Easter Egg Hunts and Days out in Essex 2019

With Easter being a bit later this year hopefully it will be less muddy for all those Easter Egg hunts. If you are looking for ideas of places to go with your children then check out this list with 30 places to go in and around Essex. Some events are just one a particular day, others run throughout throughout the Easter school holidays. Lots of them get booked up well in advance so get your tickets asap to avoid disappointment.

You may be interested in the updated post of Easter Egg Hunts in Essex for 2020

Easter holiday activties and egg hunts for children in Essex

Easter Egg Hunts and Activities in Essex (and beyond)


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


Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Church Road, Layer-de-la Haye, , Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EU 
Sunday 21st April 10 to 3pm. Explore the reserve, discover the hidden eggs and complete Easter themed crafts. Prebooking essential, but you can arrive at anytime during your booked session. Wear suitable clothing and children must be accompanied by an adult. £7 suggested donation, call 01206 738 172

Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
The Easter Adventure Quest takes place from Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd 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 £18.10, Children £10.90, English Heritage members free entry (but still need to pay for the quest).

Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
On Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April  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 £12.00-£14.00 per person, 0-24 months go free. Best suited 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

Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD 
Easter activities will be taking place from Monday 8th April to Monday 22nd April, 10am – 4pm.
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%. (Awaiting confirmation of Easter activities)

A large furry easter bunny holding real chicks
The Barleylands Easter Bunny
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 6th April to Friday 26th 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 Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April (except 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th April when Mill is closed). 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. Easter Egg Hunt available 11am to 3pm (Mill closes at 4pm).

Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JTFrom Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April head to the the popular pick your own farm for their Easter Extravaganza to include: an Easter Egg Hunt, animal show, ceramic painting and arts & crafts. Details of what will be available on which days to be confirmed.

Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ
Easter activities are planned for Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April. Mini detectives challenge to find the bunnies hidden around the gardens and receive a treat, meet the Easter Rabbit, furry animal encounters, pot a sunflower, face painting and candy floss, ice cream, burger van and popcorn stalls.
Adults £6.00, children: (3-15) £5, family ticket: (2 adults and up to 3 children): £20.00

Copped Hall, Crown Hill (Upshire Road), Epping. Sat Nav postcode CM16 5HR
Join the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday 21st 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.

Cressing Chocolate Festival, Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Nr. Witham, CM77 8PD.
The Cressing Chocolate Festival is on Friday 19th April 10.30 to 4.30pm. Children can sign up for workshops and complete a chocolate trail. There are also plenty of stalls, workshops for adults and a talk on the history of chocolate. Tickets for adults £6.50 prebooked, £7.50 on the door and £2.50 for children (aged 5 to 17), under 5's free.

Epping Forest District Museum, 39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL
Saturday 20th April March from 11am to 4pm. Follow the Easter egg hunt trail around the museum takes about 20 minutes and ends with a chocolate prize. No need to book. £2 per child.



Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar and North Weald
Catch the Easter Express on Friday 19th to Monday 22nd April with Epping Ongar Railway. The Easter egg hunt takes place around the railway making it probably the longest Easter Egg hunt in Essex, children need to keep an eye out the window while riding the trains. Completed information sheets handed into the shops get a special Easter treat. There will also be appearances by Bertie The Easter Bunny and they expect to have face painting, magic show and more.
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. Under 3s free.

Essex Fire Museum, Grays Fire Station, Hoggs Lane, Grays, RM17 5QS
Wednesday 17th April 10am to 3.30pm. 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.


Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside, Ilford IG6 3HQ
From Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April there will be an Easter Egg Hunt starting at the Boathouse. The flat trail round the lake is suitable for buggies, bikes and scooters. Spell out the hidden message from the Easter themed pictures to earn a prize. £3.50 per child, book your tickets here.

Foxholes Farm, London Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NT
From Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April there will be lamb and goat feeding at the farm (prebooking required on 01992 552900).  Feeding costs £12.50 per child plus one accompanying adult free), under 2yrs - £2 Under 1yrs - £1. Includes entry into Farm Park.

Hainault Forest Country Park, This year the Easter trail is taking place in Hainault Country Park near the farm (IG7 4QN)
On Saturday 20th April anytime between 11am to 3pm go on the spring-themed Easter trail around the beach woodland to get a chocolate Eater reward. Craft activities 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 19th April and Sunday 21st April 10 to 4pm Easter egg hunt, Easter-themed craft and pond dipping £8 per child. No need to book.

Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon SS16 6EB 
Home of the Beatrix Potter trail. Saturday 20th April & Sunday 21st April, Sessions available between 10am and 4pm. Follow the Easter Egg Trail then claim your chocolate surprise before making an Easter hat to take home. 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


Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Nr. Colchester, C05 9US
Join the Easter fun at Layer Marney Tower on Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd, Includes toddler Easter Egg Hunt, Egg and Spoon races, bottle feeding lambs and a Family Quiz. You can also climb the Tower, go round the gardens and visit the Tea Room. Adults £9, Children £5 and Families £25. Events on at specific times during the day between 11am and 5pm, but I can’t see them advertised currently.

Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF
From Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April join the annual Easter egg hunt and expect there to be lots of baby animals at the farm too. Easter Egg hunt on Easter weekend only. 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 21st April and Monday 22nd April 10am to 5pm. There’s something for everyone to enjoy with all day entertainment, birds of prey & owl flying displays, terrier racing, and to keep your younger team happy and amused – our children’s entertainer Devilstick Peat, Wild West Show from the Equestrienne Horse Stunt Display Team, Jez Avery’s Stunt Bikes and Buggies, bottle feeding lambs and kids and Children’s petting pens.  Adults £7.50, Children £4, under 5s free or book online for reduced entry. Free parking

Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
On Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April join the giant Easter egg hunt at Marsh Farm and visit their new Easter Grotto. There are also spring lambs to meet and all their normal activities available every day between 10am to 5pm. Tickets £13.00 in advance, or £15.50 on the day. Under 2s free entry, but £2 if they want to join the egg hunt and get a chocolate egg. Read about our Easter visit to Marsh Farm here.

Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP
Follow the clues to find the eggs at Mountfitchet castle on their medieval Easter egg hunt and firing of the medieval Perrier Catapult. Easter egg hunt available 6th to 22nd April between 10am and 5pm. Included in Castle entry price: £12 adults, £10 3 to 13 year olds.

Old Macdonald's Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
The Easter festival is from Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April 10am to 5pm. Themed rabbit hole maze, chicks, ducklings and baby rabbits encounters, circus workshops, magic shows, arts and crafts as well as the Easter egg 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
As well as the Easter Egg hunt you can visit the new Pride Lands habitat and a new dinosaur creche where you can get close to baby dinosaurs (this is in addition to the The World of the Dinosaurs with 30 animatronic dinosaurs which opened last year).

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 19th to Monday 22nd April 11am to 4pm. £2.50 per hunt plus entry Adult £7.90 , Child £3.95

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford CM3 8ET
Hop down to RHS Garden Hyde Hall this Easter and enjoy a host of family fun activities to help you celebrate the Easter holidays. Hop on down for a great garden adventure this Easter at RHS Garden Hyde Hall with The Rhyming Rabbit. Keep your eyes peeled for the Rhyming Rabbit on a hop about the garden trail and enjoy craft activities based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, brought to you in association with Macmillan Children’s Books. Activities vary daily. Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April 10am to 5pm. General admission £11.80 adults, £5.90 Children (5 to 16).



Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY
The Royal Gunpowder Mills opens its doors daily between Saturday 6th April to Monday 22nd April for an Eggsplosive Easter. Throughout the holidays you can visit the eggstra special Science Stations where you can try out some cool hands on experiments and also take home your very own Gooey Fried Slime Egg! There are also Rail Rocket trails, and the chance to get creative making bunny ears or print your own t shirt (small extra charge). On Bank Holiday Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd there is an extra show with explosions and pyrotechnics.
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.

Rye-Assic Adventure Park at Rye House, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0EH
The dinosaur-themed Adventure Park in Hoddesdon will be transformed for their Easter events from the Friday 19th to Monday 22nd April to include: Easter egg hunt, messy play, costume competition and soft play. The 2.5 hour sessions are bookable here and cost £12.50 per child (1 to 12 years), adults and under 1s are free.

Wat Tyler County Park, Pitsea Hall Lane Pitsea, Basildon Essex, SS16 4UH
Join the self led Easter Trail at the County Park on Monday 8th April to Thursday 18th April between 11am and 1pm. Tickets are £4 per Eggsplorer. Call on 01268 205267 to book and pay for your slot. There is also pond dipping on during the holidays for £3.50, ask for more details.

Willows Activity Farm, London Colney, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF
Easter Eggstravaganza at Willows takes place from 30th March to 22nd April. Includes the Easter Egg Hunt, arts and crafts, feed and pet baby animals and a new "Sublime Science" show from 6th to 22nd April.
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.

2018 Easter Egg Hunt at Willows Activity Farm eggs and mud
The Easter Egg Hunt at Willows Activity Farm last year


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

Easter egg hunts and days out in essex 2019


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