National Trust Properties to visit this Easter
Bodiam Castle
Step back in time at Bodiam Castle, a breathtaking moated fortress built in 1385. From 5th to 21st April 2025, follow the Easter trail to uncover legendary dragons, explore medieval history, and enjoy nature-inspired activities for all ages. Open daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Bateman’s
Rudyard Kipling fans with young adventurers will love Bateman’s in Burwash, East Sussex. Once home to the celebrated author, this beautiful 17th-century house is set within 300 acres of rolling High Weald countryside. The Easter Adventure Trail (5th–21st April 2025, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm) winds through woodlands, ponds, and the River Dudwell, with Jungle Book characters to spot along the way.
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
For a soul-soothing spring walk, visit the iconic Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Transformed by poet Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson, this 460-acre estate is a haven of beauty and history. Wander through orchards carpeted in golden daffodils, breathe in the scent of magnolias in the White Garden, and explore the tranquil Nuttery and herb gardens. Pick up a trail sheet at the entrance to make the most of your Easter visit.
Best Easter chocolate in
East Sussex
Easter in East Sussex would not be complete without a trip to the chocolate heaven of Knoops in Rye. Genuis founder Jens Knoop (his surname is Dutch for button – very fitting…) opened his original chocolate shop here in 2012, and has a ‘knoopology process’, which he describes as a “periodic table of chocolate” with 22 different strengths of hot chocolate. They’re absolutely delicious, especially when topped with a handmade marshmallow.
Continue your own Easter chocolate trail to nearby Rye Chocolates, who create handmade single-origin, artisan, handmade chocolate in East Sussex. From Peruvian dark chocolate dipped honeycomb to 43.5% Venezuelan milk chocolate with pink Himalayan sea salt. It’s a veritable treasure trove of chocolate with the most beautifully illustrated wrappers.
Easter things to do in the great outdoors
For more fun in the great outdoors, the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is brimming with wildlife. The coastal and wetland landscape is home to everything from oystercatchers, lapwings, redshank, and terns. And on 29th March you’ll get your chance to become a twitcher. The reserve’s Guide in a Hide event is a free event where you’ll be given binoculars, telescopes, and spotter sheets. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to help you spot the birds.
Active types should get on their bikes and take a spin around the Romney Marshes. Peaceful and flat, the picturesque marshes are also home to 14 historic Romney Churches. Each one is completely unique (Fairfield Church is particularly beautiful), and some do cycling trips round the marsh to view them.
The Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forestis an alrefsco wonderland of rolling hills, valleys and over 12, 000 specimen trees. Wrap up warm and have a spring picnic by one of the many lakes, get amongst the treetops on a Go Ape treetop adventure or get exploring on the Nature Play Trail. Great for all ages, the Nature Play Trail has a giant rope swing, a Conifer Crossing rope bridge and a Puzzle Forest. Download the free iNaturalist app before you go and tick off all the wildlife you see on your visit.
Take a hands-on approach with your list of Easter things to do and learn how to lamb at Hare Farm in Brede near Rye. On Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th March, you can join the lambing team for an action-packed course on how to deliver a lamb during lambing season.
More Easter things to do
Get your cultural fix of Easter things to do at the Hastings Contemporary. On the seafront in Hastings Old Town, Hastings Contemporary is a gem of a gallery, championing all that is modern. 4th April is the first family day of the Easter holidays, celebrating the opening of the Pearls of the Sea exhibition. There’s no need to book you can just turn up and take part in the artist-led workshops that will be exploring the theme The Sea and Me, about our personal relationship with the coastline.
For more family-friendly things to do in East Sussex head for Alexandra Park in Hastings, on 30th March for The Mad Hatter’s Easter Extravaganza, which includes everything from bonnet parades and face painting to a tea party. Over at English Heritage’s Battle Abbey and Dover Castle from 23rd March to 14th April, you can try your hand at the Easter adventure quest and hunt for clues to discover the chocolate eggs.
On the edge of Alfriston, Druscilla’s Zoo is a family-run, family-friendly zoo with over a hundred animals. Get up close and personal and feed the sloths, penguins, and capybaras, try the rides and playgrounds and have some Easter fun. Don’t miss the zoo’s exciting Easter things to do with their free Easter egg trail to find giant eggs and a fun new sensory attraction called Spark.
Looking for Easter things to do for adults? Tucking a long string of awards under its belt, Gusbourne wine estate has one vision—to “create the finest wines in the world.” Try them out on a limited-edition wine tasting flight, sparkling tasting flight, or estate tour across the Easter weekend.
For Easter services across Lent and Holy Week, medieval Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most atmospheric places to attend them. Follow their full list of services on their website, and if you go, don’t miss the cathedral’s spectacular stained glass.