Springtime at Kenyon Hall Warrington
28 March, 2022
It's springtime, the sun is shining and the trees are full of blossoms. If you are looking to keep the kids busy for a few hours outdoors, then why not head over to Kenyon Hall Farm for some Easter Egg hunting. It’s a local farm shop nestled in beautiful Cheshire countryside on Winwick road near the East Lancs between Warrington and Leigh. Not only is there plenty for the kids to do, but there is also a fantastic garden centre, offering a huge range of herbs and fruit plants for the garden, a farm shop for all your veg including dirty carrots and Cheshire potatoes, and a café with a good selection of healthy fresh food and vegan and vegetarian options.
Did you know Easter eggs originate from the Pagan festival of fertility rather than the Christian festival of Easter? When the Romans invaded Britain in 42AD they forced the population to convert from Paganism to Christianity but instead of giving up all their pagan ways, the British people simply combined their pagan rituals into the Christian religious festivals as best they could. In preparation for Easter, Christians are required to give up a favourite food for the 40-day fast. Most decided to give up eggs which are why we celebrate pancake day, to use up all the eggs before lent. The eggshells were then also used for the pagan celebration of fertility with the main event falling on 1st May (May Day) and the eggs were painted in the same colours as the May Pole. It’s again from the Pagan festival of fertility we get the ‘Easter Bunny’ who’s responsible for scattering the eggs around for the children to find. To keep everyone happy, these two festivals then merged and eggs became synonymous with Easter.
If you want to join the egg hunt you can book tickets in advance or turn up on the day. There are six eggs hidden around the farm with clues to find them. It’s £3 per child which includes a treat at the end with supervising adults going free. Kenyon Hall will be running these hunts regularly throughout spring so check their website for times and availability here.
If you’re eggs-hausted after all that hunting, have a seat in the café to unwind or do some shopping in the farm shop. There’s plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables from the farm and a good variety of food stuff for the pantry along with gifts and decorations for the home. Not just a farm shop and café, Kenyon Hall have a large children's play area with teepees and climbing walls, swings and slides, picnic benches and a tractor with a tyre play area. Great for children of all ages and a place to relax and enjoy the picturesque views of rural Cheshire. The farm also runs events throughout the year such as the pumpkin festival and the junior farmers club where children can learn about food, farming and the environment.