THERE'S lots of chocolate waiting to be found at National Trust properties in the North West over Easter!

Young detectives can follow a series of clues on Easter Trails at Speke Hall, Lyme Park, Dunham Massey, Little Moreton Hall, and Rufford Old Hall, leading to some delicious chocolate prizes with a little help from Green & Black's chocolate.

At Speke Hall, you can make your own Easter Bonnet (with the help of Trusty the Hedgehog) and enter it in the grand Easter Parade, or why not have a 'smashin' time' at Quarry Bank Mill by entering an Pace Egg Rolling competition? First decorate your egg, and then see how far you can roll it!

Early birds might like to take part in Quarry Bank's 'Dawn Chorus Walk' on Easter Sunday which starts at 6am. A delightful stroll through the woods on the Styal estate listening for the wealth of birdsong from long tailed tits and nut hatches will be well worth the effort of getting up so early! Luckily the walk is followed by breakfast at the Mill for those who need an incentive.

At Lyme Park, the magnificent setting of The Cage is the venue for a Sunrise Service on Easter morning at 6am.

An Easter Bunny Quiz and Egg Decorating Competition can be found at Rufford Old Hall, near Ormskirk, while at Dunham Massey, Boredom Busters will ensure that children are fully occupied with a host of hands-on activities.

Finally, if neither chocolate or eggs are to your taste, why not simply take a spring stroll around a National Trust garden, or take in some breathtaking scenery at Alderley Edge or Formby Beach?

For full details of all Easter and other events, visit

www.nationaltrust.org.uk or contact individual properties direct.

Lyme Park, Disley, Nr Stockport (01663 762023)

Sunrise Service - Sunday 20 April, 6am

Join us at The Cage in Lyme Park to celebrate Easter Morning

Lyme Park Easter Trails - Sunday 20 & Monday 21 April

11am - 4pm

A weekend of activities for all the family including Easter trails, quizzes and craft activities. Please note first come, first served (timed ticket) for activities. Cost £3 per child. For details call 01663 762063

Hard Hat Happenings! Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 11am - 5pm

Learn all about the mysterious world of building! Lay a cobble path, make your own brick or stained glass window, or see if you can build a bridge! Join an architectural tour around some of the Lyme estate's unique buildings.

Normal admission rates apply. For details telephone 01663 762023

Dunham Massey, Altrincham (Tel: 0161 941 1025)

A Feast of Food, Field and Farm - Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 April

11am - 4.30pm

Learn how food was produced on great estates in years gone by; discover the secret of Dunham Massey's Pineapple Compost, and listen to tales of life 'below stairs' in an Edwardian country house. Normal admission rates apply. For details telephone 0161 941 1025

Easter Trails - Sunday 20 & Monday 21 April from 11am

Calling all detectives!! Follow the trails around Dunham Massey House, garden and park and the clues will lead you to a delicious Easter prize! Normal admission rates apply to house, garden and park. £2 for park trail.

For details telephone 0161 941 1025

Boredom Busters! Tuesday 22 - Friday 25 April, 1am - 4pm daily

Lots of interesting Easter holiday activities for children. For detailed leaflet telephone 0161 941 1025. Normal admission rates apply.

Speke Hall, Liverpool (Tel: 0151 427 7231)

Easter Trail and Bonnet Competition - Sunday 20 April from 11am

Meet Trusty the Hedgehog and follow our Easter trail around the gardens to win a prize! Join in the fun making your own Easter bonnet and take part in the grand Easter parade! For details and booking call 0151 427 7231

Merseyside Guild of Weavers - Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April

A chance to see the work of the Merseyside Guild of Weavers, together with workshops and demonstrations.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate (Tel: 01625 527468)

Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast - Easter Sunday 20 April, 6am

Celebrate Easter morning with a dawn chorus walk. Led by the Head Warden. Look out for long tailed tits, nut hatches and the myriad of other birdlife which inhabits Styal woods. Followed by full breakfast at the Mill. Cost £9 to include breakfast. Booking essential on 01625 527468.

Pace Egg Rolling - Sunday 20 April

Come and decorate your own Easter Egg and then roll it in a competition. Have a 'smashin' time at 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm!

Ghosts in the Machine - Monday 21 April, 11.30am,1.30pm and 3.30pm

Drama performed by the Quarry Bank Mill Players on how the coming of powered machines affected the lives of ordinary people.

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton (Tel: 01260 272018)

Easter Trail - Friday 18 April, 11.30am - 4pm

Loads of Easter fun in the Orchard at Little Moreton Hall: colour a picture and win a prize, follow the Easter trail or have your face painted. Everyone will receive a chocolate bar and other goodies! Normal admission rates apply plus £1.50 for Easter trail and £1 for face painting.

For details call 01260 272018

Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, Nr Ormskirk (Tel: 01704 821254)

Easter Bunny Quiz Trail & Egg Decorating Competition

Saturday 19 April, 11am - 5pm

Join the Easter Bunny at Rufford and take part in his children's quiz and egg decorating competition. Judging is on the hour starting at 12 noon. Tiny tots meanwhile can be creative with colouring in sheets. Competition winners will receive a chocolate egg. Normal admission rates apply plus £1.50 per child for all activities. Tel: 01704 821254 for details.

Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Nr Burnley (Tel 01282 771004)

Bringing History Alive! Sunday, 27 April 1 - 4pm

Step back in time to see Lady Blanche Shuttleworth, her butler and cook/housekeeper dressed in authentic period costume bringing this splendid Victorian Country House to life. The Hall's basement kitchen and spiral staircase will also be open so you can experience the atmosphere of a Victorian kitchen.