Forestry England celebrate 25 years of The Gruffalo with an exciting forest adventure
Forestry England is thrilled to announce a year-long celebratory trail launching on 24th January, to mark the 25th anniversary of the award-winning picture book, “The Gruffalo”.
Since 2014, the collaboration between Magic Light Pictures and Forestry England has enchanted families in England, immersing them in the magical world of the Gruffalo within the nation’s deep dark woods.
To mark this remarkable milestone, Forestry England is inviting families from across England to join in the festivities and celebrate the Gruffalo's 25th birthday on an exciting new trail experience.
The Gruffalo's 25th birthday trail is going to be a big party in the forest! As part of the adventure, families will be encouraged to work together to search for missing party items whilst enjoying fun and games along the trail. Participants will also learn about the intricate ways plants and animals look after each other.
Available at 26 forest sites from 24th January, the trails will boast five large activity panels, two of which will include interactive elements. In addition, visitors can expect 15 smaller spotter panels, where they can search for missing party items. Five rubbing stations will also be scattered along the trail, adding an artistic touch to the adventure.
For those looking to enhance their experience, an accompanying trail pack will be available to buy on-site for just £4. These will include a festive party headband to get you into the party spirit, an activity leaflet for curious minds, stickers, pencils and crayons to get creative, and a woven Gruffalo sew-on patch as a cherished keepsake.
This fantastic celebratory trail is set to captivate Gruffalo fans of all ages, offering a memorable and educational experience amidst the beauty of our fabulous forests. Mark your calendars for 2024, as the Gruffalo's 25th birthday promises to be an adventure you won't want to miss.
For more information and updates on this exciting new trail, visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/gruffalo-party-trail
Notes to Editor
Images are available here. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 291 million visits in 2022/23. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
Magic Light Pictures was founded in 2003 and directly manages film production, licensing, global distribution and marketing of its productions and brands.
Magic Light has three Oscar nominations, and four BAFTA wins as well as numerous other international awards. The company has produced 10 half-hour specials based on the works of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – all have premiered on BBC One, Christmas Day. The films have been sold to over 180 broadcasters worldwide.
Magic Light also runs a cross-category international merchandising programme for The Gruffalo brand, with over 80 licensees and hundreds of products.
In 2016 Magic Light produced two half-hours based on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes. They were watched by 9.3million viewers and have won numerous awards including a BAFTA for Best Animation.
In 2021 Magic Light released its first children’s series based on the collection of books by Axel Scheffler and Camilla Reid, Pip and Posy. The show premiered on Milkshake and is also available on Sky Kids and NickJr. The second season launched in Spring 2023, along with an educational exclusive for SKY in Autumn 2023. The licensing programme is launching in Spring 2024.
Follow on Twitter and Instagram @MagicLightPics
Media contact:
Rebecca Ulewicz, Senior Press Officer| media@forestryengland.uk