Although many of the usual tourist attractions are closed over the Easter weekend there are plenty of local trails to enjoy with your family. You can discover scarecrows, flower displays and Easter bunnies!
1. Willowcroft Community School Easter Trail
Buy your £1 map from the Croft Stores on The Croft (OX11 8HR). Find the decorated houses and collect hidden letters to create a phrase then return your completed sheet to the Croft Stores for a chance to win a Easter hamper. The trail runs until Sunday 18 April; funds raised go direct to the school.
2. Great Western Park Easter Trail
The free GWP Easter Trail runs until Sunday 11 April and consists of a mix of window and garden displays. Download the map from the GWP Easter Trail 2021 Facebook group.
3. Easter Story Trail, Harwell and Chilton Churches
All Saints Church in Chilton and St Matthew’s in Harwell are running an Easter Story trail until Monday 5 April. Follow a map around either Harwell or Chilton to discover instalments of the Easter story (and chocolate treats). Register on the website to access the relevant map.
4. Drayton scarecrow trail
The Drayton village scarecrow trail runs until Sunday 18 April. Maps of the TV and film themed scarecrows cost £1 from the Mace shop, monies raised go to the Friends of Drayton School.
5. East Hendred knitted figures
Not strictly a trail, but the knitting ladies in East Hendred have added some new knitted figures for everyone to enjoy. There’s a great display outside the Eyston Arms; I love the guinea pigs!
6. Dorchester Spring Flower Show
Takes place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Over 40 houses have decorated their windows, gardens or fences on a floral theme. A map of participating properties can be viewed here. After you’ve finished your walk make sure you pop into the Dorchester Abbey tea rooms for a takeaway cake.
7. Easter Egg hunt, Harwell
Purchase a sheet from the Harwellian (cafe in recreation ground) for £1. Come back once completed to claim a chocolate prize. The trail can be completed any time until Sunday 11 April, although the Harwellian is only open at weekends and on Bank Holiday Monday.