Families in Gloucestershire can discover a new activity trail at Beechenhurst, as Forestry England welcomes another one of Julia Donaldson's beloved children's book characters, Stick Man, to the Forest of Dean in 2025.
The new trail, which will be in situ at Beechenhurst for a year after launching on Wednesday 5 February 2025, encourages youngsters to get hands-on with nature as they follow Stick Man on his journey back to his family tree.
Around about one mile long, this self-led adventure features engaging challenges to get kids interacting with their woodland surroundings — from building with sticks to learning all about the forest wildlife around them — with large activity and spotter panels to find along the trail.
Best suited for children aged three to nine, but providing plenty of fun for everyone, the trail is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs and starts just past Go Ape, following hard forest tracks.
Forest explorers can make it an extra special adventure by purchasing a £4 activity pack from Beechenhurst Cafe or the info hatch, which includes materials to make their own Stick Man and their own adventure passport to fill with stamps as they complete each challenge along the trail.
Emily Fergusson, recreation manager in the Forest of Dean, said: 'We're delighted to welcome Stick Man back to the Forest of Dean for an exciting year of family adventures at Beechenhurst.
'This new activity trail offers the perfect blend of storytelling and outdoor exploration to help children connect with nature in a fun and memorable way. It's wonderful to see how a beloved character like Stick Man can inspire the next generation of nature lovers.'
The Stick Man trail is the latest attraction to come from Forestry England's long-standing partnership with Magic Light Pictures, which has brought The Gruffalo, Superworm and many more of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved characters to life in the nation's forests since 2014.
Beechenhurst is just one of 26 Forestry England locations to feature the new trail in the UK, with Stick Man arriving at another Gloucestershire site, Westonbirt Arboretum, later in February too.
Visit forestryengland.uk/beechenhurst/the-stick-man-trail for more information.
