With spring in full bloom, the Easter holidays are a great time to get the whole family outdoors, enjoying the fresh air.

At Crabtree & Crabtree we’re all about connecting with nature and enjoying a good old-fashioned holiday spent splashing through rivers, playing Pooh sticks, running as fast you can across open countryside, rock-pooling, surfing, bird watching, fishing and more.

Enliven your children’s minds and ignite their passion for the diverse and spectacular British countryside, with a fun-filled staycation this Easter. From lambing experiences and alpaca walks to exhilarating activities that’ll leave your children rosy-cheeked and happy, there are copious adventures to be had in our wild and rugged regions.

Naturally, we have the perfect home-from-home for every family, whether you’re after an open-plan coastal pad or a remote hideaway where your children can run wild in the garden. Here’s our list of the best outdoor fun (and our pick of the best nearby family-friendly properties) to be had in the South of Scotland, Northumberland, and Yorkshire this Easter…

 

Lambing at Jacksons Farm, Jedburgh

Think of Easter and it’s likely you’ll conjure up an image of green fields, fluffy chicks, daffodils and frolicking lambs. At Jackson’s Farm in Jedburgh, you can turn this pastoral idyll into a reality with their ever-popular lambing experiences. Giving you an insight into lambing and farming life, these hands-on farm experiences involve taking a tour of the lambing fields and bottle feeding the new woollen arrivals. Make sure to wear your wellies and outdoor clothing as you’re likely to get dirty!

Stay nearby at: Campsie Cottage, sleeps 4 | Crailing Coach House, sleeps 4

Easter Egg hunts at Traquair House

Offering the biggest Easter egg hunt in the Borders, with over 5,000 mini eggs hidden in and around its twisting maze, Traquair House is a brilliant place to take your brood at Easter. Not only is the Traquair maze an excellent place to hide an array of goodies but it's also the largest hedged maze in Scotland too. Throughout the day (9th April) you can enjoy participating in one of three egg hunts - there will be two separate egg hunts for under 10s and an an under 5s egg scramble will take place in the Old Walled Garden - as well as getting stuck into a host of creative workshops and activities. 

Stay nearby at: Laundry Cottage, sleeps 6 | East Lodge at Ashstiestiel, sleeps 4

Horseback Easter Egg Hunts in the Dales

Take to the saddle and embark on an Easter Trail with a difference at Kilnsey Trekking and Riding Centre. Set in the beautiful North Yorkshire Dales, the trail involves counting Easter Bunnies and looking out for hidden letters which spell out seasonal words while taking in the gorgeous scenery. A bag of Easter goodies will be awarded to each little rider back at the stables. Rides are available from 14th - 18th April and must be booked in advance. 

Stay nearby at: The Art House, sleeps 5+1 | Roundhill Coach House, sleeps 4+3

Treetop adventures in Glentress Forest

Swing from branches and teeter through the treetops on an assault course located high in the canopy of the Glentress Forest at Go Ape in Peebles. Not for the faint-hearted, this adventure includes high-speed zipwires, daring crossings and requires a head for heights! Spot squirrels and birds in their natural habitat as you zip past them on your way around the course which stretches through huge Douglas fir trees and over open water, giving you a new perspective of the Scottish countryside.

Stay nearby at: Mossfennan House, sleeps 8 | Fairnilee House, 12+4

Kite surfing at Bamburgh Beach

Take to the waves – and to the skies! – at Bamburgh Beach and learn to master the art of kite surfing against the backdrop of the iconic Bamburgh Castle with KA Adventure Sports this Easter. Offering group or one-to-one lessons for all abilities from beginner to advanced, KA Adventure Sport’s friendly instructors will teach you the basics of kitesurfing including launching, wind awareness and kite rigging and kite control before helping you to hone your technique so your style more than matches the magnificent Bamburgh beach setting.

Stay nearby at: Skyfall, sleeps 4 | East Lodge, Home Farm, sleeps 4+1

Alpaca trekking in the Cheviot Hills

Easter wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of adorable fluffy animals, and alpacas with their wavy tufts of hair and fleecy coats certainly fit the bill! Get better acquainted with these charming furry creatures at Beirhope Alpacas with a trek in the Cheviot Hills. Take the lead and meander across the hilltops, stopping to take in the views or to pose for a unique holiday snap! With the option to simply meet and greet the animals or to take them out for an hour or even a whole afternoon, a trip to the alpacas is suitable for all ages of children and adults! 

Stay nearby at: Old Mill Cottage, sleeps 4+1 | The Laurels, sleeps 2+2

Surfing at Coldingham Bay

Consistently named as one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in Scotland, Coldingham Bay. With long rolling waves and sheltered sandy beaches it is an ideal place for a spot of surfing. Get kitted out at beachside St. Veda’s surf shop – they have everything from body boards and thick wetsuits to wetsuit gloves and shoes to ensure that you stay warm despite the cool Scottish seawater - before hitting the waves on a lesson with one of their instructors. Whether group lessons or one-on-one tuition, surf lessons must be booked in advance and children are required to be nine or older to participate.

Stay at nearby: 2 The Bay, sleeps 4 | 3 The Bay, sleeps 4 | 6 The Bay, sleeps 4

Nature walks at Hauxley Nature Reserve

Sometimes the most fun can be had by simply putting one foot in front of the other and seeing what wildlife you can discover along the way. Spring is the time when the countryside comes alive again after a quiet winter, making Easter the perfect time to go on a nature walk. With an abundance of wildlife – such as birdlife including tree sparrows, terns, reed buntings, coots, moorhens and curlews as well as red squirrels, otters and stoats – dotted around its lake and picturesque islands, Hauxley Nature Reserve, near Amble, is a fantastic place to connect with nature. Although most of their nature trails aren’t guided, Hauxley’s wildlife centre provides family activity sheets marking trails and places to look out for birdlife or wildlife.

Stay at nearby: Grey Barns, sleeps 10+9 | Eslington Lodge, sleeps 6

Spring action at Dalkeith Country Park

It's not all fluffy animals and chocolates at Dalkeith Country Park this Easter. Laying on an array of fun-filled events you can get stuck into a whole host of activities, from bunny fun runs and spring story telling sessions to cookie decoration work shops, rubber duck racing down the River Esk and more! There's even something for the grown ups too such as candle making and Easter decoration workshops. 

Stay nearby at: The Old Millhouse, sleeps 10 | Hawthorn House, sleeps 8

Planning a home grown adventure this Easter holidays? If you haven't quite found what you are looking for, why not browse our Easter availability.