SCOTT'S GROTTO: In a chalk hillside in Ware, Hertfordshire, you'll find a series of interconnected manmade chambers, collectively known as Scott's Grotto. It took 30 years to complete, and the walls are lined with shells, flints, and coloured glass. It opens to the public on Saturdays and bank holidays between April and September. 1 April-30 September (Hertfordshire)
REPTILE HOUSE: Wingham Wildlife Park — already home to bears, tigers, lions, wolves and other species — reopens its reptile house, giving you a chance to get up close (not too close, mind) with crocodiles, snakes, chameleons and the scaly like. From 1 April (Kent)
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TRANSPORT FEST: Classic cars, military vehicles and other unusual types of transport are on display at the Museum of Power's TransportFest, along with stalls, music and entertainment. The museum's miniature steam train offers rides, and the model village is open too, for visitors to make a day of it. 9 April (Essex)
JOUSTING: Travel back to medieval times and watch knights go head to head in a jousting tournament at Hedingham Castle. The display takes place in a bustling arena, surrounded by food, drink and craft stalls. 9-10 April (Essex)
BLUEBELL WALK: Hole Park Gardens in Cranbrook has one of the best bluebell displays in the country. Take a woodland walk and enjoy the spectacle — check the 'bluebell barometer' on the website in April to find out when the flowers are looking their best. Take a few snaps and watch the Instagram likes roll in — and have a read of our guide to other places to find bluebells in and near London. 9 April-7 May (Kent)
BIRD OF PREY EXPERIENCE: Hatfield Park hosts CJ's Birds of Prey for a display featuring species including the Crowned Hawk Eagle and the Snowy Owl. Watch the birds in action during the flying display, then get up close to them on the ground and meet the team who look after them. 15 April (Hertfordshire)
BEATING OF THE BOUNDS: High Wycombe holds a special Beating of the Bounds ceremony, continuing an ancient tradition marking the boundary of town. Mayor of High Wycombe, cllr Arif Hussain is present for the event, which takes place around Church Square. 15 April (Buckinghamshire)
TULIP FESTIVALS:
- One of our favourite castles in Sussex, Arundel Castle reopens for the 2023 season with a wave of colour, thanks to its tulip festival. The gardens of the lofty fortress are covered in 100,000 flowers of several varieties, making for a photogenic spring day out. April — dates TBC (West Sussex).
- Similarly, Pashley Manor is famous for its tulip festival, with 46,000 of the buds expected to bloom in various colours and species this year. 19 April-3 May (East Sussex)
- And one more for the tulip fans: Hever Castle (which we love all year round) hosts it annual Tulip Celebrations, encompassing garden tours and floral demonstrations, as well as chance to ogle the 40,000 flowers — in past years, we've seen some really unusual species here. Worth making the time to visit the castle itself while you're there. 17-23 April (Kent)
STEAM TRAIN TRIP: Hop on board restored vintage train carriages pulled by a steam locomotive at Victoria station, and ride it down to Winchester for a day trip, before boarding it back to London in the evening. The locomotive scheduled for the trip is a 61306, one of two surviving B1 Class locomotives. When you arrive in Winchester, you can explore the city at your own pace, or join an excursion to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum or the Watercress Steam Line Railway. 22 April (London-Hampshire)
SPRING TRANSPORT FESTIVAL: Full size and miniature stream trains, fire engines, and vintage cars are just some of the vehicles on display at the Spring Transport Festival at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Aylesbury. Expect model stalls and a beer tent for the adults, and circus workshops for children. 22-23 April (Buckinghamshire)
VISIT THE VULCAN: The Vulcan Restoration Trust invites the public to get up close to the planes at Southend Airport. See inside the cockpit of the former Royal Air Force bombers. Examples of 1,000lb bombs the Vulcan dropped on Port Stanley airfield during the Falklands War are on display too. 23 April (Essex)
ELIZABETHAN MAY DAY: The Chiltern Open Air Museum takes visitors back to Elizabethan times for its May Day celebrations. Join in with the dancing, to the sound of popular music from the time, along with fire power and swordsmanship displays, and food, drinks and craft stalls. 30 April-1 May (Buckinghamshire)
