The Ultimate Essex Easter Egg Hunt and Activities list for 2018

Click here for an updated 2019 list of Easter egg hunts in Essex.

Easter is fast approaching and fingers crossed there will be some warmer weather. Each year more venues are putting on Easter Egg Hunts and other Easter themed activities over the holidays, but it can be hard to find all of them so I have pulled together as many as I can find. If you are looking for ideas of places to go with your children then check out this list with over 25 places to go in and around Essex. Some events are just one a particular day, others run throughout throughout the school holidays.


Please check the individual organiser's website or Facebook page for the latest availability and information.

Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
The Easter Adventure Quest takes place from Friday 30th March to Monday 2nd April 11am to 5pm. Hunt for dragon eggs by solving clues and claim a chocolate reward. Tickets available on the day and cost an additional £1 to the entry price of Adults £17.50, Children £10.50, English Heritage members free.

Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
On 30th March to 15th April 10.00am to 17.00pm join in the fun at the Audley End Miniature Railway. Take one of the trains into the woods to visit the Easter Bunny and all of his friends at their spring home in Essex. Throughout the train ride, you can test your I spy skills and look out for various things along the route. Then try to spot all of the animals, nests and eggs throughout the Easter Trail back in the Picnic Area. Once you complete the trail you’ve earned yourself an exclusive easter gift. Are you sharp-eyed enough to spot them all? Finally, hop through to the Craft Area to create an Easter Craft to take home with you.
Tickets from £10.00-£12.00 per person, 0-24 months go free. Suitable for Children from 2-7 years. Booking required.

A steam train pulling out of the station with open side carriages behind it
Audley End Miniature Railway
The Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester, CO7 7DB
Explore the gardens and see signs of spring as you find the hidden eggs on this hunt to collect your Easter Treat. Self guided tour running from Saturday 24th March to Sunday 8th April 10am to 4pm. Adults £6.95, children £1.50 or free if adult ticket booked in advance online.

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, CO2 8RT
Have fun following the National Trust and Cadbury Easter Trail around the mill and garden on Friday 30th March to Monday 2nd April. On the way you'll need to answer the clues to claim your reward of a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat. Entry to the Mill and Garden costs £3.75 for adults and £1.90 for children, the Easter egg hunt is an addition £2.50, booking not required.

Copped Hall, Crown Hill (Upshire Road), Epping. Sat Nav postcode CM16 5HR
Join the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday 1 April. Gates open 2.00pm-4.00pm. Car Park closes at 5pm and locked at 5.15pm. Entry £5.00 per person (children under 16 free) Egg Hunt: 50p per child taking part. No booking necessary.

Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD 
Easter activities will be taking place from 30th March to 15th April, 10am – 5pm.
There will be a packed programme of fun events for all the family from seeing the Easter Bunny to following their Giant Easter Egg Trail, you’re sure to have an egg-cellent day out! You can also visit the Animal Barn to see the lambing and all their other baby animals as they Step into Spring down on the farm. The Easter Bunny will be doing his rounds every day to make sure Giant Easter Egg Trail has something for everyone. The trail is self-guided and will be available throughout the day. Adults £12, children £11, book in advance online to save 10%.

A large furry easter bunny holding real chicks
The Barleylands Easter Bunny
Danbury Country Park, Danbury CM3 4UU 
There is an Easter Event at Danbury Country Park on the 30th March between 10 am and 3:30 pm. Children will follow the bunny trail around the park and then paint their own hen’s egg to show the Easter Bunny. All their hard work will be rewarded with a chocolatey surprise. They might also have some extra special fluffy guests this year as well.
Tickets are £6 per child with adults and under 1’s free. Booking can be made via www.visitparks.co.uk or by calling 0333 013 2738

Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar and North Weald
Catch the Easter Express on 30th March to 2nd April with Epping Ongar Railway. The Easter egg hunt takes place around the railway making it probably the longest Easter Egg hunt in Essex. Completed information sheets handed into the shops get a special Easter treat. There will also be appearances by Bertie The Easter Bunny, face painting, a children’s disco, magic show and balloon modelling.
Tickets are Adult £16; Child £8; Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £41, with a saving of £1 per ticket if bought in advance online.

Essex Fire Museum, Grays Fire Station, Hoggs Lane, Grays, RM17 5QS
Saturday 31st March, 1st April and 4th April 10am to 3pm. Activities include water squirting using the old fire engine and Easter themed arts and crafts in the museum. All ages welcome. £3 for children over 3 years old, adults free. No booking required.

Epping Forest District Museum, 39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL
Saturday 31st March from 11am to 3pm. This free to enter Easter egg hunt trail around the museum takes about 20 minutes and ends with a chocolate prize. No need to book.

Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London, E4 7QW
The Easter Extravaganza includes an Easter Egg hunt (11am or 2pm), bushcraft activities, rides, an Easter bunny appearance and craft fair on Saturday 31st March 10am to 5pm
Free entry to event with chargeable activities. Book activities here. For more info call 07550 851 655

Hainault Forest Country Park, Entrance via Common Car Park on Lambourne Road opposite Chigwell Primary School, IG7 6EZ
On Saturday 31st March 11am to 3pm go on the spring-themed Easter trail around the ancient forest and help the Woodland Trust save spring to get a chocolate Eater reward. Craft activities and face painting also available. Sturdy footwear is a must as the paths are uneven and may be muddy (may also be unsuitable for pushchairs/ wheelchairs).
Booking essential via Woodland Trust website £3 per child (adults/under 3s free)

Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre, Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay CM11 1WT
Friday 30th March and Sunday 1st April 10 to 4pm Easter egg hunt, Easter-themed craft and pond dipping £8 per child (booking advised), Saturday 31st March 10 to 4pm Easter Eggstravaganza Easter Egg hunt. £5 per child, no need to book.

Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park RM12 6DF
Saturday 31st March & Sunday 1st April, sessions available: 10.30am, 11.30am 12.30pm and 1.30pm
Join the Easter Egg Trail, Easter crafts & receive your Easter Egg from the Easter Bunny & more. £6.00 per child, £1.00 per adult. Booking essential, call 01708 520 364. 
Lots of other activities throughout the holidays including: bonnet making, a pirate activity day and science experiments.

Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon SS16 6EB Home of the Beatrix Potter trail.
Saturday 31st March & Sunday 1st April, Sessions available: 10am-12pm, 12-2pm & 2-4pm
Find hidden clues in the woods to win a chocolate prize in this Easter Egg hunt, includes Easter crafts. Suitable for all ages accompanied by an adult ,£7 per child. Booking essential either in person at the centre or by phone 01268 419 103
Lots of other activities throughout the holidays including: a dinosaur trail, pond dipping, decorating a clay egg and making a paper kite.

Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Nr. Colchester, C05 9US
Easter at Layer Marney Tower is a lovely old fashioned event from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 1st April. Bring the family to bottle feed the lambs (12.30pm and 4pm), go on the Easter Egg hunt for toddlers (12pm and 3pm), the Easter Quiz/Trail for older children and join in the egg and spoon races (1pm and 3.30pm). You can also climb the Tower, go round the gardens and visit the Tea Room.
Adults £9, Children £5 and Families £25. Visit on other days in the Easter holidays to feed the lambs, see the website for more information.

Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF
Over the Easter holidays (30th March to 15th April) there is a Baby Boom event with activities and talks about their new arrivals. On 30th March to 2nd April there will also be an Easter Egg Hunt around the farm. Open 10am to 5pm everyday. Tickets £10 in advance (saving 10%), under 2s free and group discount available.

A young boy bottle feeding a lamb
Feeding the lambs at Lee Valley Farms
Lee Valley Easter Bank Holiday Country Fair, River Lee Country Park, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1AB
Not strictly an Easter event, but taking place Easter weekend there is a family Country show on Sunday 1st April and Monday 2nd April 10am to 5pm. Equestrienne Horse Stunt Team, Jes Avery's Stunt Bikes and Buggies, birds of prey and owl flying displays, terrier racing, a children's entertainer including Circus Skills Workshop, bottle feeding lambs and kids, children's petting pens and more.
Adults £7.50, Children £4, under 5s free or book online for reduced entry. Free parking

Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
Claiming to have Essex’s biggest Easter Egg Hunt with thousands of eggs to collect over 4 acres of Easter themed gardens. There are spring lambs to meet and all their normal activities available every day between 1st and 17th April 10am to 5pm. Tickets £12.50 in advance, or £14.99 on the day. Under 2s free.

Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP
Follow the clues to find the eggs at Mountfitchet castle on their medieval Easter egg hunt. The open air museum has a reconstructed motte and bailey castle and a toy museum on the same site. Easter egg hunt available 30th March to 15th April between 10am and 5pm. Expected price £11 adults, £9 3 to 13 year olds.

Nuclear Races Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre, Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
An Easter Scavenger Hunt with a difference takes place on Thursday 5th April 10:30-12.00. It's 90 minutes of obstacle and mud fun with a twist for aged 6+. Hot showers available afterwards. Parents can enjoy a cuppa in the heated hub whilst the kids have an adventure in the forest.
£16.50 per person, Pre booking recommended.

Old Macdonald's Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood,Essex, CM14 5AY
The Easter festival is from Friday 30th March to Sunday 15th April 10am to 5pm. Themed rabbit hole themed maze, chicks, ducklings and baby rabbits encounters, Easter egg hunt and face painting as well as the normal activities and animals. Entry costs £16 for adults, £15 for children (under 2s free). Save between £2 and £4 by booking in advance online.

Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7QA
The new World of the Dinosaurs with 30 animatronic dinosaurs opens on 25th March. Over the Easter holidays there will also be the Easter bunny, an Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts and Easter themed animal feeds.

Paycocke’s House and Gardens, 25 West Street, Coggeshall, Colchester, CO6 1NS
The Cadbury Bunny has hidden eggs all around the National Trust house and garden. Take a map and follow the clues and a delicious treat will be waiting for you at the end. Friday 30th March to Monday 2nd April 11am to 3pm. £2.50 per hunt plus entry Adult £7.50 , Child £3.75
 
Pet’s Corner, Town Park, Harlow CM20 2QG
This urban farm is open every day 11am to 4.30pm with free entry. From 30th March you can feed lambs at 11.15am, 1.45pm and 4.30pm for £3 a bottle, but pre booking is recommended, this needs to be done in person at the onsite shop.
Easter Egg Hunt Good Friday 30th March to 2nd April for £1. FAMILY FUN DAY CANCELLED on 2nd April 11am to 4pm includes Easter Bonnet Parade at 1pm and Easter Cake Competition.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 8AT
Hop down to RHS Garden Hyde Hall this Easter and enjoy a host of family fun activities to help you celebrate the Easter holidays. From the Lindt Gold Bunny Trail and the Higgledy Hyde play tower to art & craft workshops and face painting, there’s plenty to keep the little ones amused every day from Saturday 24th March to Sunday 10th April 10am to 5pm. There are also Easter arts and craft workshops on 3rd to 6th April and 9th to 13th April at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.15pm, 2.30pm (additional £2 per child). General admission £11 adults, £5.50 Children (5 to 16).

A small child with 2 gold Lindt Bunnies
Lindt gold bunnies of the RHS Hyde Hall trail
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY
The Royal Gunpowder Mills opens its doors daily between March 30th and April 15th for a very Victorian Easter. Learn the science behind Bouncy Egg, make a Gooey Fried Egg or Victorian style Easter craft decorations, play in the Victorian Games area and more. Additional activities also available on Easter weekend
Gates open 10am, Last Entry 3pm. Children £8.50, Adults £10.50 (aged 2 and under are free). Pre-book your tickets through their website or book on the day subject to availability.

The View Epping Forest Visitors Centre, 6 Rangers Road, Chingford E4 7QH
Come along and join the Easter fun with egg decorating, Easter crafts and a woodland trail on Monday 2nd April between 1 and 4pm. Decorate a hardboiled egg (£2) and have a go at the egg rolling race outside the Hunting Lodge at 2pm. Winners will get a chocolate treat. Pick up an answer sheet and follow a trail through the woods in search of clues. and once you complete your answer sheet, pop it back at the View for another chocolate treat. The Easter bunny will also be there all day, so come and take a picture with Epping Forest's favourite fluffy-tailed friend.
Free admission, no booking required.

Willows Activity Farm, London Colney, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF
Easter Eggstravaganza at Willows takes place from 24th March to 15th April with choc-o-bloc family fun. See baby chicks and lambs, the new Mr Tod Lair, Secret Squirrel Nutkin Test and Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge as well as all the normal activities (including lots of out door play areas, a huge soft play and role play in Cotton-tail Village).
Open 10 am to 5.30pm. Tickets on the day are Adults £20, Children (2 to 16 yrs) £21, book in advance online to save £3 per ticket.

360 Play, Basildon SS14 3WB
On Easter Sunday 1st April there will be special activities all day including an Easter Dash, Sack race, Egg and Spoon race and a disco with games. Adults £3.50, 1-3 £7.95 and 4 to 12 £9.95.
All information correct at time of publishing as far as I could check. I am not affiliated with any of the places. If you spot any errors or know of any other events please email me or add to the comments below. Thank You

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