Hooray – spring has well and truly sprung and Easter in the Cotswolds is on the horizon! March and April are absolutely glorious months to be in the Cotswolds; the quaint villages burst into all the beautiful colours of spring flowers, the iconic rolling hills look positively picturesque, and the season’s wildlife begins to awake from its winter slumber.
If you’re joining us at Watermark for the holidays you might like to plan in a few seasonal activities, so here are some of our family-friendly favourite things to do in the Cotswolds this Easter (and one that’s just for the grown-ups too).
The best bit? They’re all just a stone’s throw from our holiday homes in Cirencester.
1. Cheltenham Racecourse: The April Meeting
The action-packed April Meeting at Cheltenham just so happens to fall in the Easter holidays this year, on the 13th and 14th April. It’s a great opportunity to make a day at the races a family affair!
Entry for under 18s is free and, in addition to the thrills on the racecourse itself, there’s an array of complimentary entertainment for kids. From rosette making to bouncy castles and FREE membership to the Junior Jumpers’ Club, there’s no shortage of fun to be had!
Cheltenham Racecourse is a 30-minute drive from our lodges at Watermark.
2. Westonbirt Arboretum
Westonbirt is one of the most famous tree gardens in the world and one of our favourite places to visit all year round. This Easter, families can enjoy all the fresh air and fun the arboretum has to offer, along with two FREE holiday activities: Westonbirt Treasures, which sends visitors on a captivating journey around the arboretum, and The Colours of Spring, a scavenger hunt that culminates in children designing their own flowers at the on-site learning centre.
Westonbirt Arboretum is a 30-minute drive from our lodges at Watermark.
3. Lambing at Cotswold Farm Park
Another firm favourite for many of our guests is the Cotswolds Farm Park. Up until 24th April you can book tickets for live lambing – a rare opportunity to see some of the farm’s newest and most adorable four-legged friends come into the world, and it’s pretty special! Alternatively, if you’re visiting later in spring, you could get involved with bottle feeding the lambs and kids.
Cotswold Farm Park is a 40-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
4. Easter Duck Trail at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Slimbridge is always a fun-packed day out and springtime is no exception. The season’s new arrivals include swallows, house martins and summer warblers, and there’s a whole host of other special sightings to be had – kingfishers, cranes and ibis, to name a few.
Throughout the Easter holidays Slimbridge is running several events to keep the whole family happy. The Easter Duck Trail (9th to 24th April) is sure to be a hit with young visitors, while a family-friendly wildlife photography course on 13th April is a great opportunity to improve your camera skills or try something new. For teens, a Young Birder ID workshop is taking place on the 15th and 22nd April.
Slimbridge Wetland Centre is a 45-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
5. The Wizard of Oz at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
A panto at Easter? Oh yes it is! An all-singing, all-dancing production of The Wizard of Oz is heading to The Roses Theatre this April, starring none other than Kerry Katona as The Wicked Witch of the West.
Tickets are currently available on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th April, with two performances each day.
The Roses Theatre is a 45-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
6. Easter Fun at Birdland
If you’re looking for things to do in the Cotswolds, Birdland’s ‘cracking’ Easter timetable includes trails, quizzes and daily talks and shows that are bursting with fun facts about all things ornithology. The park are expecting dozens of eggs to hatch over the holidays, so if you’re very lucky you might get to witness the arrival of some brand-new chicks.
Birdland is a 30-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
7. Easter Woodland Adventure Trail at Cirencester Park
Cirencester Park plays host to UK Adventure Trails’ egg hunt for the second year, and it’s well worth a visit. Adventurers young and old will love exploring the six themed zones and racing to locate the giant eggs that hold the clues. With plenty of fun photo opportunities along the way, this looks set to be an event to remember. From 9th to 23rd April.
Cirencester Park is a 20-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
8. Daylesford Chef’s Table Easter Sunday Roast
This one’s exclusively for the grown-ups! This Easter Sunday (17th April), sit back and savour a glass of fine wine while Daylesford’s talented tutors share their top tips for creating the ultimate Sunday roast. They’ll demonstrate key recipes, classic trimmings and some innovative twists on traditional dishes. But of course, the best bit is that you get to tuck in to a three-course Easter lunch like no other. And you won’t have to wash up, either!
Daylesford Organic is a 20-minute drive from Watermark lodges.
Now you’ve got your list of things to do at Easter in the cotswolds it’s time to plan your trip! We still have limited availability for Easter getaways. Contact us now to start planning your spring staycation!