Top 10 ideas to keep you busy this Easter

This Easter, the spring weather looks promising and there is plenty going on in Herefordshire so if you’re visiting Ross-on-Wye, take a look at our top 10 activities and events in and around town to keep you (and the little ones) busy. From app trails to egg hunts, live music to sports, the Wye Valley maze to Les Mis, wine and cider tastings to creative crafting – we’ve got all angles covered!

1. Easter Egg App Trail – Ross-on-Wye town centre

If you’re visiting Ross-on-Wye, why not take a trip around the town and take part in the LoyalFree App Trail to win a giant Easter egg? Simply visit the ten retailers listed below, scan the QR codes on the posters in their windows to view an augmented reality Easter egg, and you’ll be entered into the competition. To take part, download the LoyalFree app onto your phone and click on ‘Trails’. Participating retailers include Gallery 54, Truffles Delicatessen, Crossfield Creations, Lainey’s & Silver Store, Lalena Jewellery, Essential Sewing, Crowsfeet, Little Chic, Lizzie Bunting and at broad street boutique.

2. Cider-Ganza – The Yew Tree, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye

Join in with the cider and perry celebrations at the Yew Tree in Peterstow this Easter weekend and come along to CiderGanza! Broome Farm’s annual celebration of cider, with over 20 ciders and beers on draught, is accompanied by live music, cider, perry and cheese tastings, orchard tours and delicious food including a roast lamb lunch and CPK’s Pizza. Tickets to guided tastings can be purchased at shop.rosscider.com. Free entry to the pub and live music programme on Friday (Gordy and Louisa 5pm-7pm and Tony Hopkins 8pm-10pm) and Saturday (Dominic Mcgrillen 1pm-3pm, Martha Robinson 3pm-4pm, Magic Car 5pm-7pm and Will Killeen 8pm-10pm). Sunday is a relaxed affair with lunch and open mic sessions.

3. Easter Adventure Quest – Goodrich Castle

This year’s Easter Adventure Quest at English Heritage’s Goodrich Castle runs from 1 to 16 April and promises to be a lot of fun for the family. For just £2 (additional to general ticket admission), explore the castle and its ground to hunt for clues, discovering the history of traditional Easter games as you go. There are rewards for finding the Easter eggs including a certificate and chocolate from Love Cocoa.

  • Where: Goodrich Castle, Castle Lane, Goodrich, Ross on Wye HR9 6HY
  • When: 1-16 April 2023, 10am-5pm
  • Tickets: £2 plus general admission from www.english-heritage.org.uk or click here for event details.

4. Les Misérables: Canapés, Film & Fizz – The Gateway HR9 7US

For lovers of the West End blockbuster, Les Misérables, there’s a special Easter weekend live screening of Cameron Macintosh’s staged concert this Saturday at The Gateway cinema at Labels. For £17, you can enjoy pre-screening canapés and a glass of fizz from 6.15pm before sitting back in the luxury bucket seats to enjoy the show. Coinciding with its 35th year in London’s West End, the sell-out staged concert version at the Gielgud Theatre features an all-star cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones.

5. Easter Tennis Camp – Ross-on-Wye

If you’re wondering how to keep your kids exercised and exhausted so you can relax, sign them up for Ross-on-Wye Tennis Centre’s Tennis Camp from Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 April. The three day camp includes warm up activities, lunch, games and competitions led by experienced tennis coaches. The camp is a great introduction to tennis and will help to develop an appreciation of the game, rules as well as having loads of fun.

  • Where: Ross Tennis Centre, Walford, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5AR
  • When: Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 April 2023 from 10am-3pm
  • Details: £30 – click here for tickets

5. Jazz Club with Alex Clarke Quartet – Ross Corn Exchange

If you fancy some fantastic live music this Easter, head over to the Corn Exchange behind The King’s Head Hotel on the High Street next Thursday 13 April. The popular Jazz Club welcomes the amazing Alex Clarke Quartet who will be performing established and original compositions from their latest album released last year. Alex is a talented saxophonist and brings together her fresh sound, firmly grounded in swing with backing from some of the most respected names in British jazz.

  • Where: Corn Exchange, High Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
  • When: Thursday 13 April, 8pm-10pm
  • Tickets: £8 or £13 with food from Ross Corn Exchange / telephone 01989 763174.

7. Wythall Estate Vineyard Tour & Tasting – Ross-on-Wye

Just a stone’s throw from Ross-on-Wye, Wythall Estate Vineyard’s Wine Tasting & Tours are the perfect way to relax in the stunning Herefordshire countryside. The estate’s sprawling vineyards can be found just behind the Grade I listed half timber-framed Tudor house which is set amongst beautiful gardens and picturesque lake. Starting at midday, the tours and tutored wine tastings take place on Saturdays from March to December with a maximum of 20 people on each tour.

  • Where: Wythall Estate Vineyard, Bull’s Hill, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5SD
  • When: Saturday 8 April and Saturday 22 April at midday
  • Tickets: £25 (pre-booking essential) – email tours@wythallestate.co.uk or telephone 01989 566868.

8. AMazing Hedge Puzzle – Symonds Yat West, Ross-on-Wye

The Jubilee Maze, planted in 1977, is one of Britain’s most famous traditional hedge mazes, with a romantic temple at the centre and over a kilometre of hedges. With its viewing platform for calling directions, it’s a great place for the whole family to play tag, have fun or just wander and enjoy getting lost in nature! You can also investigate the history of labyrinths at the Museum of Mazes and discover myths, maths, mysteries and magic – all about making and solving mazes. Discounted tickets including the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo are available, and half price rounds at Wye Valley Miniature Golf, when you visit the aMazing Hedge Puzzle.

  • Where: Symonds Yat West, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6DA
  • When: the maze is open daily from 11am and the Butterfly Zoo and Mini Golf open at 10am
  • Ticket prices: Wye Valley Visitor Centre

9. Art Studio Ross Easter Workshops – Ross-on-Wye

If you’re feeling creative, talented artist, Sarah’s hour-long workshops at the Art Studio Ross in the centre of Ross promise to be a lot of fun for both adults and children. Create your own dragon eggs, bugs and insects, model your own city or forest – or enjoy a reflective session creating a self-portrait using a variety of materials.

  • Tuesday 11 April Dragon Eggs: Make your own Dragon Egg which you can take home to incubate for just 100 years. From £12 per child or £30 for a family (2 children + 1 adult).
  • Wednesday 12 April – Bug Day: Using natural and recycled materials to make your own weird and wonderful insects. From £10 per child or £25 for a family ticket (2 children + 1 adult).
  • Thursday 13 April – Self Portraits: Embark on a creative adventure and think about unique and unusual self portraits, £10 per child or £25 for a family ticket (2 children, one adult – all joining in).
  • Friday 14 AprilForest v City Diaramas: Create detailed 3D models of cities and forests using a range of natural and recycled materials – perfect for older children. From £15 per child or £40 for a family ticket (2 children + 1 adult).
  • Where: Art Studio Ross, 4 High Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
  • When: Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 April (one hour from either 10am or 11.30am)
  • Bookings: artstudioross@outlook.com

10. parkrun’s 100th event – Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre HR9

If all the Easter eggs and chocolate consumption have left you feeling the need to get out in the open air and work off those calories, why not help Ross-on-Wye parkrun celebrate its 100th event this Saturday. It’s going to be a lot of fun and fancy dress is optional – or maybe sport something blue to honour the late Stephen Hays whose field is used as part of the course – but there will be cake, tea and coffee on hand to keep your sugar levels up! Starting at 8.45am at the Sports centre you can walk, run or jog the course, whatever suits your ability.

  • Where: Ross Sports Centre, Wilton, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6AD
  • When: Saturday 8 April at 8.45am
  • Details: full details are on their Facebook page.

For more information on activities in Ross-on-Wye and surrounding areas, visit our website.