WINNING TIP: Easter Monday bottle kicking, Hallaton, Leicestershire

A feisty anecdote to Easter eggs and gambolling lambs is Hallaton's traditional annual contest with rival village, Medbourne. Two teams battle it out to get small wooden barrels or "bottles" over a stream. Before the mayhem begins there is a parade, followed by a scramble for the Hare Pie, which is tossed to the crowd.
tinyurl.com/bottlekicking
cathos

Egg rolling in Avenham Park, Preston

This park has been the scene for Easter egg rolling for well over a century. Last year was the first time we had visited this event, and we couldn't believe the huge numbers of people there. On Easter Monday, there will be mass egg rolling down the grassy hill on the hour every hour. There is also an Easter bonnet competition, music, fairground rides and plenty of other family- friendly activities.
tinyurl.com/avenhameggs
Gdeanouk

National Media Museum, Bradford

Here all the exhibitions are free, and aside from the permanent photography, cinematography and television exhibitions (all family-friendly and interactive), there is now the world's first gallery devoted to the impact of the digital age on our daily lives. This Easter there are various family activities, including the chance to create animations.
0870 701 0200, nationalmediamuseum.org.uk
Troutiemcfish

Moreton Corbet Castle, Shrewsbury

This (free entry) English Heritage property is the site of a ruined medieval castle and the shell of an Elizabethan mansion. It's great for hide-and-seek, Easter egg hunts, makes a perfect Camelot and is an ideal backdrop for moody teenagers reading Jane Eyre.
0870 333 1181, english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/moreton-corbet-castle
Dundubbinin

The Bluebell Railway, East Sussex

There's nothing more relaxing than chug-a-lugging through the Sussex landscape on a steam train. This Easter Sunday and Monday, three special trips each day will include Easter eggs for children and hot cross buns for parents, all delivered by Little Bo Peep. There will also be a children's entertainer on board.
Sheffield Park Station, 01825 720800, bluebell-railway.com, Easter return adult £18, child £10, advance booking only
LizCleere

Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent

We often spend our bank holidays at a castle or stately home. Last Easter, we visited Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. The children loved it as there was an Easter egg hunt (which is taking place again this year), a Yew Maze and a Water Maze – hours of fun.
01732 865224, hevercastle.co.uk, adult £14.50, child (five-15) £8.30
Chistel73

Bedgebury National Pinetum, Kent

This is a great day out for active families with kids, but anyone could have a good day here as there are surfaced tracks, good facilities and lots of activities and special events throughout the year. You pay to park but then the woods are yours for the day. It's an economical day out, especially if you bring a picnic.
Goudhurst, 01580 879820, bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
Lfelty

Richmond Park, Surrey

Richmond Park has lots of space for young ones to run around, beautiful deer to admire from near or far, the Isabella Plantation with its gorgeous walks, cycle paths, free car parking, cafe or lots of picnic spots and great views of London over to Canary Wharf. If you hanker after a nice river walk or town amenities, you can just stroll down from the park along the riverside, watch boats and feed the ducks. Bliss.
020-8948 3209, royalparks.gov.uk/Richmond-Park
Kris1