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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.