A four day Easter bank holiday weekend is an opportunity for lots of families to spend some quality time together - and there's nowhere better to do it than Northumberland.
The county's attractions have several special events over the Easter break. Just some of the examples include exploring Roman ruins, exploring the woodlands home to the lady of the North, as well as many good old-fashioned Easter Egg trails.
There are events at some of the region's castles too, but with gorgeous coastal walks and stunning beaches, you can also make the most of a cheap day out too. Here is our round-up of some of 2022's Easter events in Northumberland.
Read more: The complete guide to the Hadrian's Wall 1900 Festival
Easter Roman Adventure Quests
When: April 2 - 24
Where: Chesters Roman Fort and Birdoswald Roman Fort
How much: £1.50 per person on top of normal admission fee (£10 per adult, £6 per child aged 5 - 17, £26 per family ticket)
There are loads of events going on over the Easter Holidays as part of the Hadrian's Wall 1900 Festival, but the most relevant to families is the Easter Roman Adventure Quests. Taking place at two of Northumberland's Roman forts, Birdoswald and Chesters, the challenge is to crack the clues on an outdoor trail around their ruins.
Other 1900 Festival events taking place over the Easter break include Building the Wall at Segedunum, The Eighth Legion at Vindolanda, The Lost Fort at Arbeia in South Shields, the Edwardian Discovery of Coria at Corbridge Roman Town and the Vindolanda Excavations - which started on March 28. Twice Brewed are debuting their Roman beer at the Newcastle Beer Festival too, but that's strictly for adults only!
Easter Egg Hunts at National Trust Properties
When: April 9 - 24
Where: Wallington, Seaton Delaval Hall and Cragside
How much: £3 per child on top of normal admission fee
Find nature inspired activities for the whole family at National Trust properties across Northumberland. Trails includes a map, pencil and chocolate egg at the end (with non-chocolate alternative available) at Wallington, Seaton Delaval Hall and Cragside.
Times and dates vary for each site, find out more here.
Easter Adventure Quest
When: April 2 - 24
Where: Belsay Hall
How much: £1.50 on top of normal admission fee
Belsay Hall's adventure quest includes traditional games such as egg rolling and the egg and spoon race, as well as a trail packed with clues and challenges. Those who track down the Easter Eggs are rewarded with a chocolate treat and adventurer's certificate.
Around the World in 18 Days
When: April 9 - 24
Where: Alnwick Garden
How much: Included in admission
Not your usual Easter Egg Hunt at the Alnwick Garden! The recent winner of three golds at the North East Tourism Awards, the popular attraction invites families to challenge their inner Phileas Fogg and go on safari, explore the rainforest and delve deep into the ocean at the garden.
Visitors get a passport as part of their touring trail where they can mark off what they've identified during their trip.
Read more: List of UK's best outdoor nature areas for children - and one is in the North East
Easter Eggstravaganza
When: April 9 - 24
Where: Whitehouse Farm Centre
How much: Included in admission fee
The Northumberland Farm where a five-legged lamb was recently born is hosting two weeks of family friendly events this Easter. There'll be daily magic shows, bottle feeding lambs, and lots of Easter babies from sheep, goats and cows at Whitehouse Farm Centre near Morpeth.
On April 15 - 18 there'll also be an Easter Egg Hunt around the farm and visitors have a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! Kids can also enjoy tractor rides, a soft play, and an adventure playground.
Northumberlandia Landscape Quiz Trail and Easter Egg Hunt
When: April 9 - April 15, 10:00 - 17:00 daily
Where: Northumberlandia, Cramlington
How much: £3 per trail download
One of two Easter events by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, a family friendly trail will take visitors through the woodland, around the lake, and halfway up the Lady of the North - though you can continue to the top. The trail ends at the Visitor Centre Café.
Between Good Friday and Easter Monday, there'll also be an Easter Egg Trail where children from 3 - 11 can search for eggs hidden in the Northumberlandia woodland whilst answering nature related questions and solving a word puzzle. All participants will receive a small chocolate treat at the Visitor Centre Café.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is also hosting the Weetslade Spring Trail on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Bamburgh Castle Easter events
When: April 9 - 24
Where: Bamburgh Castle
How much: Prices vary for each activity, some are included in the cost of admission.
There's a whole host of events going on at Bamburgh Castle this Easter. Hope the Dragon's Easter trail runs around the castle grounds and ends in a treat if you can work out her secret code word. There's Easter Craft Making at the West Ward Craft House on April 12 and 21, while Ragnar the Viking will be on site on April 13 and 20.
There are also Easter Wreath Making classes said to be suitable for children aged 8 and over, while a family favourite Marley the Mini-Pony returns to the castle grounds for Easter selfies and short rides around the grounds.
Easter Bunny
When: April 17, 10:30 - 15:30
Where: Woodhorn Museum
How much: Included in admission
For kids who still believe, the Easter Bunny will be at Woodhorn Museum on Easter Sunday itself. If you can find the cheery rodent on site, you'll receive a small treat from them.
What else can I do this Easter in Northumberland?
The events above are a selection of specific What's On events but there are several things to do in Northumberland this Easter. Several museums have special exhibitions which run across Easter and beyond, such as Beside The Seaside: 150 Years of Northumbrian Beach Holidays at Alnwick's Bailiffgate Museum and a Northumberland Menagerie at Woodhorn Museum, Hexham Old Gaol, Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum and Berwick Museum and Art Gallery.
With the cost of living crisis set to increase this month in mind, many of the regions walks and beaches offer a great low-cost day out for the whole family, especially if the weather is good. And for those who want to commemorate the traditional Christian meaning of Easter, you can visit a church such as St Michael and All Angels at Fort and Etal, and St Oswald's at Heavenfield.
