Despite the best efforts of manufacturers to convince us otherwise, Easter is not a festival of hollow chocolate eggs. Instead, celebrate early spring and factor in the extra time off to get out and about in the UK with the family
Dumfries & Galloway: It's not just people that look forward to spring. Dumfries & Galloway's Wild Spring Festival encompasses a number of guided nature rambles exploring the awakening insect, bird and animal life of one of the UK's top wildlife regions. From a Good Friday Saunter in Wigtown to a Hungry Caterpillar Story Trail around Southwick, there's something for all ages.
Isle of Man: There's more than motorcycle racing to the Isle of Man. Easily explored by car, beyond Douglas unhurried winding roads reveal epic coastal views over the Calf of Man, and pretty seaside towns such as Peel and Port St Mary. Coasteering and kayaking around precipitous cliffs challenge the adventurous, whilst guided wildlife cruises to Chicken Rock lighthouse reveal porpoises, seals and rich birdlife.
Isle of Skye: Easily accessible and large enough to offer variety, you're never more than five miles from a beach on Skye. The island doesn't become over run with visitors and although it's a popular Easter choice there's plenty of self-catering accommodation, ideal for families. Choose from an excellent range of activities including windsurfing, sailing, pony trekking and biking, all led by guides well versed in taxing and taming energetic youngsters.
Llandudno: Generations of children and adults continue to be intrigued by the surreal adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Alice Liddell, holidayed in Victorian Llandudno along with family friend and author Lewis Carroll, and was the inspiration for the books' character. To mark the 150th anniversary of Alice's fantastic journeys the town has created a number of app-supported trails, allowing Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter to lead the way through Lllandudno's 'wonderland' associations.
London: Heading down south may seem a little obvious but for a short family Easter break London packs in a lot. Trafalgar Square sees a re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus; the Natural History Museum's newly-opened live butterfly exhibition combines with 'Quest for the Curious' challenges and a programme of free talks. Elsewhere, at Kew Gardens Shaun the Sheep has an Easter residence, along with some real sheep - activities include Welly Wanging and epic Easter egg trails.
North Berwick: Behind its elegant sweep of sand and beachfront houses North Berwick is an engaging seaside resort. As well as hotels and B&Bs hardy families might consider pitching up at one of the town's well-provisioned campsites. Bass Rock's glittering offshore gannet colony and the nearby National Museum of Flight, home to a Concorde and a Vulcan bomber, are both outstanding excursions.
Northumberland: Anywhere a burn's a burn and a bairn's a bairn is a welcoming destination for Scots. Least populated of England's counties the wilder parts of Northumberland hide several headline attractions. Head to Kielder for mountain bike tracks, sculpture trails and the award-winning family-friendly astronomical observatory. For younger families Alnwick Castle's Harry Potter locations and water garden are reliable diversions.
Nottingham: The National Videogame Arcade (NVA), the world's first permanent centre to celebrate and explore games culture opens at the end of March. 'Jump!' the NVA's first exhibition examines the history and craft behind videogames. A permanent display describes games development from 1951 to the present day. Anyone for Pong?
York: There's no sightseeing at the Minster on Good Friday or Easter Sunday but at other times a tour of the undercroft, treasury, crypt and tower is fascinating. Kit Kat, Aero and Smarties all hail from York so what better place to try your hand, or at least a sticky finger, at becoming a chocolatier than a Cocoa House taster session. The city's National Rail Museum remains on track for kids and complements an Easter exhibition of model railways at York Racecourse.
The Lakes: This twenty square mile patch of England can be a victim of its own success, particularly in summer. However, the wealth of accommodation and concentrated availability of outdoor pursuits, from freestyle hiking and biking to more organised climbing, kayaking, high ropes and via ferrata, make the Lake District a top choice for active families.
This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com
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