Shops and cafés on Halstead’s High Street are cooking up a mischievous Easter challenge for families this spring, but be warned – it’s not as simple as it looks!
Somewhere between his first delivery and his last chocolate drop-off, the Easter Bunny has made a spectacular mess of a special message he was bringing to the town. As he bounced along, he scattered a trail of letters all along the High Street… and now he needs sharp-eyed children to put things right.
Families are invited to hop into our office at Queen’s Hall to pick up a trail map, then set off on a letter-hunting adventure around 31 local shops. Each stop holds a clue, and every clue brings you closer to cracking the puzzle. Find them all, then unscramble them for a five-word Easter phrase.
When: During the Easter school holidays — Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April 2026.
Trail map: A downloadable PDF version is available HERE and Braintree District Council’s social media and website. Printed copies can be collected from our office.
It’s part treasure hunt, part brainteaser, and a great excuse to wander, browse and perhaps pause for a hot chocolate (purely for investigative purposes, of course).
Those who piece the phrase together will be entered into a prize draw to win an egg-citing chocolate reward!
The trail has been organised by Halstead Town Council, with support from Braintree District Council through the Growth Hub High Street Support programme, which helps local high streets increase footfall and visibility for independent traders.
A spokesperson for the Town Council said, “No-bunny has a bad word to say about the Easter Bunny, but he has left Halstead with a puzzle on our hands this year! It’s lucky we have so many clever families to help sort it out. Following the trail is a brilliant way to explore the High Street, support local shops, and give your mind and muscles a bit of a spring clean at the same time.”
So if you fancy a challenge with a dash of chaos, a sprinkle of mystery, and the chance of prizes at the end, Halstead’s Easter trail is waiting. Hop to it!