The best London events to enjoy over Easter

Choc-horror: Learn about Willy Wonka's creator Roald Dahl and earn a chocolate treat

5 April 2012

From skating in the park to searching for one of Willy Wonka's chocolate treats, there's plenty for everyone at Easter.

Trail back in time
Britain's original home for abandoned children and London's first ever public art gallery has dreamed up an excellent way to explore this fascinating site. Hunt for clues to learn about the 27,000 foundlings who passed through these doors and enjoy the remarkable collection by 18th-century painters including Hogarth, Reynolds and Gainsborough.
Where: The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1.
When: Easter Sat 22 Mar. 10am-6pm.
Admission: Free.
Info: 0207 841 3614 or www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk

Go Eggsploring
Combine a trip to this must-see museum with a quest for chocolate on the Imperial War Museum's Easter Eggsploration. Scurry from one war plane to the next completing the trail with an exploration of a tank. Whilst there, take in The Children's War exhibition; an emotive look at wartime Britain through the eyes of children.
Where: The Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1.
When: Eggsploration from Good Fri-Easter Mon, 10am-6pm.
Admission: Adults £5, children free.
Info: 020 7841 3600 or www.iwm.org.uk.

The National Trust's Osterley House and Park, TW7, is also running an egg hunt on 8-9 Apr. www.osterleypark.org.uk

Get your skates on
Hyde Park's four-day skating extravaganza gets rolling with the 16-mile Long Good Friday night skate (from 7pm-10pm) designed for experienced skaters. The more timid should check out the Skate Skills drop-in workshops on Sat 22 Mar (2pm-5pm) or the Easter Sun Bunny Stroll (2pm) - dress up in seasonally-themed costumes. Easter Mon (from 2pm) is set aside for children with a skate-fuelled treasure hunt and an egg and spoon race.
Where: Hyde Park, East of Serpentine Road, W2.
When: Good Fri-Easter Mon.
Admission: Free.
Info: www.easterskate.co.uk

Messiah and munching
Combine culture and chocolate on a family day out at the Handel House Museum. This informal event - with no seating and no need to book - lets the children rummage for goodies while the adults relax to Handel's beautiful baroque music played live, including excerpts from his Messiah.
Where: Handel House Museum, 25 Brook Street, W1.
When: Easter Sun, 12 noon-6pm.
Admission: Adults £5, children free.
Info: 020 7495 1685 or www.handelhouse.org

Turn detective
The eggs are scattered all over Kenwood House's vast parkland on the edge of Hampstead Heath for its annual Easter Trail. The clues are concealed in the sprawling lawns, charming woods and footpaths winding around the lake.
Where: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3.
When: Good Fri-Easter Mon, 11am-4pm.
Admission: Free entry. Easter trail £1 per child.
Info: 020 8348 1286 or www.english-heritage.org.uk

Enjoy ham and eggs
The impressive 17th century Stuart Mansion, Ham House, is said to be the one of the most haunted in Britain and makes a lovely, if slightly spooky, backdrop for this festive egg hunt.
Where: Ham House, Ham Street, TW10.
When: Good Fri - Easter Mon, 11am-3pm.
Admission: Adults £9, children £5. Egg hunt £3.
Info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/hamhouse

Easy peasy for kids
The Easy Peasy Skate in Battersea Park is a fabulous way to introduce skating to your little ones whilst incorporating a fun egg hunt with a tasty prize at the end. No roads, no cars and no hills make this a perfect skating activity for children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own inline skates and protective gear.
Where: Battersea Park, SW8. Meet at the Peace Pagoda.
When: Easter Sat, 10am.
Admission: Free
Info: www.easypeasyskate.com

Meet the big bunnies
The friendly giant bunnies from the Giant Rabbit Centre are returning to Kew Gardens (near the Brentford Gate). Another treat is the annual Easter Chocolate Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday when children can collect tokens from Kew's 'special chicks' and then receive a chocolate egg from the Easter bunny. Don't forget to visit the Climbers & Creepers indoor play area. For the school holidays there will be a farm, interactive activities and a Spring Trail.
Where: Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9.
When: Easter Sun, 10am-2pm. Farmyard Animals 5-20 Apr.
Admission: Adults £12.25, children £10.25. Egg hunt free.
Info: 0208 332 5655 or www.kew.org

Become a secret agent
On this espionage-themed egg hunt at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms children can pretend to be on a secret mission, crack codes and decipher top-secret passwords on trails around St James's Park or the museum in search of Golden Eggs.
Where: Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1.
When: 21 Mar-20 Apr, 9.30am-5pm.
Admission: Free.
Info: 0207 930 1793 or www.cwr.iwm.org.uk

Down on the farm
Mudchute Farm with its 31 acres of open green space is home to a happy family of sheep, pigs, horses, cows, ducks, geese and dogs. On Easter Sun there will be a Grand Easter Egg hunt (12.30pm) and basket making (from 11am).
Where: Mudchute Farm, Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, E14.
When: Easter Sun, 11am-1pm.
Admission: Free.
Info: 0207 515 5901 or www.mudchute.org

Wild for Willy Wonka
While you spend the weekend munching chocolate give a thought to the man who created Willy Wonka, the greatest chocolate maker of them all. Walk through the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gates at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, where he lived for 30 years, to learn more about the man on a trail of clues (aimed at 6-12 year olds). On Good Fri there are one-hour egg decorating sessions (£10 per participant). The Roald Dahl Children's Gallery is a nearby in Aylesbury (www.buckscc.gov.uk).
Where: Roald Dahl Museum, 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 0AL.
When: Easter Quiz: 22-24 Mar. 10am-5pm. Egg decorating: 21 Mar.
Admission: Adults £4.95, children £3.50.
Info: 01494 89219 or www.roalddahlmuseum.org

The fun of the fair
A funfair has been held opposite the historic Hampton Court Palace every Easter Bank Holiday for over 150 years. Tues is Charity day with rides half price and profits from £2 wristbands going to the Historical Royal Palace charity.
Where: Hampton Court Green, East Molesley, Surrey, KT8 9AU.
When: 21-25 Mar, 12 noon-11pm.
Admission: Free + cost of rides. Info: www.hamptoncourtfunfair.com
Other Easter fairs: Clapham Common, 21-25 Mar then 3-20 Apr; Blackheath, 20-25 Mar. Hampstead Heath; 21-24 Mar; Alexandra Palace, 20 Mar-6 Apr.

Down to the woods
Follow the clues the Easter Bunny has set in the woodland around High Beach on this self-guided trail. Visit the Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge from 21-24 Mar (11am-5pm) for drop-in seasonal craft activities and on Easter Mon (1-4pm) there is egg rolling - bring your own well hard boiled egg to decorate.
Where: Epping Forest, High Beach, Essex.
When: 21-24 Mar.
Admission: £4.50 per trail including chocolate prize.
Info: 020 8529 6681 or www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Hummingbirds and gorillas
London Zoo's new Blackburn Pavilion will be unveiled on Good Fri. Originally built in 1883 as a Reptile House, this marvellous Victorian building is now home to 50 different species of birds including exotic toucans, lovebirds and exquisite Hummingbirds - the only ones on view in the UK. Do not miss the new Clore Rainforest and the Gorilla Kingdom.
Where: London Zoo, Regents Park, NW1.
When: Blackburn Pavilion opens Good Fri. Daily 10am-5.30pm.
Admission: E-ticket adults £14.50, children £11.50. Price rise in Apr
Info: www.zsl.org.uk

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The best London events to enjoy over Easter

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