Egg Hunts

The hunt is on for some scrumptious chocolate treats. This is the one time of year you'll see kiddies, parents and grandparents running around trying to find those elusive Easter eggs. London has some wonderful outdoor locations and stately homes that have laid down some specially-designed hunts and trails. It's all about becoming a chocolate detective and picking up the sweet scent, so take up the challenge and enjoy a delightful family day out.

Easter Egg Trails at Sutton House

Sutton House, London, E9 6JQ
29th March 2012 - 15th April 2012

Take the whole family to follow the Easter Egg Trails at Sutton House this Easter, the National Trust-owned property in Hackney and East London's oldest private house. Not only do the kids get to run around the 16th-century building and grounds but, best of all, at the end of the "C is for Chocolate" Easter egg trail they get a delicious Cadbury's chocolate Easter egg. Built in 1535 for Sir Ralph Sadleir, Principal Secretary of State for Henry VIII, the historic house has been the subject of many alterations. Inside the original oak panelling, painted staircase, carved fireplaces and Jacobean paintings are a feast for the eyes, not to mention the mural left by squatters during the 1980s. Between these dates Thursdays and Fridays will be dedicated to Family Fun days where in addition to the egg hunt there will be costumes, toys and games available to enjoy.

More info: Easter Egg Trails at Sutton House Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Egg Hunt at Ham House

Ham House & Garden, London, TW10 7RS
6th April 2012 - 9th April 2012

Ham House is a stunning backdrop for Easter fun and games on the banks of the Thames, but with chocolate on the brain it'll be scrumptious rather than sumptuous that your tots will be interested in. Still, while the kids scamper about hunting down eggs in the maze-like wilderness, the Cherry Garden with its famous lavender parterres is a lovely feature of these charming formal gardens for parents to enjoy. This is a top family day out - it feels like you're a million miles out of the big city and you'll be able to while away hours, even after the chocolate has been found, wandering through the trees, playing hide 'n' seek and generally enjoying the gardens, especially if it's a clear spring day. If the weather doesn't hold up you can always venture inside the house - you may need to bribe the little ones with even more chocolate for this but the fine, elegant interiors of this 17th-century Stuart mansion are worth it. Rumour has it that this is one of the most haunted houses in Britain - so guard your eggs closely before they're spirited away.

More info: Easter Egg Hunt at Ham House Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Trail at Kenwood House

Kenwood House, London, NW3 7JR
6th April 2012 - 9th April 2012

The sprawling lawns and dappled woods of Kenwood House's magnificent grounds are like a secret garden just waiting to be discovered this Easter, and what better way for children to explore this idyllic landscape than on a hunt for chocolate? There's a labyrinth of tiny footpaths to scamper around winding across the estate through blossoming rhododendron bushes and small forests of flowering trees. Children can pick up a trail sheet and use it to find large wooden eggs which are scattered all around the grounds on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Once your intrepid little chocoholics have followed the clues round the lake and beyond and completed the trail they can return the sheet and collect their yummy chocolate prize. Once all the eggs have been guzzled, the whole family can enjoy wandering through this quintessential English garden. Start off in the shadow of Kenwood House's striking white facade and take in the panoramic views over London before delving into the meandering woodland paths - this is a lovely rural outing over the long weekend.

More info: Easter Trail at Kenwood House Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Egg Hunt at Battersea Park Zoo

Battersea Park Children's Zoo, London, SW11 4NJ
31st March 2012 - 8th April 2012

Which animals are hiding the most Easter Eggs? Join the Easter Egg Hunt at Battersea Park Children's Zoo and find out whether it's the mischievous monkeys who are stashing away all the eggs. Or could it be the ring-tailed lemur? The pot-bellied pig looks suspiciously like he's scoffed all the chocolates judging from his big rounded belly. From giant rabbits to miniature Shetland ponies, your mission is to discover where the chocolate eggs are hidden by searching among the zoo's unique range of exotic animals. The £1.50 entrance fee for the Easter Egg Hunt buys you a quiz sheet, all you need to do is solve the clues to claim your prize.

More info: Easter Egg Hunt at Battersea Park Zoo Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter egg-stravaganza! at London Wetland Centre

WWT London Wetland Centre, London, SW13 9WT
31st March 2012 - 15th April 2012

The Easter holidays are the ideal time to take the family to see the newly hatched ducklings at London Wetland Centre taking their first dip. After all, spring is the time when Mother Nature wakes up, dusts off the hangover of winter and new life starts to grow. Kids can also look for frogs, toads, newts and tadpoles all starting to develop. These are just some of the Easter activities available at the Wetland Centre in Barnes from 31st March to 15th April. The wildlife centre is a great place for kids to get a close-up view of nature's re-birth in action, and a rare chance for Londoners to feel like they're in the countryside. In addition to the daily Duckling Demonstration, kids can do some pond dipping and join in the Great Egg Hunt to win a chocolate prize - a wickedly difficult hunt is also available for any grown-ups hoping to get in on the action and claim their prize!

More info: Easter egg-stravaganza! at London Wetland Centre Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Big Egg Hunt

Selfridges, W1U 1AB
21st February 2012 - 8th April 2012

Londoners can embark on one of the biggest ever egg hunts this spring as the capital is hosting the aptly named - Big Egg Hunt. With over 200 hundred eggs hidden throughout the city this isnt just any old egg hunt, chocolate lovers may be disappointed as the eggs are in fact specially crafted by a number of leading artists, designers, architects and jewellers. The ultimate goal of the hunt is to win the grand prize, the Diamond Jubilee Egg - a unique work of art designed by Faberge. The 18 carat gold egg is encrusted with 60 fine gems and is worth 100,000 pounds! Each egg contains a unique word, and once discovered the hunter can text the word in order to be automatically entered into a draw to win the golden egg - the more eggs you find, the more chances you have to win. Visit the official website to discover the different zones, view the egg designs and maybe even bid on an egg.

More info: The Big Egg Hunt Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Egg Hunt at Kew

Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens), London, TW9 3AB
31st March 2012 - 15th April 2012

If the explosion of spring flowers isn't enough to tempt you to Kew Gardens, then free chocolate should do the trick. Kids can meet the Easter bunny who's helped by characters from Kew's Climbers and Creepers for what promises to be a wonderful family day out. Mr Bunny is also the one who has a stash of choccy so children following the Easter egg hunt around the gardens will have an extra incentive for tracking him down. While you're in hot pursuit of those Easter eggs, keep an eye out for three costumed characters at different points around the garden. All you have to do to get a free chocolate treat is collect a token from each character then collect your prize from the Easter Bunny outside Museum No. 1. There's no limit on places but it's best to arrive fairly early as it's first come, first served - and once the chocolate runs out (usually about 12.30pm or 1pm) that's it!

More info: Easter Egg Hunt at Kew Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Family Fun Trail at Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace, London, SE9 5QE
8th April 2012 - 11th April 2012

Explore the grounds of the boyhood home of Henry VIII, Eltham Palace, while on the hunt for some hidden Easter eggs. Unearth all the eggs trail laid out across the grounds and you'll receive a chocolate treat. This is a great way to get all the family to explore the beautiful landmark building used as a royal residence from the 14th to the 16th century. The original palace dates back to 1305 when it was given to Edward II by the Bishop of Durham, Anthony Bek. After a period of restoration in the 1930s which gave the Great Hall some Art Deco touches, the property came under the management of English Heritage.

More info: Easter Family Fun Trail at Eltham Palace Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter Egg Trail at Fenton House

Fenton House, London, NW3 6RT
6th April 2012 - 9th April 2012

This Easter children can scamper around the garden at Hampstead's Fenton House to find the clues that will lead them to a Cadbury's chocolate egg prize. Just one of the 220 egg hunts taking place at National Trust properties this Easter, the Fenton House Easter Egg Trail is enough to entertain the most excitable kids over the Easter weekend, with activities taking place throughout. Chocolate seeking kids can also get their faces painted while parents can look around the lovely 17th century Fenton House and its outstanding collection of porcelain.

More info: Easter Egg Trail at Fenton House Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Easter at Osterley

Osterley Park and House, London, TW7 4RB
8th April 2012 - 9th April 2012

The National Trust is adept at hiding Easter eggs at wonderful locations all over Britain and Osterley Park and House is no exception. This impressive redbrick mansion, originally Tudor but transformed into neo-classical style by Robert Adam, stands in beautiful 18th century grounds, where children are invited to scour high and low, leaving no stone unturned, in an effort to follow the trail leading to the chocolate-y treats. Just like the eggs, Osterley itself is well-hidden - you wonder if it really is there at all and then stumble upon it in the middle of a residential area, making its presence even more magical. The ornamental lakes and blossoming flowers in springtime are really worth the trip westwards and little ones will have a ball in the acres of open space - after all that sugary chocolate, they may need to run off some excess energy too! Be sure to get there early as there's no booking and prizes are only available while stocks last. The trail starts on the Front Lawn if the weather is fine or at the Brewhouse in the Stableyard if wet.

More info: Easter at Osterley Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube