People of all ages can enjoy a sensational Easter break in Kent this April, with a whole host of eggs-ceptional events to keep everyone entertained.

From feeding newborn lambs to cracking clues in Easter egg hunts, medieval mischief to artistic activities, and vintage celebrations to steampunk creations - Kent has it all. Join us over the Easter weekend (Good Friday 3rd April to Easter Monday 6th April) for some seasonal fun, and extend your stay during the school holidays as our beautiful county springs to life.

For short breaks or longer stays, Kent has a wide range of accommodation options with self-catering cottages, family-friendly hotels and great glamping spots – including the recently opened Pinewood camping pods in the heart of Port Lympne Reserve (www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne).

And don't forget to check with Southeastern for the latest special travel offers for the family! (www.southeasternrailway.co.uk) 

Easter highlights in Kent…

Juggling jollity at Leeds Castle
Maidstone

Spring will be in bloom at Leeds Castle in Kent, with a spectacular Easter egg hunt through the Woodland Walk, circus-themed characters to find and jesters' japes at the castle over Easter weekend. Children can learn a variety of circus skills in the grounds and their jesters will demonstrate stilt walking and perform juggling shows for the whole family to enjoy. You can also have your face painted and have a go at archery. Book online at www.leeds-castle.com

Get creative at Turner Contemporary
Margate

Try something new in the beautiful, beachside gallery this Easter with special drop in workshops for families living in the CT9 postcode area.

Fill the school break with art-related activities, including group portrait sculptures (Wed 8th & Thu 9th April), labyrinth style mazes (Wed 15 Apr) and celebrating JMW Turner (Thu 16 Apr). There are special workshops on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Visit www.turnercontemporary.org for more details

Wild Adventures at Howletts and Port Lympne

Visitors to Howletts Wild Animal Park (near Canterbury) and Port Lympne Reserve (near Hythe) are guaranteed a cracking time this Easter holiday. Activities will be held every day from Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 19th April, and include free craft sessions, the Puzzle Feeder Challenge and a competition to win a fantastic Junior Ranger or Keeper Academy Experience Day. On Easter Bank Holiday Monday, visitors at Port Lympne can even watch the gorilla family taking part in their very own Easter egg hunt. And there are bound to be some exotic new arrivals during the spring holidays! For more information, visit www.aspinallfoundation.org

Lambing at The Rare Breeds Centre
Woodchurch, Ashford

There will be quite a few newcomers to the farm this spring, so make sure you visit for your chance to see and even feed the little ones. Easter chicks and piglets are expected too. If that wasn't enough excitement, there will be a chocolate bunny hunt and a special Easter puppet show for all ages over Easter weekend. All this and the usual chance to meet the animals, take trailer rides and enjoy woodland walks and picnics. Book online www.rarebreeds.org.uk

Medieval marvels at Penshurst Place
Tonbridge

Exciting activities are on offer at Penshurst Place as the historic venue celebrates the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta. Follow a family Magna Carta trail to discover just how evil King John was and learn why the baron's decided to revolt, collecting clues along the way to solve a puzzle. With a chocolate treat as a reward for all young 'Barons', the trail provides a unique way to enjoy Easter while learning about this important moment in history. There will also be medieval themed crafts on offer in the Old Coach House, and storytelling on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. For more information visit www.penshurstplace.com

Festival of Steam at The Historic Dockyard 
Chatham

Experience all the fun of the fair with this incredible two day festival on Easter Sunday and Monday – a steam funfair, street entertainment, live music, walkabout acts and a packed programme of events to keep family, friends and transport fans fully entertained. Steam Trains will be in motion and hundreds of classic cars will line the streets, with working exhibits all weekend. Meet Andy The Farmer and the residents of Valley View Alpaca Farm in Animal Corner, or head over to the Steampunks with their unusual costumes and steam powered wacky gadgets, and browse the Steampunk Village for accessories, gadgets, and books. There will also be walking tours around the location for the popular TV drama series 'Call the Midwife', and plenty more family-friendly fun to be had. 

Early Bird discounted tickets are now available to purchase online.  For more information go to www.thedockyard.co.uk/steamandtransport 

Explore the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle
Eynsford

Set within 120 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, Lullingstone Castle is one of England's oldest family estates and opens its doors for the 2015 season on Easter Saturday 4th April with a grand Easter egg hunt.

Search for clues in the World Garden of Plants, containing some 8,000 plant species, cultivars and hybrids, and report discoveries to claim an Easter egg surprise. Look out for our 'Easter characters' including the Cockerel and some new friends. Visit www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk for more information

Seasonal Celebrations at Brogdale
Faversham

Tractor rides through the orchards, Easter egg hunts and a chance to pet fluffy baby animals will all be available at Brogdale this Easter.

Home of the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale will hold its annual Easter celebration on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. The Brogdale Barn will be full of calves, lambs, goats, and chickens, and families can meet the animals and the farmers that care for them. The Kent Poultry Club will also be hatching chicks in an incubator, and The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance to help children hunt for sweet goodies.

Visitors can bring along a picnic or use the café/restaurant in the Brogdale Marketplace, and children can enjoy the play park and the miniature railway.

Visit www.brogdalecollections.co.uk for more details.

Spring into Kent Life Heritage Farm Park
Maidstone

Meet the new-born lambs, piglets, chicks and calves throughout the Easter holidays, and even try bottle feeding some of the little ones. Hop on a tractor ride around the grounds, paint a pot in the art studio, and snuggle up to the smaller animals in Cuddle Corner. Over Easter weekend, you can have your face painted, meet the blacksmith, give the fairground rides a go, and follow the wooden egg trail. For full details visit www.kentlife.org.uk

Vintage vibes at Quex House and Gardens
Birchington

Embrace your love of all things vintage at Quex Park this Easter, with a trip to the I LOVE Vintage Fair on Good Friday, 10am to 4pm. There will be stalls selling clothes, household gifts, jewellery, cards and gifts, and you can find refreshment at Mama Feelgoods Vintage style cafe. There will also be Games In The Galleries throughout the Easter Holidays in the interactive Gallery 6. Discover the ancient African game Mancala, the seed sowing game, then create your own version to play and take home. For more information, visit www.quexpark.co.uk

Step back in time at Down House
Downe, Kent

English Heritage is inviting families to sign up for a series of special Easter quests taking place at their iconic sites across the country, including the former home of Charles Darwin, Down House in north Kent. Meet characters from the past with stories of times gone by - maybe a king, a butler, a Roman centurion or even a monk. These honourable folk will be happy to help you on your quest as you explore Down House and crack the clues to a special Easter egg hunt. For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse

National Trust Eggstravaganza

Intrepid eggsplorers will want to visit Kent's wealth of National Trust properties this Easter to conquer the Cadbury Egghead Easter Egg hunts.

Chartwell will take visitors on a journey around the grounds and woodland of Winston Churchill's family home - follow wartime bunny rabbits along the route and find items the bunnies have lost on their way.  There will be a longer trail for older and more adventurous children and a shorter buggy friendly trail for smaller children. Explore the grounds of Emmetts Garden and discover beautiful plants and native birds while hunting for clues, or head to Quebec House and discover hidden soldiers to receive your chocolate prize. You can also visit the stunning 14th century Ightham Mote and follow the special trail the Easter Bunny has left around the garden, or dodge the deer and join the 'You'll Never Believe It' trail at Knole and play the role of a journalist eggsploring the medieval parkland. Smallhythe Place also has a trail of white rabbits and secret clues to crack as part of their egg-cellent Easter activities. All details are available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

For more information about Kent and events throughout the year, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk

ENDS

For images, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/visitkent/ and find the Easter album (https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitkent/sets/72157633943059469/)

For further media information, please contact Visit Kent PR Manager Sinead Hanna at Sinead.Hanna@visitkent.co.uk or call 01227 812914

Notes to Editors

Visit Kent Ltd is the Destination Management Organisation for Kent (the Garden of England), championing the county's £3.2 billion tourism industry and supporting more than 64,000 jobs.

It is recognised as one of the country's leading DMOs, targeting UK and overseas markets to raise Kent's profile as a premier destination, improving quality and skills within the industry, and growing investment in tourism. Visit Kent is a public/private sector partnership supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, district and borough councils, and the leading sector tourism businesses in Kent.

For further information visit www.visitkent.co.uk (consumer) or www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk (business), or tweet @visitkent