CHARLOTTE CIVIL and CHARLIE WALKER guide us through the best breaks for the family this Easter

1 POTTER ROUND THE LAKES
The  country’s biggest egg hunt is in the idyllic surroundings of the Lake District, home of Beatrix Potter. The Great Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt (01539 822 222/ www.golakes.co.uk/peterrabbit) will have 100 ceramic eggs hidden cross 2,600 square miles. The event begins on Wednesday when vague locations of the goodies are announced on the website.  

The beautiful hand-made eggs celebrate the centenary of  The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse. Prizes for lucky finders include a two-night family break at the Low Wood Hotel on Windermere.

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2 FUN FOR EVERYONE
Cadbury has teamed up with the National Trust (0844 800 1895/ www.eastereggtrail.com) to host egg trails at more than 230  historic properties and beautiful landscapes across the UK on  April 4 and 5. Each trail will be unique, with clues leading youngsters to a chocolate treat.

While parents explore the attraction children can have their faces painted, be enchanted by magical storytellers and take part in a seasonal game of “nest ball”.

Prices vary for different attractions. Visit the website to find your nearest trail.

3 BIRD’S EYE HUNT
The London Eye (0871 781 3000/ www.londoneye.com) has hidden 10 huge eggs around the South Bank landscape. From April 2 to 18 a toy chick, visible only while enjoying the panoramic views that a turn on the attraction allows, will be placed somewhere on the site of the wheel. Visitors that spot all the scattered eggs and the chick will be eligible to win one of 10 prizes that include a Merlin Entertainments Annual Family Pass worth £800.

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4 CIRCUS ACT
This Easter weekend why not  head to the Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth (02392 857 520/ www.spinnakertower.co.uk). From  April 2 to 18 the circus is in town and clowning around at the top of the tower. If you fancy yourself as  a bit of a juggler you can take part  in one of the six circus workshops being held daily. Younger children can have their faces painted or  get involved in activities and games where there are plenty  of prizes. Tickets £7 per adult, £5.50 per child.

5 MOTORING MAGIC
Motor enthusiasts young and old should head to the Heritage  Motor Centre (01926 641 188/ www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk) in Gayton, Warwickshire. From today until April 11 test your knowledge in an Easter I Spy  quiz, try your hand at arts and crafts and even paint your own toy racing car. Children under eight can have plenty of fun behind the wheel of electric cars on the miniature roadway and over-eights can whizz round the track on go-karts. Tickets £9 per adult, £7 per child, £28 per family (two adults and up to three children under 16).

6 POTTERY APLENTY
There’s plenty of crafty fun to be had on the Isle of Wight this Easter. In Chessell, in the beautiful, unspoilt West Wight countryside visit Chessell Pottery Barns  (01983 531 248/ www.pottery-cafe.com/chessell) and watch the potters at work producing the new Chessell Ware. Decorate your own ceramic egg cup for just £5, including glazing and
firing. If you’re not the arty type why not treat yourself to the “Ultimate Island Cream  
Tea”, as voted by the Wight Good Food Guide, served in the Courtyard Café.

7 FAIR GAME
Hampton Court Palace (0844 482 7777/ www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace) hosts an
Easter Fair from April 2 to 6 including such favourites as the carousel, helter-skelter and Ferris wheel. on the 6th you can buy a wristband for £2 and enjoy the rides for just £1 (dodgems £1.50).

The proceeds from the wristband go to support the Historic Royal Palaces membership scheme. open daily from 1pm to 11pm.

8 SHIP AHOY
At the Historic Dockyard Chatham (01634 823 807/ www.thedockyard.co.uk) take in three historic warships: Cold War submarine HMS ocelot, Second World War destroyer HMS Cavalier and Victorian sloop (war vessel)  HMS Gannet, as well as the Royal
Dockyard Museum. The Medway Festival of Steam & Transport on April 4 and 5 has hundreds of steam and transport exhibits.

Tickets £16 per adult, £12 per child.

9 BRING A BONNET
Free chocolate awaits visitors taking part in the Easter Parade at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge Gorge (01952 884 391/ www.ironbridge.org.uk). From April 2 to 5, you can play such traditional games as egg dancing, below, where you try to skip blindfolded across the street without stepping on any. Join in with the singing at the New Inn or get hands-on at craft workshops. Admission £13 per adult, £9 per child.

10 NOT  AN EGG  IN SIGHT
Get a taste of medieval battle at Warwick Castle, left, in Warwickshire (0871 265 2000/
www.warwickcastle.co.uk).

From April 2  to 5, the 11th-century castle will be home to re-enactors eating, sleeping and living in real battle conditions.

When they take up arms to defend their castle don’t miss the trebuchet, a powerful siege
machine that launches a flaming fireball into the sky.

Also present will be Robin Hood giving archery lessons.

Admission  £14 per adult, £8 per child.