Taking place over the Easter bank holiday weekend (29 March–1 April) and coinciding with local school holidays there are seven National Trust Easter trails to choose from in the North West.
Jam-packed with outdoor activities and experiences every single Easter trail is different. Play leapfrog at Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, sing along with birds at Lyme, Stockport, explore a hedge maze at Speke Hall, Liverpool, spot deer at Dunham Massey, Altrincham and much, much more.
Designed with families in mind each National Trust Easter trail features 10 activity stations, showcasing the cheery signs of spring, from bursting buds, daffodils in bloom to frolicking lambs and spring birdsong.
Every trail ends with a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, made here in the UK using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus normal National Trust admission/free admission for National Trust members.
Anyone who joins up as a new National Trust member via Direct Debit at a National Trust place between 23 March and 14 April 2024, will get free unlimited Easter trails for all under-18s named on their membership. The voucher can only be used at participating properties between these dates and once per visit.
Liverpool and Lancashire:
Speke Hall, Liverpool
- Easter adventure trail, 23 March–5 April
- Hedge maze, 30ft zip-wire, sculpture play trail and two play areas
Speke Hall is a rare black and white Tudor timber-framed manor house in an unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored in the 19th century, it is a unique mixture of Tudor and Victorian styles.
Here you can adventure through a giant hedge maze with five bridges, twelve gates and a viewing platform that has far-reaching views of the River Mersey. Or you can zoom along a 30-feet long zip wire in the woodland play area.
The Easter trail in the garden offers a blend of interactive experiences and historical insights, providing a fun escape during the school holidays.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Normal admission applies (from £12 adult, £6 child, £30 family, under 5s go free). Free entry for National Trust members.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall
Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk, Lancashire
- Easter adventure trail, 29 March–14 April
There’s plenty to see and do for families at this Tudor house in Lancashire. From exploring the garden in style on a balance bike to spotting wildlife on the canal, there’s plenty of room to let imaginations run free.
And it’s time to get the whole family involved this Easter. Take part in a magical Easter adventure here at Rufford. Pick up your trail map and pencil, pop on your bunny ears and look forward to nature inspired activities along the way
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Normal admission applies (£11 adult, £5.50 child, £27.50 family, under 5s go free). Free entry for National Trust members.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall
To find your nearest trail visit the National Trust website at: Cheshire and Greater Manchester and Liverpool and Lancashire.
Cheshire and Greater Manchester:
Quarry Bank, Wilsmlow
- Easter adventure trail 23 March–14 April
At Quarry Bank you can discover a complete industrial community and experience the very different worlds of owner and worker, who lived and worked here side by side. Paths twist and turn through the formal garden, passing cliffs and garden bridges. Stroll along the river, step inside the glasshouse, or see what’s growing in the walled garden.
This Easter explore and learn about the weather at the weather station, leap frog and smelly wellies as you complete the Easter adventure trail. Head inside the industrial mill to help the Easter Bunny find his missing eggs.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Admission charges apply (£20 adult, £10 child, £50 family, under 5s free). Free entry for National Trust members.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank
Dunham Massey, Altrincham
- Easter adventure trail 20 March–20 April
- Log pile natural play area
Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the vibrancy of Manchester and tranquillity of rural Cheshire. With its ancient trees, reflective moat and Orangery on the lawn, it’s a total escape from city life.
This spring, Dunham Massey’s Easter adventures trail follows a route that takes in the medieval deer park and extensive gardens. Walk winding paths to discover different active challenges for the whole family. Have a picnic on the lawn, or go fallow deer spotting across the 300-acre parkland.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Admission charges apply (from £9 adult, £4.50 child, £22.50 family, under 5s free). Free entry for National Trust members.
Stay: Just a couple of minutes away in Village Farmhouse or Hempfield Stables, two of the National Trust’s newest holiday cottages. The farmhouse dates from the 1700s and has three floors, and six bedrooms, sleeping 12 guests in total, plus two dogs. While the stables sleep four and two dogs. Stay in both for a multi-generational gathering of friends and family.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
Lyme, Stockport
- Easter adventure trail 23 March– 7 April
- Crow Wood playscape
- Regency dressing up
- Perfect for older kids
There’s over 600 years of history here, from the medieval deer herd to the extraordinary mansion. Inside, transport the kids back to Regency times where they can dress up in brilliant costumes and play with toys in the Edwardian nursery. Or venture into the parkland to spot deer from The Cage and run off some steam in Crow Wood play area.
This Easter, there’s three play zones to explore. Go on an egg hunt with activities and games for all ages in the garden with accessible paths for wheelchairs and buggies. Older kids can take a walk on the wild side with tackle the rabbit racecourse on Green Drive. Little adventurers can start in Crow Wood play area then across to Crow Wood to sing along with the birds and play Springo and other nature themed activities. With so much to do, choose your own adventure; from short bursts of fun to all-day escapades, there’s plenty to fit your family’s needs.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Normal admission applies (£15 adult, £7.50 child, £37.50 family, under 5s go free). Free entry for National Trust members.
Stay: A pair of Edwardian cottages can be found the boundaries of Lyme, East and West Lodge, both sleep four and allow two dogs each.
Hare Hill, Macclesfield
- Easter adventures trail 29 March–14 April
- Safe space for little legs to run free
This tranquil wooded garden is perfect for little legs to run free without crowds this Easter. Borrow a nature pack to explore the gardens and parklands to see what wildlife you can spot – the bird hide is the perfect place to start your adventure. Or you can build, climb and balance in the natural woodland play area.
Pick up an Easter trail outdoors to get closer to nature with different activities and games and discover more about what wildlife gets up to over the spring months.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Normal admission applies (£9 adult, £4.50 child, £22.50 family, under 5s go free). Free entry for National Trust members.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hare-hill
Little Moreton Hall, Congleton
- Easter adventures trail 29 March–14 April
This topsy-turvy Tudor manor house is full of wonky angles and quirky character.
This Easter get outdoors and get closer to nature with different activities and games and discover more about what wildlife gets up to over the spring months. Hop like a hare or leap like a lamb over to Little Moreton Hall.
£3 per trail, includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Normal admission applies (£14 adult, £7 child, £35 family, under 5s go free). Free entry for National Trust members.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall
READ MORE: NATIONAL TRUST NORTH WEST GARDENS TO VISIT THIS WINTER
