Gruffalo party trails North West England
2024 is the 25th anniversary of the publication of the classic children’s book, The Gruffalo. To celebrate, Forestry England have put on a Gruffalo party trail at loads of their forests across England. There are a few sites in the North West where you can find this fun kid’s trail and I’m sharing details of these below. Find more Family walks North West here.
Please note, these trails have finished now. New Stick Man trails run from February 2025 – January 2026. Find out more here – Forestry England Stick Man Trails
Julia Donaldson trails at Forestry England North West England
Forestry England have been putting on a Julia Donaldson book character trail at many of their forests for as long as I can remember. These trails change every January and they usually run in Delamere forest, Gisburn forest, Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter forest in the North West as well as in many other forests across the whole of England.
In 2024 the theme is The Gruffalo’s birthday party and you can enjoy the trail at Delamere forest, Grizedale forest, Whinlatter forest and Gisburn forest.
What to expect
If you’ve never done one of these trails before and you have young children then you’re in for a treat. These walks are generally around 1 mile long and perfect for little legs (usually pram-friendly too).
There are brightly coloured boards along the trail to keep your children entertained on your walk. You find these and do activities on them and in the activity pack that you have purchased before starting.
If you have done one of these trails before, it’s worth noting there is no app this year. I have to admit I missed the app. We had so much fun with the Zog app in 2023. However these are still great family trails.
There are loads of photo opportunities along the way too. The one at the end is always the best so don’t forget to look out for it.
The Gruffalo party trail activity pack
You can purchase a trail pack at the visitor centre of your chosen forest for £4.
Inside the pack you’ll find:
Inside the pack you’ll find:
- kraft bag to colour in,
- party headband to wear,
- party trail activity leaflet,
- stickers,
- pencil and crayon,
- keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch.
Gruffalo party trail at Delamere forest
We have only visited the one in Delamere forest so far. You can find out about experience of the trail here – The Gruffalo party trail at Delamere Forest.
Delamere forest also has a fantastic permanent Gruffalo sculpture trail. Find our review here – Delamere forest Gruffalo trail.
Find out more about Delamere forest walks here.
Gruffalo party trail at Gisburn forest
We haven’t completed this trail yet but if you have please let me know your experience and I can add it here for other families.
Gruffalo party trail at Whinlatter forest
The Gruffalo party trail at Whinlatter forest is 1 mile long with some gradual slopes on surfaced stone paths. The trail is pushchair friendly.
Whinlater forest also has a lovely Gruffalo and friends sculpture trail and 1 mile long play trail and is well worth a visit.
Find our guide to Whinlatter forest here – Whinlatter forest walks
Gruffalo party trail at Girzedale forest
Grizedale forest is equally fantastic for families with an amazing play area and accessible sculpture trails. It is worth noting that there is no Gruffalo sculpture in Grizedale forest.
The Gruffalo party trail is 0.75 miles long on surfaced stone paths with some gradual slopes. The path is pushchair friendly.
Find our guide to Grizedale forest here – Grizedale forest walks
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.
More useful guides
If you’re travelling to one of these trails, you might be going up or down the M6. Find 10 Places to stop on the M6.
These trails are fantastic places to take toddlers. Find loads more ideas, wherever you are in the North West here – Toddler days out North West
Find more ideas for Family walks Lake District here.
