Easter frolics and fun in and around Somerset

Many of you will be travelling down to the west country for Easter and will be looking for things to do when you are here. Also, there will be some of you  who are coming down with their children perhaps visit grandparents or families whilst others will be travelling from abroad to see friends or just enjoying our wonderful countryside, food and drink.

Easter in the west country is a vibrant and exciting time and the National Trust have several Easter egg hunts at  a number of their properties within the county. These include Lytes Cary between 23rd March and 2nd April , Montacute House from the 23rd of March to April 7th and Fyne Court with its wellie wanging from 29th March until 14th April.

Wellie wanging is basically the art of throwing a wellington boot as far as you can. It is also known as welly hoying. It is said to have started in the west country around the 1970s but has become popular in  Britain  as part of fetes, fairs and village gatherings.

If you anywhere near Wookey Hole at Easter, then you might like to try out some of their special seasonal events. The Witch of Wookey will be out, about and around to say hello so watch out! Also, there is an Easter egg hunt around the park with a special prize at the end for  all those who complete the trail. The 4D cinema has some special showings which are suitable for all over 3 years of age and the circus will be running some amazing shows. There will be plenty of guides everywhere to tell you more about the wonderful things that are on and as a special treat you may want to  stay at the very exclusive Wookey Hole Hotel.

For those of you visiting the iconic town of  Glastonbury there are some Easter on the Farm activities taking place along Chilkwell Street, BA6 8DB. The Somerset Rural Museum has arranged some exciting events involving hot cross buns on Good Friday and there is an Easter hunt on 31st March (Easter Day) and on Easter Monday, decorating an eggcup on Tuesday 2nd and Bunny Day on Wednesday 3rd April.  

Over Easter weekend in Bridgwater, head to Axe Slingers to try your hand at indoor axe throwing. Complete challenges and win some chocolatey goodies.

Yeovil Junction station is holding some ‘whizz bang’ events over Easter with a chance to ride on a steam train along the Clifton Maybank line. In addition, there will be the opportunity to climb aboard the miniature railway and even travel in one of their historic brake vans. Peter Rabbit will be making an appearance during the  events and there will be plenty of opportunities for photographs. Just turn up as there is no need to book beforehand.

Hestercombe Gardens is running a range of its own exciting Easter events including an Easter egg hunt and an ugly bug trail.

A very important time of year for those of the Christian faith services will be held in churches around the county and into Wiltshire. At St Andrews in Taunton there will be services on Good Friday. The Stations of the Cross takes place at 10.00 am and at 2.00pm there are a solemn liturgy. On Saturday there is an Easter vigil starting at 8.00pm and a special service on Easter Sunday at 10.00am.

The Stations of the Cross have been part of Christian devotion at Passiontide for many centuries and are designed for individuals to relive the path of suffering walked by Jesus. They originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, from Pilate’s house to Calvary. These early Christians would then pause for prayer and devotion at various places en route. In time these pilgrims brought this idea  back to their home countries and ever since then Christians  have used this type of devotion on Good Friday. Often members of a church will carry the cross to a vantage point in the area and stop several times on the way to  pray and make their devotions. Sometimes the stations are setup around the church or place of worship. There are fourteen stations of the cross.

Services will also take place at Wells Cathedral when on Good Friday there is a three-hour devotion at 12 noon and services on Easter Sunday at 9.30am, 11.30am  and 3.00pm. On Good Friday at Bath Abbey there will be a meditation starting at 12 noon and on Easter Sunday a Family Communion at 9.30 am and an informal service at 6.30pm.

Chard and Ilminster have a number of activities which can be found at www.allevents.in/chard/all whilst there are plenty of things to do in Wiltshire which can be found at www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/easter

Longleat have a fully packed programme of events to entertain the whole family including the arrival of the African painted dogs so if you venture into the Longhouse over Easter you will find it has been taken over by some very unusual  creatures as well as acting as a starting point for further investigations into a whole range of some of our smallest predators.

One of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, this newly introduced pack will be found in a massive custom-built enclosure which offers incredible viewing opportunities.

If you intend to try out some of Somerset’s seaside resorts this Easter, then you could make for Weston Super Mare where you will be able to meet their Easter bunny at Beachside Holiday Park. On Easter Sunday there will be an Easter egg hunt around the caravan park from 2pm till 3pm. This will end at the Sundowner Café Bar when the children will be given a small Easter gift. There will  be live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon. The cost just £1.00 per child with money raised from this event going to a chosen charity. The event is open to everyone not just residents on the park so why not go along and enjoy the day.

If you planning to visit Dunster Castle, then they have an Easter trail running from Friday March 29th until Sunday 14th April. For just £3.00 per person this is a treat you cannot afford to miss.