Leap into spring in Basingstoke and Deane this Easter. Whatever the weather, Love Basingstoke has you covered with our top picks of activities, attractions, and exhibitions to enjoy come rain or shine this Easter holidays. 

Spring outside

The spring flowers, warmer days and lighter evenings make Easter a perfect time to enjoy days with family and friends exploring the great outdoors.  

Scour the grounds of Basing House over the Easter weekend to find the hidden eggs and be entered into a draw to win a special prize. The BIG Easter Egg Hunt at Basing House runs on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 March and is included in general admission.

Take a trip over to Whitchurch at the beginning of the Easter holidays to take part in Whitchurch Silk Mill's Easter egg hunt. Explore the mill grounds in search of the missing chocolates left by the Easter bunny.

Enjoy fun challenges such as wheelbarrow racing, target practice and an Easter egg puzzle at 10 activity stations in The Vyne’s gardens from 23 March to 14 April. At the end, head to the trail finish to collect an Easter egg. Prices are £3 per trail.

Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society’s annual Miniature Steam Gala returns again this April. The gala takes place at Viables Craft Centre on 13 and 14 April between 10am and 4.30pm and will feature traction engines, steam and electric train rides, garden railway and a tombola. Entrance to the gala is free but donations are appreciated.  

Hop indoors 

If the weather isn’t on your side then you’ll find plenty of fun to be had at one of the borough’s indoor attractions. 

Pantos aren’t just for Christmas! Beauty and The Beast at The Anvil stars Lee Latchford-Evans from pop group Steps as the Prince/Beast, Barney Harwood from CBBC and Blue Peter as Gaston and Steve Royle, a Britain’s Got Talent finalist, as Silly Billy. Pick up tickets for the performance on Tuesday 9 April on the Anvil Arts website. 

You’ll find other shows at The Anvil and Haymarket theatres including Rude Science!, a hilarious high-tech and explosive family show packed with science stunts, spectacular experiments and bizarre props. Younger children might enjoy Shark in the Park which is suitable for those aged two and over and Andy and The Odd Socks, a mixture of songs, slapstick and silliness suitable for those three and over. Experience square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes with The Amazing Bubble Man on Saturday 13 April at 2pm. 

Head to Milestones Museum between Friday 29 March and Sunday 14 April to join Bun, Ted and their friends on a trail around the museum filled with clues, puzzles and the chance to collect a prize.  The trail costs £3 in addition to admission and pre-booking is advised.

Atmosphere and Flip Out are both great rainy day activities as well as Basingstoke Aquadrome and Basingstoke Sports Centre.  

Parks and green spaces 

On dry days, take advantage of the many local parks, play areas and green spaces in the borough. Head to Basing Wood for some wildlife spotting, explore Crabtree Plantation or enjoy the dog-friendly Beggarwood Park. You can find more dog-friendly locations across Basingstoke and Deane here. 

Basingstoke town centre  

Take part in Love Basingstoke’s Top of the Town Easter Trail. From Friday 29 March to Sunday 14 April, 12 images of Easter eggs will be hidden in different shop windows across the Top of the Town. Collect a trail map from Chancellors Estate Agents on Winchester Street, the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery or The Dice Tower on London Street (please check the business’ website for opening hours) and see if you can find them all! Completed trail maps can be entered into a prize draw. For full details take a look here.

The Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery has lots to take part in over the Easter holidays. From Friday 29 March to Sunday 14 April, you can hunt for the hidden coins around the museum as part of a Roman coin trail and learn some fascinating facts about Roman Britain at the same time. The trail is £2.  Every good Roman household had their own shrine to the family’s gods and goddesses. Using a template and mod roc you can create your own shrine.  This workshop is suitable for children over five and costs £7 per child with materials included.

Come face-to-face with a giant gorilla, an enormous elephant and a pouncing panther at Festival Place which is hosting the BRICKLIVE Animal Jungle model trail from 29 March to 12 April. You can collect a trail map from the Customer Lounge before following the trail around the centre, discovering facts about the animals and snapping some selfies.

The Malls Shopping Centre also has lots going on with a free Easter card and decorations workshop on Saturday 30 March between 11am and 4pm. You'll find some white rabbits bouncing around on Wednesday 10 April at 11.30am, 1.15pm and 3pm.

Eating out

Enjoy a bite to eat out on Easter Sunday at The Holiday Inn where you can enjoy a carvery with an Easter egg hunt for the children and prizes available for every completed easter sheet.  You can also enjoy a Sunday roast at the Beach Arms in Oakley.

As well as things to do, if you are looking for ways to have a low-waste Easter then check out our blog full of ideas to help you achieve a more sustainable Easter. 

Have we left anything out?  Please let us know at hello@LoveBasingstoke.co.uk if you know of any other events in the borough and we’d be happy to help promote it on our channels. 

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.   

 March 2024