York’s Cracking Easter 2025: 10 Eggstraordinary Things To Do This Spring! 2025
Our pick of the best things to do in and around York now the easter holidays have started
Spring’s in the air, York’s in bloom – and the Easter school holidays are here. Whether you’re into chocolate, castles, dinosaurs, or giant cartoon dogs (hello, Bluey), there’s something eggstra special happening in and around the city. Here’s our ultimate Easter guide of where to go, what to do, and what not to miss…
Castle Howard – Easter Walled Garden Trail
Sat 29 March – Mon 14 April
One of Yorkshire’s grandest stately homes invites little explorers to follow a family-friendly trail through the magical Walled Gardens. The twist? There’s an adorable Easter theme! Kids will hunt for clues among the spring blooms, unearth the secrets of nature, and get rewarded at the end. There’ll also be storytelling, crafts and tasty treats at the Boathouse Café – all set against a backdrop of baroque beauty. Book in advance, this one’s popular!
Dreamery Gardens – The Golden Hare Easter Trail
Sat 29 March – Mon 14 April
A dreamy day out if ever there was one – Dreamery Gardens near York offers a whimsical Easter trail featuring the elusive Golden Hare. This isn’t your average garden centre – think enchanted pathways, interactive fairy doors, woodland creatures, and a dash of magical realism. Kids will love solving riddles to find golden eggs, and there are golden chocolate treats at the end. Instagram heaven and just the tonic for springtime wanderers.
Eden Camp – Easter Family Activities
Fri 4 – Mon 21 April
Step into a time machine and discover what wartime Britain was really like – with a family-friendly Easter twist. Eden Camp is putting on themed trails, hands-on crafts, and historical reenactments throughout the holidays. Expect interactive exhibits, a clue-filled Easter Egg hunt, and plenty of ‘oohs’ from both kids and grown-ups alike. Bonus: it’s one of the most dog-friendly days out in North Yorkshire!
Flamingo Land – Meet Bluey & Duggee
Sat 5 & Sun 6 April
You read that right – CBeebies royalty Bluey and Duggee are making a VIP appearance at Flamingo Land! Join them for character meet-and-greets, mini dance parties and photo ops galore. Beyond that, there’s the usual mix of rollercoasters, zoo animals, and Easter-themed entertainment for all ages. Ideal if your little ones love both safari-style days and cartoon cuddles.
The Hole in Wand – Dragon Egg Hunt
Sat 29 March – Sun 14 April
This one’s for aspiring witches and wizards! The Hole in Wand Wizard Golf bar is hosting a Dragon Egg Hunt as part of its magical indoor mini-golf experience. Expect a bubbling cauldron of fun with spell-casting challenges, butterbeer on tap (non-alcoholic for the younglings), and chocolate-y rewards. Perfect for rainy days or families craving something quirky.
Newby Hall – Easter Fairy Trail
Sat 29 March – Sun 14 April
Newby Hall’s glorious grounds are the setting for an Easter Trail with a sprinkle of fairy dust. Kids can roam the gardens to find fairies, hidden treasures, and storybook scenes – all while learning about nature along the way. Don’t miss the miniature railway, adventure playground, and riverside picnics. There’s even a new sculpture trail launching this spring for the art lovers among you.
Murton Park – Easter Bunny Bonanza
Sat 29 March – Mon 1 April
Hop over to Murton Park for a cracking Easter celebration with their Bunny Bonanza. Expect tractor rides, baby animals, chocolate trails, and the Easter Bunny himself doing meet-and-greets. The living history museum will also be buzzing with Viking and Roman reenactors – an eggcellent mix of past and present.
York Chocolate Festival – Parliament Street & Shambles
Thurs 3 – Mon 7 April
York’s sweet tooth is on full show with the return of the Chocolate Festival – a five-day feast of local chocolatiers, tasting stalls, demos and workshops. Want to learn how to temper chocolate like a pro or make your own truffles? This is the place. And don’t forget to visit Chocolate City’s finest – Monk Bar Chocolatiers, York Cocoa Works and more – for Easter-themed goodies you won’t find in the supermarket.
National Railway Museum – Flying Scotsman Celebrations
Sat 29 March – Sun 14 April
The legendary Flying Scotsman is back – and ready to impress rail fans of all ages. The NRM has a packed Easter programme including behind-the-scenes talks, hands-on workshops, kids’ crafts and model train zones. This year, the museum celebrates all things steam with live storytelling, dress-up stations and Easter trails across the site. Entry is free, just book your spot in advance!
Piglets Adventure Farm – Easter Egg-stravaganza
Sat 29 March – Sun 14 April
A York family favourite, Piglets is going all out this Easter with its biggest event of the year. Expect a mega egg hunt across the farm, adorable lambs and piglets, plus a Golden Egg Challenge with chocolatey prizes. Meet the Easter Bunny, bounce on giant pillows, and take tractor-trailer rides through the countryside. The fairy tale woodland trail is back too – and it’s cuter than ever.
PLUS: York WizardFest 2025
Sat 24 – Mon 26 May
A cheeky bonus – WizardFest isn’t technically Easter, but it’s magic enough to mention. Expect wand workshops, spell-casting, magical markets, film screenings, and a whole load of fantastical fun. Bookmark this one now!
Whether you’re here for the chocolate, the animals, or the magic, York’s got you covered this Easter. Which one are you hopping to do first?
If you are coming to York for Easter and need somewhere to sleep then check out our 3 holiday homes at www.houseofyork.org
Want to read more for your next visit to York?
Then download a free copy of our book York Local Knowledge Must-do Top Tens & the vouchers to get them for less where you will discover the historic UK city of York like a local with tips, top tens, and guidance on where to find the best discounts and vouchers, so you can experience it all without breaking the bank!
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This isn’t your average guidebook—it’s a laugh-out-loud, down-to-earth companion, packed with top-ten lists covering everything from essential attractions and hidden gems to entertainment, dining spots, walks, tours, festivals, and shopping, all enriched with a local’s insider knowledge.
With insights, amusing anecdotes, and a sprinkling of puns and dad jokes, Alistair’s love letter to York will help you see the city in a whole new way. Grab a copy and start planning the York adventure you didn’t know you were missing!
With over 240 pages, this guide is ideal for families and groups of friends planning a trip to York and includes:
Up-to-date information on everything in the ever-changing city of York—this is the 2025 edition.
Top ten lists of York’s best tourist attractions, entertainment spots, food and drink, walks, tours, festivals, and independent shops.
Beautiful photography accompanying every recommendation.
Answers to visitors’ top questions, from “Where’s the best place for ice cream?” to “Where can I find a great takeaway curry?”
Recommendations on where locals go for up-to-date information about York.
The best places to stay, from five-star hotels to holiday homes and houseboats.
Details on where to find discounts and vouchers for York restaurants, attractions, and experiences.
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Book one of our Holiday Homes for your next trip to York
Are you looking for a great place to stay for your next trip to York. All 3 of our holiday homes are next door to each other which means you can hire them individually for up to 6 people or together for up to 12 (107 & 109 together) or even 18 people (Spencer House & 107 & 109 together).
To check availability and book just visit www.houseofyork.org
We pride ourselves on being couples and family friendly and we try to take any of the stress out of your stay so you can focus on enjoying yourselves and magnificent York.