Fed up with hearing traveller's plans of eggs-otic Easter trips? Nowadays, conversations about the weather in Antigua, the spas in Cyprus and snow conditions in Les Arcs seem to arise far more readily than Christ ever did. But take heart. For those of us who will be celebrating the weekend under somewhat fresher British skies, there are all manner of weekend events planned around the country.
Most importantly, at least for young families, are the various Easter egg hunts being arranged in parks and gardens, from "Easter Egg Hunt 2000" in botanical Trebah Garden near Falmouth in Cornwall (01326-250448) to the National Trust Easter Egg Hunts within the walled garden of Wordsworth's House in Cockermouth , Cumbria (01900-824805). Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway (01506-822298), in Lothian, is running Easter Egg Specials from the 21st to the 24th, and there's an Easter Treasure Trail on both Sunday and Monday around Edinburgh Zoo (0131 334 9171). Alternatively, if you've ever wondered how many hummingbird eggs fit into an ostrich egg (surely...), you can find out by taking part in the great egg trail at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Washington, Tyne and Wear (0191 416 5454).
The Marlish Farm Visitor Centre in Northumberland (01670-772223) invites visitors daily to watch a lamb being born or to help with feeding and holding lambs, chicks and ducklings. Further south, the gentle giants will be out on show at London's Harness Horse Parade in Battersea Park on Easter Monday. Trade stands and a children's circus begin at 10.30am, the parade at midday.
The unattached can hop away from all the bunny action with Solo's (020-8951 2800) short breaks. A three-night ramble in the Highlands of Scotland on April 21, for example, costs £265pp for a single room half-board at Barony Castle. Naturetrek (01962-733051) goes one better for Easter, offering walkers on its four-day exploration of Perthshire hills and lochs the opportunity to add on a day at the town of Fortingall on Loch Tay, widely believed to be the birthplace of Pontius Pilate. The tour costs £299 (plus £39 for Fortingall), including accommodation, all meals and the services of a naturalist guide.
Spotting wildlife - and perhaps a ghost - is all part of a family cycling holiday in the Cotswolds. A gentle two-night break from Compass Holidays (01242 250642) can take in the Cotswold Wildlife Park and the haunted riverside ruins of a medieval hall. Prices of £81pp (under 12s go half price) include B&B in Burford, itineraries and tour packs. Bring your own bikes or hire them from Compass (£34).
The soccer-mad (both little and large) will get a real kick out of the new Football Academy holiday at Manor Adventure centre in Shropshire (01584 861333). An Easter week (beginning April 22) puts six to 17-year-olds through their paces in basic and advanced skills with FA coaches. Parents can follow their own programme from a choice of activities including canoeing, climbing, golfing and walking. Accommodation, activities, outings and meals cost £279 per child, from £319 per adult.
If your winter has been a long haul, brighten it up with a visit to the Springfields Show Gardens in Spalding, Lincs (fax: 01775 711209). At this time of year, they're dancing with daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, the carp lake, palm house and woodland walk bathed in spring sunshine.
Various hotels are offering cracking Easter breaks. Sir Christopher Wren's House (01753 861354), for example, the original family home of the 17th-century architect tucked beneath the ramparts of Windsor Castle, is offering double rooms between Good Friday and Easter Monday for £55pp B&B, including a chauffeur-driven tour of both Windsor and Eton across the river Thames.
The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne (01323 412345) is offering a five-star family break, two nights from April 21-23, for £195pp half-board with up to two children (under 12) sleeping free if sharing their parents' room. The package includes tempo rary membership of the Health and Leisure Club (with pool), live bands, courtesy car transfers into town, a quiz and a tea dance. Children will be kept busy with an Easter Bonnet Parade, egg painting, an egg hunt and daily high tea.
A little bodily pampering may also go down a treat. Ashdown Park hotel (01342 824988) near Forest Row, in East Sussex, has a health and beauty salon as well as a country club with 18-hole golf course, fully-equipped gym, indoor swimming pool and jogging trails. Its Easter offer means that those booking two nights half- board (£195pp based on two sharing) will pay only £25 each for the third night's accommodation. Hartwell House in Aylesbury (01296-747444) and Bodysgallen in North Wales (01492-584466) are also offering special breaks with spas.
If you prefer your chocolate overdosing to be private, various cottages are still up for grabs over the holiday weekend. Lowena, for example, is a large three-bedroomed granite house on the Lizard Peninsula, ideally positioned for breezy walks along the rugged Cornish coastline. One week over Easter costs £433 with Classic Cottages (01326 555555). Premier Cottages Direct (01271 336050) offers stone cottages just yards from the beach at Broad Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast. Other agencies include Helpful Holidays (01647 433593), Toad Hall Cottages (01548 853089), and Country Holidays (08700 778800), which has also come up with a selection of properties that welcome pets.
Easter's late arrival may mean it's warm enough for a narrowboat cruise. Drifters' Latelink service (01905 610550) can help you find a quick break at short notice, in conjunction with British Waterways. Expect to pay around £425 for a four-berth boat for three nights.
On a more cultural note, the World Irish Dancing Championships, held for the first time in its 31-year history outside the Republic, will bring some 10,000 visitors to Belfast's Waterfront Hall between Good Friday and the following Thursday. Besides the dances (tickets on 028-9033 4400), the event is an excuse for various excursions and day trips being organised for sightseers: Giant's Causeway and the Antrim coast, the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Londonderry, and many more. All day trips will set off from Belfast, organised by Wrightlines (028-4066 2126) and available every day during the week.
Edinburgh's International Science Festival, held in various venues around the city, will still be running until Easter Day. (details on 0131-530 2001).
And if you've not made your bonnet yet you may find inspiration at Hat Works in Stockport, where an exhibition of mad hats, wacky hats, edible hats and delicate hat will open on Easter Monday. It's all part of Greater Manchester's Family Friendly initiative this spring, which is detailed on www.familyfriendly.org or by phoning 0161- 236 5632.
And finally... the true meaning of Easter. This will be celebrated at church services throughout the country including Rochester Cathedral in Kent. "2000 and Rising" will explore each of the traditional Easter themes by art, bible studies, music, dance and workshops, heralded with a barbecue on arrival.
• For full details of eggstravaganzas, eggsplorer's days, eggcitement, even mill-egg-iums in your area, contact your local tourist information centre or visit the national tourist office websites on:
• www.visitbritain.com
• www.holiday.scotland.net
• www.visitwales.com
