Ideas for this Easter in West Sussex

By Mark Hoult

Well, the weather doesn't seem very spring-like here in West Sussex today.

Daffodils, spring lambs and a desire to get out and about seem to be fairly ridiculous notions as I write this. A hot cup of soup and an extra pair of socks seem more in order.

But Easter is just around the corner. Good Friday is on the 18th April, with Easter Sunday on the 20th and Bank Holiday Monday on the 21st April.

So what's on this Easter weekend in West Sussex? And in particular, where can you take the whole family and be sure that everyone will have a good time.

Family days out this Easter

Like last year, if the weather's good, we're looking forward to taking all our little people to Staunton Country Park this weekend. The park is on the Hampshire border near Emsworth, so it's handy for Chichester which is where we'll be the rest of Easter. They have an 1830s style ornamental farm and a good indoor play barn, which might be welcome if the foul weather persists. You can read about some other farms for children in West Sussex here.

Easter on a budget

If cash is a bit tight, then there's a free Easter Sunday event at Shoreham Fort. It's called 'Easter Fun' and kicks off at 12am. The organisers promise lots of activities for children as well as free tours of the Fort.

"family friendly and free Easter fun..."

Bank Holiday Monday is the date of this year's Graffham Easter Market. Entry for children under 12 is free. They should enjoy the face painting and other games. The event takes place in the Empire Hall from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm.

Horsham will, once again, be staging an Italian styled market over the Easter weekend. It's Horsham Piazza Italia's eighth year and other attractions at the event include motorbikes, supercars, street theatre and the much more. Not to be missed.

The Friends of Goffs Park in Crawley will be organising traditional Easter activities for children on Easter Sunday, including an Easter Egg Painting and Making Easter Cards too.

"a virtual Easter bunny hunt..."

In Burgess Hill there will be a virtual Easter Bunny Hunt on Easter Saturday. There are 22 bunnies hiding in shop windows around the town centre. Children who manage to find all the bunnies and return the appropriate form to the Help Point at 96 Church Walk have a chance to win a real Easter egg.

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