Free & Cheap Things to Do at Easter in Northamptonshire 2026

Easter is one of my favourite times of year — but if we’re being honest, it can also get pretty expensive pretty quickly. Between activities, days out, and approximately three hundred chocolate eggs, it all adds up! So this one’s for those of us who want to make amazing Easter memories without spending a fortune. I’ve pulled together the very best free and budget-friendly Easter activities across Northamptonshire for 2026 — from genuinely free events and beautiful country park walks, to cheap trails and easy at-home ideas that cost next to nothing. Your bank balance can breathe a sigh of relief!

Quick note: I’ve classed “cheap” as roughly under £10 per child. Anything free is clearly labelled. Some venues charge for parking even when entry is free — I’ve flagged this where I know it applies so there are no surprises on the day.

Genuinely FREE Easter Activities

1. The Great Dino Discovery Day – Swansgate Shopping Centre, Wellingborough

Dinosaur Trail: 30th March – 12th April | Hatchery Event: Thursday 2nd April, 11am–3pm
Completely FREE

This is probably the most exciting free Easter activity in the county this year and I am here for it. Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough has gone full prehistoric — life-sized dinosaurs are taking over the centre from 30th March through to 12th April, hidden around the shops for you to discover as you wander through. Then on Thursday 2nd April, the Dinosaur Hatchery pops up from 11am–3pm — watch baby dinosaurs hatch right before your eyes, get up close with brilliantly realistic baby dinosaur puppet and learn from the expert handlers. It’s free, it’s in the warm, and it genuinely sounds amazing. Perfect for a rainy Easter holiday day!

 Find out more about the Great Dino Discovery Day at Swansgate

Also check out: Easter Events in Northamptonshire 2026

2. Xplorer Navigation Challenge – Multiple Locations, North Northants

Various dates: 30th March – 9th April
FREE – no booking required

This one is such a brilliant little gem! North Northamptonshire Council is running free Xplorer navigation challenges at parks across the area throughout the Easter holidays. It’s a family-friendly navigation adventure where children explore the park and find markers — educational, fun and genuinely gives them a sense of adventure. No booking needed, just turn up! Dates and locations are:

• Monday 30th March, 1–3pm — Thrapston, Peace Park (NN14 4JU)
• Thursday 2nd April, 1–3pm — Rushden, Hall Park (NN10 9ES)
• Tuesday 7th April, 1–3pm — Wellingborough, Swanspool Gardens (NN8 1BP)
• Wednesday 8th April, 1–3pm — Corby, Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre (NN18 9HU)
• Thursday 9th April, 10am–12noon — Twywell Hills and Dales (NN14 4DZ)
• Thursday 9th April, 1–3pm — Kettering, The Green Patch (NN16 0LU)

 More details on the North Northants Easter events page

3. Abington Park Museum Easter Trail – Northampton

Easter holidays 2026 (check website for exact dates — usually runs Tue–Sun, 12–4pm)
Approx. £2–£2.50 per trail | Museum entry FREE

Abington Park Museum is one of those lovely places that feels like a proper hidden gem — it’s housed in a 15th century manor house right in the middle of Abington Park, and entry to the museum itself is completely free. Each Easter they run a brilliant trail around the museum where children follow clues and at the end every child wins a chocolate egg. It’s drop-in, no booking required, and the surrounding park is gorgeous for a picnic or a run around afterwards. The aviary, rose garden and play area in the park are also free. A brilliant full morning or afternoon for barely any money.

Check dates and details at Northampton Museums

4. Brixworth Country Park – Near Northampton

Open daily | FREE entry (parking charges apply)

Brixworth Country Park sits right on the edge of the stunning Pitsford Water reservoir and it’s one of the best free outdoor spaces in the county. There are multiple walking trails at different lengths — from a gentle 0.5-mile Kestrel loop to the 1.25-mile Skylark Trail which comes with free seasonal spring quiz sheets for the kids. There’s also a sensory garden, a play area, open space for kite flying and ball games, and bike hire if you fancy something more active. The café on site is great for warming up after your walk. A small parking charge applies but the park itself is free.

Plan your visit to Northamptonshire’s country parks

5. Sywell Country Park – Near Northampton

Open daily | FREE entry (parking charges apply)

Sywell is such a beautiful spot and really underrated as a family day out. It sits on the site of a Victorian reservoir and the 2.5-mile trail around the water is gorgeous — there’s also a shorter 1km heritage trail that explores the old waterworks with really interesting interpretation panels, which is great for curious kids. There’s a play area, a butterfly garden, a cafe with homemade cakes in the old Pump House, and indoor soft play for when the weather is being typically British about things. Keep an eye on their Facebook page over Easter — they sometimes run free family activities including egg hunts. Free to enter, small parking charge.

Find Sywell Country Park info here or Read my review

6. Barnwell Country Park – Near Oundle

Open daily | FREE entry (parking charges apply)

Barnwell is one of my favourite Northants country parks — 37 acres of lakes, riverbanks and meadows just a mile from the beautiful town of Oundle. There are three waymarked routes including the Lakeside Stroll which is fully pushchair and wheelchair accessible, and the longer Riverside Walk if you want to make a proper afternoon of it. There are wildlife hides, a huge children’s play area with a separate toddler section, and a lovely café for a warming drink. Absolutely stunning setting for a spring walk with the family. Free entry; small parking charge.

Find Barnwell Country Park info here

7. Fermyn Woods Country Park – Near Brigstock

Open daily | FREE entry (parking charges apply)

If your children love trees and wildlife, Fermyn Woods is an absolute winner. It’s part of the ancient Royal Forest of Rockingham and there are waymarked trails through mixed woodland and wildflower meadows. Spring is honestly one of the best times to visit — bluebells, birdsong and red kites wheeling overhead. There’s the Skylark Café for hot drinks and snacks when you’ve worked up an appetite. A proper “get off your screens and into the woods” day out. Free entry; small parking charge.

Find Fermyn Woods Country Park info here

8. Irchester Country Park – Near Wellingborough

Open daily | FREE entry (parking charges apply)

Two hundred acres of gorgeous former ironstone quarry, now transformed into a network of trails through mixed woodland. The Tailby Trail is fully accessible at under 1km, but if the kids have energy to burn there’s a longer 2.25km woodland trail and a 3.8km Ironstone Heritage Trail too. There’s also a zip-line adventure course, a children’s play area and a narrow-gauge railway museum at the site — a proper hidden gem. Free entry; small parking charge.

Find Irchester Country Park info here

9. Abington Park – Northampton

Open daily | FREE

Sometimes the simplest things are the best, and Abington Park in Northampton is a genuine gem right on the doorstep. 117 acres of green space, a lovely play area, a rose garden, a boating lake, an aviary with all sorts of birds to spot, and loads of open space for a run around. Pack a picnic and you’ve got a full afternoon sorted for absolutely nothing. The café in the park is great if you need a warm drink. And don’t forget you can also pop into Abington Park Museum (free entry!) while you’re there for the Easter trail.

10. Easter Egg Decorating at Home — Free Activity Pack Ideas

Anytime over Easter | FREE

Sometimes the best Easter memories are made at the kitchen table with a dozen hard-boiled eggs, some felt tips and an argument about who made the best bunny face. I’m a huge fan of keeping it simple at home on the days when you just don’t want to go anywhere. Here are a few free ideas that kids genuinely love:

• Hard-boil eggs and decorate them with felt tips, washi tape or paint — then have a family competition and award silly prizes
• Make Easter baskets from paper bags or old cereal boxes — let the kids decorate them and use them for any egg hunts
• Nature scavenger hunt in the garden or local park — spot spring flowers, mini-beasts, blossom and birds. Grab a copy of my scavenger hunt here.
• Make Easter cards for grandparents or friends — kids love feeling like their creations are going to someone
• Make salt dough chicks and eggs — flour, salt and water, shape and bake, then paint. Free, fun and satisfying

Cheap Easter Activities (Under £10 per child)

11. Easter Adventures Trail – Canons Ashby, Daventry (National Trust)

28th March – 12th April 2026 | 10am–4pm
Trail £3.50 per child | Normal admission applies | Free parking | No booking needed

Canons Ashby is a gorgeous National Trust property near Daventry and this Easter the trail takes you through the beautiful natural grounds on a route inspired by the birds and wildlife that call the estate home. Each child gets a trail map and a special treat at the end — and at £3.50, it’s one of the best value Easter trails in the county. National Trust members get in free. No booking required — just turn up!

More info: Easter Adventures at Canons Ashby

12. Easter Bunny Express – Rushden Historical Transport Society

Sunday 5th & Monday 6th April | Trains from 11am
£6 per person | Every child receives an Easter egg

A diesel train ride, an Easter egg included in the price and a genuinely fun heritage setting — all for £6 per person. The Easter Bunny Express at Rushden Station is one of the best value Easter activities in Northants and train-mad kids absolutely love it. Trains run throughout the day at regular intervals and the Buffet Carriage is open for sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks. Must be pre-booked in advance as it sells out fast.

Book the Easter Bunny Express at Rushden

13. Easter Eggstravaganza – Delapré Abbey, Northampton

3rd–6th April 2026 | 10am–4pm (timed entry)
£5 per person | Under 1s FREE

Brilliant value for what you get — just £5 per person for an egg trail through the gorgeous Walled Garden (with a chocolate prize at the end, dairy-free options available), an interactive House Trail inside the historic Abbey, and an Easter Petting Experience with alpacas! There are also crafts, lawn games and seed planting included in the price. At a fiver a head this is genuinely one of the best deals in the county this Easter. Timed entry, so book in advance.

Book Easter Eggstravaganza at Delapré Abbey

14. Welford Christmas Tree Farm – Easter Hunt

21st/22nd March, 25th–29th March, 1st–5th April 2026
Easter Hunt only: £4 per child | Arts & Crafts + Hunt: £10 per child (£6 for under 3s)

The Easter Hunt on its own is just £4 per child — you walk through the beautiful woodland, spot Easter themed scenes and bag a prize for taking part. Really relaxed, lovely setting and genuinely great value. If you want to add crafts onto the walk, that’s £10 per child which I’d still call a solid deal for an hour of crafting plus the trail. Under 3s are £6 for the crafts session and babies go free. A lovely choice for younger children especially.

Book Welford Christmas Tree Farm Easter activities

15. Easter Holiday Fun – Stowe House, Buckinghamshire

28th March – 19th April 2026 | 10:30am–4:30pm
Under 5s FREE | Children (6–16) just £3 | Activities free with admission

A short trip over the county border into Buckinghamshire but absolutely worth it — especially at these prices! Under 5s get in completely free, and older children are only £3. The Easter activities (an Animal Adventure Trail through the grand rooms of the house and a self-led Easter craft station) are included in that admission price. The house itself is stunning and it’s a lovely relaxed day without any of the crowds you’d get at bigger venues.

Book Easter Holiday Fun at Stowe House

16. Big Easter Craft Club – Stanwick Lakes, Irchester

Wednesday 1st April & Wednesday 8th April 2026
£10 per child | Adults and under 2s FREE

At £10 per child with adults going free, this is genuinely excellent value for nearly two hours of crafting. Children can make hapazome nature prints, decorate Easter eggs, craft bunny ears, make origami rabbits, create a flower nature book and make their own pet chick — as many crafts as they can fit into the session! Three session times to choose from on each date. A brilliant rainy-day backup option and booking fills up fast.

Book the Big Easter Craft Club at Stanwick Lakes

17. Guardians of Spring Trail – Evenley Wood Garden

28th March – 19th April 2026 | Open daily 10am–4pm
£7.50 per person | Every child wins a prize

Yes, it’s £7.50 per person — but hear me out, because this is one of those magical experiences that genuinely feels worth every penny. The 60-acre woodland is absolutely beautiful at Easter, the Giant Hare trail is imaginative and unique, and every single child wins a prize at the end. The café serves Easter treats and the whole experience is calm and unhurried. If you’ve got nature-loving kids this is hands down one of the loveliest things you’ll do all Easter.

Book the Guardians of Spring Trail at Evenley Wood Garden

18. Easter Egg Specials – Northampton Lamport Railway

Sunday 5th & Monday 6th April 2026 | Hourly departures 10am–3pm
Check website for prices | Every child receives a Creme Egg

Scenic train rides through the Northamptonshire countryside over Easter weekend, with every child on board getting a free Creme Egg — and there’s even a chance to meet the Easter Bunny and take part in an Easter Bunny Hunt on site. Free on-site parking makes this even better value. If your child doesn’t eat chocolate, contact the railway in advance and they’ll sort an alternative.

Book Easter Egg Specials at Northampton Lamport Railway

Quick Tips to Save Money This Easter

A few things worth knowing before you head out this holiday season that can make a real difference to what you spend:

• National Trust members — Canons Ashby, Stowe Gardens and other NT properties in the region are free for members. If you visit NT sites regularly, membership really does pay for itself.
• Avoid Easter weekend itself (3rd–6th April) if you can — many venues charge peak prices on those days specifically. The week before and the week after are often much quieter and better value.
• The country parks are your best friend — pay once for parking and have the whole day for free. Take a picnic, a ball, some wellies and a nature spotting sheet and you’ve got a full day sorted for almost nothing. Check out this guide to country parks in Northants.
• Check venue Facebook pages right before you visit — local attractions often post last-minute free activities, competitions or deals that aren’t on their main website.
• Have a backup plan — always have one indoor option in your back pocket for when the weather lets you down. Swansgate’s dinosaur trail and Abington Park Museum are both brilliant wet-weather choices.

There you have it — Easter in Northamptonshire doesn’t have to cost a fortune! Whether you’re after completely free things to do, a brilliant budget trail for a few pounds, or just some inspiration for keeping the kids entertained at home, there really is so much on offer across our lovely county. I’d love to know which ones you get to — come and find me on Instagram and share your photos. Happy Easter everyone!

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.

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