Make the most of the Easter break by exploring what Somerset has to offer for all ages. We round-up some of the best family-friendly events happening in the county

Dotty Duckling’s Easter Egg Hunt, Hestercombe House & Gardens

When: April 6-22

Help Dotty Duckling find the hidden Easter eggs on the trail around the beautiful gardens of Hestercombe.

Need to know: Trail costs £2 per child and normal admission applies.

Giant Easter Egg Hunt, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

When: April 6-27

Discover lions, tigers, elephants and many more animals at this hands-on zoo set in 100 acres of countryside in Wraxall. As well as a wide variety of large animals, there are farmyard animals to meet, play areas to enjoy and a lot of learning to be done. This year, Noah’s Ark will be hosting an animal-themed Easter Egg Hunt with over 50 eggs around the zoo, with special animal print eggs and also the three bonus golden eggs to find. There will also be arts and crafts to enjoy, as well as great prizes on offer.

Need to know: Normal admission applies.

Easter fun at East Somerset Railway

When: April 19-22

Over the Easter Weekend children can travel for free onboard the East Somerset Railway if they bring their cuddly toy along. They’re will also be chance to chat with the engine crew and volunteers, visit the Engine Shed and Workshop and take home some goodies from the Whistlestop Café.

Need to know: One child can travel for free with a fare paying adult.

Annual Easter Fun Day at Secret World Wildlife Rescue

When: April 20-22, 10am-4pm

There are plenty of activities on offer at Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill this Easter. As well as getting to meet some of the animals who live there, over the three days expect family-friendly games and nature activities, painting your own pixie door, BBQ and market stalls.

Need to know: Adult tickets cost £2 and children tickets cost £1.

Once Upon A Time – Easter Trail at Forde Abbey, Chard

When: April 19-22, 10am-4pm

Characters straight from your favourite fairytales will be making an appearance at Forde Abbey over the Easter weekend. Search for clues and solve the challenges, with friendly faces bound to capture your imagination along the way. Chocolately treats for everyone who participates. Fairytales will be read throughout the day by Children’s Book Advisor and Reading Mentor, Helen Frith on April 19 and 20 and by professional storyteller Martin Maudsley on April 21 and 22.

Need to know: Normal admission applies

Chase & Marshall at Minehead Station

When: April 19 & 20, 10am-4pm

Meet Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall during the day at Minehead Railway Station. Entertainment includes a steam train ride, vintage bus ride trips, face painting, crafts, helter skelter, bouncy castle entertainment on the platform.

Need to know: Access to Minehead Station is free – book tickets for travel on the West Somerset Railway.

Mells Daffodil Festival

When: Monday, April 22

Easter Monday sees hundreds flock to the village of Mells transformed for a fun and exciting day out for all the family in aid of community groups in village. Celebrating their 40th anniversary, there will be great food and drink, exciting street stalls, live music and entertainment, and fun activities for the whole family. This year’s festival will be opened by Alex Beresford, ITV weather man and Dancing on Ice star.

Need to know: Tickets £3 adults, £1 children (tickets can be booked in advance here).

Easter Holiday at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells

When: April 9-18

Over the Easter Holidays, pay a trip to The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens for a number of fun-filled activities. ‘Bugs and Buds’ on April 9 will give little ones the chance to create bug hand puppets, coffee filter butterflies and a tree blossom picture. There will also be ‘Nature Ninja’ activity sessions taking place April 11-18 and ‘Crafty Cats Easter Activities’ on April 16.

Need to know: Easter Holiday activities are included in the admission price.

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt, Cheddar Gorge & Caves

When: April 6-22

During the Easter Holidays, a number of Glow in the Dark Eggs will appear in all the nooks and crannies of Gough Cave at Cheddar Gorge. Children can pick a trail sheet from the cave’s entrance before embarking on a quest to crack the mystery code left by the Easter Bunny. Chocolate prizes are waiting to be won! The Museum of Prehistory will also be hosting a craft session for little ones to take their own Easter decoration home.

Need to know: The Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt and crafting activity are included with a valid Explorer Day ticket. Save money on booking tickets in advance here.

Easter at Montacute House TV Radio Toy Museum

When: During the Easter Holidays (various dates in the second week in April)

The Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum will be open for the Easter school holidays! Peruse through an impressive collection of memorabilia from 1920s television and radio right up until the present day.

Need to know: Save money by taking advantage of the family discount offer (two adults and two children for £24.99).

Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Wookey Hole

When: April 6-28

Keep youngsters entertained during the Easter school holidays at Wookey Hole Caves with even more fun, games, competitions and adventure to enjoy alongside the usual attractions. There’s also a free Easter gift for each child that visits.

Need to know: Save money on booking tickets in advance here.

eat:festival Weston

When: Saturday April 13, 10am-5pm

On Saturday April 13, the award-winning eat:festival will take place in the Italian Gardens in Weston-Super-Mare. Expect to find farmers’ markets favourites such as cheeses, bakers, pasture fed beef and lamb and craft beer as well a fantastic range of street food, vegan, dairy free and gluten free foods.

Need to know: The event is free.

Easter family activities at Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery

When: April 15-17

Families can enjoy plenty of fun, hands-on activities over the Easter school holidays at the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s museums. Create a wax resist picture inspired by Roman pots, search for virtual Roman coins, make a fashionable button brooch, or design a theatrical picture based on the Victoria Art Gallery’s Sharmanka Travelling Circus exhibition. Also, the Roman Baths will be open until 8pm over the Easter weekend.

Need to know: Activities are free or included in admission price. Admission is free for local Discovery Card holders. No need to book – come along on the day.

Celebrating 10 years of Wonder at Bristol Aquarium

When: April 6-22, 10am-5pm

Join Bristol Aquarium this Easter for their 10th birthday celebrations with plenty of games, hands-on-activities, talks and much more.

Need to know: Save money on booking tickets in advance here.

Easter Trail & Family Fun Day at Somerset Rural Life Museum

When: April 6-24; April 18

A veritable cornucopia of Somerset life, with displays of artefacts covering everything from domesticity, recreation, to the lot and tools of the tradesman and farm equipment, the Somerset Rural Life Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history of our county. During the Easter holidays, little ones can search the museum to find hidden clues on an Easter egg hunt and get involved in crafts and hands-on activities on a Easter Family Fun Day.

Need to know: Normal admission applies. Easter Egg trail costs £1 per child.

Big Bear Sculpture Trail at Wild Place Project

When: From April 6-Semptember 1

If you go down to the Wild Place Project, you’re sure of a big surprise. 20 six foot tall hand-painted bear sculptures have been dotted around the family-friendly attraction, each decorated by talented artists from around the UK. Equipped with a trail map, complete the four mini trails and find all of the sculptures to collect 20 stickers!

Need to know: Save 10% when booking tickets advance online.

The Gibbs Family Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Tyntesfield

When: April 6-22, 10am-3.30pm

This Easter, discover more about the family of William Gibbs, who lived at Tyntesfield in the 1800s. Along the trail, there’ll be chance to have a go at Victorian activities and collect a tasty treat at the end.

Need to know: Normal admission applies. £3 per trail.

Children’s Easter Tea Party at Rumwell Farm Shop

When: Thursday April 18, 3.30-5pm

For those who go along to Rumwell Farm Shop’s Easter Tea Party, you’ll able to enjoy an Easter themed tea and play some games.

Need to know: Booking is essential. Tickets cost £7.95 per child and are available from the café or by calling 01823 461 599 ext 4.

Great British Life: Daphne the Dinosaur will be paying a visit to Clarks Village (c) Antony PottsDaphne the Dinosaur will be paying a visit to Clarks Village (c) Antony Potts (Image: Antony Potts)

Meet Daphne the Dinosaur, Clarks Village

When: April 6-22,

Daphne the animatronic Dinosaur is nesting at Clarks Village and needs dinosaur lovers of all ages to help her find her missing dinosaur eggs. Little ones need to follow the special themed trail and then they’ll be rewarded with a treat. They’ll also be chance to have a selfie with Daphne herself!

Need to know: Find Daphne the Dinosaur, and complete the trail, between 11.30am-2.30pm daily.

School Holiday Story Fun, Coopers Balcony at Bristol Old Vic

When: Tuesday, April 9 & 16, 11am

During the school holidays, visit the Bristol Old Vic for free storytelling sessions, perfect for 4-8 year olds, while parents can relax with a coffee in the 1766 Bar & Kitchen. Fantastic practitioners will take children on magical journeys and riotous adventures through the tales they tell. After each story session, our yarn spinners will invite the children to draw and write their own stories.

Need to know: The event is on a first come, first served basis.

Easter Egg Hunt, St Giles Animal Centre in Wrantage

When: Saturday April 20, 12-3pm

St Giles Animal Centre are hosting their annual ‘egg-citing’ Easter Egg Hunt – and it promises to be a ‘cracking’ good afternoon for families and their four-legged friends. There’s also the chance to meet the farm animals, prizes to be won and light refreshments on sale.

Need to know: Admission is £2 for adults and free for children. Easter Egg Hunt is £1.50 per child. All proceeds will go to the St Giles Animal Centre’s rescued pets in need.

Have we missed an Easter event you’ll be heading along to? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!