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Free family-friendly events in the West this Easter

Briana MillettWest of England
Bristol Museum A museum exhibit is filled with plates and white and blue china. Aardman character Morph - a small terracotta-skinned plasticine man - is standing in the middle, holding up a miniature plate of his own.Bristol Museum
Secret treasures from Aardman Animations have been hidden around Bristol Museum as part of a free trail

With the Easter break upon us, many families will be searching for things to do with children that do not break the bank.

From Easter egg hunts and craft sessions to a water festival and spring trails, there is plenty to keep you busy in the West over the next few weeks.

Below we have listed some of the free Easter events happening in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire over the next few weeks.

Bristol

Aardman Trail

People can drop in to Bristol Museum and pick up a detective map before hunting down the secret treasures from Aardman Animation studios which have been hidden around the site.

Where: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road, Bristol

Timings: 10:00 BST to 17:00 every day until 13 September

Record fair

This record fair is the biggest in the South West, and will be spread over three floors at the Bristol Beacon. About 70 dealers will be selling records at the event, with mostly vinyl on offer.

Where: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street

When: 10:00 to 16:00 on 11 April

WeArePlaster A close-up of shelves filled with vinyl records. The vinyls are packed in closely together and all have plastic wrapping on them. They are split into sections, with one at the back reading '1970s and later, soul + funk'.WeArePlaster
A record fair will be held at Bristol Beacon on 11 April

Craft and cake days

Painting, crafts and junk modelling will be on offer at two free craft and cake days at Müllers & The George Müller Museum, which was once home to 10,000 orphaned children in Victorian times.

Where: Müllers & The George Müller Museum, College Road, Ashley Down

When: 10:00 to 15:00 on 14 and 16 April

Wonderful Water Festival

Sparks Bristol, Broadmead Business Improvement District and John Wesley New Room are hosting craft sessions, dance workshops, talks and more. The event will celebrate water through creative workshops, including mermaid street performances and deep sea divers.

Where: Sparks Bristol in Broadmead and John Wesley's New Room in The Horsefair

When: 11:00 to 18:00 from 9-12 April and 16-29 April

Müllers & The George Müller Museum An upside-down egg box that has been painted a dark red colour. It as two googley eyes stuck onto it and two sections of the egg box have been glued on top to look like ears. It has blue pieces of paper attached to its side, which look like arms or legs.Müllers & The George Müller Museum
Craft sessions will be held at Müllers & The George Müller Museum over the Easter period

Easter egg hunt

People will be able to track down hidden eggs at Müllers & The George Müller Museum and crack a code to win a prize during the Easter holidays.

Where: Müllers & The George Müller Museum, College Road, Ashley Down

When: 10:00 to 16:00 from 7-17 April

Gloucestershire

Play sessions around the county

Children can take part in free outdoor adventures with Gloucestershire Play Rangers. The outdoor sessions will include muddy play, games and creativity.

Where: Various sessions are being held in Ruspidge, Gloucester, Nailsworth, Avening, Tewkesbury, Shurdington, Podsmead, Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley and Northway. See the full list on Play Gloucestershire's website.

When: From Tuesday 31 March to 10 April

Orchard Street food and craft market in Gloucester

About 70 traders will be selling food, drink, arts, crafts, jewellery and homeware at the Orchard Street market this weekend.

Where: Gloucester Quays, Gloucester

When: 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday

Family days at Gloucester Cathedral

People are being invited to "spring into Easter" by Gloucester Cathedral at its family days. People will be encouraged to discover the signs of new life around the cathedral and explore how the natural world connects with Easter traditions.

Where: Gloucester Cathedral, College Green

When: 11:00 to 15:00 on 7, 8 and 9 April

Gloucester Cathedral pictures from the side on a sunny day. People are lounging on the grass around the cathedral, which is lit up by the sun under a blue sky.
Family days and an Easter trail will be taking place at Gloucester Cathedral

Secret Easter Garden Trail in Gloucester

People are also being encouraged to search Gloucester Cathedral for hidden blooms before drawing their very own Easter garden. Secret Easter Garden Trail maps will be available from the cathedral's welcome desk.

Where: Gloucester Cathedral, College Green

When: 10:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday and 12:00 to 17:00 on Sundays until 12 April

Signs of Spring Trail in Stroud

The Museum in the Park in Stroud will host a free explorer trial, with people asked to look out for toy rabbits to guide them as they find items in the museum about how spring and Easter were celebrated in the past.

Where: The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud

When: 11:00 to 16:00 daily until 12 April

Museum Explorer Trails in Stroud

People will also be able to learn about the Stroud area's history at The Museum in the Park thanks to its free explorer trails for all ages. Visitors can explore fossils and dinosaur bones, or look at childhood toys from the past.

Where: The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud

When: 11:00 to 16:00 daily until 12 April

Somerset

Bath Racecourse A horse with a red piece of fabric over the top of its head and ears is walking along a racecourse. A family watches on, with two girls with face paints on leaning on the racecourse's barrier.Bath Racecourse
Under-18s will get free entry to a family fun day at Bath Racecourse on Easter Sunday

Family day at Bath Racecourse

Bath Racecourse is hosting a family fun day on Easter Sunday which is free for under-18s. There will be seven flat races throughout the day alongside Easter egg hunts, while people can also try out their talents on climbing walls and trampolines. Adult tickets cost £23 with group packages available.

Where: Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath

When: 12:00 to 18:00 on Sunday

Egg Trail in Street

Families in Street can take part in a free Easter egg trail at Clarks Village by picking up a map at guest services. A chocolate treat will be offered to those who find all 11 eggs hidden around the centre.

Where: Clark's Village, Street

When: Wednesday to 7 April

Easter Extravaganza in Glastonbury

An Easter egg hunt and craft activities will form part of the Easter 'Eggs'travaganza at Abbey House this year. Organisers are also promising a magic show, bubbles, a teddy tombola and balloon animals.

The event is being supported by the Children's World Youth Committee, and is limited to 80 children aged two and older. Under twos can attend but will not receive an Easter treat. Tickets are available online.

Where: Abbey House, Glastonbury

When: 11:00 to 15:00 on 8 April

EatWeston People sit and eat food on benches set up inside a town square. They are surrounded by tents selling different types of food. Many of the vendors have queues outside of them.EatWeston
The EatWeston food festival will return to the Italian Gardens in Weston-super-Mare on 18 April

EatWeston food festival in Weston-super-Mare

Foodies will be able to sample the best Weston-super-Mare has to offer at this year's EatWeston festival. Organisers promise a wide range of food, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and alcohol-free options.

Where: Italian Gardens, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset

When: 10:00 to 16:00 on 18 April

Easter egg hunt in Shepton Mallett

A day of activities, including a free egg hunt, will be held in Collett Park, in Shepton Mallett. Children will also be able to meet lambs and other animals during the event, which has been organised by Shepton Mallet Town Council and Collett Park Cafe.

Where: Collett Park, Park Road, Shepton Mallett

When: 11:00 to 14:00 on 19 April

Bishops Palace A large play area built into a bank of grass. A dragon is coming out of the grass and there is a tunnel behind it. There are large wooden poles dotted around the play area.Bishops Palace
The dragon's lair play area at Bishops Palace in Wells, which will host an open day at the end of April

Bishops Palace Open Day in Wells

Even after the schools return, there will be plenty still to do in Somerset including an open day at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells. The palace has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for more than 800 years and will open its doors on 26 April.

Children will be able to play in the new splash zone within the dragon's lair play area while there will also be outdoor games as well as arts, crafts and dressing up in the palace. Outside, there will be garden tours every hour, talks and a family-friendly trail.

Where: The Bishop's Palace, Wells

When: 09:30 to 17:30 on 26 April

Wiltshire

Pop-up Easter bunny craft session in Trowbridge

Children over the age of five will be able to make pop-up Easter bunnies, chicks or lambs at these craft sessions at Trowbridge Museum.

The minimum age for the activity is five years old, although some under fives can be accommodated.

Where: Trowbridge Museum, The Shires

When: Sessions at 10:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 14:30 on Wednesday. Places must be booked via the museum's website.

Creative activities at Chippenham Museum

Children will be able to get creative with a range of activities inspired by Chippenham Museum's exhibition on Lady Chatterley's Cover: The Book Designs of Stephen Russ. People can drop in to the sessions, although some bookable quiet sessions with limited spaces will be held from 09:00 to 10:00 on the same dates.

Where: Chippenham Museum, Market Place, Chippenham

When: 10:30 to 15:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 9 April

Baby tree time - sensory baby outdoor play in Salisbury

Baby-friendly sensory toys and activities will be on offer at this sensory baby play session. There will be blankets for people to use under the garden's golden rain tree. While the event is free for under-fives - and National Trust members - it will cost £1 for adults.

Where: Mompesson House, The Cathedral Close, Salisbury

When: 11:00 to 16:00 on 13, 20 and 27 April

Imber Easter egg hunt

St Giles Church, located in the abandoned village of Imber, will be open to visitors over the Easter Weekend, with its traditional Easter egg hunt taking place on Easter Monday for children up to the age of 16.

Where: St Giles Church, Imber Road

When: The church will be open from 11:00 to 16:00 from Saturday to Easter Monday

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