Kate Atkin
10 March 2020
For most of us, Easter is the first opportunity in the year to take some time away from our busy professional lives and enjoy a few days off relaxing with family and friends. It is also a tremendous time of year for getting outdoors and spending some quality time in the breath-taking Cotswolds. Every Holidays in the Cotswolds holiday cottage is surrounded by countryside to die for, so there is plenty of choice!
The arrival of spring is particularly stunning across the rolling hills and gentle meadows of the Cotswolds - a time when woodlands turn blue with swathes of bluebells and the scent of wild garlic fills the air. And what chocolate-box village or medieval church doesn’t look better when the sun is on its back?
But nature’s abundant glories aside, what else is going on in the Cotswolds this Easter? Here are a few recommendations from the local experts in the Holidays in the Cotswolds’ team.
A good old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt
It wouldn’t be Easter without a cracking Easter Egg Hunt, and the Easter Bunny will be hopping across the Cotswolds leaving a host of enticing trails for kids of all ages.
Gloucester Cathedral
Head to the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral from Saturday 4 April to Sunday 19 April and embark on an intriguing hunt, with the chance for little ones to spot the hidden eggs and claim their yummy treat. Children can learn all about the first Easter, follow a special family-friendly trail and enjoy refreshments at the Monk's Coffee Shop.
Painswick Easter Egg Hunt
The annual Painswick Easter Egg Hunt will take place in the grounds of St Mary's Church Yard on Saturday 11 April. There are 34 colourful eggs for children to seek out along with bouncy castles, face painting, food stalls and musical entertainment. Look out for special appearances by the Easter Bunny and some daredevil teddy bears who will be parachuting from the church spire.
Chedworth Roman Villa
There will be a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds of Chedworth Villa from 10 - 13 April with a chocolate prize for everyone who takes part. This National Trust site in the Cotswolds will also be running Easter craft workshops from 4 - 19 April and there will be the chance to meet some of the resident Romans.
Family Easter events in the Cotswolds
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park will have a range of falconry flying displays, from 10 - 13 April. We all love a tasty chocolate egg at Easter, but for the animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park it’s not quite as simple as that. Fortunately, the keepers at the park know eggs-actly (sorry) what their furry residents want! Join them to see animals like the Meerkats sniff out some special treats.
Berkeley Castle
For something completely different, forget chickens, ducks and bunnies and head for Berkeley Castle which will be full of dragons, with Easter dragon parades taking place from Friday 10 April to Monday 13 April. There will also be dragon storytelling, puppetry and colourful face painting for little ones.
Roves Farm
See the spring lambs playing around the fields at Roves Farm in Sevenhampton. There are also tractor rides, egg collecting and a special Easter trail from 4 - 19 April.
Blenheim Palace
There is also plenty of family fun to be had over Easter at Blenheim Palace, with an abundance of family themed activities in the Pleasure Gardens including Easter trails and an Easter Puppet Show. There will also be new circus workshops in the Big Top, balloon modelling, stilt walkers, walkabout clown and a special Easter Bunny Walkabout.
Something a bit different
For those of you who prefer galloping horses to hopping bunnies, make a date for Easter Monday at the North Cotswold Hunt Point to Point Race at Paxford. It might not be as grand as the Cheltenham Festival, but it provides an excellent day’s entertainment for the whole family, with good views of the race course, betting facilities, picnic spaces, hound displays, trade stands, bars, food stalls, hospitality and children’s amusements.
Hidden Cheltenham Easter Trail
Uncover some little known facts about Cheltenham with a special Easter trail around the spa town that includes puzzle pieces hidden in a range of locations. The free trail runs from 7 - 11 April and then from 14 - 18 April and puzzle booklets are available to pick up from The Wilson Art Gallery.
Cheltenham Wine Festival
Finally, one for the grown-ups to enjoy on their own. The Cheltenham Wine Festival is being held on Saturday 4 April at the enchanting Pittville Pump Room. Taste and learn about different wine styles, grape varieties and the people and special places behind them. Discover exciting new wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, USA and more. And not an Easter egg in sight!
Plan an Easter getaway to the Cotswolds
For more exciting events in the Cotswolds, keep checking back into the Holidays in the Cotswolds website. Our welcoming Cotswolds cottages for Easter offer the perfect place to rest your head after all these fun Easter activities, why not have a browse of our collection?
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.