A GRUFFALO trail is to be launched at Queenswood Country Park this autumn in a bid to encourage children to enjoy the great outdoors and adventure into the woods.

The Gruffalo trail will feature five, larger-than-life sculptures of characters from the popular books created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – Mouse, Fox, Snake, Owl and the Gruffalo.

Along the trail will also be eight activity stops with instruction boards offering guides to creating wild art, shelter building or learning about animal habitats.

There will also be an activity pack with added extras to complete along the trail and do at home, available from the Queenswood gift shop.

The sculptures have been created by talented local chainsaw carver Steve Elsby who made the original animal sculptures which can be found in Queenswood Arboretum.

More local craftsmanship has been employed to create the activity boards with Say it with Wood using locally sourced cleft chestnut to frame each one.

The trail is to be opened with a fun day on Saturday, September 17 from 10 am to 4pm.

There will be activities including a music workshop, storytelling, face painting and art workshops as well as woodland fun with WildPlay making Gruffalo paw prints, den building, bug hunting, making stick people and mask making.

There will also be a pop-up Gruffalo café created by Queenswood Café, chance to meet the animals with Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue, apple pressing with Orchard Origins, carving demonstrations from Steve Elsby, a special snake walk and a chance to meet the Gruffalo himself.

Engagement Officer, Hayley Herridge, who has designed the trail, said: “The Gruffalo is such a well-know and well-loved character we’re hoping this trail will encourage more children to explore the woodlands at Queenswood – it’s a fun way to present the woodland and the wildlife you might find there.”

As large numbers of people are expected to attend the event, a park and ride service will be available from Wellington Garden Centre and shuttle buses will be travelling back and forth during the event until 4.30pm.

Visitors are also encouraged to take advantage of the 492 bus service which runs from Hereford to Leominster and stops outside Queenswood Country Park.

Installation of the Gruffalo Trail has been made possible through Tesco’s Bags for Life initiative.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust were awarded £12,000 from the scheme earlier this year following public voting for the Gruffalo Trail in Tesco stores across Hereford.

Following the launch event, the trail will be open year-round.

It is less than 1.5km long so manageable for little legs and will also be suitable for pushchairs and buggies.