Room on the Broom trail
This week was half term so myself and the girls needed entertaining. I saw that the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean had a “Room on the Broom” trail which was coming to an end so it was a case of “now or never” if we were going to see it. We had been to the DHC once before for their Gruffalo’s Child trail, when Emily was only about a week old, and the format for this was similar – lots of carved figures arranged to depict scenes from the story. In fact, some of the old characters from the previous trails are on display by the entrance.
For those of you not familiar with Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom, it is about a friendly witch who meets new animal friends (as they find items that she loses as she is riding on her broom) and she lets them join her on her broom. However, with all the passengers on the broom, it breaks. A hungry dragon catches the witch and plans to eat her, but her animal friends pretend to be a terrifying bog monster and scare the dragon away. The grateful witch makes a new broomstick for herself and her friends to ride on and they whoosh off.
Emily was a bit unsure of the figures (although she had fallen asleep in the car on the way and had woken up grumpy)but Freyja loved it! There were boards up next to each scene with part of the story and before I read each one to the girls, Freyja was keen to tell us what was happening at each point.
I thought this trail was better than their last trail as there were some nice interactive parts for the children to have a go at – “witch’s hair” to plait, a frog which croaks as a wooden baton is run down its back and, best of all, the “new” broomstick which you can sit on with the witch.
After the trail the girls had lots of fun on the adventure playground (which you can choose to get to over a wibbly wobbly bridge) playing together in a little wooden playhouse, on the swing and see-saw.
They were then, understandably, hungry by quarter to eleven so we found a picnic bench to have lunch. It didn’t take long for Freyja to spot a huge wooden bench which she decided to try and sit on. Before very long Emily was desperate to join her sister.
There are plenty of other things to enjoy at the Dean Heritage Centre – obviously lots to do with the local history, particularly mining within the Forest of Dean. A lot of the museum exhibits weren’t that interesting for a 3 year old and a 1 year old but they did enjoy seeing the Victorian Forrester’s Cottage and animals outside. There were also some old cider presses outside which Freyja was (worryingly?) interested in. The girls spent a lot of time watching the ducks on the huge pond, giggling at them dabbling and Freyja naming them all (after her friends at nursery).
We did all really enjoy the Victorian School Room. I explained to Freyja how it would be very different to the school she would be going to in September. The girls tried on some Victorian hats – they looked very cute in them but weren’t impressed so they were off before I could get a photo! Freyja decided to pretend to be a teacher and stood at the front of the classroom, bossing around her little sister. Emily just laughed at her big sister.
As it was half term, there were some additional activities put on for the children. Freyja was interested in a mosaic that was being put together and then they made some monsters out of felt and lollypop sticks.
We had such a lovely time, that I couldn’t say no to the girls when they wanted something from the gift shop before we left. They decided to get a character each from Room on the Broom – Emily wanted the witch and Freyja had to have a dragon. We ended the day with the girls cuddled up on the sofa, with each of their new cuddly toys watching Room on the Broom.
This looks like lots of fun – we are big Room on the Broom fans in our house so this would be perfect for us. I love that you can sit on the witch’s broomstick – perfect photo op! #countrykids
It’s a pity you aren’t closer – it’s only on until the end of the month.
We all had a sit on the broom but due to grumpy Emily our selfies together had crying baby on 🙁
This looks like great fun! We have done the Grufalo trail before, didn’t know there was a Room On The Broom one too! Popping over from Country Kids. x
I have not seen another Room on the Broom trail anywhere else…
This looks like a great place to explore, and another great childrens book to turn into a trail. It’s great to hear that they made this one more interactive for the kids and had multiple mini scenes from the book to keep the trail interesting throughout your walk. Freyja and Emily look like they’re having a great time exploring not only the trail but all the different things that the Dean Heritage Centre had to offer. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
It’s definitely a place to go back and visit again and again
this looks brilliant – we have done the gruffalo, gruffalos child and stick man trail at Moore valley but they not done room on the broom yet
My Emily would love A Stick Man trail – it’s her favourite book!
My son loves this book! And Grufallo as well. I wish we can see this trail too! #countrykids
I feel so lucky to have this so close to us. They are doing a “very hungry caterpillar” trail next!
We love Room on the Broom. It was my daughter’s favourite book when she was 3, and my 2 1/2 year old son currently loves it. I wish we had one of these trails close to us!
It is a brilliant book! We are very lucky to have somewhere that does these different trails so close to us.
Ah it looks lovely Karen, the characters are great. This is something I would have loved to take the boys to when they were younger xx
Oh I didn’t know they were doing this! We love Room on the Broom!! We went to the Gruffalo but it doesn’t look as good as this one!! I know they are bringing out another one soon, can’t remember which though. x
There is a Room on the Broom trail? Quick – I’m there! We love RotB in our house and what a lovely way to bring the story to life. Looks like a fab day out.
Yes but it has finished now!!
Thanks for popping by!