What To Do This Weekend
We could get used to a four-day weekend…
Egg-citing Activities
There are so many ways to keep the kids entertained this Easter, from finding all the giant bunnies hidden in Strid Wood at Bolton Abbey to meeting the Easter Bunny at Auckland Palace on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April. There are Easter egg hunts taking place across the North East and Yorkshire, including at Seaton Delaval Hall, and you can even hop aboard Whistlestop Valley's Easter Eggspress to meet the Easter Bunny at Clayton West Station from Friday to Monday. For more fun-filled activities, check out our egg-stra special what’s on guide for Easter.
Head Indoors
If the weather doesn’t play ball, head indoors for more family fun. Why not go topsy turvy in the region's first Upside Down House and Spinning House? Open at the Metrocentre on Good Friday and Saturday, you can take totally unique photos (‘upside down’). There’s a music zone, rooms celebrating the culture of the North East and even a tribute to filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott. In the Spinning House, challenge your perceptions of space and gravity in this new immersive attraction. Find it next to the Yellow Mall’s entrance.
Go Chocolate Crazy
Where better to celebrate Easter than at York Chocolate Festival, which returns to York city centre until 20th April? You can get involved in making Easter egg chocolate bars, follow the taste trail or egg hunt and take a guided tour of York Chocolate Story. There’s giant egg painting, cookery workshops, and an experienced chocolatier will be showcasing his chocolate sculpting skills live. Feeling inspired? Try this dark chocolate Easter torte at home.
Join the Battle
Wylam Brewery’s Battle of the Burger returns this year on Good Friday and Easter Saturday – a 10th anniversary special showcasing the best burgers in the region and beyond. Simply buy tokens, eat burgers and choose your favourite. Plus, on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday, Battle of the Burger comes to Northern Monk Refectory and Garden in Leeds.
Show Time
On 20th April Nick Cope is heading to Leeds’s City Varieties Music Hall with his show I've Lost My Bobble Hat and hopes to bring joy to children just like he does with his CBeebies show Nick Cope’s Popcast. Pantos aren’t just for Christmas and Darlington Hippodrome’s Easter pantomime stars Katie Price and Bobby Davro, with guest appearances from Zippy and George from Rainbow. Pinocchio will entertain audiences twice on 21st April. From 22nd April The Gruffalo is coming to Northern Stage, with a musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic picture book that the kids will love.
Get Cooking
Impress your guests whilst keeping the whole family happy with these three Easter feasts. A sticky-glazed ham with rich cauliflower cheese is perfect for an indulgent Easter lunch, and we love this show-stopping hummus, courgette and aubergine Easter tart. Sweet tooth? If you’re looking for something different, try this irresistible mini egg pavlova.
Walk it Off
Nothing beats a walk with your family at Easter and these six very different walks around the North East are inspired by ancient pilgrimages. And from moorland to coastal paths and woodland nature reserves, we've rounded up some of our favourite walks for you and your four-legged friends.
Try Something New
Bringing South American vibes to Gosforth, Pique is a newly-opened restaurant perfect for brunch, lunch and laid-back dining. For more new openings to know about, check out our North East foodie guide for April. New to Leeds’s Corn Exchange, for female-led books, coffee and wine (coming soon) head to the recently opened Next Chapter Books.
