April)

Get creative in the Visitor Centre throughout the Easter weekend (14th – 16th April). Let imaginations bounce loose with making and decorating Top Hats or Easter Bonnets. £4 per crafter. www.betteshanger-park.co.uk

 

Port Lympne Reserve

Visit during the Easter Holidays and go on an animal adventure like no other. Taking you on a journey from past to present, families will encounter everything from dinosaurs to rhinos and bears as they go. Journey into Dinosaur Forest, the UK’s biggest outdoor collection of life sized dinosaurs and come face-to-face with the brand new pre-historic addition – the spinetingling Spinosaurus. True to life at 18 metres long and 1.6m tall, this is one dinosaur sure to stop you in your tracks, as you wander through time on the special dinosaur trail. Dinosaur rangers will also be available throughout the holidays to give talks for those budding palaeontologists out there.

But don’t let the fun stop there. During April 2017, visitors will be the first to get a glimpse of the park’s new mixed enclosure. Rhino and lechwe will be the first to come together in time to enjoy Spring. The park will also be hosting the annual Gorilla Easter Egg Hunt which will be held at the Palace of Apes on Monday 17th April 2017.

Plus, throughout the holidays, you’ll be able to spot the cute new Spring arrivals, take part in free crafts, games and activities, meet their Education Presenters for fun and fact filled talks, watch Easter themed animal enrichments and take part in the special Easter egg trail competition to win fantastic prizes. www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/

 

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