Easter at Hampton Court Palace: The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt and Tulips in Bloom

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a gently enchanting day out at Hampton Court Palace, where the much-loved Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt transforms the historic gardens into a playful landscape of discovery. Set against a backdrop of Tudor grandeur and blooming borders, this seasonal trail invites families to wander, explore and uncover a series of golden bunnies hidden throughout the grounds.

As children follow the beautifully curated route, they will piece together clues while encountering stories inspired by the court of Henry VIII. The experience unfolds at an unhurried pace, allowing time to linger beneath blossom-laden trees and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors as the gardens come to life.

Visiting during the Easter holidays brings the added pleasure of the annual Tulip Festival, which begins from 3 April and unfolds across the season. Throughout the gardens and cobbled courtyards, over 100,000 hand-planted bulbs create one of the UK’s most impressive displays. From heritage varieties to richly layered planting schemes, highlights include floating tulip bowls in the Great Fountain Garden and vibrant displays woven through Chapel Court and the Kitchen Garden.

A small reward at the end of the trail adds a celebratory note, while the wider grounds offer plenty to extend the visit. The Magic Garden invites imaginative play, and the famous maze and courtyards provide space to roam and unwind. A richly layered Easter outing where heritage, storytelling and seasonal beauty come together with ease.

Escape to Nature at Windsor Great Park Adventure Play and The Savill Garden

For a restorative blend of fresh air and imaginative play, Windsor Great Park offers an idyllic countryside escape just beyond the city. Begin at Windsor Great Park Adventure Play, a thoughtfully designed woodland playground where children can climb, balance and explore among turreted structures, rope bridges and hidden forts.

A short stroll away, The Savill Garden provides a more tranquil counterpoint. This beautifully curated landscape unfolds across 35 acres, with seasonal planting, winding paths and quiet corners inviting slow exploration. During the holidays, family trails add a gentle sense of discovery, while younger visitors delight in spotting sculptures and unusual botanical details along the way.

At its heart, the striking Savill Building offers a place to pause, with a relaxed café and a well-curated shop. Together, these experiences create a day that feels both energising and restorative, an easy and elegant retreat into nature.

Go Hands-On with History at Royal Museums Greenwich

Ignite your child’s curiosity with a day of discovery at Royal Museums Greenwich, a remarkable collection encompassing the National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory Greenwich and the iconic Cutty Sark.

Each site offers its own immersive appeal. At the National Maritime Museum, younger visitors can explore the interactive “Ahoy!” gallery and take the helm of a ship simulator, while the Queen’s House introduces art and architecture through engaging trails. At the Royal Observatory, stand astride the Prime Meridian and discover how time itself was defined, before stepping aboard Cutty Sark to explore life at sea beneath its soaring hull.

All within easy reach of Greenwich Park and Greenwich Market, it makes for an effortlessly enriching day out. Arriving via the Thames Clippers adds a scenic flourish, with London’s skyline unfolding gently along the way.

Discover Space at Astronomers Take Over, Greenwich

For a fresh and quietly fascinating addition to a Greenwich day out, Astronomers Take Over at the National Maritime Museum offers a hands-on journey into the wonders of space.

Opening from 27 March, this immersive, family-friendly experience invites children to step into the world of real astronomers through a series of interactive zones designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Young visitors can try landing a Mars rover, explore the relationship between the Earth and Moon, and experiment with a spectroscope to uncover what stars are made of. At its centre, the atmospheric “galaxy box” creates a moment of quiet awe, surrounding visitors with a sense of the vastness of the universe.

A particularly engaging aspect is the opportunity to meet working astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, who bring the subject vividly to life through informal conversations and demonstrations. A playful cosmic scavenger hunt adds an extra layer of discovery, encouraging children to seek out curious objects that have travelled into space.

For those wishing to extend the experience, an optional planetarium show offers a more immersive look at the night sky, with live presentations tailored to different age groups.

Thoughtfully designed to engage children from around four years upwards, this is an experience that balances learning with genuine wonder. Easy to pair with the wider attractions of Greenwich, it adds a contemporary, science-led dimension to a day already rich in history and exploration.

Get Creative at Gootopia x Hamleys

For a playful burst of colour and creativity in the heart of the city, step into the world of Gootopia x Hamleys, where a limited-time pop-up brings hands-on, joyfully messy fun to the iconic Hamleys.

Running from 24 March to 12 April, the Gootopia Slime Experience invites children and adults alike to create their own bespoke slime from scratch. With a vibrant selection of glitters, charms and scents to choose from, each creation becomes a small expression of personality, equal parts tactile play and imaginative design.

Set on the Lower Ground Floor, the experience is refreshingly flexible. Guests can book for the day and drop in at their leisure between 10am and 8.30pm, with ticket holders given priority during busier moments, while walk-ins are welcomed when space allows. Sessions unfold at an easy pace, allowing children to experiment and enjoy the process without hurry.

With its central location and the enduring magic of Hamleys just beyond, it makes for an effortlessly fun addition to an Easter itinerary, particularly on days when the weather calls for something indoors and creative.

Step into the Storybook with The Magic Faraway Tree Afternoon Tea

For a gentler, more indulgent Easter outing, Richmond Hill Hotel invites families to step into a world of imagination with its Magic Faraway Tree Afternoon Tea, served in the elegant surroundings of 144 On The Hill.

Inspired by Enid Blyton’s much-loved tale, this thoughtfully curated experience brings a sense of nostalgia and quiet magic to the table. A selection of finely crafted savouries begins the journey, from egg mayonnaise on spinach bread to smoked salmon with lemon and dill, alongside more indulgent touches such as salt beef brioche and delicate chicken mousse tartlets.

Warm, freshly baked scones follow, served with strawberry preserves and generous spoonfuls of clotted cream, before giving way to a playful pâtisserie selection. Expect fig frangipane with mascarpone, rosemary and rhubarb crème brûlée, lemon meringue tart and rich chocolate creations, alongside dainty madeleines and an ever-changing assortment of macarons.

Served with a pot of Birchall Tea, the experience is as much about atmosphere as it is about flavour. Running from 28 March, it offers a charming pause from busier itineraries, perfect for marking a special occasion or simply enjoying a slower, more imaginative moment over the Easter holidays.

Step into Ancient Egypt with Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold

For a cultural experience that feels both awe-inspiring and immersive, Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold invites visitors on a journey into the world of ancient Egypt. Presented at Battersea Power Station, this landmark exhibition brings together more than 180 original artefacts, many never before seen in the UK, charting the life and legacy of one of history’s most formidable rulers.

Within the galleries, intricately carved statues, gold funerary masks, ancient jewellery and ceremonial objects reveal the sophistication and symbolism of a civilisation that continues to captivate. At its centre lies the coffin of Ramses II, an extraordinary and rarely displayed artefact that lends the experience a quiet sense of gravity.

Thoughtfully designed to engage both adults and older children, the exhibition balances historical depth with visual spectacle. Immersive elements add a contemporary layer of storytelling, while the manageable scale makes it easy to incorporate into a wider day out.

Running through the spring season, it offers a rare opportunity to encounter ancient history in a way that feels vivid, immediate and quietly unforgettable.