Bring the whole family together this Easter and treat your loved ones to the excitement of an Easter egg trail at National Trust places around Hampshire.
There’s plenty of fun and discovery as you spot the signs of spring, and experience nature bursting into life at The Vyne, Hinton Ampner, Mottisfont, Uppark, and Winchester City Mill.
From creating wild art to waddling like a duckling the trails have been designed to tickle the senses and immerse little ones in the natural world.
And of course, each National Trust Easter adventure in nature trail ends with a chocolate egg, made here in the UK using cocoa responsibly sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
To discover your nearest National Trust Easter adventure in nature trail, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/hampshire.
For details on all our Easter trails across the country, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/easter.
Here’s what’s happening over Easter at our places around Hampshire…
Uppark, near Petersfield
Easter adventures in nature trail, 9 – 24 April
Uppark’s Easter trail takes you on an adventure through different landscapes, with sensory trail points that draw kids into the natural world around them. In the nearby woods, take a really good look at what’s growing beneath your feet. And can you pick out any woodland smells or sounds? In the meadow by the house you’ll hear bees buzzing on a sunny day – write down what sounds you make when you’re busy, and discover some quirky bee facts.
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
PICTURED ABOVE & TOP OF PAGE: Mottisfont | National Trust Images, James Dobson
Mottisfont, near Romsey
Easter adventures in nature trail, 9 – 24 April
Please check Mottisfont’s website before your Easter visit, as advance booking may be required.
You’ll find out about all sorts of amazing things that happen in nature during spring at Mottisfont. Your special Easter activity sheet will take you to various activity points around the grounds, from the walled kitchen garden and stables to the winter garden and along the river. Can you hop like a bunny and waggle your tail? What spring sounds can you hear when you close your eyes? You can draw the new signs of spring you spot too – on artists’ easels in the stables – we’ll have a place to display your artwork for others to enjoy, or you can show it off at home. For younger kids there’ll be a spring nature colouring in activity. Record all your adventures on your trail sheet before returning to base to collect your chocolate Easter egg.
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
PICTURED ABOVE: The Vyne | National Trust Images, Nick Daly
The Vyne, near Basingstoke
Easter adventures in nature trail, 9 – 24 April
This spacious garden, surrounded by fields and woodland, is the perfect place for a spring adventure. The trail sheet in our Easter packs takes you to ten locations, with fun, sensory actions down at each one. Look out for beautifully crafted butterflies by the garden bookshop then see if you can spot the real thing. In the wild garden spin the colour wheel and hunt for that shade in the natural landscape around you. Our huge hedges are full of wildlife – become a ‘hedge detective’ and write down who you think lives in them.
There’ll be ducklings, goslings and cygnets to see too – bobbing behind their parents on the lake, and in the nearby woods you’ll find scented bluebells. The orchard – full of pretty fruit blossom – is a great spot for a family picnic.
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
PICTURED ABOVE: Hinton Ampner | National Trust Images Chris Lacey
Hinton Ampner, near Bramdean
Easter adventures in nature trail, 9 – 24 April
Hinton’s Easter trail weaves through these twisty-turny gardens – across lawns, through the orchard and down to grassy paths beyond the terrace – perfect for running, hunting and hiding.
The colourful trail sheet introduces kids to springtime nature at Hinton; sniff out signs of the season in the pretty walled kitchen garden, and be the best hidden mouse on a game of hide and seek in the Long Walk.
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
Winchester City Mill, Winchester
Easter adventures in nature trail, 9 – 20 April
This ancient working water mill is a great place to be in spring. It straddles the famous river Itchen which is teeming with wildlife. Our Easter trail takes families around the mill and out into its unique island garden. Spring is a time when little ducklings are learning to swim – can you spot the yellow ducks on the Mill Race and practice your waddle? Peer over the wall of the mill’s little garden – what springtime shapes can you see shimmering on the surface
of the water?
Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
PICTURED ABOVE: Easter at National Trust | National Trust Images, James Dobson
Words courtesy of the National Trust
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