Tom O’Dwyer and his family enjoy an adventurous day out at one of the South West’s most beautiful venues
If you haven’t seen Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man and Gruffalo animations, where have you been?
These stories have captivated children (and let’s be honest, adults too) with their memorable rhymes and enchanting characters. Now, Forestry England has brilliantly partnered with these iconic tales to create something truly special at Westonbirt Arboretum – an immersive outdoor experience that brings the Stick Man story to life in the most beautiful woodland setting, plus the chance to meet the Gruffalo and friends.
The Stick Man Trail is really well thought out, weaving the character’s epic journey home seamlessly into your woodland adventure. Just like in the story, Stick Man is on a quest to return to his family, and this personal journey mirrors your own trail.
As you progress through different sections of the old arboretum – which is incredible in its own right – you’re not just following the story but actively participating in key moments from the tale whilst discovering the wonders of nature.
The Stick Man activity packs are comprehensive. Each child receives their own Forestry Adventure passport and brilliant Stick Man lanyard, immediately making them feel part of the adventure and fully immersed in the experience.
What’s particularly clever is how the experience caters to different ages simultaneously. Younger children can spot characters from the story and collect stamps in their passports, whilst older ones can tackle the activity sheets.
The interactive signs throughout the trail are engaging and educational, weaving snippets from the Stick Man’s story with woodland activities that get children actively participating – they’re not just observers but become part of the adventure.
At each checkpoint, kids are running, jumping, searching and completing tasks that mirror what’s happening in the story – encouraging children to ‘run as fast as you can to the next panel’ when Stick Man escapes the dog or to jump like frogs whilst learning about woodland creatures.
The hands-on elements work really well – using pipe cleaners to create your own Stick Man at the start of the trail gives children a companion for their journey. There are discovery activities asking them to find objects in the forest that match colours on a wheel and opportunities to draw pictures of their adventures.
I’ll admit, as someone who’s 6ft 2in, I was expecting the Gruffalo to be a bit bigger. But then I remembered – to a three-year-old, it’s pretty imposing!
The Gruffalo area allows children to explore the woods behind and discover and spot the wooden characters from the story. It’s brilliant for the kids – turning the corner and finding these characters brings that ‘deep dark wood’ to life in the most enchanting way.
We spent about two hours completing the trail on a scorching 30°C day with my three-year-old (and her eighty-year-old granny), and there was a real sense of achievement at the end. The trail encouraged exploration, play with other children and discovery of different parts of the old arboretum. Even in the heat, the woodland provided welcome shade and the activities kept everyone engaged.
The magic continues this August with The Gruffalo & Stick Man Outdoor Cinema Experience at Westonbirt. I can imagine watching the films in the morning and then going to do the adventure would be absolutely brilliant. The cinema experience will feature both tales – the Gruffalo’s story of a brave mouse creating an imaginary monster to frighten away predators and Stick Man’s heartwarming journey home.
Forestry England has created something truly special here – an experience that encourages children to engage with nature whilst bringing beloved stories to life. It’s been thoughtfully designed, beautifully executed and feels like the perfect pairing of literature and the great outdoors. In an era of flashy, overwhelming entertainment, this offers something refreshingly gentle yet thoroughly engaging.
Pack a picnic, bring the family and prepare for a magical morning that will have everyone talking about their woodland adventure long after you’ve returned home.
www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum
