Easter egg-stravaganza at Royal William Yard

From an Easter Egg Hunt to a family Astronaut Academy, there is no shortage of egg-citing entertainment coming up at Royal William Yard. Handcrafted chocolate Easter eggs, children’s paddleboarding, kids eat for a fiver deal, and family cinema experiences all combine to make this Easter holiday a brilliant break for all.

Egg-cellent Events

Hunt down the clues on a brand new Easter Egg Hunt and earn a treat at the end! Running from 30 March until 7 April, 12-5pm, the trail is totally free to get involved in. Children can grab an Easter Egg trail map from a number of participating restaurants and cafes, before heading off to spot the Easter eggs around Royal William Yard, and then claim their prize.

All of the details of where to go and what to do are available at www.royalwilliamyard.com/easter

Brainiac Live – the UK's leading interactive science event based on the popular TV show – is landing at Royal William Yard across the Easter Weekend and launching a mission to Mars! The Brainiac Astronaut Academy will allow families to design, build and launch a rocket fit to fly into outer space, using craft materials, wild imaginations, and a helping hand from the Brainiacs!

The Brainiac event is an Easter treat courtesy of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Royal William Yard, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Taking place from 29 March until 1 April, one-hour long sessions will be held at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm in the Brewhouse building (next door to Wagamama). Tickets are priced at just £8 per family (up to 6 people) and should be booked in advance – bookings are live. 

Amazing activities

South West SUP has an Easter SUP Club running over the holidays, providing a chance for kids to go on a real adventure.  Sessions will run from 10am-1pm on 2-5 April and 9-12 April. Children (age 9-16) can learn the fundamentals of paddleboarding and water safety in a fun and supportive environment. All equipment, tuition and a healthy lunch is provided. It is £30 per session or weekly pass £100. Sessions are free for children taking part in the Fit and Fed scheme. Book here.

RAMP (Real Art Make Print) will host Mini Print sessions for 3-7 year olds in the Ocean Studios café. Borrow a print kit and learn how to work with the materials. A ticket is £8 for up to 4 people.

Taking place from 10am-11:30am, on 30^th March families can create Easter bunting (using sponges and stencils) and on 13 April it’s a Springtime Printing session (involving monoprinting flowers and foliage) - book here. Ocean Studios will also host an enchanted experience with Mildred Tumbleweed on 30 March at 10:30am and 1pm. The magical workshop is aimed at 3-8 year olds and is £20 a ticket – book here.

Everyman Cinema will have some Easter treats in store for families. An animated favourite returns, with King Fu Panda 4 set to be released just in time for the holidays. The Throwback film on 31 March and 2 April will be the original Mary Poppins.

Coming with a complimentary drink and popcorn, it’s an Easter screening that is "practically perfect in every way.”

Towards the end of the Easter holidays, there will be two markets, with plenty of locally-made delights to tempt, taste and take home.

Native Makers market will take place at Ocean Studios on 6 April. The Good Food and Craft Market will be out on the Green at Royal William Yard on 7 April, 10am-3pm. A free shuttle bus will run a loop from the City Centre to make it even easier to get to the market on the Sunday. Find all the shuttle bus details here.

Family feasting

Independent chocolatier, Domea Favour, will deliver a classic Easter treat with aplomb. Handcrafted, jewel-toned, freshly made chocolate Easter eggs are unlike anything you’ve seen (or eaten!) before. An array of other chocolate creations – including plenty of pocket-money friendly delicacies – will be on offer.

The Shack is back! The popular café, just metres from the water at Firestone Arch, will reopen on 30 March – and after that it will be open every Friday-Sunday, 8am-3pm. Known for its incredible cakes and hot drinks, there will be a brand new menu with dishes including smoothie bowls. Pulling out all the stops for Easter, there will be hot cross buns, mini-egg cake and more!

BLOCK Café will have hot chocolates, soft drinks and an array of cakes to enjoy – and to make it even more family-friendly, they will have board games and colouring books available to use for some free fun (and a few minutes peace for adults to relax with a coffee!).

Getting there

As well as all the usual ways to reach Royal William Yard – on foot, by car, Plymouth Citybus number 34 service, and Beryl bikes – there are even more options coming for Easter. The Royal William Yard, Barbican and Mount Edgcumbe Ferry resumes its daily ferry service on Good Friday (29 March), which is ideal for families looking to make a day of it and explore the waterfront. The ferry timetable is available here.

A new ferry route will offer free trips for the day between Saltash and Royal William Yard on 30 March. Plymouth Boat Trips will run the service, which is part of a new scheme running at Saltash Waterside. Trips will run 10am-4pm; they will be free and offered on a first come first served basis. A timetable is available at www.saltash.gov.uk

Find out more about what’s on, where to eat and drink, and the range of things to discover and do at Royal William Yard at www.royalwilliamyard.com

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In partnership with GWR, Destination Plymouth’s lead travel partner.