There are lots of egg-xilerating activities to sink your teeth into this Easter, from racing sheep to terrifying Tudors. Want to know more about Richard III? Henry VIII? Victorian Easter or WWII? Then read on…
New for 2014
This Easter the Jorvik Group launch not one but two new museums in royal style. The Richard III Experience takes over from the former museum dedicated to the king in Monkgate Bar, and the never before seen Henry VII Experience, Micklegate Bar.
They open on Saturday, April 5 at 10am. Tickets cost £3.50 for adults for one museum or £2 for children – you can also buy a medieval pass giving reduced entry to both and Barley Hall.
For more, see First look: York’s two new museums.
Chocs away
Forget Christmas dinner, pancake Tuesday and Halloween sweets, Easter is all about chocolate. Usually in the shape of an egg.
At York’s Chocolate Story has an Easter Spectacular lined up from April 5 to 30, where you can watch magnificent eggy creations being made – then go on a hunt to find more.
To walk off those calories, head on a sweet-infested tour of the city. Download the York Chocolate Trail PDF here and it will guide you round our confectionery landmarks.
Or you can try these Easter egg hunts…
Easter Holiday Fun at the Treasurer’s House, Sat 5 April – Tues 22, from 11am
Easter Chocfest at Goddards, Fri 18 April – Mon 21, from 11am – 5pm
The Lord Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt all around the city [collect your treasure sheet from Jorvik], Sat 19 April, from 10am – 1pm
Easter Adventure Quest at Clifford’s Tower: a hunt with an historic twist, Fri 18 April – Mon 21, 11am – 5pm
Royal Eggsplorer Challenge at Beningbrough Hall: search these beautiful gardens for a special Cadbury treat, Sat April 19 – Mon 21, from 11am.
Also don’t miss a photo opportunity with Clarence the Corgi, as part of the Royals: Then and Now Exhibition.
Family fun
Time to put those blood sugars to work with the National Railway Museum’s photography-themed family event Trains In The Frame. Match the objects to the picture, watch crazy science shows and you can even ride behind a steam engine with your “official photographer” badge. April 5 to 21, from 10am.
Egg-scruciatingly full? Time for a action-packed history lesson with York Dungeon’s new Tyrannical Tudors historical romp.
The 16th Century was a turbulent period in York’s past, with King Henry VIII chopping off heads (eggs-ecution style), knocking down all the monasteries and generally ruling England with an iron fist and a 60 inch chest.From April 4, daily, opens 10am.
Also Watch out for the Eggcecutioner – he’s looking to decapitate all the ‘bad’ eggs, Saturday, April 5 to Monday, April 21. The dungeon is suitable for children aged ten and above.
Find out the meaning behind Easter with York Minster’s Holiday Activities, from story time in the Children’s Chapel to Easter Explorer backpacks. Monday, April 7 to Monday, April 21, 9am to 5pm
Shakespeare himself will be strolling round the Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens as, for the first time ever, York is home to Shakespeare’s first folio. On show from Saturday, April 5 to Monday, April 21, 9.30am to 5pm
Get ready for a Victorian Easter at the Castle Museum, where you can discover the meaning behind old Easter traditions and solve the clues the Easter bunny has left for a tasty treat. Saturday, April 5 to Monday, April 21, daily, 10am to 4pm
Castle Howard are doing something different this Easter with the “Lamb National“, complete with real live racing sheep. So bet on your favourite, get your face painted and have an baaar-illiant day out from Friday April 18 to Monday, April 21, 10am-5pm.
Venture out to Monks Cross Shopping Centre to meet Peppa Pig! on Saturday, April 19 from 11am.
Past pleasures
Barley Hall among other sites are turning their hand to history this Easter, and there’s plenty of periods to visit – from the medieval times to the Second World War.
See how the other half lived with Living History at Barley Hall. The lives of medieval servants will be on show for visitors Wednesday, April 9, 16 and May 28 from 11am-3pm.
A modern idea with a historical twist – Fairfax House hosts Georgian Grand Designs: a creative tour where you sketch your dream abode, Monday April 7 and Wednesday April 16, from 5pm
It’s onto the 19th Century with DIG’s Victorian Easter Fair. Younger children can have a go at classic fairground games and make a toy to take home. Saturday, April 19, 10.30-11.30am
You’ll be cheering for king and country with Eden Camp’s WWII Re-enactment Weekend, so venture that little bit further to discover what life was like 50 odd years ago. Saturday, April 19 from 10am
- Check out our comprehensive Easter holiday listings, from Saturday April 5 – Monday 21 here
- See our complete What’s On guide here