From Secret Garden easter egg trails to feeding the ducks at Stratford Park, Stroud District Council has compiled a range of activities, many of which are free-of-charge and low-cost, to keep everyone entertained this Easter holiday.
Council Leader Catherine Braun says that local and low-cost activities are a good way for families to enjoy the school holidays together, particularly given the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on household budgets:
“As a council we recognise the importance of providing activities for people of all ages, so that everyone feels included in our district. We want to encourage families to spend time outdoors responsibly and our Council Plan aims to provide accessible environments that everyone can enjoy.”
- Museum in the Park
Easter Bunny I Spy Trail
Help! A bunch of mischievous bunnies are hopping and hiding around the museum … can you spot them all and unravel the secret word they spell? All ages welcome to enjoy this indoor ‘I Spy’ trail, but it’s designed with younger children in mind. Free-of-charge event but donations welcomed.
Secret Garden Easter Egg Trail
Can you spot all the colourful Easter eggs hidden in the Secret Garden behind the museum? Take a gentle, relaxing walk and see what signs of Spring you can spot along the way. All ages welcome to enjoy this outdoor ‘I Spy’ hunt. Free-of-charge event but donations welcomed.
Meet the Curator – Butterflies & Moths
Visit the museum this Easter for a family-friendly Meet the Curator session where we’ll be looking at moths and butterflies from its collections and finding out more about these fascinating and beautiful creatures. This event is part of the Wild Escape project – take a look at what’s going on in Gallery Two to find out more and get involved. Space is limited on this event, so we advise you book a time slot.
To find out more visit: https://museuminthepark.org.uk/
- Feeds the ducks and spot the tulip trees at Stratford Park
Find joy in the little things – why not bring along seeds, oats and peas to feed our resident feathered friends at Stratford Park in Stroud? Please remember not to bring bread – it’s not good for the water quality and ducks aren’t supposed to eat it. With more than 56 acres of parkland and arboretum, and more than 800 trees, there is plenty of space to blow off steam and explore in nature. Why not see what type of tree species you can spot? From Western Red Cedars to tulip trees, there are plenty of mature species to become acquainted with. Find out more about Stratford Park at: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing/health-wellbeing-trail
- Fly a kite on Selsley Common
Let your spirits soar on Selsley Common and see how long you can keep a kite in the air. The common is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and even includes a Bronze Age burial mound known as ‘the Toots’. Get up close and personal with wildflowers and invertebrates, or you can stretch your gaze further afield to the Malvern Hills and spot gliding birds of prey. Why not see if you can hear the songs of the soaring Skylarks; these endangered brids are a popular site on the common. Please respect The Countryside Code and keep dogs on leads.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/attraction/selsley-common/
- Stroudwater, Thames and Severn, and Gloucester and Sharpness canals
Enjoy a meander along one of the district’s spectacular canals – see if you can spot the otters, kingfishers or the illusive water voles that call our canals home. If you’d like to get even closer to the water then why not take an Easter boat trip and cruise along a canal from Ebley Wharf and Wallbridge. The season starts Easter weekend, with the first trip departing from Wallbridge on Saturday 8th April at 11 am – trips will run every 30 minutes. To guarantee your preferred time slot Cotswold Canals Trust recommend booking in advance. Under 3’s go free-of-charge. To find out more visit https://cotswoldcanals.org/?s=boat+trips
- Find Tricky Treasures
Download the free-of-charge geocaching app on your phone for some tantalising treasure adventures. There are hundreds of geocache treasure boxes waiting to be found in the Stroud district. A great way of reaching your daily step count and burning off some excess energy for the kids. Find out more at: www.geocaching.com/play
- Painswick Playgroup Easter Egg Hunt
Join the legendary Painswick Egg Hunt and help raise funds for Painswick Playgroup as well as enjoying the magnificent beauty that Painswick has to offer. For more information visit: http://www.painswickplaygroup.co.uk/easter-egg-hunt/
- Make a splash with activtiy days at the Pulse
Send the kids off with a drink and a packed lunch for some fun-filled activity days at the Pulse leisure centre in Dursley.The days will be jam-packed full of sports challenges, crafts and an inflatable fun session in the pool.
- Dance workshops at the Pulse
Join a dance workshop which ends with a performance for parents and carers to enjoy. To find out more visit about the activities being held at the Pulse over Easter visit: https://www.pulsedursley.co.uk/whats-on/
- Get outside with our Go Outside Walks
Choose from six circular trails and find out all about our rich heritage – from post boxes in Dursley to castles in Berekely. Explore hidden gems within the district and get to know our fantastic market towns on foot. With so much history to discover there will be something on the trails to keep everyone occupied. To find out more about the walks visit: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/community-health-and-wellbeing/go-outside-walks
- Civil War living history event at Berkeley Castle
Fancy a trip where you and your family are transported back in time? Then join Berkeley Castle for a day of fun-filled adventures with soldiers on horseback, period dancing to seventeenth-century tunes and lots more. Children under 3 go free-of-charge. Buy a one year pass and gain entry for a year (see terms and conditions for more details, some dates are excluded). For more information visit the website at: https://www.berkeley-castle.com/
- Dursley Sculpture and Play Trail
Visit Twinberrow Woods in Dursley to view the sensational sculptures dotted around the woodland trail. Local groups of all ages and abilities have created the works of art. There will be something for everyone to enjoy. For more information and where to park visit: https://www.dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk/dursley-sculpture-and-play-trail.html
- Wander around wonderful Wotton-under-Edge
Visit the vibrant town of Wotton – the Cotswold Way runs directly through the centre and there are spectacular views to be had with Wotton Hill providing the perfect spot to view the River Severn and beyond. There are many circular walks to choose from which are free-of-charge and all you’ll need is a picnic on a pleasant day and a raincoat on a not so pleasant day. To find out more about the walks visit: https://wotton-under-edge.com/visit-wotton/walks-and-cycle-routes/
- Discover Stroud Trails app
Discover the district’s delights and download the free-of-charge ‘Discover Stroud Trails’ app on Apple and Google Play. Go for a stomp in Stonehouse or find out more about the heritage of Nailsworth. Find out more at: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/news-archive/step-this-way-to-explore-the-undiscovered-beauty-of-the-stroud-district
- Play Gloucesthire’s Play Rangers
Free, fun, outdoor play for school-aged children and their families. Play Rangers activities target 7 – 14 year olds (under 7’s are welcome and should be accompanied by a parent or carer.) Play rangers believe in children thinking for themselves and encourage them to develop their abilities – activities include den building, fires, arts and crafts and sports.
Monday 3 April, 10am-4pm, at Synwell Playing Field, Wotton-under-Edge
Wednesday, 12 April, 10am-4pm at Lawnside Play Area, Nailsworth
To find out more please visit: https://playgloucestershire.org.uk/
- Create memories at Cattle Country
Fancy decorating an Easter biscuit? What about meeting the Easter Bunny? Join in the fun at Cattle Country and make memories. There will be tractor rides and the chance to bottle feed lambs. Online booking will be essential so please visit the website to find out more: https://www.cattlecountry.co.uk/easter
- Become a cookery superstar
Get creative and become a cooking star with a Children’s Cookstars Workshop at Stroud Brewery. A fantastic learning experience where everyone can learn to cook and decorate their own Easter treats. £20 per child. Booking essential: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stroudbrewery/886376
- Mini adventures at the big screen
Stroud Brewery will hold film screenings during the Easter holidays. It’s a Bug’s life and Wall.e will be showing and they are free-of-charge. To find out more visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stroudbrewery/883638?
The big screen at Vue in Stroud will be also be hosting films for little ones. Come along to mini ciema mornings during the holidays. Join DC League of Super-Pets on their adventures and help them rescue the superheroes. Tickets from £2.45. Find out more at: https://www.myvue.com/offers/mini-mornings
18. Easter trail at Newark Park
Make your way along the pretty gardens with daffodils galore and find nature-inspired activities for all the family to enjoy at Newark Park. There is also a takeaway tea pavilion to fuel your visit. Enjoy a wander in the Tudor house and gaze at stunning views out towards the Mendip Hills or head down the paths towards the play area to see who’s king and queen of the castle. Find out more at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/newark-park
19. Discover Woodchester
Visit magical Woodchester for the day – magnificent wooded valleys, a nature play trail, secret boathouses and an unfinished Gothic mansion. There will also be plenty of wildlife around – the park has an impressive five lakes which are home to carp, herons and otters. Please follow the countryside code; dogs on leads welcome. The park is open everyday throughout the Easter holidays and the mansion is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is also open on Bank Holdiays during the Open Day season. Parking is free for National Trust members, entry to the park is free-of-charge and there will be a separate fee to enter the house. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/woodchester-park
20. Check out Gloucestershire’s libraries
As well as finding your favourite books to read why not visit your local library to find out what else they have going on over the Easter half term? From baby bounce and rhyme in Dursley making your very own Easter Bunny in Stonehouse – there is plenty to get involved with. To find out more visit: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/libraries/library-services-for-children-young-people/
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