Top family Easter activities 2023 to book including Woburn Safari Park

A crowd pleaser that will suit all ages is a trip to Woburn Safari Park.

The main draw is driving through the animal reserves - as many times as you like. There are speed limits of course, but you have to go slowly, when a herd of giraffes cross your path, or elephants file past nose to tail. We gazed at grazing zebras, majestic rhinos, and spotted bears roaming in the bushes; paused for a pacing tiger, and got up close to a pride of sleeping lions.

The VIP experiences at Woburn include getting up close to feed the giraffes (Image: Woburn Safari Park)

The monkey enclosure is an experience in itself, as the troop climb on your car and stare curiously in at your windows. If they cling on too long keepers arrive to gently brush them off or distract them with food.

Once you have done with the driving, you can park up and visit lemur, meerkat, penguin and sea lion enclosures on foot.

Zebras roam at Woburn Safari Park (Image: Woburn Safari Park)

There are keeper talks, a railway trip to see the alpacas, a spin around the lake on a swan pedalo, and several play areas included in the entry. If you can stretch to it, the VIP experiences are highly recommended. From an off-road jeep safari, which gets you up close to wildlife, to a big cat breakfast, and a giraffe encounter where you are eye to eye with the animals as they tug foliage from your hands, it's a visit we won't forget. Prices are £29.99 per adult and £21.99 per child but can change throughout the year so check the website for up-to-date information at https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/tickets-and-offers/

Try the legacy loop at Lee Valley Regional Park or take part in biking activities at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Image: Lee Valley White Water Centre)

Easter at Lee Valley Regional Park ranges from an athletics camp with expert tuition, to horse riding, bike activities and white water rafting. Cycle in the wake of Olympic heroes, or learn BMX and MTB skills, with sessions for ages 7-16 at Lee Valley VeloPark on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Daredevils aged 12+ can brave the Legacy Loop, at Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross with a range of activities from white water rafting to 'hydrospeeding' down the rapids with flippers and a board, and 'hotdogging' in a two person Kayak. Those who like their water calmer can also try paddleboarding and or kayaking.

A new Guy Fawkes themed escape room opens at The London Dungeon on the Southbank on April 3 (Image: Courtesy of The London Dungeon)

For ages 12 and up, London Dungeon launches a Guy-Fawkes themed escape room on April 3 which sees guests locked in the Tower of London, where they are sentenced to be hanged for having conspired against the King.

They have 60 minutes to escape the cell from the moment they are locked in, and will be put to the test with a series of clues left behind by Guy Fawkes to guide them through logic-based puzzles and physical taks, while dodging the Prison Guard conducting regular checks of the cells. Tickets can be booked as teams of 2 to 6 people for £120 per game.

Charterhouse in EC1 was founded in 1371 (Image: Courtesy of Charterhouse)Meet the monks and nuns of medieval England and gain a fascinating insight into the world of the Cloister and Abbey at Charterhouse, which was founded in 1371. Visitors to the free drop in sessions on April 5 will be taken back to a time when Abbeys, Priories and Monasteries covered the land, with an array of artefacts, objects for handling, and learning about the daily life of a Carthusian brother at Charterhouse in Charterhouse Square EC1. There are also portrait drawing sessions for ages 8+ on April 11 https://thecharterhouse.org/visit-us/whats-on/

The Queen of Hearts comes to Merchant Square Paddington on April 5 and invites you to join in a range of activities including Easter themed competitions. Join her and a playful playing card for a spot of flamingo croquet on the lawn…just don’t forget your hedgehog and try not to lose your head. Activites run from 11-4pm with tours with Alice and the Rabbit lasting 25 minutes. Each tour has a limited number of bookable tickets with spaces for walk ins on the day. Suitable for ages 4-12, events are free but donations encouraged to the Cosmic neonatal charity.

There's a free Sharky &George Easter trail at St Pancras International (Image: St Pancras International)

St Pancras International station is hosting a free Easter Egg hunt with Sharky & George at various times on April 6, 7, and 8. Families are invited to join an immersive art-themed hunt around the station's artworks with free food and giveaways from participating retailers. The app-guided hunt will including playing games with a French artist, scratching your heads over a mind-boggling memory game, and making a giant floral masterpiece. Booking on Eventbrite.

A previous Easter activity at Lauderdale House, Highgate (Image: Newsquest Archive)Finally Lauderdale House, Highgate is hosting a free Easter treasure hunt on Easter Sunday. (April 9) Count chickens, solve riddles and hunt for the giant bunny in Waterlow Park between 11am and 4.30pm. Collect a copy of the map from the Tea Lawn and there's a small chocolate surprise for the first 100 to complete the hunt. https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/easter-trail-2023