Easter Excitement

Just what does the Easter Bunny have to do with Easter? Well, not much, actually.

Bunnies, chocolate eggs and fluffy yellow chicks are thought by many to stem from, wait for it, pagan roots. These familiar elements of the Easter celebrations which we all know and love were incorporated into Easter entirely separately from the Christian tradition of honouring the day Jesus rose from the dead.

This year there are plenty of things going on to help you enjoy the Bank Holiday with your family…

Bunny Comes to Burnby

Burnby Hall Gardens, Pocklington

The ever-popular Burnby Hall is a youngster’s dream. Activities that will be on offer include crafts, an Easter quiz and an egg hunt. They’ll also get to see some real chicks and bunnies – something the kids are bound to love.

Dates: 18 and 21 April

Contact: 01759 307125

Email: info@burnbyhallgardens.com

Web: www.burnbyhallgardens.com

Easter Egg Hunt

Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens, East Yorks

Youngsters (probably helped by a few adults) will be able to enjoy searching around the grounds and woodland for hidden chocolate Easter eggs at Burton Agnes, near Driffield.

Entrance to the grounds: adult £6.00, senior citizens £5.50, children £3.50 and under 5s free

Dates: 20 and 21 April, 11.00 – 17.00.

Contact: 01262 490324

Email: office@burtonagnes.com

Web: www.burtonagnes.com

Easter Festival

Sledmere House, East Yorks

A real interactive experience for youngsters is being offered at the beautiful Sledmere House, on the scenic route near Pocklington. A demonstration of traditional crafts by local craftsmen and a chance for youngsters to try their hand and maybe spark a new interest. Visit the lambing shed and feed the newly-born lambs.

Dates: 18 to 21 April, 11.30 – 16.00

Contact: 01377 236637

Email: info@sledmerehouse.com

Web: www.sledmerehouse.com

Easter at Castle Howard

Castle Howard, North Yorks

Now here’s something a bit different. Why not cheer on Woolly Jumper, Sheargar and Red Ram as they compete in the Lamb National at stunning Castle Howard?

The racing sheep will battle it out along a course of brightly coloured jumps in an entertaining and thrilling display. There will also be sheepdog demonstrations from the amazing Bob Hogg’s Sheepdog Displays, with a chance for kids to get involved and try out their herding skills. WonderPhil will lead children’s interactive trails around the grounds and Molly the Rabbit will be wandering around with chocolate eggs. Face painters complete a great family day out.

Dates: 18 to 21 April

Contact: 01653 648333

Email: house@castlehoward.co.uk

Web: www.castlehoward.co.uk

Easter at York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum

The Easter Bunny will be hiding clues all around the museum – solve them, find the missing museum objects and you will be led to a reward at the final location. Learn about Pace Eggs, Easter cards, and chocolate eggs in the

museum’s Easter Traditions workshops.

Dates: 5 to 21 April

Contact: 01904 687687

Web: www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk