Here in Gloucestershire we just love Easter – after all, it means spring has sprung and guarantees us an influx of happy visitors, especially families with children who come to lap up the fun of all the special events we locals put on in our area.

If you haven’t enjoyed Easter in the Cotswold valleys before, you have a treat in store! There’s so much to do you’ll be spoilt for choice – but of course whatever you choose you should factor in a delicious lunch (Sunday roast is best!) at the Edgemoor Inn in Painswick, so make sure you ring us to book your spot as soon as possible.

With sustenance organised for your visit, here’s a taste of some of the happenings the Easter bunny has in store in and around Stroud and Gloucester this Easter:

  • Catch the Egg Thief!! Really close to home, at Painswick’s historic Rococo Garden, there’s trouble afoot! A thief has stolen Easter eggs from some of the local woodland creatures and we need some young detectives to follow the clues and track down the culprit. It’s a fun trail created by local children’s author Hannah Shaw – with a chocolate prize for the winner. The garden is a delight in itself without the Easter shenanigans: enjoy the maze and the rustic woodland play area.

When: Saturday April 6 to Monday April 22 2019, 10.30am to 5pm.

Where: GL6 6 TH

Online: www.rococogarden.org.uk

  • Live lambing and hatching chicks. Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park (you probably know Adam from the BBC Countryfile show) is the perfect place to see the birth of little woolly lambs, bottle feed them, and watch fluffy chicks hatching in incubators. You can cuddle a bunny, too, of course.

When: From now until Sunday April 28 2019, all day from 10.30am.

Where: GL54 5UG

Online: www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

  • Duck splash-down at Slimbridge. The incredible Slimbridge Wetland Centre – home to the world’s largest collection of swans, geese, ducks and flamingo species, has some new temporary residents for the Easter holidays. Hunt out the giant Dusty Ducks – they’re a bit shy, albeit they were designed by celebrities such as Joanna Lumley, Chris Packham, Steve Backshall and Justin Fletcher (who you may know better as Mr Tumble), and created by Bristol’s Aardman Animations.

When: Through to Monday May 6 2019, from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Where: GL2 7BT

Online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park

  • Sneaky chicks! The Easter chickens at Sudeley Castle have taken refuge indoors, hiding in the Castle chambers. Hunt them down as you explore this magnificent private castle which was home to King Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, who’s buried in the grounds. If you get there before April 22 you’ll find some giant Easter Eggs in the gardens too!

When: Until Sunday 28 April 2019.

Where: GL54 5JD

Online: https://sudeleycastle.co.uk

In Painswick itself we’re celebrating Easter with our annual charity Painswick Playgroup Easter Egg Hunt in and around the village centre on Saturday April 20, from 12 to 4pm.

It’s a great community event with a novelty egg hunt as well as bouncy castles, food stalls, face painting and a cake stall to name but a few of the attractions.

The Easter bunny himself has promised to attend, and if you bring your favourite cuddly toy along you can join in the famous Teddy Bear Parachuting from St. Mary’s Church Spire. (Find out more on Facebook).

We welcome visitors and would be delighted to see you here in the village, or why not pop in to wet your whistle at the Edgemoor Inn if you’re heading to this part of the world for Easter – or any time of year – so we can meet you in person.