• The Easter Bunny stops off at Castle Ward to celebrate the National Trust’s nationwide Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts
• He is set to deliver 362,592 chocolate bunnies to 271 National Trust places across Northern Ireland, England and Wales

The Easter Bunny has kicked off his 2016 schedule in style, with the National Trust unveiling a series of show-stopping topiary bunnies, one of which can be found in the grounds of Castle Ward in County Down.

The 4ft topiary bunnies have been created to celebrate the ninth year of the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. The hunts will be taking place at 12 National Trust places across Northern Ireland over the Easter holidays and families are invited to unleash their inner explorer at these adventurous hunts.

The 820 acre walled demesne at Castle Ward, on the shores of Strangford Lough is just one of the locations providing a beautiful backdrop for an Easter day out.

Visitors to National Trust places across the Easter holidays will be able to take part in special Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts, with every child receiving a Cadbury chocolate treat for getting involved.

Jacqueline Baird, Castle Ward Visitor Services Manager said:

“We’re really excited that the Easter Bunny dropped off at Castle Ward on his journey to prepare for the Easter celebrations, and are thrilled to play home to one of his exclusive 4ft topiary replicas in our gardens.  We are open every day of the Easter holidays and are encouraging people to try our fun activities throughout the week, not just the Easter weekend.

There is plenty to enjoy on various days including the adventure and woodland playgrounds, animals in the farmyard, ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ adventures with maps and scrapbooks, local food and craft stalls… and not forgetting the famous Cadbury Easter Bunny Hunts. After a very wet winter please bring your wellies for a ‘Welly Big Adventure’ of Easter fun and activities.

“We hope visitors and families participating in our Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts enjoy trying to spot our topiary Easter Bunny. Such visits over the Easter period are so important to us, as they help the National Trust, Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity continue its conservation work.”

To find other Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts across Northern Ireland head to: Cadbury.co.uk/Easter