Easter Egg Hunts and Events in Essex 2021

Edit: 2022 Easter Egg Hunt post is available is now live
I wasn't going to pull together my annual list of Easter activities in Essex for 2021 because there isn't much on, but I know lots of people are still looking for events. There are a few outside Easter egg hunts and other venues planning late Easter activities from 12th April onwards. Prebooking is essential for pretty much every event and places are going fast.

If you are going to an event this Easter please do your best to social distance and keep safe. And have fun.

You might also be interested in my suggestions of the best playgrounds in London and Essex.


Easter holiday activIties and egg hunts for children in Essex in 2021 text over image of wrapped chocolate eggs


Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Holiday Activities in Essex (and beyond)


Please check the individual organiser's website or Facebook page for the latest availability and further information. I cannot guarantee details are correct.

Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
The Easter Adventure Quest takes place from Monday 29th March to Sunday 18th April 10am to 5pm. Hunt for dragon eggs by solving clues and claim a chocolate reward and certificate. Tickets must be prebooked for entry and for the quest. Easter quest tickets cost and additional £1.50 to the entry price of Adults £20.90, Children £12.60, English Heritage members free entry (but still need to prebook and pay for the quest).

Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
On Monday 12th April to Sunday 25th 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 a special sticker. Are you sharp-eyed enough to spot them all? 
Tickets £15, children under 92cm are half price and under 1s free. Booking essential.
They had a new play area which opened in 2020 which is worth checking out too.  

A steam train pulling out of the station with open side carriages behind it
Audley End Miniature Railway

Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD 
Reopening 12th April, tickets available from end of March. Easter activities not yet announced.

A large furry easter bunny holding real chicks
The Barleylands Easter Bunny

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, CO2 8RT
Have fun following the National Trust trail around the mill and garden on 2nd to 5th April and 9th and 10th April 10am to 2.30pm. Entry to the Mill and Garden costs £4.20 for adults and £2.10 for children, the Easter egg hunt is an addition £3. Booking required for entry, but Easter trail tickets can be bought on the day. Tickets released every Friday. 

Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Varying dates advertised on the website, but they plan to have an Easter trail on selected dates. Details expected to be confirmed when bookings open.

The Gibberd Garden, Marsh Lane, Harlow, Essex, CM17 0NA
The Garden will be open on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th April 2pm to 5pm (last entry 4pm) to enjoy the spring garden. Very limited numbers for cars. Entry £10 per car, £5 for adults, £1 for children (free for under 5s). They normally run an Easter trail, but there is no mention of it this year.

Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ
Saturday 3rd April to Sunday 25th April (11am to 4pm) Easter walks are running at the site with an outdoor Easter hunt for children with a chocolate egg treat. All tickets are timed entry and must be prebooked. Family tickets should be purchased which include 1 or 2 adults and up to 5 children.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Lane, CM15 9BZ
Tickets on sale for the reopening from 29th March, no mention of Easter events currently.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford CM3 8ET
Garden currently open, prebooking required. No mention of if they will run an Easter event this year.

Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
The 2021 Easter event will take place from 12 to 18th and 24th to 25th April 4th to 19th April. All the inside areas are closed due to restrictions so no Easter Grotto this year, but you can meet the Easter Bunny, go on the Easter Egg hunt, do Easter crafts and enjoy their normal outside activities including farm animals, crazy golf and the playgrounds. 
Tickets must be prebooked and cost £15.99 for adults and children or £3.99 for 6 to 24 month olds. Read about our Easter visit to Marsh Farm and their Easter Grotto in 2019 (we were gifted entry).

Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP
Reopening on 12th April, no Easter events expected this year.

Old Macdonald's Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
Reopening on 12th April with a late Easter Festival running Monday 12th to Sunday 18th April and 24th and 25th April.  Activities include: Easter Egg Hunt, Magic Shows, Baby Animal Encounters, Circus Workshops and Puppet shoes. Chase & Marshall from Paw Patrol will be there on Saturday 17th April and Peter Rabbit on 24th April. Entry to the park includes unlimited rides and costs:  £18 for adults, £17 for children (under 2s free), cheaper in advance. Limited availability left.  

Marks Hall Estate, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG
There is an Easter family trail with 50 wooden Easter egg clues in the Arboretum suitable for 3 to 10 years. £2 per child plus normal admission charges. They are taking limited numbers and will share on social media when they are full. From 27th March to 11th April 10am to 5pm. Adults £8, children £3.75

Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre, Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
Easter Obstable Run available to book from 29th March. A 2k run with 20 obstacles and lots of mud. Medal for under 16s. £22 per person plus booking fee. 

Willows Activity Farm, London Colney, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF
Expected to reopen 12th April, but no update yet on special events.

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

aster Activities in Essex 2021 (text) and a photo of a girl golding a bucket with eggs in
Easter activities in Essex 2021

You may also be interested in these related posts:
Things to do with children in Essex
How to spend less and do more in school holidays

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