ONCE again the Easter Weekend has plenty in store for both young and old alike. Here’s our run-down of some of the events taking place.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS

East Anglian Railway Museum, Wakes Colne Station, today until Monday, 10am to 5pm. Adults £13, child (2-15) £9. Children under two go free. www.earm.co.uk or 01206 242524.

IT’S Easter, so it must mean a visit from everyone’s favourite steam train.Thomas the Tank Engine and his Friends will be offering unlimited rides on at least four character trains, including Daisy and Toby and the Fat Controller will be telling stories.

There's also the Imagination Station offering a range of children‘s activities including a colouring competition, engine outline rubbing, play tables with Play doh, temporary Thomas tattoos, reading books and there is even a chill out room to relax in and watch a Thomas DVD.

SPRING LAMBS

Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, Sunday and Monday, 12pm to 5pm. Adults £9, children £5, family ticket £25. 01206 330784

THE historic Tudor Tower is celebrating Easter in typically old fashioned style.

Take the family to bottle feed the lambs at 12.30pm and 4pm. There will also be an Easter egg hunt for toddlers at noon and 3pm, an Easter quiz/trail for older children, and egg and spoon races at 1pm and 3.30pm.

LEAF TRAIL

Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum, near Coggeshall, Today until Monday. 10am to 5pm. £1.50 per child for the trail, plus normal entry – adults £5.50, children £2.50, under-fives free, family ticket (two adults and up to four children) £13.

SPRING has definitely sprung a lot earlier this year so with the tree blossom starting to fade check out the interesting leaves there are at the historic arboretum.

Famous for its trees, what better way to spend the Easter weekend than by taking on Marks Hall's leaf trail. Collect a trail leaflet from the kiosk to learn more about the many different species of tree that can be found across the Arboretum. Spot lobed, fan shaped and palmate leaves will help you identify Oaks, Maples and Ginkgo trees with ease. When you’ve completed the trail go back to the Visitor Centre to collect your treat.

EASTER EGG TRAIL

Flatford Mill, Flatford, today until Monday, 11am to 4pm. £2,50. 01206 297201.

TAKE in the beautiful surroundings that inspired John Constable to paint one of the most famous pictures in the world, the Haywain.

Then follow the trail and enjoy a yummy chocolate egg as your prize.

GREEN EGGS

Green Island Gardens, Park Road, Ardleigh, 10am to 5pm. Adults £6.50, Children £2.50. 01206 230455.

WITH more than 20 acres of professionally designed gardens by Fiona Edmond in woodland decimated by the 1987 hurricane, there's plenty of space to hide an Easter Egg of two.

As well as the woodland there's a Japanese garden, water garden, seaside garden and gravel garden to look around.

Rabbit charity SESAW will also be bringing along some lovely bunnies that are in need of a new home, or perhaps just a quick cuddle.

EGG HUNT

Essex Wildlife Trust reserves: Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve, Layer de la Haye, Today until Monday, 10.30am to 3pm. £7 requested donation per child. 01206 738172. Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve: Tomorrow until Monday, 10am to 4pm. Donation £6 per child. 01206 729678.

THERE will be fun, games and Easter crafts at both of the Essex Wildlife Trust Reserves this weekend.

The main attraction at Fingringhoe will be the reserve’s special Easter trail, where you follow the clues, get the password and claim your chocolate treat.

While at Abberton you can also explore the nature reserve on an Easter egg hunt but also make some Easter craft to take home.

SEE SOME JOUSTING

Hedingham Castle, Castle Hedingham. Sunday and Monday, 10am to 5pm. Families £42, Adults £14, Under 18s £10, Under 5s free, Over 65s £12.50. 01787 460261.

THE Knights of Middle England with their bold and bright costumes accompanied by stunts such as saddle falls, drags and rearing horses make a welcome return to one of the county's most historic sites. See the evil Black Knight and his trusty fool cause havoc against the Earl of Warwick and his team of chivalrous Knights.

Surrounding the show will be an arena full of a whole host of entertainment from the Norfolk Longbowmen demonstrating the art of Archery to the Birds of Prey display. There's also musicians, donkey rides, living history and tours of the Castle.

Jousting Tournaments take place at 12pm and 3.30pm, while the Falconry Displays are at 12.45pm and 3pm.