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!
I've been on the Thomas Days, they are excellent but be aware of the timings of the different parts of the day because there's a lot of waiting around. Off to check out the Gruffalo trail on the Heritage Centre's website, The Boy would *love* that!
ReplyDeleteWill definitely check out the timings- there's one in August so it's been decided I can go for my birthday!
DeleteWhat a fabulous idea for a woodland trail. It looks like you all had so much fun
ReplyDeleteIt really was a great way of getting the children involved one of their favourite stories.
DeleteOh this looks great fun and sounds like a day to remember!
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This looks SO good! I better not show my oldest, we're miles and miles away and I know I'll want to take him!
ReplyDelete(We did the Moors Valley one but there were not Gruffalo characters there, we felt really cheated!)
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible, my girls would love it. I love the picture of your little girl hugging the Gruffalo
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves the Gruffalo, looks like a great adventure with a full size Gruffalo too! Looking at your double buggy it looks just like my old one, we had it from the first children when welded a bike carrier on the front foot space when the triplets came along! Your "5 minutes more" took me back, so hard to take them away from some lovely outdoor fun! Looks like a lovely Easter break for you with lots of adventures. Thanks for sharing them all on Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a lovely place to go. My toddlers are just reaching the age where they can enjoy nature trails. We have a place near us that has a Gruffalo trail but I havent done it with the children yet. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteyou have been on a LOT of different and interesting hunts this week - well done to you all.i enjoyed seeing your photos on instgram of the gruffalo - what great carved characters i would love to take there b0ys there one day x x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - this looks so much fun, my son would have loved it!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves the Gruffalo, we read it every night. A visit to see a full sized Gruffalo looks in order! Wonderful photographs.
ReplyDeletePopping over from Country Kids linky.
Oh my boys would love that! Shame it's so far away from us :( Lovely photos of what looks like a lovely day out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic, what a lovely day out x
ReplyDeleteWe are Gruffalo obsessed here so very jealous that you even met the great beast himself! Looks like a long weekend your way could be in order, especially if it involves trains too!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting having a gruffalo trail! i think my wee man would probably be a bit wary of meeting the actual gruffalo though!
ReplyDeleteWe love the gruffallo book too! Our 3 would love this. It's a shame we live so far away! It looks like you had a lovely end to the Easter weekend. Xx
ReplyDeleteThis looks fab! i love the gruffalo
ReplyDeleteoah ohh look its the Gruffalo! how fab :)
ReplyDeleteMy 4yo would absolutely love that! Great photos of a lovely day out. #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteAw, my son would love that. Looks like you had a great day out.
ReplyDeleteI really want to do this it looks fab
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