There is a definite sense of spring in the air in Winchester. The days are getting longer, and the holidays are round the corner. It is the perfect time to plan your visit to England's ancient capital. Come to Winchester this Easter to enjoy family-friendly fun. Here are our suggestions for affordable stress-free staycations, sleepovers and day trips.

Marwell Zoo
BRICKOSAURS! Evolution is the latest new species to join Marwell Zoo. A collection of towering dinosaurs made using more than two million toy bricks, BRICKOSAURS! Evolution is a world first of 55 prehistoric creatures. Highlights include an incredible seven metre long Spinosaurus, a nodding Heterodontosaurus and a huge Mosasaur emerging from the water.

Visitors will come face-to-face with more than 20 species on this immersive and educational adventure through the 140-acre park. The brick dinosaurs will join more than 140 exotic and endangered species and over 2,500 real animals.

BRICKOSAURS! Evolution is included in general admission and on until 4th September. For more information and to book tickets visit marwell.org.uk

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
Planet Protectors
This year Winchester Science Centre is celebrating 20 years of science wow. During the Easter holidays join the Planet Protectors as they uncover the impact of fashion on our climate in a brand-new free science show. Explore the carbon cycle of clothes and uncover the world of alternative fuels. You will be amazed by epic science demos, including explosive hydrogen balloons.

Zoom into orbit in two amazing Planetarium shows. Uncover the secrets of the planets in Atmospheres, an exciting live show, and head off on a tour of the icy landscapes of the Solar System in Ice Worlds, a subtitled film show.

The Science Centre is open every weekend and everyday throughout the Easter school holidays. www.winchestersciencecentre.org 

The Arc
The Arc is a brand-new culture hub in the heart of Winchester. This Easter they have a whole range of family and children's activities.

This includes Sensory Play Sessions Suitable for ages 5+ and a performance of Little Red Riding Hood by the Lyngo Theatre. Children's workshops include finding out the surprising science behind butterflies whilst making wearable butterfly wings. There is also a workshop about the tips and tricks to make paper aeroplanes go the whole distance!

Older children can take part in Extreme Podcasting. Here they'll learn how to record and edit what they want to say, add sound effects and create artwork to showcase their work.

Also don't miss Extraordinary Everyday: The Art & Design of Eric Ravilious art exhibition. For full details and booking for all shows and workshops visit www.arcwinchester.org.uk 

Winchester Cathedral
Explore Winchester Cathedral, one of southern England's most historic buildings. There is a free Easter trail that is suitable for the whole family. The journey to find Easter related objects around the Cathedral, and to learn more about the meaning behind them begins from the Entrance Desk from the 31 March.

Entry to Winchester Cathedral is free for children (under 16yrs). With the purchase of an adult admission ticket, visitors can return as often as they like for 12 months, free of charge. www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk 

The Great Hall
King Arthur's legendary Round Table has dominated Winchester's ancient Great Hall for centuries. Visit and discover the history, battles, secrets and trials for terrorism and treason that were held here. From the 11th April through to the 24th April there will be Easter craft activities and an Easter trail at the Great Hall.
www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/greathall 

Winchester City Museum
Located in the heart of the historic city of Winchester, City Museum tells the story of England's ancient capital, the seat of Alfred the Great.

From its origins as an Iron Age trading centre to Anglo Saxon glory, the last journey of Jane Austen to the hunt for King Alfred's remains, explore the sights and sounds of Winchester past and present in the museum's three galleries.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday, 11am-4pm. Tickets: Adult £5, Child (5-15) £2.50, Under 5s Free. Joint ticket with Westgate Museum also available. www.hampshireculture.org.uk/winchester-city-museum 

The Westgate Museum
Located at the top of the High Street in the historic city of Winchester, Westgate Museum is housed inside a surviving fortified medieval city gateway. The museum tells the story of this remarkable building, and the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. It also offers great rooftop city views. The Westgate is open Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. Tickets: Adult £3, Child (5-15) £1.50, Under 5s Free. www.hampshireculture.org.uk/westgate-museum 

The Easter Bunny Hop
There is a fun free Easter trail for families around town organised by Winchester BID. You can collect a copy of the Bunny Hop trail sheet from Winchester Visitor Information Centre, The Arc or Winchester City Museum or download a copy from the Winchester BID website: www.winchesterbid.co.uk/easter-bunny-hop-2022. 

Using the map from the trail sheet, simply hop around the beautiful historic streets of Winchester and search for all nine Easter-themed words. Return your completed trail sheet to the visitor information centre, The Arc or Winchester City Museum, to receive an Easter treat and be entered into the prize draw to win an Easter-inspired hamper.

Winchester College
Families visiting Winchester College's Treasury museum this Easter will be able to see an enormous masterpiece by one of the leading artists of the eighteenth century – François Lemoyne's Annunciation (1727). The painting has recently returned to Winchester College after ten years on loan to the National Gallery in London.

To entertain our younger visitors, there are two themed trails that will lead them to discover a wealth of ancient treasures in the museum, including artefacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome, casts of the Parthenon Frieze, and Chinese ceramics centuries old.

Entry to Treasury is free for everyone, and is open 2 – 4pm, 7 days a week. Enter via the Porters' Lodge halfway down College Street.
www.winchestercollege.org/visit-us. 

Out and about
From the city centre you are just minutes from the beautiful water meadows which inspired Keats' poetry, among others. The paths along the River Itchen are teeming with flowers and wildlife as spring has sprung. Climb St Catherine's Hill, a great family walk. The top is ringed by ancient ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort and there is a puzzling labyrinth of a mizmaze. The views are amazing as are wild the spring flowers in this nature reserve. 

Winchester is the also gateway to the South Downs which provides plenty of opportunities to get the family out enjoying the fresh air. 

Feed the family
Families are well catered for in Winchester and alongside the popular chains you'll find some great budget-friendly independents. These include great sourdough pizzas from Three Joes Pizza, Piecaramba, a pie and comic shop and Shoal, a traditional fish and chips restaurant.

In Winchester there is also a vibrant café scene offering plenty of opportunities to warm up the family with a hot drink and treat. 

Family sleepovers at The Holiday Inn Winchester
For cracking family accommodation head to The Holiday Inn Winchester. They have family rooms starting at £135, including breakfast. These have two double beds and can accommodate an extra child's bed (children 12 & under) or a travel cot too. They also have a year-round offer of Kids Stay and Eat Free option for children under the age of 13 years. Check the website for full details. www.hiwinchester.co.uk 

Head to visitwinchester.co.uk to plan your trip. We want everyone to enjoy a happy and healthy half term visit to Winchester. We urge visitors to keep up to date with the latest government advice and respect and protect others.