Old-school Easter Fun? Beamish has it in the basket
Patchwork bunnies, egg jarping and Simnel cake - the Museum's Easter programme delves into good times past
If you’re after something a bit different this Easter, Beamish Museum might be just the ticket.
Rather than chocolate bunnies and supermarket egg hunts, the open-air museum in County Durham is offering a full-on journey through history - complete with traditional games, time-honoured treats, and hands-on crafts from days gone by.
Between April 12 and 27, the museum’s sprawling grounds will be home to a series of seasonal activities that explore how Easter was celebrated across four different eras - the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. It's all part of Beamish’s time-honouring approach: immersive, interactive and full of nostalgia.
Visitors can expect to get stuck into springtime crafts, follow a family-friendly Easter trail, and take part in old-fashioned games like egg jarping - basically conkers, but with hard-boiled eggs. In the 1900s Town, there’s a patchwork bunny hunt to keep the little ones entertained.
But it’s not just about fun and games. Food is a big part of the story too. Each time period across the museum will showcase the traditional Easter dishes of its day - think Simnel cakes, lamb roasts, and hot cross buns - complete with live cooking demos and the chance to try a few of the recipes for yourself.
And for a proper meal, there’s always the dependable draw of Beamish’s fish and chip shops, cafes and bakeries.
Beyond the Easter-specific events, Beamish continues to offer its usual lineup of time-travel experiences across its 400 acres.
You can explore a Georgian tavern, step inside a 1900s colliery, chat to Land Girls from the 1940s, or browse the shelves of a 1950s record shop. The museum has recently added several new exhibits, including a Georgian pottery and a fully decked-out 1950s high street with a cinema, toy shop and electrical store.
As ever, entry includes unlimited daytime visits for a year. For more information, visit www.beamish.org.uk