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Hop straight into April with Easter events, trails, and activities at the beginning of the month, plus spring celebrations and plenty of outdoor fun as the days get longer and warmer. Here are our top picks of what’s on and things to do in Hampshire this April.
Have a Beaulieu-ful spring day out
Have a Beaulieu-ful Easter in the New Forest from 28 March to 12 April 2026. See the transformed entrance to the National Motor Museum, follow the car-themed Top Trumps trail, meet friendly living history characters around the site, see motoring parades, explore the grounds and gardens of Palace House in their spring splendour, and look out for the Easter Bunny over the Easter weekend.
Swing into Easter at Go Ape
A perfect way to burn off all that Easter chocolate, get into the swing of things at Go Ape with high-flying experiences in the trees for every age and thrill level.
Choose from three Go Ape locations across Hampshire – Go Ape Moors Valley, Go Ape Southampton, and Go Ape Alice Holt – and visit from 28 March to 19 April 2026 for the option to join in with the Easter Egg-venture, a brand new trail hiding hidden letters dotted throughout the high ropes course to solve the Egg-venture puzzle.
Hop aboard the Spring Steam Gala at The Watercress Line
Always guaranteed to be a 'steam' packed three-days, The Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala from 24 to 26 April 2026 delivers the chance to see and ride behind locomotives and explore the heritage stations along the 10-mile line overlooking the South Downs National Park.
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Admire blankets of bluebells
April is prime bluebell season and Hampshire has some incredible places to see nature’s striking blankets of blue including Micheldever Woods near Winchester, which is one of the best places to see bluebells not just in Hampshire but in the whole of the UK.
Every April, a deep-blue carpet of flowers covers the ancient woodland floor and there are two waymarked trails to follow – the Archaeological Trail and the Family Trail.
More spring flower walks in Hampshire
Join The Big Family Sleepover at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Bringing a new meaning to sleeping under the stars, the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is opening up its doors for an unforgettable overnight adventure from 10 to 11 April 2026 giving families the chance to explore science at night.
The Big Family Sleepover at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium promises to be a truly unique overnight experience, combining exciting, facilitated activities with free exploration across the Science Centre.
Have a Hoppy Easter at Paultons Park
Every-bunny is sure to have a cracking time at Hoppy Easter at Paultons Park as it rolls out its bright decorations including colourful giant Easter eggs and bunnies throughout the park from 30 March to 10 April 2026. Easter characters Bobtail Bunny and Betty Bunny will be there too and of course there are the heaps of wonderful rides and attractions to fill your day with fun.
Head out on a cracking Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter holidays fall over the first two weeks of April this year, bringing with them a basketful of egg hunts and activities to enjoy.
The chocolate-fuelled Easter fun gets off to a cracking start with The Big Egg Adventure Trail at Itchen Valley Country Park from 28 March to 12 April 2026, National Trust Easter trails at Mottisfont, Hinton Ampner, and The Vyne from 21 March to 12 April 2026; an Egg-citing Easter Adventure at Birdworld from 28 March to 12 April 2026, and the Winchester Bunny Hop Easter Trail from 28 March to 12 April 2026.
Find out more about Easter Egg Hunts and Trails in Hampshire
Take a spring break with New Forest Cottages
Ready for a spring break? The New Forest National Park is glorious in April with flowers coming into bloom and wildlife at every turn. Plan an April getaway with New Forest Cottages, offering holiday cottages and self-catering homes within the New Forest National Park and within short distance of it.
Enjoy some spring wildlife spotting
April is fantastic time of year for wildlife spotting in Hampshire. Newborn ponies in the New Forest are best seen from late April; or visit Langstone Harbour, Lymington & Keyhaven Marshes, or Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve for some birdwatching.
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Head out to Hurst
Hurst Castle reopens for the new season from 28 March 2026 making April a great time to walk along Hurst Spit or take the short ferry ride from Keyhaven to visit Henry VIII's fortress with amazing views of the Isle of Wight and the Solent.
Plus, from 3 to 12 April 2026, Easter activities include a trail around the whole castle and arts and crafts to keep little ones busy.
Ride into spring by bike
By April, the clocks will have sprung forward, so why not enjoy longer evenings with beautiful bike rides in Hampshire. Try the Little Switzerland Cycle Route near Winchester, the Test Valley Circular, or the South Downs Way National Trail.
Get green fingered with Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
A visit to the gorgeous gardens at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in spring is sure to provide plenty of gardening inspiration, but there are also some fantastic events for the green-fingered taking place at sir Harold Hillier Gardens throughout April, including a Spring Garden Planter session on 18 April 2026, Botany for Beginners on 23 April 2026, and a Gardeners' Breakfast and Tour on 25 April 2026.
Dive into some wild wellness
Dive into the new season and try one of the county’s wild swimming spots or rejuvenate outdoors with some wild wellness. Still feeling a chill in the air? Combine your cold water dip by warming up in one of Hampshire’s outdoor saunas.
Stay in a Shepherd’s Hut at Back of Beyond
Enjoy a cosy glamping break as Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park on the edge of the New Forest National Park opens two new ensuite shepherd huts (Heather & Bramble) this April.
As well as the shepherd huts, the adult-only site has spacious pitches, cosy glamping pods, and lodges, making it a tranquil and convenient place to stay for a visit to the New Forest or the south coast.
Have an outdoor adventure with New Forest Activities
New Forest Activities has plenty to keep the adventurous active this April. On land, take to the trees on the high and low ropes course, challenge your friends to BattleZone Laser Tag, or try your hand at bushcraft or archery. On the water, try canoeing or kayaking on the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve.
Plus, there are special Easter events from 28 March to 12 April 2026, including Canoe Easter Egg Hunts and Easter-themed Archery.
Search for more events in Hampshire
50 things to do this spring in Hampshire
Fancy an April break? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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Related
Hop into spring this Easter at Beaulieu! Visitors to Beaulieu this Easter will be one of the first to see the transformed entrance to the National Motor Museum, as well as brand-new gallery Driven: Britain's Motoring Story! Plus you can explore our exciting car-themed Top Trumps trail, it's your last chance to see some special guests in the National Motor Museum, meet friendly living history around the site and take part in extra activities over the Easter weekend! There's so much to enjoy…
Looking for fun things to do this Easter holiday on the border of Hampshire and Dorset? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape Moors Valley, located in the stunning 1,000-acre country park not far from Bournemouth. It's the perfect destination for an active outdoor adventure that will keep the whole "tribe" entertained.
Looking for fun things to do with kids this Easter holiday in Hampshire? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape Southampton, located in the stunning 440-acre Itchen Valley Country Park, for an active outdoor adventure designed to keep your whole "tribe" hopping with excitement.
Just 4 miles south of Farnham, and close to Guildford, you can find us in Alice Holt Forest, Surrey. We're just off the A325 - at a place called Bucks Horn Oak. Go Ape at Alice Holt boasts three high ropes experiences. Whether you're looking for things to do nearby with the kids or a day out with friends we have adventure covered. Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus are both a one-hour experience aimed at kids and young families. They're popular for birthday parties if you're after a unique celebration.
Looking for a fun outdoor activity this Easter with your family? Take on Egg-venture, a 'cracking' addition to Go Ape Southampton's Treetop Adventures. Combining high ropes crossings, zip wires and a seasonal trail, this special event adds an extra twist to the Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus experience.
The Spring Steam Gala at The Watercress Line is a 'steam-packed' three day event. It's a chance to see and ride behind special guest engines as well as their home-fleet locomotives. Explore all of their heritage stations along the 10 mile line, get up close to some of their locomotives, find out more about their restoration projects and enjoy guided tours and various exhibits. BR Standard 5 Class 73156 is the first visiting locomotive, courtesy of Great Central Railway and The Bolton Steam Locomotive Company, with more details to be announced soon!
An unforgettable overnight adventure at Winchester Science Centre Is your family ready to explore science in a completely different way?
Meet Bobtail Bunny and Betty Bunny at Paultons this Easter. Get ready for an egg-citing Easter 2026 adventure! This spring, hop along to Paultons Park and meet the adorable Bobtail Bunny and Betty Bunny – they're here to make your Easter extra special!
This Easter, something egg-straordinary is hiding in the woodland at Itchen Valley Country Park… BIG EGGS! Grab your explorer eyes and head off along the trail to discover eggs laid by different creatures from around the world. Some are small, some are spotty, and some are so big you might not believe they're real!
Join us at Mottisfont this Easter for a tea party with a difference ... Compete in the scone and spoon race, test your aim with toss the teabag and try a spot of plate spinning. There's a biscuit rolling station too, and a chance to design your own fun sandwich – slug and cress anyone? Why not join us for giant sandwich jenga and little ones can draw their sandwiches for display in the stableyard. So pop on your bunny ears, grab your activity sheet to guide the way, and follow the trail around Mottisfont's grounds to discover the 10 awesome activity stations. At the finish line, a yummy Easter egg (choose dairy chocolate, or vegan and Free From*) is waiting for you.
Make your way along the trail and find 10 games & activities for the whole family. Each trail is £3.50 which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. *Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies Easter can be a busy time for us, especially over the Easter weekend. Our peak times are weekends and between 11am and 2pm. If you're looking for a quieter experience, we suggest visiting us outside of these times.
The Vyne is a warm, red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th Century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain. It later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. The Vyne was remodelled to its present configuration in the mid-17th Century with the addition of a classical portico and summerhouse, firsts of their kind in England.
The magnificent Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is world famous for its arboretum and gardens – set over 180 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside; this garden is stunning whatever the season.
If you are looking for a haven of peace and quiet but still be close enough to the New Forest and the south coast, then look no further. We are a special touring, camping and glamping park where you can relax, unwind and listen to the sounds of nature. There are lakes, woodland and heathland on site for you explore, or you can just sit back and let the wildlife come to you. Our campsite is for over 18s.
New Forest Activities offer a variety of safe and enjoyable activities for families, couples, individuals and groups of all ages and abilities led by expert outdoor instructors. For tours with a difference, take to the water with Canoeing and Kayaking on the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve.
