FREE: Superworm Trail in Forests across England

https://minitravellers.co.uk/free-superworm-trail/
Share

Following on from the success of the Stickman, The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child trails, the hugely popular children’s picture book Superworm returns to Forestry England’s woods and forests in January 2022 with a brand-new family activity trail.

Launching on 5 January 2022*, the new Superworm trails follow the premiere of the animated special from Magic Light Pictures, which aired on BBC One on Christmas Day. *Some trails will launch a little later, check your local forest.

 You can take part in a self-led Superworm activity trails in forests across England.  For more information click here.

AD | I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

“Superworm is super-long. Superworm is super-strong. Watch him wiggle! See him squirm! Hip, hip, hooray for SUPERWORM!”

The trail has been designed to have elements that are suitable for children aged 3-6 and other elements that will appeal to 6-8 year olds.  

When mine were 4,4,and 5 they were the perfect age for this and we visited first time round in 2015.  

So on an overcast August bank holiday in Bishop Auckland we made our way to Hamsterley Forest, with wellies and waterproofs just in case.

Grandma bought the activity sheet from the visitors centre for £3.50 and a copy of the book and off we set!

First it was over the bridge with an opportunity to play Pooh Sticks. Since our glamping trip to the Forest of Bowland the girls can’t pass a rive and a bridge without throwing some sticks in.

IMG_4033

Then it was onto the little activity park, with rolling logs and monkey bars to climb on.

The Superworm signs and activity leaflet combined gave you little activities to do at every sign.  For me I think the Superworm trail missed the characters in the trees like the Gruffalo had, and given how little these must cost I don’t know why the didn’t do this. Instead the Gruffalo ones are still up.  That didn’t seem to bother the kids too much, but maybe something for the Forestry team to think about for the next one.

IMG_4030

As ever in the forest the kids had great fun building dens and this time they ‘fished’ for leaves with the string provided in the activity bag.

As we got half way round the trail, and towards the large adventure playground, it was 12.00 and time for lunch.  So we stopped for a very British picnic; by which I mean we started to eat our picnic lunch and then it started to rain!  The light rain didn’t stop play though and the kids finished their lunch and played around on the playground for quite a while.

IMG_4059

We started to finish the trail but rain then did stop play as the slightly annoying thing about the end of the Superworm trail at Hamsterley is that the second part of it just doubles back on itself, so as you walk out you know you just have to walk back the same way.  If you have small children or less time, it works really well just to stop at activity No5, play on the playground, eat a picnic and head back.

We had hoped to stop for coffee and cake in the visitors centre cafe before we went home, but as it was a very wet bank holiday it was far too full.  We did take the opportunity to buy good cake though to eat once home.

IMG_4060

At just £4 per car to park at Hamsterley, the Superworm Trail is very good value particularly for a day out at August Bank holiday.

 
+ posts

Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!

Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.

22 thoughts on “FREE: Superworm Trail in Forests across England”

  1. Fantastic! The Forestry Commission really do cater well to children, don’t they. We went on a Gruffalo Trail when we were visiting the mainland last summer (I’ve still yet to blog it!!) which the kids loved. They’d like this superworm trail too, I’m sure.

    Reply
  2. We missed the Gruffalo trail last year but they had left up some figures when we did Superworm in February, so we got a quick taste. Having now done Room on the Broom in Yorkshire, I agree it’s lovely to find things hidden in the trees, but at 2 1/2, Superworm was a great way to get my daughter out into the woods. #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  3. I love the look of these trails! There never seems to be any up here, but will have to keep an eye out as they do look fun. A shame that it loops back on itself, but at least you had lots of fun on the trail and playing at the park. We often eat and play in the rain at the park too, it has to be done, there’s never enough good weather anyway! 🙂 x
    Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x

    Reply
  4. This sounds like a great activity. We did the gruffalo’s child one last year. This year we will be near the one’s in the Lake District in October so we might have to visit one of them.

    Reply
  5. I love these trails they are great for the children, mine aren’t usually big on walking just for the sake of a walk so doing something like this really encourages them Thanks for linking up to #kidscorner x

    Reply
  6. I love Julia Donaldson. I’d love to do these trails. I wish they were nearer. Silly summer rain seems to have been about so much more this year hasn’t it? i’m glad it didn’t deter you from staying outside and having fun and that you still managed to get cake in the end! I’m going to google if there are any Gruffalo trails etc near me! I’m sure I’ve heard of them down here before. Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertheweather x

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.