This post was written on February 27th 2017. The Gruffalo Trail has now been removed from Wendover Woods.
A Highway Rat Trail was installed in January 2018. Click here for information on the Highway Rat Trail.
The new Gruffalo Trail at Wendover Woods is now open! We needed to get out for some fresh air this weekend, so this was the perfect opportunity to try the new trail. Before we left I downloaded the free Gruffalo Spotters App and made sure that I charged up my phone.
Watch The Gruffalo Trail at Wendover Woods
Wendover Woods is managed by the Forestry Commission and we have visited before to do the Stickman Trail. The new Gruffalo Trail at Wendover Woods is much longer (and hillier) than trails we have done at Wendover before. It follows a new route which starts behind the children’s adventure play area. You follow the trail to find Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo. When you discover a new character you can use the Gruffalo Spotters App. Point your phone at a sign an animation brings the character to life on your phone and you can take a photo. You can even stand in the picture and have your photo taken with your favourite animals and the Gruffalo! Your photo goes straight to your phone’s gallery for you to share with family and friends.
The trail is about 2k long and it took us about an hour with lots of stopping and starting to use the Gruffalo Spotters App, tree clambering, tired little legs and a snack. The new trail takes you quite a distance from the Cafe so be prepared, take everything you might need as you can’t just pop back to the car.
Of course you can do the trail without the new app but it does add extra magic and it really motivated the children to keep going on quite a long walk. Cub is only just 2 years old and we really needed the buggy as it was too far for him to walk and I didn’t fancy carrying him all that way!
The app worked really well on all the points in the trail except the Snake, which we managed to get working after a few attempts. In the end we had to get quite close to the sign to make the animation work. It was starting to get busy as we wandered along the trail and people were really good at allowing children to have their turn to get their picture. Small queues were starting to form at each of the points on the trail, so be prepared for a little wait on busy weekends.
The animations are excellent and the photos we have are fantastic. The Gruffalo Spotters App is a really clever and novel idea and the first time I have ever seen technology used in this way. It’s a great way to motivate children to get outdoors and bring the Gruffalo to life in a new and interactive experience in the Gruffalo’s woodland home.
When we finished the Gruffalo Trail it was time for a well-earned lunch. There are lots of picnic tables at the end of the trail but we headed to the Cafe in the Woods to get some hot drinks to go with our picnic.
We all had a really enjoyable morning on the trail and it was interesting to explore a new part of Wendover Woods that we hadn’t discovered before. Both The Wild One and Cub said they would like to go again and we would be happy to take them.
Top Tips for a visit to the Gruffalo Trail at Wendover Woods
- Download the FREE Gruffalo Spotters App before you go.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged so you can get your photos of Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo.
- Take change for the car park. When we visited the current charges were £1.70 for two hours, £3.30 for 4 hours, £6.10 for all day. Visit the Forestry Commission website for the latest information.
- If you have younger children take an off-road buggy as it is a fairly long walk and it was quite muddy in places.
- Take newspaper or a bin liner to line the boot of your car. The trail is quite muddy and our buggy and boots were filthy by the time we went home.
All information is correct on the date of publication.
Disclosure: We received a car park pass and a Gruffalo Spotters Activity pack for the purposes of this review. Images, words and opinions are all my own.
Your video is adorable! It’s so clever how they’ve used technology in this way. Can’t wait to get to Wendover to try it out!
I love Wendover Woods, we used to take the kids when visiting my parents when they were young, it was always a great day out with a picnic. the Gruffalo App is a great idea and the photos look really effective.
This looks lovely for little ones – a great way to get them out in the fresh air and getting a bit of exercise. I know my nephew has done the Stickman Trail at the forest near where they live.
My best friends 5 year old did this locally and loved it. It is amazing how technology can turn a walk in to an adventure
Your video was great Kirsty! Thank you for sharing it and for the review. How exciting about the app too. Looks good and we can’t wait to try it out! I have two little adventurers raring to go!
That looks fabulous, we have a new one opening this month at Moors Valley and I cannot wait
Great advice. We will go thanks
Please note that The Gruffalo Trail was removed at the end of November 2017
The Highway Rat is the latest Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book to be brought to life on our forest trails. Follow panels and interact with the forest as you head on a journey with The Highway Rat and all the characters from the story. This is now live in Wendover Woods.
The Gruffalo Statue however still remains and can be found at the location designated on our Map. Our New Trail is The Highway Rat Trail, it is a story written by the same author as the Gruffalo. The Highway Rat Trail Activity Packs can be purchased from the Café