Do it this week: Stowe’s Easter trail

The long weekend might have been and gone, but we’re still after leg-stretchers to take the kids out to this Easter, and Stowe ticks all our boxes. Scenic views, nature-inspired activities, and a chocolate egg at the end? We couldn’t resist…

Stowe always tops our list for National Trust walks (the five trails span a whopping 245 acres of landscaped gardens and 700 acres of surrounding parkland, with two brand new walks opening later this year), so hitting the lakeside trail for their Easter-themed offering seemed the only appropriate way to spend Easter Sunday.

The Easter Egg Hunt is made up of a pretty waterside walk dotted with ten activity stations, hidden letters to find to make up the name of a past Stowe Head Gardener (answer correctly and you’ll claim a chocolate prize at the end), and photo opps throughout. It costs you £3 on top of entry, and we recommend arriving early to stake out a parking spot – although Stowe is so massive you’re unlikely to run into many people along your travels.

If you’ve never been to Stowe before, it’s a great spot to let the kids burn off some energy (especially if there’s excess sugar involved). The start of the trail is a 10 minute walk from the car park, then it’s a good 45 minutes round not including time spent on the activities so bringing the buggy along is a good shout if you have young’uns (it’s worth noting that the path, while largely flat, can be bumpy and rough in places).

Speaking of the activities, there’s a good mix here that’s designed to get kids looking up and around rather than at their screens – we spotted stations including nature washing lines, blossom-inspired origami and chalk drawings – and the signage around the trail is packed with informative tidbits about the flora and fauna to be found in the grounds. Don’t expect any manicured flowerbeds here, either – Stowe is all about landscaped nature and rolling hills (Instagram feeds at the ready).

There’s plenty of room for picnics along the trail – you can pack your own or pick up provisions from The Potting Shed cafe or kiosk at the start of the trail, which is incidentally where you’ll find the only toilets en route (so the small-bladdered among you will want to go before you start hunting for Easter bunny footprints). Dogs are also more than welcome in the gardens on leads too, so it’s a great place to bring four-legged family members.

Stowe’s Easter Egg trail ends on Sun 24 April, so get out ASAP if you want to explore with the kids. Entry from 10am to 5pm, last entry at 4pm.

Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5EQ. Tel: 01280 817156

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