There are always plenty of family events to enjoy, but this week is extra special as the Easter Bank Holiday is finally here!

Rather than our usual Friday to Sunday roundup of family events, we've included Easter Monday as well. It's the last day of the Durham school Easter holidays, so if you're off work then it's a great chance to have one last day of fun with the family.

We've also got our roundup of Durham Easter events in the school holidays which lists ongoing Easter events, so be sure to check that out too.

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#1: Beamish Easter Fun, Beamish Museum

Between Friday and Monday April 19-22 there's Beamish Easter fun at Beamish Museum, where you can find out how Easter was celebrated in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.

You can use your unlimited pass or Friends of Beamish membership; otherwise an adult year-long ticket is £19.50, senior and student £14.50, family ticket one adult two children £36.50, family ticket two adults two children £51, and family ticket two adults and one child £44.50.

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#2: Baby Animals, Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is giving visitors a chance to meet some delightful little creatures as part of its Easter entertainment. Meet the new arrivals from Wetheriggs Animal Sanctuary, including baby rabbits, chicks, ducklings - and a few surprises too.

You can find out all about the animals and their home at the sanctuary and give them lots of cuddles and strokes.

Baby Animals at Bowes Museum takes places on Saturday April 20 from 1.30-2pm and 2.15-2.45pm. It costs £6. Book by calling 01833 690606. You can also take part in Bowes Museum's Easter Egg Hunt and crafts.

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#3: Behind the Mask, Durham Oriental Museum

There's always a good weekend event going on at the Durham Oriental Museum, and this week is Behind the Mask where you can make your own Egyptian decoration, inspired by the museum's Ancient Egyptian collection.

This activity on Saturday April 20 is drop in between 1pm and 3pm and is included in the museum admission price. It's suitable for children aged five to 11. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Durham Oriental Museum costs £1.50 adults, 75p children and over 60s, £3.50 family (two adults three children).

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#4: Family Bushcrafts, Hamsterley Forest

Join Wild North Discovery in learning all the skills you'd need to survive in the wild. Build a den shelter, light a fire without matches, cook a meal, and make an elderwood peashooter to take home.  

It costs £10 per person and is on Sunday April 21 at 1-4.30pm. To book, call 01388 529154.

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#5: Easter Chocolate Workshop, Raby Castle

On Saturday to Monday, April 20-22, award-winning chocolatier and chef David Greenwood-Haigh Fih is leading chocolate workshops at Raby Castle. Choose from a wide selection of ingredients, spices and aromas and learn all about how to pair flavours, and make a bar to take home.

Places must be booked in advance. Tickets are £15 for adults and £7 for children and include access to the Raby Castle Park and Gardens on the day of the event. They can be purchased here. There are three workshops each day at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm. Each workshop will last approximately one and a half hours.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Workshops will be in the Riding School in the Coach Yard which is undercover, but dress warmly.

There is also a free (with park entry) children's 'Where is my baby?' trail in the Walled Garden, searching for baby animal pictures, as well as craft sessions in the greenhouse where children can make headdresses, Easter chicks and Easter baskets and chocolate lollipop making in the Coach Yard. Both activities are included in the price of a Park and Gardens ticket.

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#6: Easter at the Hall, Crook Hall

Follow the clues at Crook Hall and track down the Easter Bunny to collect an egg. It's free for annual pass holders and there's no need to prebook. It's on Sunday and Monday, April 21-22, from 10am to 4pm. Call 0191 384 8028 for more information.

Durham family events #7: Tanfield Railway: An Edwardian Easter

This is the third Tanfield Railway Easter event, and takes place across a whole weekend, Friday to Sunday April 19-21. There's plenty going on, which you can read about in our Tanfield Railway Easter events story.

Tanfield Railway tickets cost £27.50 for a family ticket (two adults, two children), £10.50 for adults, £6.50 for children's tickets (under fives go free) and senior citizens £8.50. This allows unlimited travel for a day. You can also buy unlimited tickets here.