Family Easter days out in East Sussex 2026

Index

1. A brief introduction
2. All-day family events
3. Smaller Easter activities
4. A final note for planning Easter days out
5. Map of mentioned events
6. FAQs

A brief introduction

Planning Easter with children usually means choosing a few bigger days out, then adding shorter local activities around them. Across East Sussex in 2026, there is a strong mix of attraction parks, heritage sites, trails and craft-led sessions that make that easy.

This guide is split into two clear parts: all-day family events, and smaller worthwhile Easter activities. Everything is selected for quality, family appeal and a good mix of locations across East Sussex. Dates and event details were checked on 17 March 2026 against official venue pages, and a small number of craft listings publish day-by-day sessions on a rolling basis.

All-day family events

These are the larger Easter events that are most likely to justify a dedicated family day out. They offer the broadest mix of activities, stronger on-site facilities and a more substantial overall experience during the school holidays.

For this guide, “all-day” means a broader on-site offer, enough content to fill most of a day, and facilities that support families staying for longer.

Drusillas Park Easter Holidays

Drusillas Park is one of the county’s best-known family attractions, and its Easter holiday programme runs from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April 2026.

Expect a lively, high-energy day with lots of movement between rides, zoo zones and themed play areas. It is the kind of visit where children rarely run out of things to do, and parents can keep momentum going without needing to leave the site for extra activities. If your family enjoys a busy atmosphere, this feels like a “big day out” rather than a short Easter stop.

Best for: mixed-age families who want a full-day plan in one place. Time needed: most of the day.

Easter Quest at Battle Abbey

At Battle Abbey, English Heritage is running an Easter Quest from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 19 April 2026.

This is a heritage-focused day with a clear family trail that encourages children to keep moving through the abbey grounds. It feels more atmospheric than theme-park style, with a sense of discovery as you move through a nationally important historic site. A strong choice if you want Easter activities to feel meaningful as well as fun.

Best for: children who enjoy history and active exploration. Time needed: half day to full day.

Easter Egg Hunt at Bateman’s

National Trust’s Bateman’s is hosting its Easter Egg Hunt from Saturday 21 March to Sunday 12 April 2026.

This is a gentler Easter outing built around gardens, spring scenery and simple activity points. The pace is easy and flexible, which helps if you are planning around younger children or want a calmer alternative to the busiest attractions. It works especially well as a low-stress morning or early-afternoon plan.

Best for: younger children and quieter family outings. Time needed: around half a day.

Easter Egg Hunt at Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle’s Easter Egg Hunt runs from Saturday 21 March to Sunday 12 April 2026.

The egg-hunt format is familiar, but the castle setting gives the whole visit a stronger sense of occasion. Children still get the fun of a trail, while adults get one of the most visually striking backdrops in the county. If you want a classic Easter activity that still feels memorable, this is one of the strongest options.

Best for: families who want a trail plus a standout setting. Time needed: around half a day.

Easter Adventures at Sheffield Park and Garden

Sheffield Park and Garden is running Easter Adventures from Saturday 21 March to Sunday 12 April 2026.

This is an outdoor, garden-led event with plenty of space to spread out and a straightforward activity format. The atmosphere is calm and scenic, with less intensity than larger attraction parks. It suits families who value room to roam, slower pacing and a more peaceful Easter outing.

Best for: families who prefer space, scenery and a slower pace. Time needed: half day.

Smaller Easter activities

If you want one shorter outing alongside a bigger day, these smaller events are still worth including. They are well-organised, family-friendly and run by trusted venues or established local organisers.

Easter Crafts at Bodiam Castle

This is a short, hands-on craft session rather than a full attraction day, so it is best treated as a focused add-on visit. It gives younger children a clear making activity and a defined start-to-finish structure, which can be ideal when you want something creative without committing to a long day out. Check the live event listing before travel, as individual craft session dates can update.

Best for: short creative sessions with younger children. Time needed: 60-90 minutes.

Easter Children’s Crafts at Bateman’s

This is a quieter craft-led session in Bateman’s calm garden-and-house setting. The emphasis is on practical making rather than covering lots of ground, so it works well for families who want a lower-intensity visit with a clear creative activity at the centre. Check the live event listing before travel, as individual craft session dates can update.

Best for: lower-intensity visits and hands-on making. Time needed: around 1-2 hours.

Priory Meadow Easter Trail, Hastings

This is a practical town-centre trail that fits easily around other plans in Hastings, such as lunch, shopping or a shorter family outing window. It feels informal and convenient rather than destination-led, which makes it useful when you want Easter activity value without a full-day commitment.

Best for: families wanting a flexible, budget-friendly activity in town. Time needed: 60-90 minutes.

A final note for planning Easter days out

Easter weekend itself falls on Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April 2026, but event dates in East Sussex stretch wider across the school holiday period.

If you are choosing just one or two outings, book early and check opening times again the day before travel, as session times, ticket allocation and weather-related arrangements can change close to the date.

Map of mentioned events