This weekend we took advantage of the warmer weather and did The Gruffalo Trail at Thetford Forest. Matt’s friend from University, Stuart, was visiting so we wanted to have a day out. It was nice to enjoy the outdoors and explore the forest. We’ve been before but never taken Miss Belle, which is bonkers given how close it is. We’d heard there was The Gruffalo trail there and seeing as Miss Belle is the biggest ever fan, we thought it’d be right up her street. As we set off in the car I told her we were going to the woods to look for The Gruffalo. She was so excited and wouldn’t stop talking all the way there.
The (scary) Gruffalo
There’s no entrance fee at Thetford Forest, you just pay for the parking, and then for the trail map, which was only £1.50. The map is described as an introduction to orienteering, but I swiftly passed it to Stuart to lead the way. There are 12 points along the trail and two statues, one of The Gruffalo, and one of The Gruffalo’s child. There are also some wooden carvings of the owl and squirrel. We didn’t see the mouse, snake or fox!
Right at the start of the trail you come to The Gruffalo. I spotted him so crouched down and pointed to show Miss Belle. She was curious. As we got close she pretty much shouted “noooo, noooo, noooo!” This was partly our fault because we’d not long passed the play area and she had wanted to go on the swings. We told her we’d do it later, much to her protests. As we got nearer The Gruffalo, there were lots of parents taking photos of their little ones next to it. I got my iPhone out ready. But no, not my child. She wasn’t having any of it! She squirmed out of Daddy’s arms and cried and refused to have her photo taken! Given she’d not shut up about The Sodding Gruffalo all the way there, I was mildly disappointed!
Never mind, I should be used to this by now. On with the trail we went. She started to get more into it then. We looked at all the clues and asked her what she could see. Throughout the woods there were areas where you could play with musical instruments that had been made, so we stopped at a few of those too.
The (Gruffalo’s) Child was feeling brave(er)
The trail is good for toddlers because it’s not very long, and within an hour we were nearly finished. The Gruffalo’s Child statue is towards the end, and she was lying down asleep. Daddy spotted her and picked Miss Belle up. He told her The Gruffalo’s Child was sleeping and they had to be quiet, and she was transfixed! She wandered up to The Gruffalo’s Child in total awe of her (because it’s oh so different to The Gruffalo, obviously!)
We had to have a good look at the purple prickles all over her back… 
Afterwards we grabbed a picnic bench and had our picnic. Then we headed to the play area and Miss Belle had a go on the swings, slides and ran in and out of the wooden houses. There’s also a mini assault course which Daddy took her on. She walked along some beams and stepped over big stepping stones. She really enjoyed it. It was like her Tumble Tots classes!
We were back home by 2.30pm and Miss Belle had a 2 hour nap – clearly worn out from the fun (and slight trauma) of meeting The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child. This week they are launching a new Gruffalo Spotters trail where you download an app. I believe it’s a bit like Pokemon Go in that you use your app with their markers and animated characters come on the screen. Sounds a bit techy but I’m sure it’ll be fun and one to try.
Have you ever done The Gruffalo Trail and did you get the reaction you expected?!
If you’re looking for a (mostly) fun family day out then I would recommend The Gruffalo Trail at Thetford Forest. The surroundings are beautiful!
I’m linking up wth some of my favourite bloggers:
Haha, it did make me how she refused to have her photo with the Gruffalo! This is what my two would do too! 🙂 Looks like a fab trail and a lovely day out x
Author
Haha I should be wise to it now really shouldn’t I!? Thanks for reading lovely! xx
We went to the one at Delamere Forest and your outcome was very much like ours. He was very giddy all the way around (we went the long way by mistake) but when we got to the Gruffalo we couldn’t get him to stand near it. After some coaxing we got one but you can see in the photo that he is clenching his fists by his side. We didn’t see the Gruffalo Child at ours – we probably gave up. Glad it all worked out well in the end. #TwinklyTuesday
Author
Haha, that’s funny it happened to you too! Thanks for reading x
This is lovely! We went to the Gruffalo Trail at Delamere Forest a couple of years ago and I don’t recall there being a Gruffalo’s Child as well. It’s so sweet!
#TwinkleTuesday
This looks amazing! I’m quite jealous I’d love to go! So funny about the photo, but ah, that’s toddlers for you! xx
Author
Hah I know, should have learned by now! xx
Your pictures are so cute #familyfun
Looks fun. We are going to be doing it over at Salcey Forest this weekend, so I can’t wait.
🙂
#Twinklytuesday
My girls would love something like that! Lots of fresh air and fun!
#stayclassymama
Ah – love the first classic #mummyshot – glad she warmed up and you got some lovely photos. We’ve done a few of these trails over the years – grufallo, stickman, superworm and I think they are a really good idea. #familyfun
Author
They’re always in lovely surroundings too which I love. Thanks for reading xx
We’re lucky to have a Gruffalo trail near us too and we love it! I can’t wait to try out the new app next time we go. I remember the first time we did it Max was exactly the same about the Gruffalo though, he wasn’t keen at all! He’s warmed up to him now though, a few trips later 🙂 Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Author
I hope we’ll go back over the summer so she can get more used to it! Thanks for reading and hosting x
Ah this looks like a good day out. We were meant to go on Thursday but couldn’t make it in the end. I will be sure to take them though as we have read the gruffalo sooo many times. I am glad you had fun, Gruffalo trauma aside… thanks for joining us at #familyfun xx
Author
Hahah thanks lovely x
I’ve read a number of posts about this trail but still have yet to do it with my daughters. Thank you for sharing your experience. #FamilyFun
Author
They are fun! Thanks for reading x
You’re welcome #SharingtheBlogLove
This looks fun. We haven’t done the trail yet although I’m sure there’s one not too far from us! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
We did the stickman trail last year and loved it and the grufallo one is on our list of things to do over the next couple of weeks. The girls loved it last time and I’m sure they will again. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
I remember these images 🙂 I love them and am still frightened by the Gruffalo! The trails are such good ideas to get children out and into nature, wit something they are interested in, for a negligible price. There is one near me so I am going to man up and take the little boy on a trek with our book! Thank you for linking to #stayclassymama xx
We have a Gruffalo trial near us and it is one of our favourite places to go. I love that the gruffalos child is asleep!
#SharingtheBlogLove
Definitely going to look at this for when we next visit the in laws in Norfolk!
My youngest was the same the first time we took her in a Gruffalo trail. She liked it from a distance but there was no way she’s was going near it. We’ve been a few times since and now she runs over and gives it a kiss on the tummy .
#SharingtheBlogLove
Gorgeous pictures! My girls love the Gruffalo trail, have you tried the new augmented reality one? It’s amazing! #sharingthebloglove
Gorgeous pictures! I adore that last one of you all with the sleeping gruffalo’s child. My girls love the Gruffalo trail, have you tried the new augmented reality one? It’s amazing! #sharingthebloglove
Author
Thank you! No we’ve not tried it yet but hope to go back soon and give it a go. Thanks so much for reading x