Meeting the Gruffalo

We have gone a bit Gruffalo mad this Summer. After The Gruffalo Trail at Wyre Forest I saw what else was happening with the Forestry Commission Gruffalo 15th anniversary celebrations and discovered the Great Gruffalo Forest Tour was at Beechenhurst Lodge, Forest of Dean.

Getting to Anyone who knows me will know that I do not really drive, especially places I have never been before. But this was an opportunity that we really could not pass up. I did struggle to find the place, and got redirected all over the place. We found the Forestry Commission office and even ended up at someone’s house. They were so kind and even got in their car so that I could follow them to the right place. Parking was £3.50 for all day.

Meeting the Gruffalo

We timed it perfectly as the Gruffalo was already waiting with a queue of people behind him. We warned of big queues but it really was not that long.

Meeting the Gruffalo

Whilst waiting the boys were each given a frame to put their Gruffalo pictures in.

Meeting the Gruffalo

The queue was closed after us – so we really did time it right. However, a family came who said they had already been sent away once and they let them join the queue.We did not feel rushed at all, and were able to take as many pictures as we liked.

Meeting the Gruffalo

Then the weather took a turn for the worse and we ended up back at our car for a picnic. Most people made the decision to go home. This meant that the queue for the professional face-painter was much smaller. 

Meeting the Gruffalo


The face paints were £3.50 each and the boys absolutely loved them. You can see they were fantastic quality.

Meeting the Gruffalo

It did say that there would be story-telling on the day but I did not see any. I am not sure if that’s because we missed seeing it due to the rain, or that they had gone due to the rain. The trail was the same as the one we had already seen, minus the wood carving and so we never actually went into the forest.

Meeting the Gruffalo

The Schola Foris Archimedes (SFA) were there encouraging us to make our favourite Gruffalo character, with scavenged materials from the forest. 

Meeting the Gruffalo

Despite the rain the boys participated.

Meeting the Gruffalo

They shaped quick drying clay and put in the materials they thought best to complete it.

Meeting the Gruffalo

There was even a cute Gruffalo teddy to help encourage young children over to see what was there.

Meeting the Gruffalo

There were examples, and the lady also talked about ideas for different Gruffalo characters. I am disappointed that I have never heard of them before as they have some amazing ideas. Like we missed a father and son build a den day for Father’s day. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future events.

Meeting the Gruffalo

Of course no weather was stopping my boys from playing on the park!

Meeting the Gruffalo

The drive home was much easier and I can say I gave my boys a fab day out and conquered a bit of my driving fear. Oh and I may have taken a great big tub of Haribos with me!

This will have sparked more enthusiasm for today’s sensory screening of The Gruffalo Live – we are very excited.

You may also be interested in The Best Gruffalo Trails Across the UK

This is not a sponsored post. We are seeing The Gruffalo Live for free in association with The Sensory Seeker Blog.

17 thoughts on “Meeting the Gruffalo”

  1. That is seriously scary face paint!! We love the gruffalo and mine would love to meet him – although I can imagine the 2 year old being a bit scared! It looks like a brilliant day out.

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  2. That looks a lot of fun Joy. As you know we did the trail at the Wyre Forest last week and had a lot of fun, but to meet the gruffalo in the flesh must have been fun. Great face painting.

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  3. Looks like a fun day was had by all despite the weather. The face painting looks very professional and I love the Olaf snowman one in particular.

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  4. We adored the Gruffalo live when we saw it at LolliBop a couple of years ago! We used to have a Gruffalo trail here but sadly its gone now. My little ones would have loved this and those face paints are awesome

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