TWO whole weeks of family fun are in store at Hampshire's many top attractions.

Here's our guide to some of the ways to keep your youngsters occupied this Easter

On the Watercress Line....

FOR ten days over the Easter holidays, families can meet Thomas the Tank Engine and friends at the Watercress Line. There will be rides on a real steam engine, opportunities to shake hands with The Fat Controller and plenty of free Thomas-themed activities in the Imagination Stations to take part in.

A travel ticket includes an entire day’s travel on the big steam trains that run along the whole line so you can hop on and off at any of the four stations. There will be a chance to enjoy unlimited rides behind Thomas in his carriages or in Toad the Brake Van and unlimited rides with Iron ‘Arry and a friend of Diesel’s – and kids can even go in the cab with the driver!

The free activities include a Thomas themed children’s entertainer, rides on the miniature railway, daily story time, a bouncy slide, tea cup ride, colouring, Thomas transfers, DVD shows and more.

Visit watercressline.co.uk

At Buckler's Hard...

LEARN about sailing history with tours on board record-breaking Gipsy Moth IV and hear tales of 18th century shipbuilding from living history characters.

On Good Friday and Easter Monday, Buckler’s Hard visitors can chat to the crew on board Gipsy Moth IV, the yacht in which Sir Francis Chichester became the first sailor to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe.

The yacht will be moored at the bottom of the High Street, where Sir Francis began his epic voyage 500 years ago. Stories and artefacts from his adventure are on show in the Maritime Museum, including a map, personal items from the adventure and records of the floodings and a capsizing which put the journey at risk.

Until April 23, meet living history characters as they share unique stories from the time of Henry Adams, Buckler’s Hard Master Shipbuilder from 1744 to 1805. See displays in the labourers’ and shipwrights’ cottages and discover the viewing window in the floor of the St Mary’s Chapel, which is believed to have once been a store for smuggled contraband.

See bucklershard.co.uk

At Winchester City Mill...

YOUNGSTERS can have a go at completing the Mill’s holiday trail challenge, in return for a special prize.

On Good Friday, the Mill will be filled with the delicious aroma of warm spices as volunteer bakers host our hot cross bun demonstration. They’ll also be baking Easter treats on Easter Sunday, followed by a chocolate indulgence demonstration on April 23. Find out how to make all these delights, and take away a laminated recipe card, so you can get cracking on some baking fun at home.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill

At Mottisfont...

SPRING has sprung at Mottisfont and all kinds of animals are stirring in the gardens. Pick up an Easter hunt sheet and follow the route to discover the creatures that trot, scamper, crawl and wiggle around the grounds. Complete the nature-themed activities with your family and earn yourself a delicious Cadbury chocolate bunny.

nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

At Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium...

THE centre is hosting an explosive programme of events to celebrate the science of space exploration. Rockets will run until April 24, providing interactive shows and activities which will share insight into the creation, engineering and future of Earth’s furthest travelling machines.

The Easter shows are ideal for the whole family and will investigate the science behind space travel, looking at both past events and the possibilities of space exploration in the future. Science buskers will be orbiting the Centre throughout the duration of the programme, to showcase current and upcoming European Space Agency missions. There will be a mix of both interactive challenges and mobile exhibits available for visitors to enjoy.

See winchestersciencecentre.org

At Moors Valley Country Park...

VISITORS can join the Gruffalo Spotter adventure through the deep dark wood.

Families can follow clues on an interactive trail and track signs of their favourite characters based on The Gruffalo, the best-selling picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

The self-led trail is packed with fun facts about forest animals with fantastic activities along the way. Once families have spotted the characters, they can use the app to bring the 3D character animation to life and take photos alongside them.

Visit moors-valley.co.uk