How to Make the Most of the Easter Holidays without Breaking the Bank

4th April 2023 11:10 am Comments Off

How to Make the Most of the Easter Holidays without Breaking the Bank

With the holidays here, it’s time to start planning some activities to keep your kids entertained for Easter 2023.

Luckily, if you’re wanting to have fun on a budget, there are plenty of affordable things to do to keep families of all ages busy, both in and around Yorkshire and further afield. So whether your kids prefer high-octane thrills, exploring the natural world or delving into the past, read on to find out our top Easter holiday suggestions.

Best Days Out

If it’s a fun-filled day trip you’re after, look no further.

National Science and Media Museum, Bradford

The National Science and Media Museum boasts seven floors of interactive galleries dedicated to the history of television, cinema, photography, video games and more, as well as three cinemas, including an IMAX screen, and regular exhibitions and festivals.

With plenty to do and family events taking place at weekends and during school holidays, it’s the ideal destination for anyone with kids in tow and, best of all, entry is free!

The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford. BD1 1NQ.

Eden Project, Cornwall

Built in a reclaimed china clay pit, the Eden Project consists of two huge biomes – one with a rainforest ecosystem, the other filled with Mediterranean trees and plants – and an outdoor botanical garden.

Both biomes house thousands of plant species, while the outside garden is home to native wildlife. Throw in a rainforest walkaway with a zip line and a wide range of educational and fun play areas and it’s no surprise that this is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations.

Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall. PL24 2SG.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

If you’ve got kids, there’s a pretty good chance they love the Harry Potter films and, if that’s the case, there’s an even better chance they’ll get a kick out of visiting Alnwick Castle, where some of the series’ best-loved scenes were filmed – from Harry and Ron crashing a flying car into the castle’s courtyard, to the Hogwarts students first learning to fly broomsticks and Harry discovering the wonders of Quidditch.

Built following the Norman Conquest in the 11th-century, the castle is a Grade I listed building with plenty to offer in addition to its Harry Potter legacy, including an array of incredible state rooms and grounds, all of which are open to the public. Close to one million people visit the castle each year so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick. NE66 1NQ.

Best Staycations

For a few inexpensive nights away, these stunning locations have plenty to offer.

Flamborough Glamping & Vineyard

For those unfamiliar with the term, glamping is basically camping without all the mud. Literally meaning ‘glamorous camping’, glamp sites come with all the amenities you’d expect to find in a hotel or bed and breakfast, making it an excellent option for families with kids who want to camp outside and parents who want their own toilet.

Each glamping pod at this location in the famous Yorkshire village of Flamborough can sleep up to four people and offers a spacious bathroom, kitchen and living area, not to mention underfloor heating. Adults will love the nearby vineyard and the local area boasts plenty of activities to keep everyone happy, including nature reserves, beaches and crazy golf, as well as a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Flamborough Glamping & Vineyard, Lighthouse Road, Flamborough. YO15 1AJ.

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

If you like the sound of a 15th century country estate that features a spa, unbelievable food and drink, luxury accommodation AND a supervised kids club, look no further.

And not only is Ellenborough Park set in a whopping 90 acres of grounds, packed with five-star amenities for adults and happy to entertain your kids with colouring competitions and scavenger hunts, it’s also one of the most wallet-friendly places to spend a few days this half term. Book a room here while you still can.

Ellenborough Park, Southam Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL52 3NJ.

Port Lympne, Kent

When you fancy taking the kids on safari but don’t feel like flying all the way to Africa, this nature reserve in Kent could be just what you’re after.

At Port Lympne, guests can sleep under the stars in one of the reserve’s glamping pods and wake up a short – but safe – distance from the lions, bears, tigers, leopards and giraffes that roam freely among its 300 acres of land; a 4* hotel is also available for those who prefer to stay a little further away from the action.

Better yet, all profits go towards helping Port Lympne’s conservation efforts around the world, making this an exciting and ethical adventure your little ones will never forget.

Happy Easter!

However you intend to spend your Easter holiday, we can help bring your plans to life with one of our affordable loans. For more information and to find out how much you could borrow, click here.

Top Activities to do in Yorkshire this Easter 2023 Weekend

3rd April 2023 3:07 pm Comments Off

Top Activities to do in Yorkshire this Easter 2023 Weekend

With the exception of Christmas, Easter is arguably the UK’s favourite public holiday – spring is in the air, the weather’s improving, there’s chocolate as far as the eye can see and, if you’re lucky enough to live in Yorkshire, there’s a huge variety of things to do to keep the whole family entertained.

Here are our suggestions for some great days out in and around Leeds for Easter 2023 weekend.

Leeds Young Film Festival at The Carriageworks

Calling all film fans – the Leeds Young Film Festival has returned to Leeds for Easter!

Packed with all-ages events and hands-on workshops – such as filmmaking, where industry experts pass their knowledge on to the next generation of would-be Spielbergs – there’s something for everyone at the Young Film Festival.

And, of course, there are screenings. More than 150 of them, in fact – from action and adventure to cartoons and documentaries via proper cinematic blockbusters, every taste has been catered for.

Leeds Young Film Festival takes place from Saturday 1st to Friday 7th April.

Carriageworks Theatre, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds. LS2 3AD.

Medieval Easter

For history-loving kids or those looking for something different to traditional bunny exploits, the Royal Armouries’ Medieval Easter is an egg-scellent alternative.

As well as exploring the museum’s vast collection of arms and armour, visitors can also wield swords, watch combat-demos performed by knights of the Middle Ages and try their hands at archery. The Bank Holiday weekend even sees an International Jousting Tournament taking place, with teams from the USA and Poland in town to battle it out against some British rivals!

Taking place from Saturday 1st to Thursday 6th April, and Tuesday 11th to Sunday 16th April, tickets for Medieval Easter start from just £5.

Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds. LS10 1LT.

Easter at Temple Newsam

Easter weekends are all about egg hunts and the one on offer at the always popular Temple Newsam is up there with the best.

With decorated eggs hidden all over both the house and farm, there’s a whole lot of exploring for kids to do. Once they’re finished they can take part in one of the Easter workshops, before heading outside to the farm where lambs, calves and, of course, chicks can’t wait to meet your little ones.

Easter at Temple Newsam runs until Sunday April 16th.

Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds. LS15 0AE.

Easter Adventure at Stockeld Park

One of the best places to spend time this – or any – Easter is Stockeld Park.

There are loads of activities for kids to choose between, from adventure playgrounds to live shows from the Stockeld Theatre, with its newest – the Easter Bunny’s Apprentice – proving a huge hit with visitors of all ages.

The main attraction, however, is the maze/trail through the Enchanted Forest, which is filled with giant eggs and rainbow bunnies for guests to try and find. Rumour has it the Easter Bunny himself might even be in attendance this year…

Stockeld Park, Wetherby Rd, Wetherby. LS22 4AN.

Need a hand with your finances this Easter?

As the cost of living crisis continues, occasions like Easter can put additional stress on financially vulnerable families. At Leeds Credit Union, we can offer financial advice, help with budgeting and access to a range of loans and savings accounts. For more information, click here.

Tag Archive: Easter