Superworm Trail
After the very successful Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s Child trails, the latest forest walk from the Forestry Commission is the Superworm Trail. This wasn’t on at Westonbirt Arboretum (which would have been our first choice), so we went to Beechenhurst Lodge in the Forest of Dean.
It is on days like these that I am reminded of how lucky we are living where we do. The Forest of Dean is so close, but visiting here feels like we have escaped into another world.
The Superworm trail follows the same format as the previous trails – along the trail there are ten stations with things to do or look out for, linked into the story of Superworm. If you don’t know the story, Superworm is a superhero who is captured by the evil Wizard Lizard and his crow and forced to work for him, until all the creepy crawlies he has previously helped come and rescue him.
You can also purchase an activity pack with additional things to do on the trail but it also contained a miniature Superworm book with stickers. Both of the girls really enjoyed looking out for each station along the route and having a go at some of the activities. Even Daddy enjoyed getting involved by “fishing” for dead leaves!
Some of the Superworm trail passes the Sculpture Trail – a 4 and a half mile trail of sculptures inspired by the Forest of Dean (the trees, wildlife and industrial past) and mostly made up of natural material from the forest. The giant chair-like structure called “Place” caught Freyja’s eye as we walked up the path towards it and from here there is an amazing view of the Cannop Valley.
When we visited Beechenhurst for the Superworm trail, it was the first weekend that the trail had opened, and around the visitor centre it was very busy (there were also various activities on here including worm charming!) but the trail itself was fairly quiet and at times it felt like we had all of this beautiful place to ourselves.
After our long walk we treated ourselves to a (very generous) slice of cake from the Gaveller’s Café and then the girls had fun in the adventure playground. What is really lovely about the playground is it split into two parts, one for the younger children which was suitable for the girls, and a section for the older children too. When they are older (and braver) there is a climbing tower with various routes up, catering for all abilities and a couple of vertical abseils down! But for now, we stuck to the playground.
As you can imagine, we had two very tired girls that evening!
I think the Superworm trail is going to be as big a hit as the Gruffalo Trail was. The girls look like they’re having a great time exploring all the different parts of the trail. The play area sounds like a fab place for the kids, and perfect if you need to stay with younger ones but want to keep an eye on the daredevil older ones. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
I do love these trails – anything that keeps kids interested in getting outdoors and taking more of an interest in the countryside can only be a good thing!
Looks like you had a fab day, and some beautiful weather to enjoy it! I think ginormous slices are well deserved after that long walk 🙂 xxx
We were so lucky with the glorious weather. To be honest, I was going to have cake regardless!
Awwww that looks like a tiring and FUN walk! We would want to see a trail like this! #countrykids
It was great! Hope you manage to find one close to you.
We loved the gruffalo trail and can’t wait to go on the superworm trail.
I’m really looking forward to it now I’ve read this 🙂
#sundaystars
Have fun!! It was good fun and nice to have a new trail to visit.
Lovely snaps. It looks like a wonderful day was had by all… and well done on embracing the post walk cake! I’d have done the same xxx
To be honest, I don’t need to have an excuse for cake.
If they sell cake, I will buy it. Just make up an excuse as to why to have it, and if few calories have been burned, the excuse will basically be to review said cake for any readers considering visiting the café and possibly purchasing cake.
Aaah! It looks like you guys had some fun especially with the lovely weather too. Lovely pictures too. xx
We were so lucky with the weather! Thanks for dropping by 🙂