This Easter, Kent’s historic houses will be home to fantastic family activities, with everything from garden games to egg hunts taking place over the school holidays.
Find out what’s going on at the county’s National Trust properties this spring and discover your nearest location – and the best part is, if you’re a National Trust member, admission is completely free.
Families can get stuck into Easter fun at Kent’s National Trust properties
CHARTWELL, Westerham
Explore Chartwell’s spring gardens with this outdoor Easter trail. There will be family games and challenges along the way and, if you complete the trail, you’ll receive a chocolate egg as a reward. Don’t forget to head inside the house and see the gallery’s recent addition, a painting by former resident Winston Churchill, which is on display in the UK for the first time.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Chartwell in Westerham. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
EMMETTS GARDEN, near Sevenoaks
This spring sees the return of the estate’s Edwardian-themed Easter activities, which have proved popular with guests in previous years. There will be a trail, complete with bunny ears and a chocolate egg, as well as a children’s fairground and a Punch and Judy show on select dates.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
The Easter trails all include a map, bunny ears and a chocolate prize at the end
IGHTHAM MOTE, near Sevenoaks
The trail takes visitors through Ightham Mote’s formal courtyards and woodland, weaving through spring flowers, as you figure out puzzles and find mischievous garden creatures. The trail ends with a chocolate egg, including vegan and gluten-free options. Make sure you stop to admire the seasonal plants, such as daffodils, crocuses and blossoming fruit trees.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Ightham Mote in Ivy Hatch, near Sevenoaks. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
KNOLE, Sevenoaks
There are plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities going on throughout the Easter break at Knole. Visitors can explore the Gatehouse Tower maze, have a go at the bucket toss and balance beams, and play around with musical instruments. The garden trail also runs throughout March and April.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Knole in Sevenoaks. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
Places like Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst Castle Garden will have beautiful spring flowers on display during the Easter holidays
SCOTNEY CASTLE, Tunbridge Wells
Collect your Easter trail pack from the visitor centre and set off on an egg hunt around the grounds of Scotney Castle. You’ll be faced with fun challenges and activities as you travel along the trail, which ends with a chocolate treat. It’s also a great opportunity to see the estate’s beautiful gardens, including the walled garden with peach and plum blossoms and the woodland, which is covered with bluebells in late spring.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Scotney Castle in Tunbridge Wells. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN, near Cranbrook
The world-famous garden, created by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, will be in full bloom at this time of year, and packed with colourful plants. It’s a great time to explore the grounds, which will host an Easter-themed trail during the school holidays, with games and puzzles for all ages.
Details: Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 19 at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
SMALLHYTHE PLACE, Tenterden
There will be Easter eggs dotted around this historic house, which once belonged to Victorian actress Ellen Terry. If you find all of the eggs, you’ll be rewarded with a chocolate prize. You can also make the most of your visit with garden games, such as bean bag throwing, and dressing up boxes.
Details: Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, April 19 at Smallhythe Place in Tenterden. Trail costs £3.50. Standard entry applies.
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