Gruffalo Olympic summer activity

Gruffalo

Gruffalo Olympic summer activity

Published: 1 July 2024

Forestry England is gearing up to ignite Olympic-sized excitement in the nation’s forests this summer with a fantastic addition to their beloved Gruffalo 25th birthday trails. Alongside the brilliant family trail, visitors will be able to take part in an extra dose of fun as they embark on a quest to find hidden Gruffalo character signs and enjoy Olympic-inspired challenges.

Families and forest explorers alike are invited to immerse themselves in the thrill of the hunt by finding the signs and then attempting some sporty challenges that promise to test their skills and agility.

Adding a delightful twist to the adventure, players must keep their eyes peeled for scattered letters along the way. These letters hold the key to decoding an Olympic-themed word. 

This free Gruffalo activity will be available at 21 forests across England from 23 July 2024, promising a summer filled with unforgettable forest adventures. At selected forest locations, there will also be a chance to meet the legendary Gruffalo himself, adding an extra sprinkle of magic to the experience.

For even more fun, download the free Gruffalo Picnic Party Park. This is jam-packed with everything you need to host your own Gruffalo 25th birthday party picnic, from party invites to food ideas and party games! 

Join Forestry England this summer as they blend the wonder of the Gruffalo with the thrill of the Olympics, promising forest adventures that are bound to leave lasting memories.

For specific dates and times, detailed information can be found on the Forestry England website.

Notes to Editor

  1. Images are available here. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.

  2. Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. 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. 

The Gruffalo summer activity will be at the following Forestry England sites:

  • Cardinham Woods, Cornwall
  • Moors Valley Country Park, Bournemouth
  • Alice Holt Forest, Farnham
  • Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum, Kent
  • Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
  • Whinlatter Forest, Keswick
  • Wyre Forest, Worcestershire
  • Dalby Forest, Yorkshire
  • Delamere Forest, Cheshire
  • Fineshade Woods, Northamptonshire
  • Hicks Lodge, Corby
  • Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire
  • Sherwood Pines, Notthingham
  • Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire
  • Jeskyns Community Woodland,
  • Hamsterley Forest, County Durham
  • Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire
  • Thames Chase Community Forest
  • Gisburn Forest, Lancashire
  • High Lodge, East Anglia
  • Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland
  • Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Gruffalo fun days with appearances will be at the following Forestry England sites:

  • Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire on Friday 26 & Saturday 27 July.
  • Wyre Forest, Worcestershire on Sunday 28 July.
  • Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire on Monday 29 July.
  • Delamere Forest, Cheshire on Wednesday 7 August.
  • Whinlatter Forest, Keswick on Thursday 8 August.
  • Hamsterley Forest, County Durham on Friday 9 August.
  • Dalby Forest, Yorkshire on Saturday 10th August.
  • Alice Holt Forest, Farnham on Saturday 13 July & Thursday 22 August. 
  • High Lodge, Thetford Forest, East Anglia on Friday 23 August.
  • Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent on Sunday 25 August.

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.

Media contact: 

Rebecca Ulewicz, Senior Press Officer| media@forestryengland.uk |