Can you find the Gruffalo in the forest? Gruffalo trails and statues in the UK are a popular activity for young children and family days out.ย
There are giant wooden Gruffalo structures to be found and activity packs. These are all incorporated into the new Gruffalo Spotters 2 augmented reality app.
Activity packs for the Gruffalo spotters trails cost a small fee and include: –
- Gruffalo mask and paws
- Activity leaflet
- Crayon and pencil
- Nature spotters game and instructions
- Stickers
Complete fun family activities and learn about each animal from the book as you follow the new interactive trail. The trails are aimed at families with children aged 3-9.
If you’d like your own Gruffalo printables to complete at home, Forestry England have some great free activity sheets you can download.
There are also rubbings to complete and other characters to look out for as you go! Use the app to see the characters appear in the forest around you. Don’t forget to check out all the great play areas at many of the sites as well.
Why not also try out the Gruffalo orienteering trails near you. There are hidden markers in the deep dark wood to discover. Answer questions along the way as you gain map reading and decision making skills. Which is the best Gruffalo trail in the UK.
2024 is the Gruffalo’s 25th birthday and there will be brand new Gruffalo Party Trails popping up at a location near you. Follow the trail to find the missing party items and pick a present for the Gruffalo.
The Gruffalo Story
Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo tells the story of a mouse talking a walk in the woods. When the other forest animals prey on the small mouse, he uses his brain to invent the Gruffalo to ward off his enemies. Imagine his surprise when he comes across a real life Gruffalo in the woods!
Gruffalo trails were built in forests across the UK after the 1999 children’s book success. There’s plenty of fun to be had on Gruffalo walks, incorporating plenty of nature inspired activities along the way.
Gruffalo Trails South West England
Moors Valley Country Park Gruffalo Trail
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, BH24 2ET
You may also like to read – Visiting Moors Valley country park
Trail length: 2km
Terrain: The ground on the Gruffalo spotting trail at Moors Valley is mostly level and made up of a gravel surface, suitable for pushchairs.
Starts from: By the totem pole in lower car park
Westonbirt Arboretum Gruffalo Walk
The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Trail length: 2.5km
Terrain: Mostly hard path surfaces, largely flat but with a steep ascent at the end of the trail. Suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Please note that dogs are allowed on the trail.
Starts from: Silk Wood
Beechenhurst Gruffalo Trail
Speech House Road, Coleford, GL16 7EL
Trail length: 1.6km
Terrain: Hard forest tracks (walking into some of the areas will be forest floor) but all accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Starts from: Visitor Centre
Haldon Forest Park
Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7XR
Trail Length: 2.5km
Terrain: A mostly level surface, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Starts from: The start of the Discovery Trail
The newest Gruffalo spotters trail in the UK is at Haldon Forest Park. Just 15 minutes from Exeter.
Gruffalo Trails South East England
Alice Holt Gruffalo Trail
Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS
Trail length: 1.5km
Terrain: The Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The paths are level or gently sloping with one slight incline along the route.
Starts from: Go Ape
Each of the sculptures have been carved in a different position completely unique to Alice Holt Forest.
Bedgebury National Pinetum
Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
Trail length: 1 mile
Terrain: Trail is on accessible surfaced paths. Suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Seating available along the route.
Starts from: The visitor Centre
Bedgebury Pinetum covers around 128 hectares and the six large wooden Gruffalo sculptures are hiding amongst the trees. The Gruffalo characters including Fox, Mouse, Snake, Squirrel and Owl are spread out across the pinetum.
Jeskyns Community Woodland Gruffalo Walk
Henhurst Road, Cobham, Kent, DA12 3AN
Trail length: 1.2km
Terrain: The Jeskyns Gruffalo trail is mostly hard surfaced, with a small grass section.
Starts from: This Gruffalo trail in Kent starts just south of the cafe at Jeskyns Community Woodland.
Wendover Woods
Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, HP22 5NQ
Trail length: 2km
Terrain: The Gruffalo trail at Wendover Woods is mainly surfaced with some well compacted woodland paths. Some hilly sections.
Starts from: The information point
Gruffalo Trails North West England
Delamere Forest Gruffalo Walk
Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ
Whilst there isn’t a dedicated Gruffalo trail at Delamere Forest, hidden in the deep dark woods, you’ll spot a Gruffalo structure. Can you spot him by walking through the Blakemere or Linmere walking trails.
Gruffalo Trails North East England
Kielder Castle Gruffalo Trail
Kielder, NE48 1ER
Trail length: 2.4km
Terrain: The Kielder Forest Gruffalo trail has a mostly level surfaced trail. It’s suitable for buggies, however there is one flight of steps (buggies need to be carried over these).
Starts from: The Castle
Hamsterley Forest Gruffalo Trail
Bedburn, Hamsterley, DL13 3NL
Trail length: 1.5 miles
Terrain: All surfaced paths, mostly level but with one moderate incline
Starts from: Visitor Centre
Gruffalo Trails East Midlands
Salcey Forest Gruffalo Trail
Quinton Road, Northamptonshire, NN7 2HX
Trail length: 1.2km
Terrain: Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs on level, surfaced ground. Seating available along the route.
Starts from: Start of the walking trails
Fineshade Wood Gruffalo Trail
Top Lodge, Fineshade, Near Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3BB
Trail length: 3km
Terrain: Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, on level or gently sloping surfaced paths.
Starts from: Top of the car park, by the trail heads
Hicks Lodge
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Swadlincote, LE65 2UP
Trail length: 2km
Terrain: The Gruffalo trail in Swandlicote has a mostly level surfaced trail. It’s suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and pedestrians. Note that the route is also used by dog walkers, horses and cycles.
Starts from: Start of the Lake Loop
Sherwood Pines
Kings Clipstone, Nottingham, NG21 9JL
Trail Length: 2km
Terrain: This Gruffalo trail in Nottingham is suitable for pushchairs. The terrain is mainly on a level or gently sloping natural forest paths.
Starts from: By the classroom
Gruffalo Trails West Midlands
Cannock Chase Forest Gruffalo Trail
Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ
Trail length: 1.6km
Terrain: The path is level surfaced and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs
Starts from: Birches Valley Forest Centre, to the left of the Go Ape hut
Wyre Forest
Callow Hill, Bewdley, DY14 9XQ
Trail Length: 1.3km
Terrain: Suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggys.
Starts from: Next to play area through the black archway.
Gruffalo Trails East Of England
High Lodge Forest Centre
Thetford Forest, Brandon, IP27 0AF
Trail length: 1.2km
Terrain: the Gruffalo trail at Thetford Forest is a mostly level surfaced path. It’s suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, with some small sections being uneven forest terrain.
Starts from: By the Pine, Fir and Heritage Trails
Gruffalo Trails Yorkshire
Dalby Forest Gruffalo Trail
Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering
Trail length: 2km
Terrain: An easy and accessible route on level, surfaced ground. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Starts from: World Cup Car Park near Adderstone Field
