Sunday 20th March

12 - 4pm

What is an Equinox?

An equinox is an astronomical event in which the plane of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun, which occurs twice each year, around 20 March and 23 September. On an equinox, day and night are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. The name is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because at the equinox the night and day are nearly equally long.

March equinox

The March equinox signals the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and a time to celebrate the promise of warmer days, lighter nights and new life. It marks that special moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator going from south to north.

In 2016, this equinox arrives on March 20. From this time our sunrise is now earlier, and nightfall comes later. Plants are sprouting. Winds are softening. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, people will (hopefully) start enjoying the warmer days of spring.

Equinox Celebrations

At The Castle we will be celebrating the Spring Equinox in combination with Easter which comes early this year (Sunday 27th), with fun activities for children and the family in the garden.

12 - 4 pm
Drop-in activities for children and families :

• Nature trail and Egg Hunt!
• Printing workshop - make cards for Easter/Spring Equinox
• Modelling with clay and natural materials, and nature games.

1-3 pm

• Botanical Egg Dying Workshop: Learn how to make beautiful dyed eggs, using natural dyes and materials gathered in the garden.
• The activity is 30 mins, maximum 10 participants per session. Sign up on the day.

Delicious Focaccia Bread baked in our cob oven and rocket stove garden veg soup will be served from 1 to 3 pm 

Spring Equinox bonfire from 4 pm