Easter egg hunts have become a fixture of the London spring calendar and in 2026 the capital’s historic houses, gardens, zoos and family attractions will once again host a wide range of trails designed around the tradition.
While today’s hunts are often centred on chocolate and family entertainment, their roots run far deeper. Eggs have been associated with spring, renewal and new life since pre-Christianity, later adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the resurrection, with the empty shell representing Christ’s tomb. During the medieval period, eggs were forbidden during Lent, which made them a key feature of Easter feasting once the fast ended.
The act of hiding and searching for eggs is believed to have originated in Germany in the 16th century, with Protestant communities using egg hunts to echo the Biblical story of the empty tomb being discovered. The tradition reached Britain through cultural exchange and royal influence, most notably through Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who held Easter egg hunts for their children at royal residences, including Kensington Palace and Windsor. By the late 19th century, egg hunts had entered wider society and were subsequently supported by the rise of chocolate eggs and the enthusiasm for seasonal traditions.
In this guide, we profile five easter egg hunts taking place in London.
Easter Eggsplorers at Hobbledown Heath
Dates: 28 March – 12 April 2026
Easter Eggsplorers returns to Hobbledown Heath from 28 March to 12 April 2026 with a full-scale Easter event. Set across the park’s mix of indoor play barns, outdoor adventure villages and animal enclosures, the event centres on a themed giant Easter egg trail for children to explore the site while following clues and challenges. The experience runs throughout the day and is included with general admission.
Alongside the trail, visitors can expect a packed programme of hands-on activities and live entertainment, including the chance to meet the Easter Bunny, animal talks, walk-through enclosures, birds of prey displays and seasonal crafts. Indoor play areas provide cover in poor weather, while outdoor zones offer climbing, slides and open-air exploration, with additional paid extras such as marshmallow toasting and animal experiences available to book.
London Zoo’s Zoonormous Egg Hunt
Dates: 28 March – 12 April 2026
London Zoo marks the Easter holidays with the return of the Zoonormous Egg Hunt, running from 28 March to 12 April and included within standard zoo admission. Set across the zoo’s grounds in Regent’s Park, the event invites families to explore the site while searching for six oversized Easter eggs, which are each hidden in a different location. Designed as a self-guided trail, the hunt encourages children to solve riddles and collect letters as they move between habitats.
Each egg is themed around a different species, linking animal facts to ZSL’s 200th anniversary and its conservation work, past and present. The trail concludes near the ZSL200 exhibition lawn, where participants can collect a chocolate reward, alongside additional arts-and-crafts activities on the main lawn, including Easter-themed headwear to take home.
The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace
Dates: 21 March – 12 April 2026
The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt returns to Hampton Court Palace for Easter 2026, running from 21 March to 12 April and includes standard palace admission. Set within Henry VIII’s former royal residence on the banks of the Thames, the family-friendly trail is woven through the palace gardens and historic grounds and is designed to take around 90 minutes to complete. Entry follows normal palace opening hours, with under-5s and Historic Royal Palaces members admitted free of charge.
The trail invites children to search for Lindt Gold Bunny statues that are hidden among daffodils, early tulips and garden borders, matching each bunny to influential historical figures linked to the palace. Successful explorers are rewarded with a mini Lindt Gold Bunny chocolate. The ticket also includes access to the Magic Garden playground, the famous Hampton Court Maze, cafés and the palace interiors.
Easter Egg Hunt at Ham House and Garden
Dates: 28 March – 6 April 2026
The Easter egg hunt at Ham House and Garden returns for spring 2026, running from Saturday 28 March to Monday 6 April and offering a seasonal trail set within one of south-west London’s most intact 17th-century estates. Located in Richmond, Surrey, the event runs daily from 10am to 5pm and is designed as a self-guided outdoor activity through the formal gardens and wider grounds. Normal admission applies, with no advance booking required.
Inspired by the British Civil Wars, the trail introduces children to historic themes through interactive tasks and activities along the route. Participation costs £3.50 per child, which includes a trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy or vegan Free From chocolate egg, suitable for a range of common allergies. The event is intended as a gentle, educational Easter experience, just a short walk from the Thames and easily reached from central London.
Easter Egg Trail at Fulham Palace
Dates: 22 March – 12 April 2026
The Easter egg trail at Fulham Palace runs from Sunday 22 March to Sunday 12 April 2026, offering a family-friendly activity set within one of London’s oldest continually inhabited buildings. Taking place daily between 10.30am and 3.30pm, the self-guided trail weaves through both the historic palace interiors and the surrounding gardens, inviting children to explore a site that has welcomed visitors for centuries. While admission to Fulham Palace is free, the Easter trail costs £3.50 per child and can be purchased on arrival from the museum front desk, with no advance booking required.
With routes covering grass, gravel and cobbled paths, participants are tasked with locating ten brightly coloured eggs, hidden across indoor rooms and outdoor paths, each marked with a letter that forms part of an Easter riddle. The trail takes around 45 minutes to complete and is suitable for children aged five and over, or younger with adult support, with prizes offered in both edible and non-edible forms.
With the Easter holidays quickly approaching, these Easter egg hunts offer a practical way to keep little ones occupied while leaning into the lighter and more playful side of the season. Set across gardens, zoos and historic buildings, each trail provides a reason to get outdoors, explore new spaces and break up the school break with something that everyone will enjoy.
