This year sees Moors Valley Country Park celebrate its 30th birthday and to mark this momentous occasion, the park will be inviting the public to join its celebrations through a host of events and activities.
Last month saw the launch of the Highway Rat trail which saw the kids follow in the footsteps of a mischievous rodent, finding out about the animals that live in the forest and finding clues to the location of the rat.
On that visit to Moors Valley, we discovered a delightful new addition to the park, which we were not expecting.
We are big fans of The Gruffalo and the kids always zoom off to say “hello” to him and the Gruffalo’s Child wooden sculptures on our visits to Moors Valley, but they were delighted to find new story book editions on this visit.
Wooden sculptures of Squirrel, Snake, Fox, Owl and the Mouse have all joined the Gruffalo and his child and are perfect for any fans of the story…….in fact the kids recited it as they met each character.
To celebrate the arrival of these new storybook characters, The Gruffalo himself will be making special appearances at the park between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th.
We also noticed that there have been some major improvements to the play trail, including a brand new snake, with added climbing walls as well as a giant new play sculpture, called the Hawkhouse, which measures five metres tall and with wings that extend to more than 18 metres wide!!
Also coming up at Moors Valley, to coincide with ‘Dippy on Tour’ at Dorset County Museum, the Ranger Den will be taking on a dinosaur twist with visitors able to try their hand at fossil hunting between 2nd – 6th April and again from 9th to 13th April.
We really enjoyed Moors Valley Railway’s Steam Gala last year and are excited to find out they will be holding another which will take place on 9th and 10th June, ahead of the park’s ‘Big Birthday Bash’ 30th anniversary celebration on 15th July.
With the weather expected to be sunny and dry, it is recommended that you get there early to see the Gruffalo to avoid disappointment.
Will you be going to see the Gruffalo this weekend?
My children would love this they love the gruffalo great post
My daughter loved the Gruffalo when she was little so I love that it’s still so popular now. Moors Valley looks a great place for outdoor family fun and it sounds like there’s going to be lots going on there for everyone over the coming months.
I love that the Gruffalo is still as popular as it was when it first came out. I bought my eldest son the book when it was a new release, and he’ll be 18 soon!
My kids loved the Gruffalo when they were little, we’ve not read the Highway Rat but I’m sure it’s just as good. We’ve been on similar trails and I love the thought that goes into the sculptures. It looked like you had a great day out. #CountryKids
I love that this walk incorporates both the great outdoors and a story book – two things which children (and adults!) love.
Moors Valley is such a brilliant place. I wish we had something similar close to us.
#CountryKids
Fab, will have to head over and check this out. We love the Gruffalo! #CountryKids
Sounds like you had a good time. This looks good too, Gruffalo is a classic and looks like lots of fun.
We discovered Moors Valley for the first time last year and loved it. We will definitely be heading back!
Oh wow that looks fantastic and its great that can get right up to the characters! My two both love the Gruffalo so will have to check this out, thanks for sharing! x
My two have long outgrown the Gruffalo but that looks a fabulous place for a Sunday afternoon walk.
This looks like such a fun day out! Sounds like the warmer weather would make this the perfect day. The gruffalo is still one of my faves x
I’ve never heard of Gruffalo before – this looks like a great activity for young kids. Thanks for sharing.
I love going on days out like this with my family. Exploring is so much fun! xxx
It sounds like they have a wonderful range of activities they have going on over the next couple of weeks. I bet the kids loved finding all the Gruffalo’s friends on your walk, it’s always a nice surprise when you discover new things at an old favourite destination isn’t it? I look forward to reading about all the fun activities you guys make it to over the next couple of months.
Thanks for linking up with me at #CountryKids.
My kids would absolutely love this, they’re all fans of The Gruffalo too even though they’re all different ages x
My kids are obsessed with the Gruffalo. They would love it here.
Looks like a really fun day out. My daughter is starting to love the Gruffalo!
My son loves this story! Seeing the characters in real life is definitely an amazing experience. #countrykids
Ahh so much fun! We did a Gruffallo trail last year and the kids loved it, although our dog was TERRIFIED!! This one looks like fun!
We love the gruffalo In this house 🙂 looks a great day out
Oh I love a Gruffalo walk and the models in this one are beautiful. I love how they are painted. We are planning trip to Dorset in the Summer holidays so I will have to see how close this is to our accommodation. #CountryKids
The Gruffalo is a firm favourite in our house – we found him in Delamere Forest last Autumn. The kids were so excited going on the Gruffalo trail, and it was such a great way to get them running around outside. Hoping to return this Easter – have heard there might be an Easter Egg Hunt too!