Wirral's independent local news website
Families are being invited to explore a fun Easter trail around the historic Wirral village of Port Sunlight this half term – all for a chocolate egg reward of course.
Built in the late 19th century for William Lever’s ‘Sunlight Soap’ factory workers, the village now attracts thousands of visitors each year to admire the Arts and Crafts-style houses, picturesque gardens and parks, and a fascinating museum and art gallery.
The trail will run on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April. It is organised by Port Sunlight Village Trust, who are responsible for preserving and promoting the village.
Trail-goers will meet outside Port Sunlight Museum to be greeted by Little Bo Peep, who has sadly lost ten of her sheep. With the help of a map filled with clues, families will set off on an adventure around the village to find the lost sheep and return them to Little Bo Peep for a chocolate egg reward.
Inspiration for the trail came from a discovery in Port Sunlight Village Trust’s archive that showed how, in the early days of Port Sunlight being built, herds of sheep grazed in and around the village.
Charlene Davies, public programme manager at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said, “Easter is one of our favourite times of the year and we can’t wait to invite families back to explore our Easter trail, this time with the help of Little Bo Peep herself.
“We hope trail-goers will have lots of fun exploring our unique village to help round up her lost sheep. The spring flowers are in bloom too, so it will be a joyful and colourful weekend for everyone.”
To take part in the trail, visitors will need to pre-book a time slot between 9.30am and 3pm. Tickets cost £5 per child. Adults do not need a ticket. To book tickets, go to: www.portsunlightvillage.com/whats-on
Children who have a ticket and complete the trail will be rewarded with a chocolate egg. Vegan options are available by request to events@portsunlightvillage.com
Also on this Easter half term, on Saturday 15 April, is a botanical soap-making workshop for children, giving them the chance to make their very own unique bar of soap to take home. It is inspired by Flower Fairies, a new exhibition opening on the same day at the village’s Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Children will be able to choose from a variety of scents, colours and ingredients. The session will run at the village’s Church Hall on Bridge Street between 12–1pm. Tickets are £5 per child with a recommended age of 7+, while adults go free. Booking is essential. Tickets are available at: www.portsunlightvillage.com/whats-on
An alternative soap-making workshop for adults is also running on Saturday 15 April at 2pm. Participants in this session will also be able to create some botanical-themed bath salts and gift boxes to bring their soaps home in.
The soap base used is suitable for vegans, has not been tested on animals, and is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate free.
Find out more about Lady Lever Art Gallery’s Flower Fairies exhibition here: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/flowerfairies
With the Port Sunlight Experience, families can have plenty more fun this Easter. With one ticket, families can go to Port Sunlight Museum to discover the fascinating story of the village; step inside the re-created Edwardian Worker’s Cottage to uncover what everyday life was like for the factory workers; and explore the interactive and playful SoapWorks exhibition based in the historic Lyceum building.
All ticketholders for the Easter trail or soap-making workshops will be given a 50% discount for one return visit to enjoy the Port Sunlight Experience. Tickets should be kept as proof of purchase and this offer is only valid until 23 December 2023.
As an extra to the Port Sunlight Experience, daily 90-minute walking tours also give visitors the chance to stretch their legs and explore the village with a knowledgeable guide.
Port Sunlight Museum, the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage and SoapWorks are open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. To plan a visit, go to www.portsunlightvillage.com
There are plenty of family-friendly food and drink options in Port Sunlight. This includes a concession stall on the Museum Green between Wednesday-Sunday serving hot drinks and takeaway snacks and sweet treats, Lady Lever Art Gallery’s café, or the Tudor Rose Tea Rooms on Greendale Road. Other options are available nearby in Bebington and New Ferry.
For more information about Port Sunlight Village Trust’s events, email events@portsunlightvillage.com or call Reception on 0151 644 4800.
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