Looking for Easter egg hunts West Sussex 2026? Easter falls on the first weekend of April — Good Friday 3 April, Easter Sunday 5 April, Easter Monday 6 April — and most West Sussex schools break up around Friday 27 March, returning around Monday 13 April. That's just over two weeks for families to explore.
Easter trails and egg hunts have become one of the most popular ways to spend the holidays, and West Sussex is exceptionally well-served. You have got five National Trust properties within reach, castle events, farm parks with baby animals, and free options if budget matters. This guide rounds up every confirmed hunt and trail, organised by type, with dates, prices, and what to expect.
All venue details and prices are correct at the time of writing (February 2026). Easter events can sell out and details change — always check the venue website before visiting. See our full Easter guide for everything else to do with families over the holidays.
Section 1: National Trust Easter Trails
National Trust properties run the most reliably well-organised trails in the county, with proper chocolate egg prizes and themed activities for children. You do not need to book the trails in advance, but there is usually a small fee on top of admission (free for NT members for admission, with a trail surcharge).
Nymans Springfest — Handcross
Nymans is one of the great gardens of the South East, and their Easter Springfest is the highlight of the spring calendar.
Key Information
Children follow a trail through the spectacular spring garden — set against a backdrop of ancient ruins, walled garden and woodland — collecting clues and earning bunny ears and a chocolate egg at the end. The garden itself is stunning in spring, with magnolias, camellias and the famous old rose collection just beginning to wake up.
Top tip: Nymans gets busy on bank holidays — arrive when it opens at 10am to beat the queues. The tearoom does excellent hot cross buns throughout the spring.
Standen Easter Egg Hunt — East Grinstead
Standen is the most child-friendly of the NT properties in West Sussex, with room to run and plenty of family activities throughout the year.
Key Information
The egg hunt trail weaves around the Standen grounds, with hook-a-duck and skittles adding to the fun alongside the main trail. This is one of the earliest-starting trails in the county (from 14 March), so it's a good choice if you want to get ahead of the Easter crowds. The Arts and Crafts house itself is worth a visit with older children.
Top tip: Standen's trail starts weeks before Easter, so if you visit in late March you'll have the grounds largely to yourself.
Petworth "Tilly Plants a Tree" Trail — Petworth
Petworth is unique in the NT lineup: the Easter trail here is completely free — no trail fee on top of your membership or park admission.
Key Information
The "Tilly Plants a Tree" trail runs through the beautiful 700-acre deer park, following the story of Tilly and her quest to plant a tree. The Spring Festival then takes over in April, with additional activities and events across the estate. Petworth Deer Park is one of the finest landscapes in England — free to walk through even without NT membership.
Top tip: The deer park is stunning in spring. Combine the trail with a walk to the lake and back — it's one of the best free afternoons in West Sussex.
Uppark Easter Trail — South Harting
Uppark is the most tucked-away of the NT properties, sitting high on the South Downs with spectacular views across to the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
Key Information
Uppark has run an Easter trail with 10 challenges spread across the woods and gardens in previous years — check the website for 2026 confirmation, as dates had not been announced at the time of writing. Because Uppark is less well-known than Nymans or Standen, it tends to be quieter over Easter — worth the drive if you want a more peaceful experience. The walled garden and woodland walks are lovely in spring.
Wakehurst Octonauts Trail — Ardingly
Wakehurst is technically a Kew Gardens property rather than NT, but it is included here because it is one of the finest botanical gardens in Sussex and well worth the visit. Kew members get free admission; NT membership is not valid here.
Key Information
The Octonauts Easter trail sends children on a mission through the stunning 500-acre gardens, spotting characters from the beloved animated series along the way. Wakehurst's wild garden is at its best in spring — the magnolias and cherry trees are usually in full bloom across Easter, making it one of the most photogenic days out in the county.
Top tip: Book Wakehurst tickets online in advance to save and guarantee entry — it is popular over Easter. The on-site café is excellent.
Section 2: Castle, Farm & Museum Egg Hunts
Fishers Farm Park — Wisborough Green (Horsham)
Fishers Farm Park is the county's best-loved family attraction, and their Easter programme is one of the most elaborate in West Sussex.
Key Information
The "Hopping Easter Adventure" is a full Easter takeover of the farm. Meet Eggbert the Easter Bunny, take on the Egg-scape Room challenge, see baby animals (spring is lambing season), and work through the Easter trail around the farm. There are also craft activities, soft play, and all the usual farm park rides and attractions. This is the most activity-packed Easter experience in West Sussex for young children.
Top tip: Fishers Farm can get very busy in peak Easter week. Visit in the week before Easter (28 March onwards) for shorter queues. Book online and arrive early.
Borde Hill Garden — Haywards Heath
Borde Hill is a beautiful 200-acre garden estate near Haywards Heath that runs a well-loved annual Easter trail with a charming storybook theme.
Key Information
"Ludo's Easter Adventure" sends children on a trail through Borde Hill's magnificent spring garden to help the resident garden gnome, Ludo, recover his stolen Easter eggs. Children collect a trail card and follow clues through the parkland — the garden is spectacular in late March and April, with bluebells, tulips and the famous rhododendron collection coming into bloom.
Top tip: The trail fee is worth it — the garden admission alone is competitive with NT properties, and the trail adds a proper narrative structure that young children love. Look out for the children's play area in the woodland.
Fishbourne Roman Palace — Chichester
Fishbourne Roman Palace combines archaeology with Easter fun — children can explore the largest known Roman residence in Britain while on an egg hunt.
Key Information
The Roman Rabbit Trail takes children on a hunt through the palace and gardens, following Roman-themed clues. The Easter Surprises crafts (running 1–5 April) give children the chance to make their own Roman-inspired Easter gifts. Fishbourne is a genuinely impressive site — the in-situ mosaic floors are the finest in Britain — and it's very manageable with children.
Top tip: The trail and the craft sessions run at different times — check the dates. If you want both, visit over the Easter weekend (1–5 April) when everything is running simultaneously.
Arundel Castle Medieval Festival — Arundel
Not an egg hunt. Arundel Castle runs a Medieval Festival at Easter, not a trail-based egg hunt. If you're specifically after an egg trail, head to Nymans or Borde Hill. If you want a spectacular Easter day out with older children, read on.
Key Information
The Easter weekend features a full Medieval Festival with jousting, combat demonstrations, living history displays and craft activities across the castle grounds. Standard garden-only tickets are not available over this weekend — you get the full castle experience including the medieval keep and Fitzalan Chapel. It is genuinely spectacular, and the castle gardens are at their spring best with tulips and daffodils in bloom.
Top tip: Arrive early on Saturday for the best viewing positions for the jousting. The castle is closed on Mondays except bank holidays — Easter Monday (6 April) is open.
Weald & Downland Living Museum — Chichester
The Weald & Downland is one of the best open-air museums in Britain, and their Easter programme is reliably brilliant.
Key Information
The Easter Egg Trail winds through the museum's 40-acre open-air site, past historic buildings rescued from across the South East and reassembled here. Alongside the trail, the museum runs bakehouse demonstrations, traditional craft activities, and the usual living history interpretation. Timed entry is required — book in advance to guarantee your slot.
Top tip: The museum is at its absolute best in spring. Allow 3+ hours and wear comfortable shoes — the site is hilly. Parking is free.
Amberley Museum — Amberley
Amberley Museum's Easter Trail takes children through one of the most interesting industrial heritage sites in Sussex.
Key Information
Amberley's Easter Trail runs alongside their regular programme of craft activities and woodturning demonstrations. Children explore the 36-acre open-air museum — which includes vintage buses, narrow-gauge railway, printing, and traditional crafts — following the trail clues. The museum also runs hands-on Easter craft sessions on selected days during the holidays (check the website for 2026 craft dates).
Top tip: The museum is accessible by train — Amberley station is right next to the entrance. A lovely car-free option from Arundel or Littlehampton.
Section 3: Free & Low-Cost Easter Hunts
HAF Programme — Free for Eligible Families
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers free Easter activities for children eligible for free school meals. West Sussex County Council runs the programme across all seven districts, with a range of activities including sport, arts, cooking, and outdoor activities.
Key Information
Providers vary each holiday — check the council website from 2 March to see what's available near you and book early, as popular sessions fill up fast.
West Sussex Libraries — Free Craft & Story Sessions
Most West Sussex libraries run free Easter craft and story sessions during the holidays. Details are usually confirmed in March — check your local library's events page or the West Sussex Libraries website.
Key Information
Cadbury Worldwide Hide — Free Digital Egg Hunt
Cadbury runs a free national digital egg hunt every Easter, where you can hide a virtual egg anywhere in the world using Google Maps.
Key Information
You can hunt for eggs near you in West Sussex — or hide one for a friend or relative to find. A nice activity to do alongside a walk, or as a wet-weather alternative.
Village Church and Community Trails
Many West Sussex villages run their own Easter trails organised by local churches, PTAs, or community groups — often free, usually chocolate-rewarded, and a lovely community occasion.
How to find them:
- Check your parish church website or noticeboard
- Search "[your town] Easter trail 2026" on Facebook
- Check local Nextdoor groups in late March
These often appear at short notice, so it's worth watching in the week before Easter.
Worth the Drive: Drusillas Park (East Sussex)
Just across the border near Alfriston — about 35–40 minutes from Worthing or Haywards Heath — Drusillas Park runs a free in-app Easter egg trail (28 March–12 April) layered on top of their zoo, rides, water play and soft play. Admission from ~£24; check drusillas.co.uk for 2026 prices. Best for under-8s.
Quick Reference: All Venues at a Glance
| Venue | Dates | Cost (trail) | Ages | Booking? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nymans (NT) | 29 Mar – 21 Apr | £3.50/child | 3–10 | No |
| Standen (NT) | 14 Mar – 12 Apr | £3.50/child | 3–10 | No |
| Petworth (NT) | 28 Mar – 12 Apr | Free | All | No |
| Uppark (NT) | TBC | £3/child | 3–10 | No |
| Wakehurst (Kew) | 28 Mar – 12 Apr | Incl. admission | 3–10 | Recommended |
| Fishers Farm Park | 28 Mar – 12 Apr | Incl. admission | 2–12 | Recommended |
| Borde Hill Garden | 28 Mar – 20 Apr | £4.50/child | 3–10 | No |
| Fishbourne Roman Palace | 5–21 Apr (trail); 1–5 Apr (crafts) | Incl. admission | 4+ | No |
| Arundel Castle | 3–5 Apr | Incl. admission | All | Yes |
| Weald & Downland | 2–14 Apr | Incl. admission | 3+ | Yes (timed entry) |
| Amberley Museum | 9–21 Apr | Incl. admission | 4+ | No |
| Drusillas (E. Sussex — 35 min drive) | 28 Mar – 12 Apr | Incl. admission | 2–8 | Recommended |
| HAF Programme | Easter week | Free (FSM eligible) | 5–16 | Yes (from 2 March) |
| Cadbury Digital Hunt | From 26 Feb | Free | All | No |
Easter 2026 Key Dates
| Date | What's happening |
|---|---|
| 26 February | Cadbury Worldwide Hide opens |
| 2 March | HAF programme booking opens |
| 14 March | Standen Easter trail starts (earliest in county) |
| 27 March | West Sussex schools break up (approx.) |
| 28 March | Most trails begin: Nymans, Petworth, Fishers Farm, Borde Hill, Wakehurst |
| 3 April | Good Friday — Arundel Medieval Festival begins |
| 5 April | Easter Sunday |
| 6 April | Easter Monday (bank holiday) |
| 12 April | Most school holidays end; Nymans, Borde Hill, Fishbourne continue |
| 13 April | West Sussex schools return (approx.) |
Planning Tips
Book early for popular venues. Weald & Downland requires timed entry — don't leave it until Easter week. Fishers Farm Park and Drusillas get very busy; online booking saves queuing.
National Trust trails don't need booking. Just turn up and pay the small trail fee at the venue. But NT properties still get busy on bank holidays — aim for a weekday or early morning.
Combine indoor and outdoor. April weather in West Sussex is unpredictable. Venues like Fishers Farm and Fishbourne have covered sections for when showers arrive. Check the forecast and have a backup plan.
Pack a picnic. Most farm parks and gardens allow picnics — and on-site cafés get crowded at peak times. Saving money on food gives you more to spend on the trail or activity extras.
Layer up. Even warm April days can be chilly in the morning at open-air sites like Weald & Downland or Petworth Park. Layers and a waterproof are the Easter essentials.
For older children (10+). The National Trust trails are geared towards younger children. Arundel Castle's Medieval Festival, Wakehurst's gardens, and Amberley Museum offer more for older kids and teenagers. If you have teenagers to entertain across the two-week break, our guide to things to do with teenagers in West Sussex has 20+ ideas including Go Ape, go-karting, paintball, watersports, and free skateparks.
More Easter Holiday Ideas
- Full Easter guide: everything to do in West Sussex — events, days out, beaches, and family activities beyond the egg hunts
- Things to do with teenagers in West Sussex — Go Ape, go-karting, paintball, escape rooms, and watersports for ages 10–17
- Best playgrounds in West Sussex — the county's best parks and play areas for younger children
- Rainy day activities in West Sussex — indoor options if the April weather turns
- Best soft play and indoor activities in West Sussex — soft play centres, trampoline parks and all-day indoor venues
All dates, prices and details were correct at time of writing (February 2026). Easter events can sell out and details change without notice. Always check venue websites directly before booking or visiting. For everything else to do over Easter in West Sussex, see our full Easter guide and the Easter holidays page.