KIDS: National Trust Easter Trails – Sat 1 – Sun 16 April, various locations, Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Easter trail at the Vyne National Trust what's on Easter egg hunt Hampshire April 2023 — Easter trail at the Vyne. Pic: National Trust Images

Easter fun kicks off around Hampshire this April, with spring blooms and lots of fun activities around the grounds of our glorious National Trust properties. At Mottisfont, near Romsey, this year’s trail has a village fete theme with traditional springtime activities like egg rolling and bean bag throwing, as well as spring-themed crafts.

There’s a family egg and spoon race, quirky obstacle course maze and wellies to hunt for in the orchard at The Vyne, near Basingstoke. Find giant carrots and rabbit-style racing on the south lawn at Hinton Ampner, near Alresford. And ready, set, hop! Up in the South Downs, Uppark’s Easter trail has fun family challenges. Jump like a deer on the lawn, hula hoop in the scented garden and play Bug Bingo in the woods. HOUSE!

Over on the Isle of Wight, there’s a nature-inspired trail at Mottistone Gardens, too. Can you jump like a frog, slither like a grass snake, roll the Guillemot egg, or find the gloworm’s glow?

Need more inspo? Check out these 50+ cracking Easter holiday ideas.

CINEMA: Dive the Mary Rose 4D, Fri 31 March onwards, The Mary Rose, Portsmouth

Launched in 1511, sunk in 1545 and lifted from the Solent in 1982, the story of the recovery of Henry VII’s Mary Rose has been turned into a brand-new interactive experience – Dive The Mary Rose 4D. Re-live the untold story of the world’s most famous shipwreck, found excavated and raised 40 years ago here on the Hampshire coast. Experience the smells, sounds and newly created footage to simulate the diving experience as brand-new technology brings to life the world’s largest ever maritime excavation. Cool.

ART: Into the Light Exhibition, on now until Seaview Art Gallery, Seaview, Isle of Wight

Celebrating spring light and longer days, this gorgeous, this Muddy Award-winning coastal gallery has a beautiful mix of work from brilliant British artists. Come for a visit and see calm beachscapes by Angela Sowden, geometric magical seascapes by Harriet Hue, colourful racing energy by Kate Richardson and Evocative Contemporary Travel Posters by Sue Stitt, all available to buy.

ART: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023, Sat 1 April – Sat 15 July, Gosport Gallery, Gosport

Jellyfish underwater photographer of the year 2023 Gosport Gallery whats on Hampshire April — Pic: Malcolm Nimmo, UPY2023

A global competition celebrating the hidden realms beneath the surface of oceans, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, the 2023 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition attracted over 6000 entries from 72 countries. See the winner – a playful, pink Amazonian dolphin – and the finalists in the competition’s 13 categories. It’s all on display at the free Underwater Photographer of the Year exhibition, on at the Gosport Gallery this month.

THEATRE: Rapunzel the Panto, Tues 4 April, The Anvil, Basingstoke

Rapunzel the Panto the Anvil Basingstoke Easter April 2023 what's on Bobby Davro Hampshire

Didn’t think pantomimes happened at Easter? Oh, yes they do! (Apparently). If it’s not too much of a seasonal readjustment, book yourself some seats at this slapstick family show starring the irrepressible Bobby Davro.

GARDENS: Isle of Wight Spring Art and Garden Fair, Fri 7 – Sat 8 April, Northwood House & Park, Cowes

Green-fingered Islanders won’t want to miss this brilliant annual show at the beautiful Northwood House. Exhibitors include garden and plant nurseries from the Island and mainland on the lawns of the historic local venue and a fantastic Island artist showcase inside the main house. The Northwood House Lawn Bar will be serving Pimm’s, wine and beer and you can refuel at the tea tent and BBQ.

ART: Palais des Vaches Spring exhibition, Sat 8 – Mon 10 April, Sat 22 – Sunday 23 April, Sat 19 – Sun 30 April, Exbury

Coastal art Nick de Rothschild Palais des Vaches Exbury Spring exhibition April 2023

The latest collaboration between Caroline & Nick de Rothschild’s brilliantly quirky Palais des Vaches and The Coastal Gallery continues. Their brand-new exhibition is filled with bright and beautiful paintings, sculpture and more from talented Hampshire artists.

THEATRE: Titanic the Musical, Tues 11 – Sat 15 April, The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Titanic the Musical The Mayflower Southampton Hampshire What's on April 2023

The ill-fated ship set sail for the city and once again the story will be retold here in a blockbuster theatre production. Based on real people aboard the vessel, Titanic The Musical tells of hopes, dreams and aspirations of the passengers innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them, from Third Class immigrants to the ladies and gentlemen in the luxury First Class.

FOOD & DRINK: Taste of England with Susie Barry, Fri 14 April, Exton Park Vineyard, Exton

A gastronomic treat at the stunning Exton Hall at Exton Park Vineyard, taste your way through three courses of delicious and diverse Hampshire produce, cooked by the vineyard’s talented chef. Each one will be expertly paired with local wine expert Susie Barrie’s top picks from England’s flourishing wine regions. She’ll also discuss tricks and tales gathered during her career as a TV presenter, broadcaster, writer and podcaster.

CRAFT: Floral Workshop with a Chocolate Experience, Sun 16 April, Gambledown Farm, Sherfield English, Romsey

Mother’s Day might be over but here’s another lovely little flowers and chocolate combo for you. Treat yourself to an elegant evening workshop at the pretty Gambledown Farm. Local florist Pomp and Petals will show you how to make a showstopping spring floral arrangement. Then the award winning Hampshire Chocolatier Miss Witt will let you taste your way through some of her delicious wares. Yum!

ART: Steve McDade: Artist Talk and Tour – Out of the Mess! Thurs 20 April 2023, The Spring, Havant

Painting from Reservation exhibition Steve McDade the Spring Havant Hampshire What's on April 2023

The Spring Arts Centre has a great new exhibition opening this month (Thurs 6 April – Sat 13 May), Reservation explores the relationship between the natural world and the built environment with themes including preservation, environmental uncertainty and territorial struggle. Art lovers keen to get under the brush should visit this special event on Thurs 20 April when the artist, Steve McDade will discuss some of the work and the ‘messy’ process of painting, reflecting on the way artists have historically used the medium to explore the relationship between man and nature.

WILDLIFE: World Curlew Day charity event, Fri 21 April, Beaulieu, New Forest

One for the local wildlife lovers. The New Forest is one of the only areas of southeast England where Europe’s largest wading bird still breeds. To highlight a ground-nesting bird campaign in the New Forest, Wild New Forest are throwing a World Curlew Day charity event at Beaulieu’s Treehouses venue with drinks and canapes. It’ll feature singer-songwriter David Gray, the author and conservationist Mary Colwell and the Director of Wild New Forest, Prof Russell Wynn.

LITERATURE: Winchester Books Festival, Fri 21 April – Sat 23 April, Winchester

Marina Wheeler Winchester Books Festival

An exciting new festival celebrating reading and creativity launches in Winchester this April. Grab a ticket to hear from local authors including Mandy Hickson, one of the first women to fly a jet pilot for the RAF or Marina Wheeler, (above) who’ll be speaking about her memoir The Lost Homestead: My mother, Partition and the Punjab. Budding authors should look out for a session about ‘How to Get Published’ with three local authors and a lecturer in Creative Writing from The University of Winchester.

COMEDY: Sara Pascoe – Success Story, Sat 22 April, The Anvil, Basingstoke

Sara Pascoe The Anvil Basingstoke comedy What's on Hampshire April 2023

Sara decided she wanted to be famous at 14 years old. Since then, she has auditioned for Barrymore, scared Pete Burns and ruined Hugh Grant’s birthday, apparently! Hear all about it when the comedian, writer and actor comes to Hampshire this month.

THEATRE: Dreamcoat Stars, 27 April 2023, The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

One night – four Josephs – all belting out a hit-list of West End and Broadway musical classics. See Any Dream Will Do’s, Keith Jack and Chris Barton, the world’s longest-playing Joseph, Mike Holoway and London West End’s Jonathan Dudley perform songs from musicals including Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, SIX, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge and more. Draw back the curtains and sing along.

GARDENS: BBC Gardener’s World Spring Fair, Fri 28 – Sun 30 April, Beaulieu

Gardener’s Glastonbury (and a fun source of inspo for the rest of us) head to the BBC Gardener’s World Spring Fair at Beaulieu this April. There’s plenty to see like Showcase Gardens and Beautiful Borders, the Hillier Experience, expert advice at the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage and Theatre of Greens. Shop your way through pretty plants and gardening kit from over 100 exhibitors. Entry also gets you access to hands on workshops, street food, the BBC Good Food Market, bandstand entertainment and all the brilliant Beaulieu attractions.

BOOK NOW

Love living your midlife in style? Then you’re probably all clued-up on glossy mag editors Trish Halpin and Lorraine Candy’s hit podcast, Postcards from Midlife (Davina McCall is a fan, just saying). Hitting London’s Business Design Centre in Islington on Fri 19 – Sat 20 May, Trish and Lorraine have gathered 70 world-class speakers and a host of celebrity pals for Postcards from Midlife Live.

From in-your-ear to face-to-face, this live women’s lifestyle event is leading the charge to ensure there’s no age limit on being fabulous – amongst the celebs (Ruby Wax OBE, Sadie Frost, and jean queen Donna Ida, to name a few) will be Muddy Stilettos founder and editor-in-chief Hero in the hot seat interviewing gorgeous broadcaster and endurance athlete Louise Minchin. Even better, we’ve snagged 15% off tickets using the code MUDDY15 – standard tickets (£28) include access to the shopping village, pamper experiences, talks in the Lounges and Speakers Corner while upgraded tickets (£84) also come with a glass of bubbly, cloakroom, admission to one paid Masterclass and a gift.

Super spring! What’s on this April around Hampshire and Isle of Wight

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