Your top guide on where to make Easter egg-stra special in Chichester and West Sussex

Family-friendly activities await with opportunities to get hands-on at attractions, follow trails, visit gallery open days and even see an appearance by the Easter Bunny in the holidays.

With Easter weekend coming soon on April 3 - 5, it’s time to plan getting out and about for the school break ahead with The Great Sussex Way guide.

Easter egg hunts and spring trails

Book ahead for Chichester Canal's hugely popular Easter Boat Trips – a family favourite with sweet treats for everyone and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Trips run three times daily at 10:00, 12:15 and 14:30 from March 28 - April 6 and last around 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets are £15 and it’s a fully accessible activity with ramp access to the boat pontoon, lifts available and wheelchair access.

Or for an egg-cellent family adventure, Wake Up The Wild with Weald & Downland Living Museum. Stimulate little minds and imaginations, and keep small hands busy as you soak up fresh air and evoke times gone by at one of West Sussex’s most popular visitor attractions. Usual Weald & Downland ticket prices apply or consider a membership if you plan to visit more than once this year.

The National Trust's Petworth House and Park will mark the arrival of spring with its Spring Festival once again (April 4 - 19). Explore the ‘Tilly Plants a Tree’ family trail (perfect for pre-schoolers and school age children), find tips for your garden at one of the talks by horticultural experts, join a garden tour, browse the Makers Market or just enjoy the stunning spring flowers. Normal National Trust admission applies.

Hop along to Fishbourne Roman Palace from April 6 - 10 for Easter surprises and a family trail. The palace was, in fact, home to the country’s first rabbit nearly 2,000 years ago . . . but now mischievous Roman rabbits are hiding all around the gardens! Solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a sweet treat at the end. There are also arts and crafts to enjoy and Roman games to play. Open 10am - 4pm with tickets at £6.95 for under-17s, £13.95 for adults and under-5s free. There is a £2 additional cost for the activities.

Take the whole family for a cracking day out this Easter at the Easter Eggstravaganza 2026 at Northlands Farm, Chichester. It promises a blend of adventure, nature and family-friendly activities with plenty of Easter fun for all ages. Offering scenic walks around lakes and woodlands, highlights include a giant 20-acre Easter egg hunt, where children can search for hidden eggs and win prizes, and up-close animal encounters with friendly farm residents such as donkeys, alpacas, pygmy goats and fancy chickens. Plus Easter arts & crafts, traditional games and a tractor hay ride (booking early recommended). Runs from March 28 - April 12 with tickets from £6 - £17.

To enjoy an Easter egg hunt in a truly grand setting, the Easter Bunny has snuck into Stansted House and hidden eggs amongst the stunning state rooms and atmospheric servants’ quarters. Children are challenged to hunt them all whilst keeping an eye out for that mischievous bunny. The Stansted Yew Maze and Light Railway will also be open during the Easter Holidays (weather and staff permitting). A stop at the Pavillion Tea Rooms is also highly recommended.

Gallery workshop and meet The BFG

See a magical new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The BFG this Easter at Chichester Festival Theatre. In this unforgettable story, Sophie, a young orphan is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country where she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling 'norphans' the world over - but her new friend, the BFG is a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans, and together they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. For an extra delicious treat, full-sized human beans can take their little ones to enjoy snozzcumber finger sandwiches, wobble-tastic rainbow jelly, strawbunkle tart, gloriumptious fruit macaron and more at a very special BFG Afternoon Tea to remember at the Minerva Bar. Prices start from £19.95 and you’re encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Children aged five and over will love the Bunnies Galore free family drop-in workshop at Pallant House Gallery. Inspired by William Nicholson’s Velveteen Rabbit children’s story, and perfectly themed for Easter, you'll get the chance to create your very own Easter Bunny framed portrait.

Top tips and egg-stra ideas

Families are also invited to Breakfast with The Ivy Bunny at The Ivy in Chichester on Easter weekend. Children will love the bunny ears to wear (cue plenty of photos!) as they complete an activity sheet and you enjoy a delicious Ivy breakfast together. Children will have their very own Ivy Easter Bunny to take home, too. Breakfast with The Ivy Bunny runs 9 - 11am on April 3, 4 and 5. Priced at £24.95 for children and £29.95 for adults, inclusive of breakfast and gifts.

For more great ideas and top tips on where to enjoy an Easter Sunday lunch see The Great Sussex Way guide.

Or take your pick of where to get out and about for spring walks, visit open gardens and enjoy outdoor adventures this Easter.

Find out more

For your full guide of what to see and where to go this Easter, visit

www.thegreatsussexway.org/whats-on/easter