Days Out and Activities in the Midlands for Julia Donaldson Fans
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Days Out and Activities in the Midlands for Julia Donaldson Fans


Julia Donaldson's books have grown in popularity over the past few years. This growth has accelerated further with Magic Light Pictures bringing the characters to life on screen. It's no surprise that new Julia Donaldson-inspired trails, events, and attractions are a must-see for many families.


Here are a few Julia Donaldson days out ideas and activities in the Midlands, including brand-new Zog and The Gruffalo attractions.


The Gruffalo



The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo The Gruffalo Trail Brummy Mummy Diaries

The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo is opening on the 9th of April 2022!

At The Gruffalo Discovery Land, you can meander through the deep dark wood and interact with each character along the way, including:

  • The Mouse

  • Fox and his Underground House

  • Owl and his Treetop House

  • Snake and his Logpile House

  • The Gruffalo

As you follow the one-way path, the story comes to life with interactive animatronics, real-life animals, and film clips.



The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo Map Brummy Mummy Diaries

The Gruffalo Discovery Land also has:

  • Fun shows at The Gruffalo Glade performance area

  • Great photo opportunities

  • The Gruffalo Goodies shop

  • Interactive animatronics

  • Real-life creatures

  • Goat walkthrough

  • Oh Crumbs! Café

  • Play area


How much? £21.95 per adult, £17.40 per child, under 2s free. Admission includes entry into Twycross Zoo as well as The Gruffalo Discovery Land.

Where? Twycross Zoo, Burton Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX.


 

Enjoy a family day out as you explore the deep dark wood in search of the characters from Julia Donaldson's classic story, The Gruffalo. As well as The Gruffalo sculptures, you can download The Gruffalo Spotter 2 App for free on the App Store which is exclusively designed to work at The Gruffalo trails at Forestry England sites. The App allows children to interact with all the characters from The Gruffalo as they appear magically beside them. You can also download free Gruffalo Spotters activity sheets from the Forest England website here.


If you have older children who are looking for a fun, navigational challenge, Forestry England also has Gruffalo-themed orienteering challenges running in their forests. During this challenge, your children have to use a map to find twelve Gruffalo markers in the woods as quickly as possible and answer questions along the way. This activity costs £1.50, which includes a Gruffalo orienteering leaflet and a certificate. For more information click here.


The Gruffalo Trail is at multiple locations, including:

  • Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire

  • Fineshade Wood, Northamptonshire

  • Wyre Forest, Worcestershire

  • Hicks Lodge, Leicestershire

  • Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire


*Parking charges also apply.



 



Touring across the UK is Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of the classic picture book, The Gruffalo.  The production runs for 55 minutes and is aimed at children aged 3 and above.


Some of the locations in the Midlands include:

  • Curve Theatre, Leicester (20-24 April)

  • Brierley Hill Civic Hall (1-2 May)

  • Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (9-11 May)

  • Swan Theatre, Worcester (24-25 May)

  • Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (1-2 July)


How much? Prices start from £8.50.


 

Zog



Zog Playland at Warwick Castle

Brand new to April 2022, the Zog Playland has opened at Warwick Castle.


The new playground features:

  • A dragon wing zip wire

  • Princess Pearl's Tower

  • Slides and swings

  • Interactive sand play

  • Adventure tunnels

  • And so much more!



This combined with the return of Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star Trail (in detail below), makes Warwick Castle the perfect place for Zog fans!


 


Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star Trail at Warwick Castle Brummy Mummy Diaries

We were so lucky to have visited Warwick Castle last year for their grand opening of Zog and The Quest for the Golden Star trail. We were so pleased when they announced that the trail would return for 2022!


Your children can join in and complete five lessons to become a fully-fledged dragon and earn their golden star! They learn how to roar, fly, breathe fire, capture a princess, and learn to fight with Sir Gadabout at knight school. At the entrance, your children get a Zog Trail Activity Stamp Card which your children will use to stamp after they complete each lesson, it also has a handy map in which shows you where all the activities are.


If you would like to learn more about the Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star Trail check out my review from last year here.


How much? Prices vary depending on the day of your visit. Check out their website for details.

Where? Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH.


 


Zog and the Flying Doctors Live Freckle Productions

Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Presents Zog and the Flying Doctors Live on Stage! The show runs for approximately 1 hour (no interval) and is aimed at children aged 3 and above but all ages are welcome.


Some of the locations in the Midlands include:

  • Derby Theatre (11-12 May)

  • Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (25-26 May)

  • Town Hall, Birmingham (23-28 August)

How much? £13 per person.


 

Superworm



Superworm Trail Near Me Forestry England

New for 2022, follow the Superworm trail across a participating forest near you and let your children discover amazing facts about the characters in the much-loved Superworm book.



You can pick up a Superworm trail pack for £3.50 from your nearest participating forests' information centre or cafe.

The trail pack includes:

  • Trail leaflet

  • Kraft bag to colour in

  • Creature facts cards

  • Forest superhero mask

  • Stickers

  • Activity sheet

  • Pencil and crayon

The Superworm Activity Trail is at multiple locations, including:

  • Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire

  • Fineshade Wood, Northamptonshire

  • Wyre Forest, Worcestershire

  • Hicks Lodge, Leicestershire

  • Haughmond Hill, Shropshire (Opening 9th April 2022)

  • Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire


*Parking charges also apply.



 

Stick Man



Stick Man Trail Near Me National Memorial Arboretum

The Stick Man Trail is still running at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The self-guided trail is targeted at children aged 3 and over and follows the journey of the Stick Man back to his family tree. You can pick up a free guide from the Welcome Desk.


The route may be unsuitable for some pushchairs.


How much? FREE but parking charges apply.

Where? National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR.

 

Martineau Gardens Birmingham Stick Man Trail

Martineau Gardens in Birmingham was selected to host a Stick Man Trail created by the Social Farms & Gardens charity. The self-guided trail is aimed at children 3 years and above.


Stick Man trail packs can be picked up on arrival (£2.50 donation welcomed).



How much? £2.50 donation welcomed.

Where? 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, West Midlands, B5 7UG.


 

Stick Man Live On Stage Freckle Productions Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

This Christmas 2022, Freckle Productions' adaptation of Stick Man is back at Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry! The show is one hour long and is recommended for all ages!


How much? £19 each. Babes in arms (under 12 months) require a free baby pass (this is available from Box Office, not online).

Date: Saturday 3rd December 10:30am - Saturday 31st December 2022 3:30pm.


 

*All information correct at time of posting (08.04.2022).


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