March brings with it, the start of spring. New life, flowers budding, days where you might not even need a coat (we have all been waiting for this haven’t we). It also brings with it, the start of the school Easter holidays and Easter itself which means a whole selection of events and days out. We hope we have options to interest everyone below. If you head along to any, please do share some photos on social media and give us a tag @smallhousebigtrips. We would love to see that these guides help inspire people.
Keep checking back as this gets updated frequently as more events are announced.
FREE Days Out and Events
The Exchange, FREE Easter Trails and Family Heritage Tours in Birmingham City Centre.
Picture this, it’s the Easter holidays, and you’re looking for a FREE day out. Well, The Exchange are putting on some egg-citing Easter activities FREE of charge.
1️⃣ Event One: Uncover the secrets of the historic building (former headquarters of Birmingham Municipal Bank) with an Easter Heritage Trail!
🏛️🔍 Pick up a self-guided trail and crack the code to unlock a tasty surprise hidden in the safety deposit box in The Vaults. A treasure hunt the whole family will love!
🗓 Drop in between 10am and 3pm from 25th-28th March – no booking required.
2️⃣ Event Two: Step back in time and experience The Exchange like never before with a brand-new Family Tour!
Led by knowledgeable guides, embark on an interactive journey through the building’s rich history. From balancing books in the Board Room to designing your dream lunch in the former canteen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, explore The Vaults and discover what special treasures you’d safeguard in the safety deposit boxes. 🗝️
🗓 Tours run twice daily on Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th March, suitable for families with children aged 6+. Although FREE. Booking required to secure slot. One slot has already sold out, so don’t miss out – book your spot now! 🎟️✨
Make unforgettable memories with your family at The Exchange this Easter! 🐰🌷
➡️If you’ve not been before, there’s also a very nice café if you wanted to treat yourself to a bite to eat.⬅️
Location: The Exchange: 3 Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2DR
More details: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/the-exchange
The National Memorial Arboretum Stickman Celebration
Easter has never been so full at the NMA with lots of exciting things happening.
All through the holidays you can take part in the new ‘The Stick Man* Outdoor Trail’. Featuring new character carvings to find along the way, as well as the large-scale The Stick Man sculpture, there is plenty to spot along this mile-long route. You can pick up your free copy of the self-led trail from the Welcome Desk. It is recommended that families wishing to try the trail wear appropriate footwear and clothing. If it’s been raining it can be a little muddy..
Free | 10am – 4pm| Available Daily
Or come along on 23rd March for The Stick Man Celebration Day.
From a twig for a nest to a mast for a flag, our brand-new Stick Man trail will follow the adventures of The Stick Man* as he tries to get home to his Family Tree.
Opening on 23 March, visitors will be able to pick up a free self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum to explore the new trail.
To celebrate its launch, on the 23rd March, the NMA will be hosting a full day of The Stick Man related activities, from arts and crafts and music making to an indoor screenings of the animated adaptation.
Or, you can come along on Easter Weekend, 25th – 29th March for more FREE fun.
Expect creative arts and crafts, screenings of The Stick Man, Seasons of The Stick Man and the trail.
For more details and to pre-book parking: https://www.thenma.org.uk/what’s-on/events
Easter Extravaganza at Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, 29th March to 1st April
4 days of eggcellent fun for the whole family both inside and out!
During the 4 days there will be:
☑️ Over 50 stalls inside our Promenade selling a huge variety of products and of course delicious Easter treats
☑️ Hot and cold food available in all of our outlets as well as along the Promenade
☑️ Children’s Rides*
☑️ Children’s entertainment
☑️ Miniature train rides*
☑️ The return of boating on the lake*
… & much more to be announced
*Outdoor activities are weather dependent
For more details about the line-up, check out: www.paviliongardens.co.uk
Cheadle Moon: Museum of the Moon Exhibition is at St Giles the Abbot from 15th March to 5th April
Experience the incredible Museum of the Moon and be inspired by the fascinating story of Cheadle’s pioneering astronomer Mary Blagg.
Mary Adela Blagg was born in 1858 and lived her entire life in Cheadle. Mary’s groundbreaking work mapping the moon saw her become one of the first women admitted into the Royal Astronomical Society. A crater on the moon, Blagg crater, was named after Mary, and in March 2023, a planet was named Maryblagg in her honour. To mark the 80th anniversary of Mary’s death, join us to tell her story and celebrate her life.
Museum of the Moon, the amazing touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, will be installed in the nave of Cheadle’s St Giles the Abbot church. Measuring six metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:600,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 6km of the moon’s surface.
The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones.
Please note that visitors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
There is no parking at the church and the surrounding roads are unsuitable for event parking. The nearest public car park is Tape Street, Cheadle, ST10 1EU
To book your FREE tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/supportstaffordshire/1133989?
Meet your spidey superhero at New Square Shopping Centre on March 27th, 11am – 4pm
Calling all webslingers, New Square is inviting you to step into the spidey-verse this Easter holiday for a day of superhero action!
Spidey fans will spend the day perfecting their superhero skills with all kinds of activities before graduating as mini supers.
Get made up at the superhero face-painting station before getting creative to make your very own superhero mask and emblem. What will your superpower be?
It’s then time to perfect those spidey-skills with a turn on the epic climbing wall to practice your moves and attain true superhero status.
After all the action, you can meet the webslinger himself, and don’t forget to pose for a few spidey-selfies!
For more details, check out the New Square website: https://www.newsquarewb.com/
Days Out/Events
Dino Farm Adventure at Manor Farm Fruits from 23rd March – 7th April 2024
Calling all adventurers!!! Join Manor Farm Fruits for a ROAR-some Dinosaur Adventure! Meet their Rangers, earn your Dino Diploma and uncover which dinosaur the golden egg belongs to!
🦖 Get up close with Baby Dinosaurs and Momma Raptor.
🦕 Dive into the Dinosaur madness with a variety of Dino-themed activities.
👩🌾 Complete your Dinosaur training to become a Junior Ranger.
📜 Receive an exclusive Dino Diploma.
🥚 Embark on a quest as you navigate the Golden Egg Dino Trail! Solve the mystery to receive your CHOC-tastic reward.🍫
📸 Say Cheese-saurus: Capture your memories with the Dino Photo Opportunities.
🌳 Let the children roam and roar in the Outdoor Play Area with Straw Pyramid and Bouncy Castles.
🦖 Snack Attack: Feeling peckish? Visit the Snack Shack for a treat!
👨👩👧 Family Fun for everyone!
Price:
Child Ticket (Age 2-12) – £16.95
Adult Ticket – £14.95
Under 2’s – Free
Carers – Free (ID required at our admissions)
All tickets are Non-transferrable and Non-refundable. A £2.50 booking fee applies per overall transaction.
For more details and to book: https://manorfarmfruits.co.uk/dino-adventure/
CountryTastic is at the Three Counties Showground on Thursday 28th March
As the region’s most popular children’s event, CountryTastic promises a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities where kids can learn all about farming and the countryside through exploratory play, meet farmyard animals, enjoy tractor rides, and explore arts, crafts, nature and sports. The event’s NEW theme for 2024 is ‘Farming Heroes’ so children are encouraged to come dressed as a superhero.
For more details and to book your tickets: https://www2.theticketfactory.com/three-counties/online/
Easter at Becketts Farm, 23rd March to 7th April 2024
Opening every day from 10am until 3pm with entry at just £3 per person (under 1’s free).
See chicks hatching daily, newborn lambs, miniature goats, enjoy craft activities, and more.
For more details: https://www.beckettsfarm.co.uk/special-events/easter-at-becketts-farm/
Easter Eggstravaganza at West Midlands Safari Park from 23rd March to 7th April 2024
Join the egg hunts, meet Bramble Bunny, and enjoy a range of themed activities for the whole family.
🐰 MEET & GREET BRAMBLE
Look out for Bramble at intervals during the day, where he will be greeting guests, playing games, and giving out plenty of high fives. There may even be the chance to snap a selfie with him!
Appearance times: 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00
🏆 NEW – BRAMBLE’S BIG GIVEAWAY
Bramble is feeling very generous this Easter, so at 3pm every day, he will be hosting Bramble’s Big Giveaway, a gameshow-style activity where kids will have the chance to win some BIG prizes such as retail vouchers, VIP experiences, Annual Passes and Lodge stays!
🎨 NEW – EASTER CRAFT CLUB
Join Bramble’s friends in his burrow to take part in some Easter-themed arts and crafts, or learn some new party tricks, such as plate spinning!
🔎 EGGSPLORERS’ TRAIL
Bramble Bunny has got in a muddle and has accidentally mixed up the penguins’ eggs with his Easter eggs. Little eggsplorers need to follow the clues to find the eggs and match them to each penguin. As a thank you, they will earn a chocolatey prize, which can be collected from Bramble’s Burrow.
📸 PHOTO POINT
Take a picture in Bramble’s garden to share on your socials.
🤩 PHOTO COMPETITION
We’re going on an egg hunt! Find the special WMSP giraffe egg and take a picture with it! Upload it to WMSP’s Facebook page to be entered into a prize draw to win a VIP Giraffe Feed Experience for x4 people.
❓ GUESS THE NUMBER OF EGGS COMPETITION
Find the giant egg in the Discovery Trail and guess how many eggs it contains to win an overnight stay in a Safari Lodge of your choice, for up to four people!
🐧 PENGUIN PLEDGES
Over Easter, our Conservation Team will be championing penguins and raising money for the Global Penguin Society. Learn more about these amazing birds, earn a sticker, and make your penguin pledge for how you can help penguins in the wild.
🐾PLUS
Lots more fascinating animal shows & encounters, and of course, the four-mile Safari Drive-through! Plus; Tiger Tropics, Lion Ridge, Marmoset Mischief, African Walking Trail, Red Panda Retreat, Land of the Living Dinosaurs, Ice Age, Penguin Cove, Sea Lion Show, Twilight Cave, Creepy Crawlies, Aquarium, Reptile House, Hippo Lakes, African Village, Meerkat Mayhem, Lemur Woods, Daily Talks and Shows.
🎢 The Adventure Theme Park will also be open with rides for all the family. (Ride Wristbands and Tickets are charged extra).
🎟️ Get your tickets in advance to save! http://www.wmsp.co.uk
Selly Manor Wind in the Willows, Easter Events, 25th March to 5th April 2024
Hop on down to Selly Manor this Easter for eggcellent activities inspired by the Wind in the Willows.
You can eggsplore the garden and take part in a fantastic egg hunt. Get creative with some eggtremely cool Easter themed crafts, and play games in the lovely Selly Manor garden.
Event runs from Monday 25th March – Friday 5th April, 10am-5pm (last entry at 3.30pm).
Tickets: Adults £5, Concessions £4, Children £3, Family (2 Adults 3 Children) £15, Under 3s free.
Booking is strongly recommended. Book here: https://museumshops.uk/product/wind-in-the-willows-easter-activities/
Easter Trails
Draycote Water Easter Trail from 23rd March to 14th April
The Easter Bunny has left a trail of eggs and needs your help to find them all. Follow the trail to find all the eggs and answer the questions to collect a prize!
When: Saturday 23rd March to Sunday 14th April, 10am to 4pm.
Where: The trail is around the Country Park, accessible by pushchair.
Price: £3 per trail sheet, each completed trail sheet will receive one prize.
No need to pre-book, just come to the Visitor Hub to buy your activity sheet.
Non-chocolate alternative prize available
For more details and to plan your visit: https://www.stwater.co.uk/our-visitor-sites/draycote-water/
Canalside Easter Egg Hunt from 23rd – 31st March 2024
Join the lovely people over at Canalside Farm for their Easter Egg Hunt out on the Farm this Easter.
Collect your very own egg hunt pack and head off to find the giant Easter eggs, answering the questions at each station.
Answer all of the Easter themed questions on the trail and head back to the hut to collect your prize (prize is for the children only).
Adult Ticket is £2 & a Child Ticket is £4.
For more details and to book: https://www.canalsidefarm.co.uk/events/easter-egg-hunt
Easter in the Gardens at Castle Bromwich Gardens 23rd March to April 7th, 2024.
Explore the gardens, solve the trail questions, and enjoy the beauty of nature on your self-guided family egg hunt. Once completed, return to the courtyard for your Easter reward.
Available every day while eggs and chocolate last.
Normal entry and £1 for trail and reward – per child, no booking needed. Just drop in!
For more details on Castle Bromwich Gardens: https://www.castlebromwichhallgardens.org.uk
Easter Egg Hunt at Sandwell RSPB, 23rd March to 14th April 2024
Nature detectives are needed to help the RSPB find their lost Easter eggs.
Explore the reserve, searching for clues, and complete wildlife activities to complete your challenge.
Egg hunt packs are £3.50 each and contain everything your family needs for a wild Easter adventure.
No booking is required. Simply pop in any day that the visitor centre is open and pick up an activity pack.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Please note that the Easter eggs on this trail are not chocolate.
For more details about RSPB Sandwell Valley: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/sandwell-valley
Easter Trail and fun at Grasmere Garden Centre 29th March to 5th April 2024
More details here: https://www.facebook.com/grasmeregardensbrownhills
Easter Egg Hunt at National Trust Attingham Park from 16th March to 7th April 2024
Make your way along the trail and find spring-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place from 8am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful surroundings of Attingham Park.
Prices are £3 per trail, which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears, and dairy or vegan and free from* chocolate egg.
*Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut, and tree nut allergies.
Around the Mile Walk, you will discover 10 spring-themed Easter trail stations to complete before collecting your chocolate egg prize at the end. Only 1 egg can be given per trail sheet.
On weekends between 11am and 2.30pm, the trail can get very busy, so if you would like a quieter trail, we recommend coming on a weekday or before 10.30 am or after 3 pm on weekends.
No booking is required for the trail. Normal admission applies.
For more details: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/attingham-park/events/
Habberley Easter Scavenger Hunt Trail, 29th March to 1st April 2024
Hop into the heart of the action with the special Easter Scavenger Hunt!
Habberley invites you to explore the trail, decipher clues, and uncover the secret Easter sentence. A delightful Easter egg prize awaits!
Scavenger Hunt tickets must be bought alongside a trail ticket. Limited spaces available, so book early!
For more details and to book: https://habberleytrail.co.uk/
Theatre/Shows
Paddington in Concert, Birmingham Symphony Hall, 5th April, 3pm
Audiences across the UK can enjoy watching the award-winning 2014 film on a giant HD screen, accompanied by the Manchester Concert Orchestra playing Nick Urata’s calypso-infused score live. Use code FOUR80 to get 4 tickets for £80.
Book your tickets here: https://bmusic.co.uk/events/paddington-in-concert
Jurassic Earth will be at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 24th March.
Prepare to go on a JURASSIC adventure!
Meet the bravest of RANGERS as they take you on a journey through Jurassic Earth, introducing their herd of the most incredible Dinosaur species to have ever lived!
Bring your biggest ROOAR and your fastest feet as you take Rangers Danger’s masterclass to become an Official Dinosaur Ranger – gaining the skills you need to come face-to-face with the World’s largest walking T Rex, a big-hearted Brontosaurus, tricky Triceratops, uncontrollable Carnotaurus, vicious Velociraptors & sneaky Spinosaurus.
Feel the EXCITEMENT of watching a Dinosaur Egg hatch in front of your eyes and the THRILL of meeting the cutest Ankylosaurus, Pterodactyl and baby Hatchlings…
Book your tickets here: https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/jurassic-earth/
Zog and the Flying Doctors will be at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 26th to 28th March.
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress!
With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too?
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales) are back, with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe (Zog), for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.
Book your tickets here: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/zog-and-the-flying-doctors/
Oliver! is at Tamworth Assembly Rooms from 27th to 30th March
Tamworth Musical Theatre Company bring Charles Dicken’s beloved novel to the stage, with Oliver!, which takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England.
Join, young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates the London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and, most importantly, for love.
Oliver is picked up on the street by a boy named the Artful Dodger, he is welcomed into a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving, but charismatic, Fagin. When Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he didn’t commit, he is rescued by a kind and wealthy gentleman, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sykes. Caught in the middle is the warm-hearted Nancy, who is trapped under Bill’s thumb, but desperate to help Oliver.
With spirited, timeless songs like ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘Food Glorious Food’ and ‘Oom Pah-Pah’, Oliver! Is a musical classic for all for the family to enjoy.
For more details and to book: https://www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk/
David Walliams, Awful Auntie Live on Stage! is at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 28th to 31st March.
When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, she has no idea her life is in danger! When Stella wakes up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell her what has happened. But not everything Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie!
Following their acclaimed productions of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist, Birmingham Stage Company are proud to present a fabulous new production of David Walliams’ amazing adventure story, featuring a very large owl, a very small ghost and a very awful Auntie!
Book your tickets here: https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/awful-auntie/
Snow White is at The Crescent Theatre from 28th to 30th March
Midland Theatre Ballet is an exciting and unique Midlands based project for 7-21 year old dancers, which aims to give talented ballet students the experience of being part of a youth ballet company for one year, culminating in a full length ballet performance at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham. Come and watch their fabulous performance of Snow White.
Book your tickets here: https://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk/
Monster Jam – Ramped Up at Utilita Arena Birmingham from 29th – 31st March
This. Is. Monster Jam™! The most unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Birmingham for an adrenaline-charged weekend at Utilita Arena Birmingham between 29th – 31st March.
The all-new Monster Jam Ramped Upä features the Monstergonä, a multi-sided metal ramp that launches Monster Jam trucks as they attempt fan-favourite stunts, like massive sky wheelies, big-air jumps and amazing backflips. Birmingham fans will be on the edge of their seats as world-class drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donuts and Racing competitions.
In addition to seeing heated rivalries and high-flying stunts, fans will witness the debut of three Marvel Monster Jam trucks. The Thor Monster Jam truck features the God of Thunder’s helmet and cape, along with a massive version of his mighty hammer, Mjölnir. The majestic purple glow of Wakandan vibranium is unmistakable on the Black Panther Monster Jam truck. Spider-Senses will be tingling when fans see The Amazing Spider-Man Monster Jam truck in classic red and blue complete with a larger-than-life spider icon.
The all-star line-up features six skilled athletes fighting for the championship while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining. Matt Cody gets behind the wheel of the black and green wrecking machine, the legendary Grave Digger®. Blake Granger grabs the bull by the horns in El Toro Loco®. Fan-favourite Charlie Pauken aims to take a bite out of the competition in Megalodon®.
Two-time GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ title holder and WOW Factor of the Year award winner Bari Musawwir in Black Panther, 2022 Entertainer of the Year award winner Bernard Lyght in The Amazing Spider-Man and Myranda Cozad in Thor all look to secure the event championship.
**Truck and driver line-up subject to change.
For more details and to book: https://www.theticketfactory.com/tickets/events/monster-jam-tickets
Insomnia The Gaming Festival is at NEC Birmingham from 28th March to 1st April.
Get ready for the ultimate gaming experience. Insomnia is the festival you don’t want to miss!
Immerse yourself in a world of non-stop gaming, with everything from the latest video games to retro classics. Meet fellow gamers, attend panels and meet-and-greets with your favourite creators, and compete in tournaments for prizes.
With a huge selection of games to choose from, you’ll never run out of things to do. Try your hand at VR games, test your skills in esports competitions, or get lost in the world of tabletop games.
Plus there will be live performances, cosplay competitions, and the latest gaming gear in our marketplace.
Don’t miss out on the ultimate gaming event of the year.
For more details and to book: https://www.thenec.co.uk/whats-on/insomnia-the-gaming-festival
Kidz Bop Live Tour will be at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham on 6th April
Sing and dance along with the Kidz Bop Kids as they perform today’s biggest hits, live on stage including “As It Was,” “About That Time,” “Anti-Hero,” “Green Green Grass,” “Trustfall,” and many more.
This is the ultimate pop concert for kids (and the entire family), so don’t miss out on making memories that will last a lifetime!
For more details and to book your tickets: https://bmusic.co.uk/events/kidz-bop-never-stop-live-tour
Alice in Wonderland is at Stourbridge Town Hall on 7th April
Multi award-nominated Immersion Theatre – the team behind last year’s smash hit The Jungle Book – bring their trademark energy to their biggest, funniest, and most spectacular family musical to date: Alice in Wonderland!
Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure and meet a host of outlandish characters including Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire cat and of course, the Mad-as a bat-Hatter!
Children and adults alike are invited to join in the hilarity of seeing this classic story brought vividly to life in a show packed with comedy, music, audience interaction, and fun for the whole family!
You’d be MAD to miss it!
For more details and to book: https://boroughhalls.co.uk/alice-in-wonderland.html
Places to Eat
Know of some great Easter food offerings? Get in touch.