EASTER 2022
Step into spring this Easter at over 60 historic sites across the country. Our historic grounds and gardens are perfect family-friendly spaces, and sites are hosting outdoor Easter Adventure Quests.
On this page you can also find ideas for Easter crafts, catch up with Mrs Crocombe or dig deeper into England’s Easter traditions and customs.
Traditional Easter Games
and How to Play Them Today
Easter is a joyful season of new life, when everyone welcomes longer days and better weather and Christians celebrate the rising of Christ from the dead. It gets its name from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of sunrise and springtime. The Saxons called April Eostremonath—‘Eostre’s month’. So it’s always been a time for fun and games, many of them connected with eggs.
In this article, we'll explore some traditional Easter games from the past and how you can play them in and around your home this Easter.
Read MoreEASTER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Check out our 'how to' videos and activity guides below to help prepare for one of our Easter Adventure Quests.
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Make your own clay dragon
If you're feeling creative and would rather create mythical beasts than slay them, follow our tips on how to make your very own dragon out of clay.
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How to make a shield
Get prepared for your Easter adventure by making your own shield. Decorate it with your own heraldic design and have the best looking protection around.
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How to make a sword
No adventure is complete without a trusty sword at your side. Take a look at our instructions for making your own out of cardboard and improve your swordsmanship.
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How to Decorate Eggs for Easter
Looking for fun crafts and activities to enjoy this Easter? Look no further than our guide to decorating Pace Eggs with colourful dyes.
How to Make Saffron Buns
Join Mrs Crocombe, the Victorian cook, as she shows you how to create your own Saffron Buns.
They are a lovely treat, guaranteed to bring a bit of colour to any Easter table.
Watch on YouTubeHistory In Focus
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How the English Celebrated Easter
Over the centuries, Easter has become associated with many different traditions. From baked goods to ball games and bunnies, discover some of the ways that the English have celebrated Easter throughout history.
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Why do we eat eggs at Easter
Discover the medieval tradition of decorating eggs by dying them in bright colours, why an egg roll doesn’t actually involve any bread, and follow our instructions to make your own colourful pace eggs.
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Dragons and their Origins
Where did the dragon myth originate, and why are dragon stories so widespread across at least two continents? Carolyne Larrington, Professor of medieval European literature at the University of Oxford, investigates.
Podcast: The History of the Easter Hunt
Step into England's story with the English Heritage podcast.
Join presenter Charles Rowe and Senior Properties Historian Andrew Hann to discover how the seasonal tradition of the Easter egg hunt started, how the tradition has evolved, and when natural eggs were replaced by the chocolate variety we're more familiar with today.
Listen on soundcloudMore to Explore
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Top 10 Castles
Want to be a king or queen for the day? We asked our Facebook followers to name their favourite English castle.
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Victorian Cookery Recipes
Watch Victorian recipes being brought to life, and discover the reality of life below stairs at a Victorian country house.
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London's Black History
From musicians to politicians, discover some of the pioneering black figures whose achievements are celebrated with London’s blue plaques.
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Become a Member
Start a year of adventure. An English Heritage membership offers an unlimited annual pass to over 400 historic sites across the country.
