All was quiet in the deep dark woods... until the Gruffalo returned to the Forest of Dean!
Gloucestershire families can now discover a brand-new activity trail at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean, as Forestry England celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Gruffalo — Julia Donaldson's award-winning picture book that continues to capture little imaginations.
The new trail, which will be in situ at Beechenhurst for a year from Wednesday 24 January 2024, challenges families to work together and search for missing party items to mark the Gruffalo's big birthday.
Join in the festivities with fun and games along the way, plus opportunities to learn about the plants and wildlife that call the forest home.
Free to follow, this engaging self-led adventure features five large activity panels to discover — two of which include interactive elements — as well as smaller spotter panels and five rubbing stations, giving kids the chance to flex their creative muscles, scattered along the trail.
It's aimed at children aged three to nine, but families of all ages are invited to get the party started. The trail itself is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, too, starting just past Go Ape and following hard forest tracks for one mile.
An accompanying trail pack, including a festive party headband, activity leaflet, woven Gruffalo sew-on patch and stickers, pencils and crayons, is available to buy from the Beechenhurst Cafe or Ranger's hatch for £4.
The Gruffalo Party Trail is installed at 26 Forestry England sites across the UK — and will also be coming to a second Gloucestershire location, Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury, in February 2024.
It's the latest in a line of collaborations between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, bringing enchanted adventures to the nation's forests since 2014.
Visit forestryengland.uk/beechenhurst/gruffalo-party-trail for more information.
