Top 10 things to do this Easter in Bristol

Did you know the chocolate Easter Egg in the UK was first created in Bristol?

A Cadbury's fact-sheet says JS Fry of Bristol, the company which merged with Cadbury Limited in 1919, produced the first chocolate eggs in 1873.

It says the first chocolate Easter Eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th century with France and Germany taking the lead.

And in Bristol this Easter – April 7 and 8 – the city is hosting its first Chocolate Festival on the Harbourside.

A host of stands will be selling and showcasing chocolate in all its forms plus there will be an Easter Egg trail as well as live acoustic music.

The free event has already become a local favourite in London, Oxford and Brighton, and its debut in Bristol is expected to be a popular feature over the Easter weekend. 

Tourism chiefs say visitors can expect an array of chocolate and chocolate products - from warming hot chocolate to artisan truffles, chocolate cakes to chocolate fudge, churros with chocolate and even Mexican chocolate chilli.

A spokeswoman for Destination Bristol said: "As well as being the birth place of the world's first ever solid chocolate bar and chocolate confectionary invented by Fry's, other notable Bristol chocolate makers include Packer's who made Elizabeth Shaw mints and Guilbert's, established in 1910 and still going strong!"

Don't forget to look out for the Easter bunny who will be handing out trail leaflets during the Chocolate Festival.

Here are 10 other eggciting things to do this Easter!

1) Discover Leonardo – As part of the celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 10 of Leonard da Vinci's drawings from the Royal Collection go on display at Bristol Museum from March 31 to June 10 and in the Easter holidays, on Tuesday April 3 and Tuesday April 10 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm, youngsters are invited to make their own sketchbook with artist Julie Roberts and then fill it with drawings inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and the museum's collections.

• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1RL T: 0117 922 3571

2) Take to the sky – get an unusual view of the city from The Bristol Wheel. The 60m giant wheel offers spectacular views of the city and beyond. It features 40 pods with each one seating up to six people. Fully enclosed so fun for the family even if it rains! Cost is adult £6, concession £5 and children £4. Open until May 8 from 10am until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm Friday and Saturday.

• The Bristol Wheel, The Podium, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3XD

3) Golden egg trail – Bristol Zoo staff will be hiding 10 golden eggs around the grounds for visitors to find – children who complete the trail will receive a tasty treat. Plus guests can also meet Larry the Lemur, the zoo's mascot, between April 6 and 9 and have their photograph taken with him. Bristol Zoo Gardens features 12 acres of gardens with more than 400 species and nine animal houses.

• Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA T: 0117 974 7399

4) Easter Egg Hunt – Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park is holding an Easter Egg hunt on April 8. The park is described as a place which 'fuses fun and education to provide an appreciation of the natural world. The grounds span 50 acres of beautiful countryside and its residents include a wide range of farm animals and rare exotic species." The main park is closed until March 31 but the play barn is open daily from 10am until 5pm. Every bank holiday there's family fun races planned with certificates and medals.

• Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP T: 0117 986 4629

5) Raise money for charity – Ava's Easter Extravaganza is being held in memory of Ava Hulbert and raising money for Bristol SANDS – a local voluntary group which offers help and support to bereaved parents who have suffered the death of a baby either before, during or after birth. A host of Easter related activities are planned at this fund-raising event on April 7 from an Easter Egg hunt to an Easter bonnet competition as well as face painting and biscuit decorating.

• Ava's Easter Extravaganza, Paulton Village Hall, BS39 7LW from 2pm to 4pm

6) Watch West Country legends – The Wurzels take to the stage at independent live music venue The Fleece on Easter Saturday – April 7. The band has been performing for decades with its hits such as The Combine Harvester and Cider Drinker sure to get feet tapping.

• The Fleece, 12 St Thomas Street, Bristol, BS1 6JJ T: box office 0117 929 9008

7) Step into Spring – a host of Easter activities exploring the wonders of growth and new life run at At-Bristol from March 31 to April 15. The event exploring the wonders of growth and new life. It gives you the chance to explore ancient life and make amazing casts of fossils and rocks. Discover the secret life and age of trees and marvel at the wonders of new life by making your own cress-heads and see what fun hairstyles they sprout!

• At Bristol,  Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB T: 0845 3451235

8) Music for Holy Week – Bristol's chamber choir, Exultate Singers, will sing a programme of music for Holy Week on April 4 at St James' Priory in Bristol. The concert – Easter Mysteries – Music for Holy Week; will include excerpts from Francis Grier's Sword in the Soul, Frank Martin's Mass for double choir and pieces for cello and choir. The choir will be accompanied by Richard May, cellist, who is a former string section winner of BBC TV's Young Musician of the Year competition.

• Music for Holy Week, St James' Priory, Whitson Street, Haymarket, Bristol, BS1 3NZ. Tickets are £15 (£13 concessions, £5 full time students, £2 young people under 18) includes interval refreshments and complimentary programme. Tickets available from the Exultate Singers shop online, Providence Music Shop, 1 St George's Road, College Green, Bristol, T: 0117 927 6536 or on the door at St James' Priory from 7pm .

9) Are you a pirate? Bristol Rovers FC is holding fun days during the Easter holidays. "The days are five hours long and are focussed on fun and enjoyment for everyone involved whilst playing football and making friends," say the club. The days are being held from April 2-4 and April 10-11 at Golden Hill Sports Ground. Each day costs £10

• Bristol Rovers Easter Fun Days, Golden Hill Sports Ground, Lime Trees Road, Bristol, BS6 7XW, booking essential T: 0117 952 2581

10) Sculpture – The Botanic Garden is hosting its first major sculpture exhibition this Easter.  Inspired by the natural beauty of the garden, the sculptors will display metalwork, stained glass, steel, wood and paper around the garden to form a sculpture trail. It is open all Easter weekend from April 6 to April 9 from 10am to 5pm. Admission is £3.50 adults with children, Friends of the Garden, University staff and students free.

• University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Hollybush Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1JB T: 0117 331 4906