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Update July 2019: Following the success of the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Highway Rat trails at Forestry Commission sites across England, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s magical children’s picture book, Zog, will be the new activity trail for families to enjoy in the nation’s forests this winter. Launched on 11 January 2019, the trails will follow the premiere of Zog from Magic Light Pictures, on BBC One this Christmas.

Join Forestry England this autumn and take part in their exciting new activity glow trails featuring Shaun the Sheep to celebrate his new film A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.

To celebrate the Gruffalo’s 20^th anniversary Forestry England has revealed their top 10 family picnic sites to enjoy this summer along with a fun, free activity pack full of forest activities and Gruffalo inspired picnic ideas. Great for birthday parties or family adventures, anytime, in any forest!

The top five recipe ideas include a gruffalo crumble, mouse’s summer time treats, roasted fox rolls, scrambled snake quiche and owl cupcakes.

The party packs also include blank Gruffalo invitations so visitors can invite their family and friends, recommended party games such as ‘Pin the wart on the Gruffalo,’ and ‘What’s the time Mr Gruffalo,’ as well as different activity sheets to keep the children inspired during their time in the forest.

To help you plan the perfect Gruffalo picnic this summer, here are Forestry England’s top 10 spots:

1.   Jeskyns Community Woodlands – Kent

Grab a picnic and head down to Jeskyns where you can enjoy lunch with the Gruffalo himself as well as Mouse, Fox, Owl and of course Snake.  You’ll find all our wonderful Gruffalo character sculptures in the Tree House Play Area, just a short walk from the car park. Remember your party hats!

2.   Wyre Forest – Worcester

Set aside a day for a leisurely family walk.  Follow the Buzzard trail, Wyre Forest’s longest walking trail at 3 miles, leading you through mixed woodland and forest pools to the arboretum which makes the perfect spot for a picnic. If you venture into the deep dark wood you may even bump into the Gruffalo or the Gruffalo’s Child sculptures. 

3.   Alice Holt – Surrey

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of the beautiful picnic areas, located throughout Alice Holt Forest. Children will love the Timberline play trail with its adventure climbing units, challenging balance beams, wobbly bridges and exhilarating slides – hours of play for all the family. Why not finish your visit with a quiet stroll or bike ride in one of the more remote parts of the forest? 

4.    Hamsterley Forest – County Durham
Hamsterley forest is one of the best places to enjoy some alfresco dining with your family. Build up an appetite by enjoying the fun family play trail which is set along a buggy friendly path, straddling both sides of the bubbling beck. After enjoying all of the ingredients of a great adventure including forts and boats, mud and water, settle yourself down along the river to enjoy your picnic and a paddle.

5.    Fineshade Wood – Northamptonshire

With lovely picnic areas right next to both its main play areas, Fineshade Wood is the perfect destination for a family picnic. Enjoy the Smelter’s trail, a short, circular family friendly walk. Along the trail you can look out for red kites and nightingales, or dormice and newts. So while we can’t promise you’ll see all the characters from The Gruffalo, you might see their cousins!

6.    Great Wood – Somerset

A stunning site in the Quantocks, the wide meadow in Great Wood is a perfect spot to enjoy a family picnic or BBQ, a kick about or a game of frisbee. Spend some time exploring the nooks and crannies of Great Wood and admire some majestic Douglas fir along the two mile red walk, which is ideal for families.

7.    Cardinham Woods – Cornwall

Nestling in a beautiful valley with a bubbling stream, Cardinham Woods is one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. This beautiful mixed woodland offers a scenic meadow for family-friendly picnics and wild playtime.

8.    Wenchford, Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire

Cool off with a family picnic at Wenchford, where Blackpool Brook trickles through the site under the dappled shade of the large oak trees. With picnic tables and grassy areas it is the perfect place for picnicking and BBQs. Make a family day of it and bring a towel, the stream is perfect for paddling. 

9.    Thetford Forest – Norfolk

Whizz through the trees, have fun in the wild play area or have a go at the Gruffalo orienteering trail. Children will love this navigational challenge which uses a simple map to find 12 Gruffalo markers hidden in the wood. If your family is a little more competitive, you can challenge each other to complete the course in the quickest time! Once you have built up an appetite, you can enjoy your picnic or BBQ in beautiful woodland surroundings.

10. Dalby Forest – Yorkshire

The Adderstone Field play area at Dalby Forest is a great place for kids to run about, play games and enjoy the adventure playground. Pack a bag with your picnic and enjoy the space to have fun and games. From here you can easily venture into the woods where you may bump into the Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s child sculptures.

You can still find Gruffalo sculpture sites at:

·         Wyre Forest

·         Fineshade wood

·         Dalby Forest

·         Alice Holt

·         Hamsterley Forest

·         Kielder Castle

·         Moors Valley Country Park

·         Westonbirt Arboretum

·         Whinlatter Forest

·         Cannock Chase

·         Delamere Forest

·         Sherwood Pines

Why not PIN this Where You Can Find The Gruffalo in England’s Woods and Forests