Things to do this Easter

If you’re looking for things to do in Bedfordshire this Easter holiday, we’ve pulled together a couple of suggestions to help inspire you. Whether you are looking for something for the whole family, something to amuse the kids, a way to wind down or something that won’t break the bank, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. Whatever it is you want to do this Easter, there is something for everyone.

If you’re bringing the kids to Bedfordshire for the Easter break and need a way to keep everyone happy, try some of these popular attractions.

One popular place to visit is Woburn Safari Park where you can experience the wilds of Africa without even leaving Bedfordshire. The park has a host of endangered and beautiful animals, free parking, a full programme of talks and demonstrations so you can find out more about the animals you visit and loads of activities tailored to each holiday, which means, you get a different experience every time you visit.

For those of you who are a little more adventurous, try your hand at some tree top challenges at Go Ape Woburn, located at the Safari Park and just an hour from London, you can have a real Tarzan experience here, climbing the trees while wallabies roam below. You can even combine your visit and enjoy a discounted rate!

Wild animals can be a bit overwhelming for some, so why not ease them in by visiting PetPiggies Mini Pig Encounters. This interactive back to nature experience allows you to get up close and personal with a host of cute mini pigs. Once the kids have spent some time making friends here, they’ll want nothing more than to enjoy the wilds of Woburn Safari Park.

If it starts to get a bit warm, don’t forget to take a dip at Woburn Lido which has been a part of the community since 1911. The lido features a pool heated to around 26 degrees, allowing a comfortable leisure swim whatever the weather, but in the sunshine, it is simply glorious. 

Another option, especially if you want to keep the kids away from their screens during the holidays is to head to the Forest of Marston Vale. With 18km of level paths, taking you past hides in the Nature Reserve and Park, you can really get them excited about nature. The Forest Centre is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible and there are disabled facilities throughout, providing a great day out for everyone.

Woburn isn’t the only place you can find beautiful animals and learn about them, there is also ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest zoo, set in the Children Hills and home to almost 3000 animals. Visitors can either travel around by foot, bus and car or by the Whipsnade Steam Railway. There are a host of programmes, activities and talks to keep you entertained as well as indoor and outdoor play areas, so whatever the weather, you don’t need to end the fun.

For the more mechanically minded, head to Shuttleworth and check out the Collection – a living, working collection of the best airworthy vintage aircraft in the UK, with six hangars and engineering workshops to be explored. The collection also features the largest number of genuine WWI airworthy crafts in Europe and the oldest aircraft that can still fly. It isn’t just the aircraft you can visit at Shuttleworth, there is also the Swiss Garden and the House which are also well worth a visit.

In Luton there is The Galaxy, a leisure destination in the heart of the town which provides fun and entertainment for the whole family. With eateries, a cinema, bowling alley, gym and just about everything else you can think of, this is a great choice for those less bright days. Or, nearby there is the Orbital Trampoline Park where there are sessions for all ages and abilities. You can easily spend a whole day jumping to your heart’s content.

Bedfordshire is a great place for history lovers – it is where Katherine of Aragon spent her exile and where the Duchess of Bedford invented Afternoon Tea. It is also where the BBC moved operations during the war and many of the hotels provided respite to European leaders.

One place to visit is Wardown House and Gallery where you can discover Luton’s history. Located in the middle of a beautiful, landscaped park on the edge of town, it was once the home of a wealthy family during the Victorian era and today has a host of exhibitions and displays.

For something a little older, visit Someries Castle. Demolished in the 1700s, the historic brickwork still remains and it is believed to be one of the first brick buildings to be constructed in England.

There is also Stockwood Discovery Centre where you can find exhibitions showing a timeline from prehistoric times through to today. With free entry, beautiful gardens, a children’s playground and more, Stockwood offers adventures through discovery. You can even find Luton’s last tram there!

Nearby in Biggleswade there is Jordan’s Mill, which has been home to the Jordan family for over 150 years and was first mentioned as a milling site in the Domesday Book of 1086. Visitors can find out more about the mill by taking part in a guided tour of the museum and enjoy the beautiful gardens and meadows.

Need more inspiration for your visit? Find things to do here.