Are your kids fans of the Zog tales by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler? Well, there’s a brand new trail used on the books about everyone’s favourite dragon coming to Forestry England sites in 2023. In this post I’m sharing where to find the new Zog Trails, as well as places that have the Gruffalo Sculpture Trail too.
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If you’ve followed any of the Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures trails before you’ll know they are full of a fun activities and facts to help keep your kids motivated during lovely woodlands walks.
We’ve had great fun doing the Gruffalo, Stickman Highway Rat and Zog Trails in Devon and Cornwall in previous years.
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The new Zog Trail
In this latest trail based on the popular picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, children will be able to find out how they can care for the forest and how the forests can care for them.
The trail is self-led and includes brightly illustrated panels, packed with activities, facts and questions.
Zog Trail app
This year there is also a free to download Zog augmented reality app, ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’.
The app has lots of bonus activities to complete including a roar-ometer, a dance challenge and the chance to become Zog.
The app is available to download from the Forestry England website from 30 January 2023.
How long is the Zog Trail?
The trail should keep children entertained for around an hour.
We know from experience that the trail near us at Haldon Forest Park is 1.5 miles long, so isn’t a huge challenge for little legs.
Zog activity packs
While it is free to walk the trail and find the activity panels, you can also buy a Zog activity pack or print it at home for free.
If you buy a pack at a Forestry England site it costs £4 and includes:
- a craft bag to colour in
- dragon wings to decorate and wear
- Zog glasses
- stickers
- a trail leaflet
- a pencil and crayon
Top tip: download and print the activity sheets for free before you leave home!
When is the Zog Trail open?
The launch date for the Zog Trail is 30 January 2023 and it will be open every day based on each forest’s opening times.
I have included a list of the participating sites and links to their websites ordered by English county below.
Where to find the Zog Trail around England
Here’s where to find participating Forestry England sites:
Buckinghamshire
Wendover Woods, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, HP22 5NQ
Cheshire
Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ
Cornwall
Cardinham Woods, Cardinham Woods, Bodmin, PL30 4AL
County Durham
Hamsterley Forest, Bedburn, Hamsterley, DL13 3NL
Cumbria
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, LA22 0QJ
Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Keswick, CA12 5TW
Devon
Haldon Forest Park, Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7XR
Dorset
Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET
Gloucestershire
Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean, Speech House Road, Coleford, GL16 7EL
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Kent
Jeskyns Community Woodland, Henhurst Road, Cobham, DA12 3AN
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
Lancashire
Gisburn Forest, Stephen Park, Slaidburn, BB7 4TS
Leicestershire
Hicks Lodge, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Swadlincote, LE65 2UP
London
Thames Chase Forest, Pike Lane, Upminster, Essex, RM14 3NS
Northamptonshire
Salcey Forest, Wooton Road, Northamptonshire, NN7 2HX
Fineshade Wood, Top Lodge, Fineshade, Near Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3BB
Northumberland
Kielder Forest, Kielder, NE48 1ER
Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Pines, Kings Clipstone, Nottingham, NG21 9JL
Shropshire
Haughmond Hill, Newport Road, Shrewsbury, SY4 4PW
Staffordshire
Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ
Suffolk
High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon, IP27 0AF
Surrey
Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS
Worcestershire
Wyre Forest, Callow Hill, Bewdley, DY14 9XQ
Yorkshire
Dalby Forest, Dalby Visitor Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering
Guisborough Forest, Pinchinthorpe, Guisborough, TS14 8HD
Where to find Gruffalo sculpture trails
And here’s some places to find Gruffalo sculptures in England:
Cornwall
Cardinham Woods, Cardinham Woods, Bodmin, PL30 4AL
County Durham
Hamsterley Forest, Bedburn, Hamsterley, DL13 3NL
Dorset
Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET
Gloucestershire
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Kent
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
Northamptonshire
Fineshade Wood, Top Lodge, Fineshade, Near Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3BB
Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Pines, Kings Clipstone, Nottingham, NG21 9JL
Staffordshire
Cannock Chase Forest, Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ
Suffolk
High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Brandon, IP27 0AF
Find more days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in my big round up of 101 UK attractions for families.