Easter and springEaster 2027 and spring in the South Downs: houses near Chichester
Easter 2027 runs from Good Friday 26 March to Easter Monday 29 March, and Mothering Sunday is 7 March. The Marden is three self-catering houses on a working family farm at West Marden, about 20 minutes’ drive from Chichester and Goodwood, each sleeping 4. Lambing on South Downs farms is usually in March and April and bluebells usually flower from late April to mid May, so Easter itself is too early for bluebells.
- Easter
- Fri 26 to Mon 29 March 2027
- Mother’s Day
- Sunday 7 March 2027
- Bluebells
- Usually late April to mid May
- Sleeps
- 4 per house, 12 across the farm
The dates for spring 2027
Easter is early in 2027. The bank holiday dates are on gov.uk, and the school dates are West Sussex County Council’s, which Hampshire shares.
- Mothering Sunday: Sunday 7 March
- Good Friday: 26 March. Easter Day: Sunday 28 March. Easter Monday: 29 March
- School Easter holidays, West Sussex and Hampshire: 26 March to 11 April, back on Monday 12 April
- Early May bank holiday: Monday 3 May
- Spring bank holiday: Monday 31 May, with half term from 31 May to 4 June
What is out, and when
We would sooner be honest than sell you a bluebell wood in March. These are typical weeks, not promises, and a warm or cold spring moves them.
Snowdrops are usually over by the end of February. Lambing on South Downs farms runs through March and April, so there are lambs in the fields around Mother’s Day and Easter. We have not found any farm open days published for 2027. Bluebells usually flower from late April to mid May, earlier in a warm spring, on the edge of Kingley Vale, in Stansted Forest and at Slindon. For bluebells, come for the early May bank holiday, not Easter.
The tulips at Arundel Castle, about 35 minutes away, usually peak in mid to late April. In 2026 the peak was 17 to 23 April. The 2027 dates are announced when the tulips open.
Why a house at Easter
Easter is a family weekend, and families need a table. Each house has its own kitchen for the roast and a garden for an egg hunt. Keepers and The Old Stables have wood burners, because late March is still cold in the evening.
Keepers, The Old Stables and Barley Cottage each sleep 4 in two bedrooms. Three generations can take all three, 12 in all, and still have a front door each. See whole-farm hire. For Mother’s Day, the Victoria Inn is a very short walk away. Book a table well ahead.
The heated outdoor pool is open from mid-June to early September, so it is closed at Easter and for the May bank holidays.
Things to do
Walk first. The West Marden loop of the Octagon walks starts in the village, and there is more in our walking holidays guide. Chichester and Goodwood are about 20 minutes’ drive. Our family days out page covers the school holidays.
Dated things nearby: the Goodwood Members’ Meeting is on 10 and 11 April, the last weekend of the Easter holidays. Goodwood racing opens on Friday 30 April and Saturday 1 May. The Beltain fire festival at Butser Ancient Farm, about 15 minutes away, is reported for Saturday 1 May, 4pm to 10pm, with general tickets on sale in December 2026.
When to book
The Easter weekend and the two weeks of school holidays after it go first. There is a three-night minimum stay over the Easter weekend. Mother’s Day weekend and the weeks either side of Easter are quieter. Book direct with no booking fees, or message us on WhatsApp.
Questions
Good to know.
When is Easter 2027?
Good Friday is 26 March, Easter Day is Sunday 28 March and Easter Monday is 29 March 2027.
When is Mother’s Day 2027?
Mothering Sunday is 7 March 2027, three weeks before Easter Day.
When are the school Easter holidays in West Sussex in 2027?
Term ends on Thursday 25 March and restarts on Monday 12 April 2027, so the holidays run from 26 March to 11 April. Hampshire’s dates are the same.
When do the bluebells flower near Chichester?
Usually from late April to mid May, earlier in a warm spring. Good places are the edge of Kingley Vale, Stansted Forest and Slindon. Easter 2027 is too early.
Can we see lambs at Easter?
Lambing on South Downs farms is usually in March and April, so there are lambs in the fields at Easter. We have not found any open days published for 2027.
Is the pool open at Easter?
No. The heated outdoor pool is open from mid-June to early September.
Last updated 14 November 2026.
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Breaks · Summer on the farm
Family holidays
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Kingley Vale
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Local · Walks from the door
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Nine waymarked walks around the Mardens, from 1.7 to 15 miles. One starts in the village and the long loop passes five minutes from the farm.
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Stay · Sleeps 4 · 2 bedrooms
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