The Gruffalo Trail

Four cousins took a stroll through the deep, dark wood

The girls saw a fox; by a tree the fox stood

“Where are you going to, cousins so smiley?

Are you here to see Fox, so crafty and wily?”

“It’s lovely to see you here, Fox, but no

We’re off on a hunt for a Gruffalo.”

 

The start of the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt Forest

 

“A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo?”

“A Gruffalo? Why didn’t you know?

A big scary creature from our favourite tale

Is here in this forest at the end of the trail”

“Where is he hiding?” “We really can’t say

But look, here’s an arrow to show us the way”

“Lovely to chat to you Fox, cheerio!

Now on with our trail we really must go.”

 

Jessica with her cousins standing by the fox on the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt Forest

 

The cousins continued their walk through the wood

When they spotted a snake, coiled as tight as it could

“Where are you going to, cousins together?

Are you off for a picnic in the warm sunny weather?”

“A picnic sounds wonderful, Snake, but no

We’re following the trail of the Gruffalo.”

 

Jessica and Sophie with their cousins standing next to the Snake on the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt Forest

“A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo?”

“A Gruffalo? Why didn’t you know?

A storybook creature with a prickly behind

Is here in the forest for us girls to find.”

“Where is he hiding?” “We really don’t know

But the arrows will show us the way we should go.”

“Goodbye to you Snake, now off on our way

To hunt out the Gruffalo before the end of the day.”

 

Jessica, Sophie and their cousins with the Mouse on the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt Forest

 

On past the Mouse, through the deep, dark wood

In the trees an owl hooted (as all good owls should)

“Where are you going to, cousins so jolly?

Are you looking for insects in the brambles and holly?”

“We’ve seen several insects there, Owl, but no

We’re looking instead for a Gruffalo.”

 

My nieces standing under a tree with Owl from the Gruffalo in the branches

 

“A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo?”

“A Gruffalo? Why didn’t you know?

A fantastical creature from our favourite book

He’s hiding here somewhere, we just have to look.”

“Where is he hiding?” “He can’t be far now

We’ll just follow this little path here and… OH WOW!”

 

Jessica, Sophie and their cousins standing next to the Gruffalo sculpture at Alice Holt Forest

 

For in the clearing before them, enormous in size

A big hairy Gruffalo with bright orange eyes

And a poisonous wart at the end of his nose

Standing there to be cuddled and for photos to pose

With his prickly back and his knobbly knees

And a miniature Gruffalo hiding there in the trees

 

Jessica and Sophie with their cousins standing by a cut-out Gruffalo on the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt Forest

 

“Look it’s the Gruffalo! Our search here is done

Wasn’t the trail through the woods so much fun?

How lovely to meet you, Gruffalo, and au revoir!

For we must say goodbye and get back to the car”

 

Back through the path in the deep, dark wood

The four cousins agreed that the trail was good.

 

© Louise George – 15th August 2014

 

Inspired by ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler with photos from the Gruffalo trail at Alice Holt forest.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays CornwallU, me and the kids

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30 thoughts on “The Gruffalo Trail

  1. You clever lady, great story and the kids look like they are enjoying themselves 🙂 love the sound of The Gruffalo hunt! #CountryKids

    1. Thank you – it’s a great way to go and explore the woods – would definitely recommend, there’s a few of them around the country 🙂

  2. I love how you have written this!
    We did the same one at Westonbirt about a month ago – a really nice spin on a family walk in the woods. Love the photo with The Gruffalo.

    1. Thank you – promised my nieces I would write it in the style of the Gruffalo for them. We all had a fab day out – it’s great that there are so many of these around the country, a great way to get kids out for a walk in the woods 🙂

    1. Thank you – promised my nieces I would write it in the style of the Gruffalo for them. We all enjoyed it very much, glad you enjoyed doing it too 🙂

  3. this looks fab, and I wish I had one closer to visit as I have a soft spot for the gruffalo

  4. This is lovely, you’ve written this so perfectly. I’m loving this Gruffalo Trail. Our local one is rather poor in comparison, no characters to find and certainly no Gruffalo at the end. Such a shame as my two love The Gruffalo. x #CountryKids

    1. Thank you – what a shame your trail hasn’t got the characters to find or the Gruffalo though. I didn’t realise they were all different x

  5. Great pictures. We have been on our local gruffalo trail. It’s lovely to see the kids get involved with their surroundings. #countrykids

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