This time of year when the evenings are dark and the mornings
not much better, it's nice to think about the spring. I checked my
plant pots the other day and beneath the brave little winter
pansies, you can see the beginnings of shoots and the promise of
some colour in the next few weeks. Before you know it, Spring will
have sprung. I can safely say that this is one of my favourite
times of year. Growing up, we didn't have any extraordinary
traditions over the Easter weekend, other than a small egg hunt,
sitting down to roast lamb as a family and chocolate eggs, but it
always felt like a special day. It felt more peaceful than other
holidays and we had a fabulous long weekend to look forward to as a
family. My green fingered parents would be full steam ahead in the
garden and it was usually the first time you could play outside
without a jacket on. Twenty years on and there seems to be a lot
more on offer in North Wales than a roast dinner and some
gardening!
The month of March sees spring in full bloom and for those of
you looking to book an Easter break in a North Wales holiday
cottage there is a lot to look forward to. Here are my top
10 Eggstravagant Easter Activities and fun for all the family
around the region -
1. The Abersoch Welsh Spring Festival
This event will take place just after St. David's Day, over the
weekend of 4th - 6th March and will celebrate the start of Spring
and all things Welsh. It is a new event for 2016. Planned
activities include a vintage car rally, a village carnival, an
evening of Welsh influenced music, local artisan market and
activities for children including face painting and games. There
will also be the opportunity to look back at village history and
learn a little more about the local area.
The National Trust knows how to put on a good show at Easter. They
have teamed up with
Cadbury's to offer some quality egg hunts at their properties. Egg
Hunts seem to abound in the region this year. Here are some of the
best -
2. Plas Newydd Egg Rolling Race
This stunning stately home on the Menai Straits offers some great
egg based activities and the gardens come in to their own at this
time of year. Join the hunt to find clues hidden by the Easter
Bunny that will lead you to a chocolate prize. You can even take
part in their famous Easter Sunday "Egg Rolling Race." The event
will run from 25th - 28th March 2016. Daily from 11.00 - 15.30.
3. Porth y Swnt egg hunt
I love a drive to the end of the Llyn and the village of
Aberdaron. Porth y Swnt, the National Trust Centre, will be running
an Easter Egg Hunt around this beautiful fishing village. Explore
the village to find the clues that lead to the chocolate. From
February of this year, Porth y Swnt will be taking on the "50 Fun
Things to do before you're 11 and 3/4." Pick up your 50 things
scrapbook and join in with an afternoon of activity on selected
dates throughout the spring and summer.
4. Beddgelert Easter egg hunt
My children love the story of Gelert and the wolf and so a trip to
Snowdonia could be just the ticket over Easter weekend. Look out
for the Easter Egg Hunt at Craflwyn and Beddgelert. Families
have the opportunity to go out and explore the wonderful views,
wildlife and habitats that make the area so special. Follow in the
footsteps of legends around Beddgelert as you join hunt. Start off
at Ty Isaf and see where the journey takes you. 25th - 28th March
2016 Daily from 11.00 - 17.00
5. Plas yn Rhiw's Egg-cellent fun
I love the pretty gardens at Plas yn Rhiw and they come in to
their element in the spring. The house will also be joining in the
fun over Easter weekend. Follow the trail through this stunning
garden perched high above Cardigan Bay, to claim your chocolate
Egghead. 26th and 27th March 2016 from 11.00 - 16.00
6. Bala Lake Railway egg hunt
Everyone knows that my family and I love a trip on a steam train.
If you do too then look out for the Bala Lake Railway Easter Egg
Hunt. Can you find all the Easter Eggs that the White Rabbit has
hidden around the railway? There are 15 to find in total. It's
great fun, and takes place on every train from Good Friday to
Easter Monday for no extra cost other than the usual fare. You'll
also get to enjoy a lovely train ride through the beautiful
countryside of southern Snowdonia.
7. Easter fun at Talyllyn Railway
There is fun for the family as the Easter Bunny visits Tywyn Wharf
station. He'll be greeting children and waving off the trains all
day. You can join the Easter Egg hunt with a special prize for the
winner. The steam trains are running all day, with five
return trips from Tywyn Wharf, you can take the train on a fun
filled journey to Dolgoch Falls or Nant Gwernol. Trains stop at
Abergynolwyn for refreshments, home of the Railway Adventure
Playground. There are no extra charges for this event either which
is fab!
Both Greenwood Forest Park and the Welsh Mountain Zoo are also
offering Easter Eggstravaganzas and fun for all over the Easter
break.
8. Conwy Seed Fair
If searching for eggs isn't your thing, there are some lovely
events on offer of the non-chocolatey variety. Coming from someone
who is currently landscaping the garden, I'm looking forward to
Conwy Seed Fair, a 700 year old Royal charter fair, founded by
Edward 1st and held in Conwy High Street and Lancaster Square every
26th March. They have been given a special dispensation to run the
event on Friday 1st April to avoid the Easter Sunday traffic. Look
out for plant and seed stalls, local crafts, local produce, honey
from local beekeepers and home produce. The fair will run from
09.00 - 16.00.
9. Tywyn's Easter Street Fair
You can't beat a good market and Tywyn's Easter Street
Fair is just that. It is an annual street market which takes
place on Easter Monday in the town centre. The market stalls return
every Monday from May to October on the market field behind the
Corbett Arms Hotel. It is a lovely tripout for all the family with
some great things on offer.
10.
Anglesey Arts Week
And finally for those of you who fancy something a little more
artistic than egg painting, Anglesey artists throw open their doors
from 19th March to 3rd April this year for the twelfth annual
Anglesey Arts Week. Last year saw over 15,000 make their way to the
island for the event. This year during the Open Studios and
Galleries Weeks, 60 painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers,
printmakers, installation artists and craft workers open their
studios to visitors, or exhibit in one of the participating
galleries. Venues include studios, chapels, barns, sheds, galleries
and artists' homes. You have the chance to meet and talk with the
artist and see their work. You could always combine this with a
stay on the Island. We have some fantastic Anglesey cottages to
choose from and many more for those fancying something on the Llyn
or in the mountains.