Are you looking for some activities to do this bank holiday weekend?
With the clocks going forward a few weeks ago, maybe you've been too busy to gain that hour back to find something to occupy yourself with.
Fear not, we've been hunting around for things to do locally, whether that be with friends, family or just by yourself!
Local history activities
Somerset and Dorset Railway - Sunday 9th April and Monday 10th April
![Somerset and Dorset Railway held an event for the Jubilee weekend.](https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2022/06/07/15/IMG_7089.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The Somerset and Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton are putting on a special Easter event this Sunday. There will be an Easter egg hunt for children, and tickets come with a hot cross bun or Easter biscuit and a hot drink or fruit juice from the railway buffet.
Tickets will be valid on all passenger trains throughout the day and you can ride as many time as you wish. Passenger Trains depart at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:00.
Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum - 1st to 16th April
Radstock Museum are putting on an Easter Trail. Children can search the museum for Easter lambs that are each guarding a letter of the alphabet. Then, put the letters together to make the Easter related phrase and when you’ve solved the puzzle, you can collect a prize! This can be done during museum opening hours, and admission is charged at the standard rate.
Roman Baths
![Roman Baths, in Bath.](https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/01/19/13/pexels-rachel-claire-4577651.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The Roman Baths will be open late over Easter.
Discover amazing artefacts in the museum and soak up the atmosphere beside the torchlit Great Bath. Enjoy a drink from the pop-up bar that will be selling champagne, sparkling wine, soft drinks and hot chocolate. The Roman Baths will be open until 8pm, last entry 7pm. The bar will close at 7.30pm.
Alternatively, there is a new family trail to enjoy on your visit this spring. See if you can help the emperor find his crown with 'A Royal Roman Quest'.
Younger children can have fun spotting crowns that will be hidden around the site, and older children can look for alternative crowns from within the museum collection.
The Bishop's Palace, Wells - Saturday 8th to Monday 10th April
A special Easter egg trail will lead visitors through The Bishop’s Palace’s 14 acres of gardens looking for hidden Easter eggs.
The trail can be collected at the Ticket Office and there will be a small prize on the way out!
The 14 acres of gardens will be open daily throughout the Easter Holidays (9.30am-5.30pm) along with the Dragon’s Lair Play Area. There’s also a choice of drinks and snacks at The Bishop’s Table café, which is open daily, serving child-friendly menus alongside cakes and hot drinks. The Easter Egg Trail is included with any standard admission ticket.
The Bishop’s Palace will also be holding a Medieval Falconry Day on Monday 10th April.
Held on the South Lawn, against the stunning backdrop of the medieval Palace’s Great Hall, expect a day of fantastic flying displays, fascinating information and beautiful birds!
Displays will take place at 12pm and 3pm.
Aimed at visitors of all ages, displays will illustrate how these birds would have been used in Medieval times and why. Marvel at their skill and training as they show off their well-honed moves in front of the audience and in between displays, Tony (the bird expert) can be found at his medieval tent where he can answer all questions.
Adventure activities
Wookey Hole - 1st to 16th April
Wookey Hole are putting on a Big Easter Event throughout the school holidays! You’ve heard of the Easter bunny, but have you heard of the Easter Witch?The Witch loves to celebrate Easter at Wookey Hole. The witch takes the opportunity to join the Big Easter Event and roams around looking for children to treat.
You can enjoy the caves at your own pace, with a free flow in place and knowledgeable guides on hand to answer questions and share some of Wookey Hole’s incredible stories.
There are three shows a day from the Wookey Hole Circus, an Easter Egg Hunt around the park plus a brand new experience in the 4D cinema. Every child will go home with an Easter chocolate treat during the event.
Indigo Archery
Indigo Archery, based in Holcombe, have a number of archery activity packages on offer for all experience levels. Taster sessions can be done with no experience needed! The centre is an Archery GB Activity Partner, meaning they always use trained, Archery GB qualified and competent staff, to deliver archery sessions. Booking is essential.
Arts activities
Black Swan Arts Young Open - until 16th April
Black Swan Arts in Frome is still showing their Young Open Exhibition until 16th April. Exhibiting over 150 original works of art, each one has been produced by a young person between the ages of 5 and 19 years. The Black Swan Arts Young Open competition has grown to become the largest open-entry art event for young people in the South West. Entry is free.
Victoria Art Gallery
![Children’s activities at the Victoria Art Gallery](https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/01/25/16/1b92ea37-1543-41f9-ab67-be563cfea19c.jpeg?trim=159,0,0,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
There are a number of exhibitions on at the Victoria Art Gallery over Easter weekend. Check their website for more details on what they're displaying.
There are family-friendly Easter events going on later in the week. 'Fantastic Frogs' will be running from 11-14 April 2023, where children are encouraged to create a pond collage fit for a fantastic frog. These take place from 10:30am - 12:30pm and are free entry.
44AD Artspace - until 9th April
Bath's 44AD has a soft sculpture exhibition running until the 9th April, called 'Knots with a Side of Lines'. Bath Spa Fine Art graduate Eve Harker has curated a mixture of illustrations and soft sculptures which can be viewed. Entry is free. A crochet workshop will also be held by Eve on Saturday 8th April at 2pm. Free admission and Materials provided, but booking is essential.
Animal activities
Chew Valley Animal Park
If you fancy a hassle-free, no bookings needed day trip, then why not visit Chew Valley Animal Park? With a number of animals from alpacas to lemurs, you're guaranteed fun for all the family. There is a cafe on site too - perfect for a pit stop to take in the stunning countryside views. There's even chance to meet the smaller furry animals on your visit!
Fairfield Animal Centre (Trowbridge) - 1st to 16th April
A little further afield, but there's lots going on over Easter. Why not get involved with the Easter egg hunt? Help the resident Easter Bunny to find 6 Easter eggs hidden around the animal park. Each egg has a letter on it, and if you can unscramble the secret word, you’ll be rewarded with an Easter treat. This will be taking place during normal park opening hours.