| March 2008 |
| 2nd March |
The National Trust Trelissick Gardens in Cornwall will be celebrating Mothering Sunday with a special family quiz to win a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Meanwhile, Acorn Bank Gardens in Cumbria will be offering a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. |
| 6th -11th March |
Although the full programme of events has yet to be released, London’s annual cultural festival “East” (www.findeast.co.uk) promises to be a vibrant and entertaining event, covering the fashion, film, food, history and culture of east London. The event will encourage visitors to the areas around Spitalfields, Barbican, Whitechapel, Hackney, Canary Wharf and Stratford and participating partners include the Barbican, Theatre Royal, Whitechapel Gallery and Serious. |
| 7-16th March |
The National Railway Museum in York is looking forward to a fun-packed Science Week offering open cab access to the locomotives and educational displays. Visitors over 16 years old even get the chance to drive a full-sized locomotive in the “Diesel Driver for a Fiver” promotion. |
| 7th - 17th March |
Manchester presents a city-wide celebration of all things Irish, showcasing the best of Irish art, dance, music and theatre. The highlight is undoubtedly the St Patrick’s Day Parade on the 9th March with over 70 floats and marching bands making their way from the Irish World Heritage Centre on Queen’s Road at 11h45 to Albert Square in the centre of town. For more details on Manchester’s Irish Festival 2008, please follow this link. |
| 8-9th and 13-16th March |
The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala is a popular annual event. This year’s gala will tell the story of how steam engines were eliminated by the nationalised railways in the space of 20 years. |
| 13th March |
Special guided tours are available for over 16s at The Deep, Hull, for a unique insight into what goes on behind the scenes. Get a glimpse of the quarantine area as well as the jellyfish nursery and the Flume Tank. |
| 14th March - 6th April |
The special centenary Ideal Home Show will take place at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, looking back over past inventions such as the electric kettle and microwave whilst also looking forward to some exciting new gadgets for 2008. |
| 16th March |
London celebrates St Patrick’s Day with a lively festival and marching parade around Trafalgar Square. There will be crafts, dancing, live music as well as traditional Irish food on offer throughout the day in this family-friendly event. |
| 20th March - 25th March |
A family Easter Trail has been laid at Cherryburn in Northumberland with clues and quizzes to solve in return for a chocolate reward. |
| 20th March - 20th April |
The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall has a feast of Easter activities in store for the school holidays with daily events from treasure hunts to storytelling. |
| 21st - 24th March |
An Easter ChocTrail will take place each day over the Easter weekend around the Adventure Castle at Longleat. Find the answers to the hidden clues and win yourself a chocolate prize. |
21st - 28th March |
One hundred eggs have been hidden around Cumbria to celebrate a century of Beatrix Potter stories. The hunt begins on Good Friday and more details can be obtained by phoning 015394 88444 |
| 21st - 24th March |
Come and explore the gardens at Prior Park in Bath and take part in the Easter trail for a chance to win a goody bag. |
21st March - 24th March |
Chester Zoo always promises a fun day out for all the family and especially so over the Easter weekend with a special Egg Hunt for visitors. |
| 21st -24th March |
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has a range of child friendly activities on offer over the bank holiday weekend including Chinese whispers and storytelling sessions. |
| 23rd March |
Sizergh Castle, to the south of Kendal in Cumbria, offers Easter fun for all ages including an egg hunt (sponsored by Cadbury) through its beautiful landscaped gardens. The National Trust have laid even more clues down at Fell Foot Park for another chance to win some Easter chocolate. Visitors also get the chance to join in another Cumbria tradition in the egg-rolling competition. |
| 23rd March |
Another Easter Egg Hunt, this time at Killerton in Devon, with activities on offer for the whole family to enjoy, including Punch and Judy shows and egg & spoon races. |
| 23rd March |
A top secret Tudor trail has been laid around the Trerice House and Gardens in Cornwall with a special Easter treat for those who manage to solve all the clues |
| 23rd March |
An afternoon of fun with bags of activities for youngsters is on offer at Springhill in Country Londonderry. Entertainment will include puppet and magic shows, egg paintings and an egg hunt. |
| 23rd - 24th March |
Newquay Zoo is holding its annual Easter Fete with lots on offer to amuse the youngsters including and egg & spoon race, animal encounters and an Easter egg hunt. |
| 24th March |
The village of Mells near Frome in Wiltshire will hold its annual Daffodil Festival on Easter Monday. As well as fairground attractions there will be displays of classic cars, terrier racing and market stalls. |
| 24th March |
Meanwhile, clues will lead visitors around Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire to discover an Easter surprise. |
| 25th and 27th March |
The Lowry Theatre in Salford regularly runs family-friendly activities throughout the school holidays including this “Artzone” programme to make your own mini theatre, complete with scenery, props and puppets. Numbers are limited and it is advisable to book ahead. |
| 29th March |
Oxford and Cambridge prepare to battle it out once again in the annual boat race. These 2 universities have been competing each year since 1829 and the event continues to attract huge crowds to the banks of the Thames, creating an almost festival atmosphere along the 4.5 mile course from Putney Bridge to Mortlake. |
| April 2008 |
| 1st April |
Muncaster Castle in Cumbria, reputedly haunted by the ghost of Tom Fool, will be celebrating All Fool’s Day with jesters from around the world as well as entertainment for the whole family including “Pelt a Pennington” - a chance to throw wet sponges at the Pennington family who call the castle home. |
6th April |
The Olympic Torch arrives in London on its way to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. |
| 10th - 13th April |
Following the “taster” sessions in February, the main Keswick Film Festivalin Cumbria will be showing some great films this April including Private Property, Joy Division, No Country for Old Men, Don't Touch the Axe, The Edge of Heaven and Juno. |
13th April |
The London Marathon attracts approximately 30,000 competitors of all abilities each year, many of which run in fancy dress. The crowds that line the route enjoy a great atmosphere and provide welcome support for the participants. |
| 19th April |
The Lythe Valley in Cumbria is famous for its damsons - come down to Low Farm in Crosthwaite and join in this annual family-friendly festival in celebration of the local orchards. |
| 26th April - 3rd May |
Cockermouth on the west coast of Cumbria steps back in time to celebrate its Georgian Festival. Attractions will include a lively market selling local produce, redcoat military enactments and a costumed parade. |
| 27th April |
Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year) is celebrated in Trafalgar Square, London with live music, dancing and special presentations. |
