In search of the Gruffalo

So, this Easter weekend, we've been on a bear hunt, an Easter egg hunt, so we decided to finish it off with a Gruffalo Hunt!

The Dean Heritage Centre opened its Gruffalo's Child Woodland Trail this weekend, and we decided to make the most of my week off and go exploring.

The Dean Heritage Centre is set in the Forest of Dean, we took the scenic route and a thoroughly enjoyed the drive for the fantastic scenery.

On arrival it was busy! Talking to one of the team she reported this was the busiest day they had ever had. In spite of this the Centre had manned up with enough people to make car parking straightforward, and once you are in there is enough space and enough to do that it didn't feel at all overrun.

We had a brief look around the main building, Squeaks was entralled by the artefacts, not quite understanding pottery yet.

We went outside and enjoyed a picnic and then went off in pursuit of the Gruffalo's Child.
The trail was fantastic, I took our Out 'n' About Nipper which is much more suitable for trail terrain, and was pleased that the double buggy managed the whole trail without problem.

The children loved the trail. Meeting all the characters and reading the tale as we went.
The trail is just long enough to keep little legs going.

At the end of the trail was a fantastic adventure playground which managed to exhaust all three children. And left mummy letting them have "five minutes more" about ten times over.

Time had to be called in order to meet the man himself. And it made their day. Each started off in complete fear and awe, which moved onto excitement and confidence grew.

As always, we were badly timed, we didn't manage to do everything as the boys tired and needed their nap.
I did notice the Dean Forest Railway on the way home which is hosting some 'Days out with Thomas'. This would make a fantastic day if we could fit both in next time!