An itinerary for a day of Easter crafts, art trails and interactive performances, perfect for any budding creative.
Winchester is proud to showcase a whole host of creative activities taking place during the Easter holidays. Get crafty at our local arts and heritage venues, explore the district’s hidden gems with our public art trail, and create your very own musical at Theatre Royal Winchester. All this and more makes for the perfect creative day in Winchester!
Easter crafts for budding artists
Join the Winchester Cathedral Learning Team for an Easter-inspired craft workshops from 8 April to 11 April. In these butterfly-inspired craft sessions, families can create a stunning butterfly landscape, a tissue paper stained glass butterfly or a delightful butterfly headband. Each session lasts one hour, finishing with storytime. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to find butterflies around Winchester Cathedral using the handy family trail map. Book now.
Meanwhile, The Arc is hosting a series of Easter-themed crafts from 8 April to 16 April. Join the Tissue Paper Bouquet-Making Class and learn how to create colourful, handmade flowers you can keep forever. Or, Build and paint your own wooden Easter themed flowerpot, perfect for an Easter gift or to plant your own spring flowers! Discover all craft workshops, ideal for ages 8 to 14, here.
Head to the Winchester Visitor Information Centre, which is bursting full of creative inspiration. Sit down for a moment in the colouring corner, where Easter-themed colouring sheets will be provided for little explorers. Meanwhile, browse the fantastic selection of bespoke crafts and gifts - a piece of local art to take home with you! You'll also find our range of tours and trails for even more family fun across the district.
Winchester's Military Museums are a grouping of five museums situated in the historic site of Peninsula Barracks, and the Royal Logistics Corps Museum, located just outside the city. This Easter, they are inviting families to discover the military history of Winchester while taking part in arts and crafts!
The Royal Logistics Corps Museum is marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day by inviting children to make their own bunting flags to add to their display. What’s more, entrance, parking and participation in the activity is all FREE! Find out more.
At The Gurkha Museum, their popular LEGO and coding workshops are back on 8 April, and this time they are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Build a LEGO house to help rebuild after the earthquake, code your model so the roof can safely lift off and learn what a Gurkha soldier needs to carry out a successful rescue mission. Book now.
Also at the Peninsula Barracks site is The Rifleman’s Museum, which will be hosting arts and crafts from 7 April to 19 April. Make your very own spring-themed animal finger puppets to take home with you, after which you can take the animal-themed trail to see some of the Museum’s animal related objects. Book now.
Eye-opening art in Winchester district
While Winchester is famous for its rich heritage, the city is also home to some stunning public art. Spend a few hours exploring the city with our Eye-Openers Trail, a map of our top art attractions and hidden gems.
One of the must-sees is The Bollards, 22 bollards located The Square and Eastgate Street that are painted in the style of classic artists. From Picasso to da Vinci, see if you can recognise the works of some of the world’s greatest painters. Why not bring along some colouring supplies for the kids to try their hand at recreating these classic works of art?
As you stroll along the High Street, spot the famous medieval Buttercross, once used as a shady spot to sell produce. Further along is The Kite Flyer, a bronze figure of a young man flying a gilded kite whilst walking across a bridge which spans Parchment Street. Finally, peek into St Maurice’s Covert, housing a medieval tower, a Norman arched doorway and a stunning mural featuring Winchester’s landmarks. See if you can identify each one!
After an afternoon of exploring Winchester’s public art, refresh with a visit to one of our independent cafes! Enjoy a hearty lunch at South Downs Social, Projects or Open House Deli. Bask in Winchester’s history at The Wykeham Arms or The Royal Oak. For a quick coffee or a sweet treat, pop into Coffee Lab ‘Academy’, General Store, or The Square. Discover more of Winchester’s independent food and drink here.
Showstopping performances at Theatre Royal Winchester
Theatre Royal Winchester is the go-to spot for family performances. On 12 April, The Showstoppers' Kids Show takes to the stage, an improvised musical show for kids of all ages, from Olivier Award-winning West End improvisers, The Showstoppers.
The show takes your kids’ ideas and turns them into marvellous, musical adventures from scratch, in front of their very noses. They’ll decide where the story is set, what characters head off on the adventure, and what happens next! Book tickets.
If it’s a colourful performance based on a beloved book you’re looking for, experience The Elmer Adventure. Our favourite patchwork elephant is taking to the stage in a joyful jungle adventure from 15 April to 17 April. A relaxed performance is available for this show on 16 April, specially designed to provide a supportive environment for children and adults with learning difficulties, special needs or Autistic Spectrum Condition. Book now.
