Write a comment
If you are looking for a fun, free day out, you have to check out your nearest Gruffalo Trail. Grab a picnic and explore nature with all of the popular characters from The Gruffalo. There are parks and further activities at most locations to enjoy - making it the perfect, affordable family day out.
The fantastic hand-crafted sculptures of your favourite Gruffalo characters can be explored at various trail locations throughout the UK featuring the characters from the book. These forest strolls bring the characters and illustrations from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books to life.
Gruffalo Trails
These unique locations make for a free, fun, nature-filled day out with Gruffalo Orienteering Trails to explore and enjoy. Here are all the Gruffalo Trails in the UK...
Gruffalo Trails in Scotland
Ardkinglas Woodland
Overlooking Loch Fyne this conifer filled forest is perfect for fairy and Gruffalo hunters. It is open daily from "Dawn until dusk".
> Admission Price: £5 per adult, £2.50 per child (4-16yrs) 3 & under free or £15 per family 2 adults plus children, £9 single parent plus children
> Location: Ardkinglas Estate, Cairndow, Argyll, PA26 8BH
> Facilities: Café & Toilets
> Parking: Free all day
Gruffalo Trails in Ireland
Colin Glen Forest Park
This is Ireland’s only official Gruffalo Trail. The wooded park which opens daily at 9 am is known for numerous kids' activities, including a ropes course.
> Admission Price: Free but most activities including the Gruffalo trail are payable. The trail prices are adults £3.50 and children £10.50
> Location: 163 Stewartstown Rd, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 0HW
> Facilities: Zipline, Golf, Laser-Tag, Café & Toilets
> Parking: Free All Day
Gruffalo Trails in Wales
Mountain View Ranch
This is currently Wales' first and only licences Gruffalo trail. The park is open daily from 9 am and closing times vary by month.
> Admission Price: Adults £8 Children (2-16) £8 Disabled & £6 Carers (children under 2 go free)
> Location: Heol Penybryn, Blaengwynlais, Cardiff, CF83 1NG
> Facilities: Children's Play Area, Café, Toilets, Gold, High Ropes, Animals, Marshmallow Roasting spots, Segways, Archery, Treehouse, Rope Swings
> Parking: Free all day
Gruffalo Trails in England
Cannock Chase Forest
Cannock Chase Forest is open daily from 7.30 am and closing times vary by season. There's a variety of woodland walks for all ages and abilities and some of the best mountain bike trails in the Midlands for those who want to explore the forest on two wheels.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 2UQ
> Facilities: Children's Play Area, Go Ape, Orienteering Paths, Bike Hire, Café, Toilets and a Dog Activity Track
> Parking: £3 for 1 hour, £5 for 2 hours and £8 all day
Alice Holt Forest Gruffalo Trail
Alice Holt Woodland is a gorgeous royal forest that is mainly covered in conifers. The trail is open from 8 am Daily and closing times vary by season.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS
> Facilities: Children's Play Area, Café, Toilets and a Picnic Area
> Parking: £2 (1 hour) - £8 (all day) off-peak and from £3 (1 hour) - £12 (all day) at peak times
High lodge
High Lodge Thetford Forest has one of the best Gruffalo trails in the UK, there is so much to do at this site. It is open from 9am daily and closing times vary by day.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon, IP27 0AF
> Facilities: 4 Walking trails, 3 Cycling trails, Go Ape, 8 BBQs, Forest Segway, Play areas, Picnic areas, Café, Archery & Wilderness courses
> Parking: £2 (1 hour), £5 (2 hours) and £12.50 (all day)
Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest is known for being peaceful and beautiful. It is open daily from "Dawn till Dusk" and features a lively sit-in cafe which opens on weekdays from 10:30 am and weekends from 9 am.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon, IP27 0AF
> Facilities: 4 Walking trails, 4 Cycling trails, 2 horse riding trails, Play areas, Cafe, Toilets and a Descend Bike Park
> Parking: £2 (1 hour) and £6 (all day)
Sherwood Pines
Sherwood Pines is one of the Midlands' most popular forests. The park is open every day from 8.00 am and Forest Holidays offers overnight cottage stays as well as camping at this location.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Sherwood Pines, Kings Clipstone, Nottingham, NG21 9JL
> Facilities: Play areas, Gruffalo Orienteering, Go Ape, Segway, Steam Train, Café & Toilets
> Parking: £3 for up to 1 hour and £8 for all day.
Wendover Woods
Beautiful scenery and breathtaking pathways may be found in Wendover Woods. The Chiltern Hills can be seen in the distance. Walking, running, Nordic walking, Go Ape, a play area, orienteering trails, and more can be found.
There's also the Wendover Woods café, which serves various hot and cold food and beverages. British larch-clad visitor hub houses the café. It's a great place to see the forest and the mountains.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Wendover Woods, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, HP22 5NQ
> Facilities: Play areas, Go Ape, cycling & walking trails, Café & Toilets
> Parking: £2.70 for up to 2 hours and £10 for over 4 hours
Dalby Forest
At Dalby Forest's Adderstone play area, you will find several endangered species. You can also see the Milky Way at a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. The park opens daily at 8am and has plenty to see and do. 13 walking trails, six cycling paths, and four running paths are available at Dalby Forest.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Dalby Forest Dr, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
> Parking: £5 all day (off-peak) £10 at peak times
> Facilities: Play area, bike hire, Picnic area, Café & Toilets
Fineshade Woods
Your kids will love exploring this wooded area just north of Corby called Fineshade Woods. The site is open daily from 9 am and offers a wide range of bookable forest activities.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Top Lodge, Fineshade, Northamptonshire, NN17 3BB
> Parking: £2 for up to 1 hour and £6 all day
> Facilities: Play area, bird hide, bike hire, Picnic area, Café & Toilets
Bedgebury Pinetum
The Bedgebury Pinetum is a 128-hectare property which features Gruffalo sculptures of various sizes including Fox, Snake, Mice, Squirrel, Owl, and The Gruffalo's child. The site opens daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
> Parking: £14 for peak times all day, and £10 for off-peak times all-day. There are also £3.50 early bird hours from 8 -11 am daily.
> Facilities: Play area, bike hire, Go Ape, Café, Kiosk & Toilets
Delamere Forest
Find the Gruffalo in Delamere Forest while exploring the woods. Delamere Forest has its own train station and features a variety of easy-to-follow routes for visitors of all ages and abilities. The park is open 8 am - 8 pm during the summer months and 8 am - 6 pm during the winter.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ
> Parking: £3 for up to 1 hour and £8 for all day
> Facilities: Bike hire, Picnic area, Café & Toilets
Wyre Forest
Have you ever wanted to get away from the commotion of your daily routine? Wyre Forest provides something for everyone. You can ride a horse to walk, run, or ride a bike through the forest. Gates open from 8 am every day.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, BH24 2ET
> Parking: £4 for up to a 1 hour, £8 for up to 2 hours, and £11 (Up to 4 hours), £12 for up to 5 hours
> Facilities: Bike hire, Picnic area, Tramper Scooter hire, Café & Toilets
Whinlatter Forest
Whinlatter is a treasure trove of hiking trails, spectacular views, and unique fauna. Whinlatter Forest is a World Heritage Site located in the Lake District. Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lakes can be seen from this location which is open daily from 10 am.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Keswick, CA12 5TW
> Parking: £2.20 for about 1 hour, and £8 for all day
> Facilities: Picnic area, Play area, Café & Toilets
Kielder Castle
This historic property has a lot to offer visitors. Whether you want to take a stroll along the Lakeside Path or get sucked into the Minotaur Maze, it's up to you.
> Admission Price: Free
> Location: Kielder Castle, Kielder, NE48 1ER
> Parking: Main Car Park – £1.50 (Up to 1 hour), £5 for all-day
> Facilities: Castle, Kielder Observatory, Picnic area, Café & Toilets
Westonbirt National Arboretum
The Gruffalo and other lovable critters can be found at Westonbirt National Arboretum's deep, gloomy forest. The site is open daily from 9 am.
> Admission Price: Adults £11, Children £4 and under 5s go free
> Location: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
> Parking: Free
> Facilities: Play area, Bird hide, Picnic area, Café & Toilets
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
More than 800 acres make up the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. Two walking routes, five cycle trails, a children's play trail, and play areas are part of the Forestry England and Dorset Council joint venture. The park is open every day from 8 am.
> Admission Price: Adults £11, Children £4 and under 5s go free
> Location: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, BH24 2ET
>Parking: £4 for up to 1 hour and £15 for all day.
> Facilities: Play areas, Go Ape, Segway, Steam Train, Café & Toilets
Get your paws on the Gruffalo Party Pack - To celebrate Gruffalo's 20th birthday, Forestry England is giving away a free printable party pack. In the pack, you'll find...
> Invitations
> Gruffalo picnic food ideas
> Fun party games
> Forest exploring ideas
> Arts, crafts and colouring (bunting, masks, medals and party flags)
Get the party pack here
FAQs
How many Gruffalo trails are there?
There are a total of 18 Gruffalo trails dotted around the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - with more being added each year!
Do you have to pay to do a Gruffalo Trail?
Most Gruffalo trails are free, particularly the ones in England provided by Forestry England. Some newer ones that are popping up in private locations have a small charge. We have detailed all charges above.
How long does it take to do the Gruffalo Trail?
Each location is different. The trail itself usually takes between 1 - 2 hours, but some have extra facilities such as parks and there are plenty of places to stop and have a picnic should you wish to make a day of it.
Where are the Gruffalo Trails?
The trails are dotted all around the UK, with most being located in England.
Can you take dogs on Gruffalo Trail?
Yes, you can take your dogs, provided they are well behaved and kept on short leads at all times. You must remember to bring your own water and poo bags.
Are Gruffalo Trails Free?
There are over 15 completely free Gruffalo trails throughout the UK, as well as some trails in private locations that offer extra facilities that have a small charge.
Can I Get a Free Gruffalo Trail Guide?
Yes, You can download and print off a free Gruffalo Spotters activity sheet set which includes the following...
>> 1 x spring spotter challenge sheet to complete whilst you wander through the woods!
>> 1 x template to make and decorate your own paper owl
>> 1 x template to make and decorate your own spiralling snake
You can also get FREE Gruffalo printable colourings and other activities from the official Julia Donaldson 'Gruffalo' website here
Check out these 80+ Free or Very Cheap Days out for families
If you know of any new trails due to land in the UK or have any questions please let us know in the comments below...
