EASTER in Essex is full of surprises. In every corner of the county, there’s a feast of fun to be had.

1. You can share some magical moments as you hop around the grounds of RHS Garden Hyde Hall, near Chelmsford, on the trail of the world-famous Lindt Gold Bunny (from Saturday, March 28, to Sunday, April 12). Follow the clues to discover a delicious Lindt treat.

2. Want more bang for your bucks? On Good Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, the Royal Gunpowder Mills, at Waltham Abbey is hosting special Easter activities for younger children, including a traditional Easter egg hunt, crafts, face-painting and a chance to meet the Easter bunny.

3. Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre has an Easter Eggstravaganza from Easter Sunday, April 5, for fans of all creatures great and small to follow a trail around the site, do some pond dipping and minibeast hunting, before returning to the centre to collect your prize and make an Easter-themed craft to take away with you.

4. Colchester Zoo is inviting budding botanists and nextgeneration naturalists to Get Hands on with Nature (from April 3 to April 6). Featuring Dawn Chorus walks, bug hunts and pond dipping, the zoo will also help little “Nature Crusaders” to discover fascinating facts about birds, reptiles and insects.

5. If you’ve got steam coming out of your ears at the end of the day, you’ve clearly had a great time at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Earls Colne. And who could fail not to after spending time with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends?

6. Or if you’re looking for a knight in shining armour this Easter, then march over to Hedingham Castle for its Medieval Siege and Fair (April 3 to April 6) and go nearly a thousand years back in time. Experience the bustle of the camp and see displays of archery, birds of prey and a fearsome trebuchet (giant catapult) in action.

7. Take your little adventurers on a journey through time at Audley End House, near Saffron Walden, during the Easter weekend and get hands on with history.

For more Easter ideas click on www.visitessex.com