The Gruffalo party trail at Delamere Forest

Can you believe the classic children’s book The Gurffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday in 2024? Forestry England is celebrating with a special Gruffalo party trail in forests across the UK. We went along to test out the one Find out more about the Gruffalo party trail at Delamere forest in 2024. Find more Family days out North West here.

We went along to Delamere forest in spring 2024 to test out this trail. My 7 year old still enjoys these trails despite no longer reading picture books. We also had my nephew with us who is 4 and a huge fan of the Gruffalo (and my niece who is 3 months which helped us test the pram-friendly side of this trail).

The Gruffalo party trail at Delamere forest

From the 27th January 2024 join in the birthday celebrations for the Gruffalo at Delamere forest.

The easy trail is perfect for little legs and it is also an accessible path for all. It’s a little under a mile from the visitor centre to the end of the trail. The trail is therefore a lovely family walk or pushchair-friendly walk. I was a little surprised that this trail isn’t in the forest but on a trail around the car park.

It’s a lovely trail though and perfect for prams. The path is lower than the car park and they have done a lot of landscaping so you don’t feel you are walking around the edge of a car park but equally, you don’t feel like you are in the forest.

I do think you should combine this trail with a walk in the forest to really appreciate Delamere forest and also to see the gorgeous Gruffalo and friends sculptures. Again this trail is under a mile and suitable for pushchairs.

Find out why we love the Delamere forest Gruffalo trail here.

Find out more about Delamere forest walks here.

Back to the Gruffalo party trail for now though. We love these family trails that are a collaboration between Forestry England and Magic light pictures LTD. They’re a lovely short walk with loads to keep young children interested along the way. It’s worth noting there is no app this year and I did miss that part of the trail but the kids still had a great time which is what counts.

The Gruffalo party trail includes all sorts of party-themed activities and games along the way. The trail sheet and the brightly coloured boards along the trail work together to keep your kids engaged on the walk. They also share fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. You’ll search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and crayon rubbings as you go along.

The Gruffalo party trail activity pack

You can purchase a Gruffalo Party Trail pack for just £4 from the visitors centre in Delamere forest. You can do the trail without the pack but the activity pack and items do enhance the trail.

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.

There are Gruffalo party trails on at Gisburn, Grizedale and Whinlatter too. Find out more here – Gruffalo party trails North West

Getting to Delamere forest

To enjoy the Gruffalo party trail at Delamere forest you will need to park in the main forest centre car park, which is near the visitors centre. This is a pay on exit car park and payments are made by card or device. The sat nav postcode is CW8 2JE.

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

You will find toilet facilities and a cafe in the visitors centre too.

Nearby walks and places to visit with the family

Find more fantastic 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.

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