About the event

This Easter holidays, we have five nature reserves around the county running self-guided trails. So if you're looking for an interesting outdoor activity that's free to do and suitable for all ages, check out your nearest location...

Our Camouflaged Creatures Trail calls for eagle eyes. First locate the 10 boards around the trail route, then see if you can spot the animal, insect or bird hidden within the picture. They are all masters of disguise! Can you tell if that's a twig or a caterpillar? A bug or a leaf? Where's the hare? Can you manage to tick them all off? Find it at:

Far Ings National Nature Reserve, Barton-upon-Humber

Saturday 28 March to Sunday 17 May 2026, 10am to 4pm

Park in the free Visitor Centre car park, or walk from Barton along the Humber Bank, pop upstairs and pick up a trail leaflet (admire the view while you're there - and you'll also find toilets if you need them, and hot drinks, ice cream and snacks available in the small gift shop), then set out down the Tadpole Trail looking for your first board. The short there-and-back route with a loop at the end is perfect for little legs, and there's plenty of interest, from the boardwalk through the reeds to the fairy dell in the woodland. Please note that dogs are permitted inside but not on the trail. The Visitor Centre is open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays; there will be a leaflet holder on the outside of the building at other times.

Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln

Thursday 2 April to Sunday 19 April 2026, 10am to 4pm

Pop into the Visitor Centre to grab a trail leaflet (normal Whisby car parking charges apply), then set off on the 1.2-mile circular walk around Thorpe Lake to find all 10 boards. This is a level path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome on this route. As well as the camouflage challenge, you'll find lovely views over Whisby's largest lake.

Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness 

Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026, 10am to 3pm

Park in the main Visitor Centre car park (normal charges apply) and nip inside to pick up a trail leaflet. Then head out on foot over The Hump bridge, the way you drove in, and follow the footpath to the small woodland known as The Plantation. Track down the boards and find the hidden creatures! The Plantation trail route is a short 0.5-mile walk suitable for the whole family with plenty to see. Dogs on a lead are permitted. We'd also recommend returning to the Visitor Centre cafe afterwards to reward yourselves with the incredible homemade cake...

Snipe Dales, near Spilsby

Friday 3 April to Sunday 19 April 2026, 8.30am to 5pm

Help yourself to a leaflet from the rack on the wall of the main building, near the snipe wings artwork, then start looking! The boards for this trail are all positioned along the main track for accessibility, but there are plenty of options to make completing it part of a longer circular route should you wish. Please be aware that even this surfaced path can get muddy in winter weather, especially towards the bottom, with some large puddles after rain, so wellies are recommended, as well as an all-terrain pushchair or carrier if you're bringing little ones. The trail is within the country park area of Snipe Dales, not the nature reserve, so dogs on leads are welcome. Please bring £1 cash for the car park machine. There are toilets in the car park area.

Our Butterfly Trail is aflutter with fascinating facts. What is the UK's largest butterfly? How do comma butterflies protect themselves from predators? Where did the name 'butterfly' come from in the first place? It's the perfect time of year to enjoy a stroll to find the boards and use them to answer the questions on the trail leaflet - you're very likely to be joined along the way by some of our beautiful early spring species that have been in hibernation over the winter, including brimstones, peacocks, red admirals and small tortoiseshells. Find it at:

Banovallum House, Horncastle

Tuesday 7 April to Friday 17 April 2026, 9am to 5pm

Help yourself to a leaflet from the fence by the front door of Banovallum House, our Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust headquarters, then follow the arrow to the left to start looking for your first butterfly! The boards for this trail are all positioned around the short circular walk through our grounds, which includes gravel and grass paths that may be muddy and uneven in places. Part of it runs alongside the river. No dogs please. Banovallum House is through the white gates at the end of Manor House Street, just beyond the community centre and a stone's throw from the Horncastle marketplace. Car parking and public toilets are available in the town centre.