Family fun this Easter

There’s no shortage of fun to be found in White Cliffs Country this Easter. From egg hunts and farm visits (newborn lambs!) to rallycross and exploring castles, here’s a roundup of what’s on during the school holidays, plus ideas for fantastic family days out.

On all Easter holiday

Solley’s Farm in Ripple – located in the beautiful countryside near Deal, Solley’s make their own ice cream and serve it in their parlour on the farm (where you can also get a slap-up breakfast or lunch). They’ll be running tractor & trailer rides around the farm, depending on the weather.

Betteshanger Park between Deal and Sandwich is running their popular Easter Trail through the woods where you can help Billy the bunny find his missing eggs and figure out the mystery of who’s been hiding them. Follow the self-guided trail then hop along to meet Billy and receive an Easter treat. Facilities at the park include a large children’s play area next to the Lamp Room Kitchen & Bar, where you can sit outside, enjoy a drink and watch the kids play.

Hop on board Sandwich’s popular, family-friendly river tour – a trip on the River Runner – for an egg-cellent Easter adventure! Daily sailings throughout the Easter holidays from Sandwich Quay will take you along the River Stour towards the sea where you’ll be able to watch seals lounging on mudflats and swimming in the water. There will also be large eggs hidden along the route down river for children to spot, making it an even more egg-citing trip, plus a free Easter egg for each child at the end of the trip. Booking essential. 

There’s a choice of two Easter Hunts at Felderland Pick Your Own Farm near Sandwich – one for under 5s and another for older children. There’s also the opportunity to pick your own tulips, have your face painted (on 6, 13 and 21 April) and buy provisions from the coffee hut and pizza trailer (11.30am-2.30pm). Please note that the farm will be closed on Easter Sunday (20 April).

Nothing says spring quite like newborn lambs and at Broadlees Farm near Dover you can help to feed lambs and see one being born, if you’re lucky. The farm's Lambing Open Days are daily throughout the holidays (until 21 April) from 1 to 4pm.
Please note that pregnant women should not visit the farm due to Health and Safety regulations.

Other dates

5 April – head to the fabulous nature reserve by the sea at Samphire Hoe for their Eggcellent Challenge where Ranger Paul will take you on a gentle walk to the egg rolling challenge slope where you can test your skill on the egg assault course.

6 April – the Bradstow Chamber Orchestra and Chorus will perform a selection of well-loved film music, including Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon and Lord of the Rings, with a professional actor telling the stories in the wonderfully acoustic Charlton Church in Dover.

9 April – Dover Museum is holding a free activity making 3D Easter cards, suitable for children aged 6 and over (who must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times). If the workshop is busy, you may need to come back later, so explore this wonderful museum while you wait.

9 & 10 and 16 & 17 April – join the team at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory for Family Explorers Easter Fun activities including creating an eco-friendly Easter basket, wildlife identification, quizzes and a scavenger hunt in the reserves.

11 April – more nature-based activities, this time at Fort Burgoyne near Dover where you can follow a self-guided trail to discover fascinating facts about wildlife here. Each child who completes the trail will receive a chocolate reward and there will be spring-themed crafts to have a go at.

12 to 21 April – join master builders at Dover Castle where they will be creating a giant Roman lighthouse out of LEGO® during the Big Brick Build. You can also take part in the Easter Adventure Quest throughout the grounds (which is available on every day of the school holidays). Book early online and save 15%.

16 April – arts and crafts, hoola hooping and easter treats available at Kearsney Parks near Dover on their Easter Trail day. Enjoy exploring the beautiful gardens and stop for a treat or two in the Kearsney Café.

18 & 19 April – hop along to Farthingloe Easter Festival at Great Farthingloe Farm on the outskirts of Dover. Family activities include an Easter Egg Hunt and Challenge, meet the Easter Bunny, fairground rides, live music, food stalls, arts and crafts and lots more.

18 to 21 April – four days of free medieval games, medieval crafts and demos and have-a-go sessions, including paint your own Easter eggs, at Sandwich Medieval Centre on the Quay at Sandwich. 

18 to 21 April – Lillyroo’s Glamping site near Deal is holding an Easter eggstravaganza over the Easter weekend with an egg hunt, a meet & greet the Easter Bunny, craft workshops and games. Book early to avoid disappointment.

19 & 21 April – the 5 Nations British Rallycross Championships is back at Lydden Hill Race Circuit for an exciting couple of days of racing. Camping is available on site, children under 13 go free and dogs are welcome. There will also be a funfair, mascots and plenty of street food options.

20 April – join a tour of the impressive Napoleonic fortifications of Drop Redoubt and explore the rare triple-helix staircase of the Grand Shaft, built to get troops from the clifftop to the sore in triple-quick time.

20 & 21 April – Kent’s only working and lovingly restored watermill, Crabble Corn Mill in River near Dover (where you can buy flour milled from locally grown wheat) is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and Monday. Book in advance (no tickets on the gate).

More to explore

Click on the links below to find out about fantastic places to visit and things to do in the area and browse our Eat & Drink pages to search for cafes and restaurants. If you're coming a long way, you'll find a great selection of places to stay, from seaside cottages to rural campsites. Have a wonderful Easter!