Delamere forest Gruffalo trail
Have you got a child that loves the Gruffalo? Have you taken them to do the Delamere forest Gruffalo trail? This is just one of the Delamere forest walks that we love for families. Find more Family walks North West here.
We love visiting Delamere forest and have been visiting for over a decade. We were sad to hear when the original Gruffalo sculpture had to be removed. However they soon added all his friends and for a while the friends were there without the Gruffalo (the star of the show obviously). Now I’m pleased to say there is a full set of Gruffalo and friends sculptures.

What is the Gruffalo trail at Delamere forest?
The Gruffalo trail at Delamere forest is a 1 mile circular walk in the forest where you will find large wooden sculptures of the Gruffalo and his friends spaced a long this walk. The walk is ideal for young families and the path is suitable for prams.
There isn’t a map or trail pack to purchase for the Gruffalo sculpture trail (but you could get the orienteering one, details below). The route is well sign posted with laminated Gruffalo signs.

This is a permanent trail through the forest and is separate from the Julia Donaldson trail which changes each year. The Julia Donaldson trail for 2025 is Stick Man. Find all the Forestry England Stick Man Trails in the North West here.
If your child loves the Gruffalo and can manage a couple of miles, I’d recommend doing both trails. They are both fantastic trails for young children in different ways.

Gruffalo Orienteering at Delamere forest
There is also a Gruffalo orienteering trail on the same route. There are 12 markers along the route and you can pick up the map, certificate and leaflet in the visitor centre for £1.50.
Where is the Gruffalo trail Delamere?
The Gruffalo trail is in Delamere forest. It’s easy to get to and sign posted from the visitors centre.
The address of the main Delamere forest car park by the visitors centre is located at Linmere, Delamere, Northwich and the Sat Nav Postcode is CW8 2HZ.

Delamere train station is just a 5 minute walk from the visitor centre so it’s a great walk by public transport too.
Parking for the Gruffalo trail
If you want to park as close as possible to the start of the trail then you need the forest centre car park.
Current parking charges are as follows (April 2024)
Up to 1 hour – £3.50
Up to 2 hours – £7
up to 3 hours – £9.50
All day – £11
Parking is number plate recognition, pay on exit and card or device only. There are plenty of spaces even on the busiest days.
Delamere forest visitor centre
There is a large visitor centre with a cafe, information desk, large and clean toilet facilities including several family rooms, baby changing and changing places facilities too.

Delamere forest Gruffalo trail
As I’ve mentioned above, you don’t need directions or a map for this short walk as it is well sign posted. Below you’ll find a quick summary of the walk.
Summary
Start and finish – Delamere forest main car park (forest centre car park)
Approximate duration – less than an hour but there are opportunities to combine this walk with other routes.
Distance – approx 1 mile
Accessibility – This route is possible for pushchairs
Public toilets – Find public toilets in the visitor centre
Other Facilities – There is a cafe in the visitor centre and there was a street food pizza truck on the day we visited.
From the visitor centre head towards the forest following signs for all trails.
You’ll very quickly come across the first of the Gruffalo’s friends (I won’t spoil the surprise over which one it is.
Keep following the trail until you see a sign pointing to the right over a railway bridge.

The path will continue with regular sculptures and direction signs. The Gruffalo isn’t the last sculpture so don’t forget to keep going once you see him.
There are a few picnic benches near the Gruffalo sculpture.

Once you pass the last sculpture and the sign for the end of the orienteering, you are a short distance from returning to the visitor centre on this circular walk. Just keep following the main path.


Enjoy family walks? Join the Family Walks North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best walks for families across the region. Join here.
Where to next?
Find more pram friendly walks Cheshire here.
Find more Things to do in Cheshire with toddlers here.
You’re lass than a 30 minute drive away from this family walk too – Marbury park to Anderton boat lift walk.