Easter on the Cornish coast

The extended Easter bank holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy spending time together. Whether you’re looking for all the traditional Easter activities or want to try something new, there’s plenty on offer for families staying in Cornwall’s holiday parks this spring.

 Discover our top picks for your Easter egg-stravaganza!

Bodmin & Wenford Railway, 27^th – 28^th March

If you’re planning a Looe or Polperro holiday this Easter, you can take in the outstanding natural scenery and get to know a bit more about Cornwall’s past at Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

Situated in the rugged landscape of Bodmin, this heritage railway complete with running steam train takes passengers on a journey through the stunning views of this region.

This Easter, Bodmin Railway will also serve as the setting for a mysterious trail with guests asked to solve the clues in order to find a stash of eggs. The Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Event is also a chance for little ones to take a ride on the miniature railway, have their face painted or marvel at the balloon modelling on site.

Crealy Great Adventure Theme Park, 25^th March – 10^th April

With plenty of new rides and attractions opening especially for Easter 2016, Crealy Great Adventure Theme Park is sure to keep youngsters and teens amused for hours.

Challenge your loved ones to a spot of all new undercover digging for treasure or see who’s the bravest of them all on the Morgawr rollercoaster!

Running from Good Friday, families heading to this fun park over the Easter holiday can take part in a trail to win a prize or have their faces painted for free.  There’s also a complimentary crème egg waiting for every child visiting the park in the spring and those fortunate to visit on Easter Sunday itself can meet the Bunny in person. Make sure to pick up a “What’s On” guide from the ticket office or shop to make the most of your day.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, 25^th March – 10^th April

 The grounds at Heligan are ‘blooming’ lovely this time of year, so why not spend Easter at The Lost Gardens?

Adults can take in the first spring flowers while little ones run off some energy in the 200 acres of estate and gardens at Heligan. Make the most of your visit and see if you can spot all of the quirky sleeping giant sculptures, walk one of the longest rope bridges in Europe and say hello to the estate’s very own spring time chicks and ducklings in a day.

Easter guests are in for a treat, with young explorers invited to take part in The Great Emu Egg Hunt to find the bright turquoise eggs hidden throughout the Northern Gardens and Pleasure Grounds. Once you’ve collected all the clues, head back to Heligan’s ‘Egg HQ’ to collect your chocolate prize and carry on the Easter fun.

There’s plenty of fun and games in store for visitors at Egg HQ. Crafty types can get creative in a number of Easter workshops, including making a paper spring flower, creating your own growing Giant’s Head to take home as a memento of your day and decorating an egg for Heligan’s special Easter tree.

Newquay Zoo, 25^th March – 10^th April

If your clan are fans of wildlife, spending Easter at Newquay Zoo is guaranteed to please everyone.

Newquay’s award-winning zoo is home to more than 130 of the world’s rare and exciting creatures. You may not come across the Easter bunny here, but exotic animals such as lions, penguins and meerkats are sure to amuse the kids instead. Discover more about the animals you meet in the zoo’s daily talks and shows.

You’ll also be doing your bit for a local cause too, as Newquay Zoo’s Kirsten explains: “Besides enjoying a great family day out, when you visit Newquay Zoo you’ll also be supporting one of Cornwall’s biggest and most worthwhile charities. We are playing a key role in the international effort to save animals through conservation breeding.”

Join in the spring fun with a special egg hunt around Newquay Zoo over the Easter weekend. The zoo is also offering face painting and origami sessions for children.

Cotehele, 25^th – 28^th March

Puzzle solvers can prove their skills in the popular Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Cotehele.

The National Trust’s Cotehele House and Gardens is a favourite heritage site of South East Cornwall, attracting many holidaymakers each year who come to see the Tudor house’s impressive collection of tapestries and period furniture.

At Easter the pretty gardens at Cotehele come alive with spring blossoms and families can work together to solve clues and claim a prize. Starting at the Bunny’s burrow, visitors must work out the puzzle in this child-friendly egg hunt and get back to the burrow in time for a Cadbury treat.

The Lane Theatre, 31^st March

Round off the Easter holiday with some grown-up fun at Johnny Cowling’s Easter Comedy Show.

The Lane Theatre, run by the charity Newquay Dramatic Society, offers an excellent 138-seat auditorium where the audience can enjoy a range of theatrical shows, live music sets and comedy performances throughout the year. Kicking off its summer season of productions from guest artists is Cornwall’s own Johnny Cowling performing stand-up comedy for one night only.

Johnny, who may be better known for co-hosting the popular Hometime radio show on Pirate FM with Holly Day, is billed as Cornwall’s comedy export and his upcoming Easter show at the Lane Theatre is guaranteed to get people giggling.

Johnny adds: “The Lane Theatre is one of my favourite venues and I’m sure the Easter show will be full of the usual comedy and song …no surprises as such… although you can never tell which way the show is going to go until the night!!..”