That time of year is approaching fast. The season when it’s acceptable to eat chocolate eggs for breakfast. When two bank holidays make it an extra long Easter weekend. When days get lighter and longer and you may be able to go without your extra-thick coat.
Spring in Southampton has a certain buzz about it. The daffodils are out, the waterfront feels alive again and the city quietly fills with Easter egg hunts, family trails and long, lazy brunches. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or entertaining kids during the school holidays, Easter’s a brilliant time to explore the city and the surrounding Hampshire countryside.
So grab your bunny ears and start exploring the Easter fun to be had around Southampton.
Easter activities in Southampton for families
If you’re travelling with kids, Southampton and the surrounding area go all-out during the Easter holidays. Expect family trails, Easter egg hunts and hands-on activities that make the most of spring.
Across Southampton city centre, Easter trails pop up during the school holidays. Kids can follow clues, hunt for colourful eggs and collect prizes at the end. Popular trails include:
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Southampton Old Town
There’s a new Easter trail for 2026. The Easter bunny needs your help with their tea party. Follow the trail map to find picture clues around the city. The trail’s free to enter. It runs from Saturday 28th March – Sunday 12th April, from 10am – 5pm.
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Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey
A relaxed self-guided games trail through the gardens, with playful challenges like balancing and building tasks. They also host outdoor holiday clubs here too. Price per trail is £3. Non-members of the garden will need to purchase day admission tickets too.
Craft-loving kids are in luck. There are some super cute creative activities to choose from this Easter. In the city centre, you’ll find:
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SeaCity Museum
Interactive children’s activities and Easter crafts at their Culture Club. The museum’s open from 10am to 5pm daily.
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Southampton City Art Gallery
Make a Peter Rabbit puppet, decorate Easter eggs and bags at these engaging art sessions. Activities cost £8 and sessions run at multiple times during the day.
These events usually run across the full school holiday period, making them ideal for families visiting midweek as well as over the Easter weekend.
Animal encounters near Southampton
It’s not all about the Easter bunny. Spring is lambing season, which means nearby farm parks are at their most adorable over Easter.
Within a short drive of Southampton you’ll find Easter-themed activities such as:
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Marwell Zoo
Their Easter holiday trail leads you around the zoo to discover egg-laying animals. Hunt for a golden egg whilst admiring the magnificent animals too. Easter Egg-splorers runs from Friday 27th March to Sunday 12th April 2026.
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Longdown Activity Park
At this brilliant family farm park just outside the New Forest, kids can bottle-feed kid goats and calves. You can meet alpacas and pigs and take part in daily animal encounter sessions. Running from Friday 3rd to Monday 6th April, there’s no additional charge to take part in their Easter egg hunt.
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Birdworld
Head to Birdworld in Farnham for their Easter egg hunt, running between 28th March and 12th April. Discover hidden eggs and collect letters at each stop to spell a secret word.
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Paulton’s Park
Around 20 minutes from Southampton, there’s more to this park than Peppa Pig. It also has animal enclosures alongside its rides. This Easter, you can meet Bobtail Bunny characters and there’ll be special Easter activities daily.
These countryside attractions are perfect if you want to swap city streets for green space and fresh air.
Outdoor adventures
If the weather plays nice (and spring in Hampshire often does), Easter’s the perfect excuse to get outdoors. Within 30 minutes of Southampton you’ll find ancient woodland hikes, peaceful river paddles and boat trips along the Solent.
Let’s start with inland activities in the Hampshire countryside.
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Go Ape
Set in Itchen Valley Country Park, this high rope activity centre is ideal for burning off energy. There are various high-flying experiences for every age and thrill level.
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New Forest
Walk, hike, cycle or horse ride through this glorious woodland. Spring is an extra special time here as trees come into bloom.
Take to the water near Southampton. We’re surrounded by opportunities for water-based fun with both sea and rivers nearby.
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Canoe experience
Paddle along the Beaulieu River on a canoe and then hunt for Easter eggs in the woods. Organised by New Forest Activities, this is huge fun for kids (aged 8+) and grown ups alike. The 2-hour activity costs £38 per adult, £30 per child and £6 for under 5s.
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Buckler’s Hard boat trip
These river cruises start for the spring/ summer season at Easter. Sit back and let someone else take the helm on this peaceful 30 minute trip along Beaulieu River. The river’s rich in wildlife, so look out for seals, geese, fish and more along the way. Tickets cost £8.50 per adult and £6.50 per child. Family tickets are also available.
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Canal boat trip
In Chichester, special Easter boat trips will run three times daily along the ship canal. Rumour has it that the Easter bunny will be on board with special treats and activities too. Hop on board between Saturday March 28th and Monday April 6th. The boat trip costs £15 per person (£10 for carers).
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Cruise the Solent
Step aboard a cruise boat for a sailing trip complete with afternoon tea, a long lunch or even cocktails and dinner. Starting from Easter Sunday, Solent Cruises offer a 2.5 hour boat trip from Portsmouth to The Needles at 10.30am. Blue Funnel offer day cruises from Southampton from 22nd April. Prior to that, they’re available for private hire. The Salamander Sailing Adventure provide a luxury yacht experience from Lymington. Choose from multiple destinations including Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and a Solent Sunset Sail.
City centre culture
Southampton has a brilliant cultural scene right in the city centre. Think art galleries, historic houses and big touring theatre productions. And if you’re up for exploring a little further, nearby Portsmouth, Winchester and Bournemouth add even more culture to the mix.
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Mayflower Theatre
Southampton’s theatre is a regular stop for West End touring productions. This Easter, there are family-friendly shows like Mayflower Studios’ production of A Squash and A Squeeze (31st March to 4th April) as well as Horrible Histories (2nd to 4th April). And there are also music and comedy acts heading there too.
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Tudor House
This beautifully restored timber-framed building tells the story of Southampton through centuries of merchants, sailors and everyday residents. Look out for the Off with Their Heads experience for kids aged 6+ to make their own clay head.
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Winchester
Mark Spring Equinox with the Vikings at Winchester City Museum. At the Winchester Theatre Royal, there’s The Cat in the Hat as well as Dinosaurs Live over the Easter holidays.
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Portsmouth
About 35 minutes from Southampton, historic Portsmouth makes a great day out. The D-Day museum this Easter hosts a Wings, Wheels and Waves family trail and craft activities. The New Theatre Royal has kids shows including Alice in Wonderland and Tales from Acorn Wood.
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Bournemouth
Fancy some music? Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre hosts The West End Tenors (3rd April). There are also tributes to Wham (4th April), Taylor Swift (12th April), The Beatles (11th April) and KPop (5th April).
All of these south coast cities are awash with history, art and culture. You’ll find many other exhibitions and events taking place over Easter weekend. It’s a good idea to visit their websites to check details of what’s on when.
Stay with us this Easter
Book a stay at room2 Southampton this Easter. Our varied room options provide flexible spaces for families, friend groups, couples, individuals and even your pets. room2 Southampton is conveniently located in the city. You can walk to city centre attractions and head out on days out from here easily. We look forward to seeing you soon.