A mouse took a stroll by way of the deep darkish wooden… and after checking for Gruffalos, went seeking the Faraway Tree, earlier than on the lookout for a river to play Pooh sticks, trying to find Peter Rabbit’s burrow and ensuring no giants had come down any beanstalks. In case you have children who love books, this imaginary world will really feel very acquainted!
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I’ve written earlier than how books, for me, are a gateway to new worlds and the way that’s impressed my love of journey – and I’ve been rediscovering so many aged favourites as I introduce my daughter to the tales. It’s fascinating to observe her creativeness flourish, mixing the fictional world with our personal, including a serving to of magic to the best stroll within the woods.
However that’s solely the beginning in terms of days out with children who love books – there are some implausible locations to discover round England alone, with hyperlinks to some nice youngsters’s authors, to places from basic tales, and different enjoyable locations to go to for youths who love studying. Whether or not you’re travelling with preschoolers or teenagers, you’ll discover one thing for each age and studying style amongst my prime picks.
Spot the Gruffalo
The deep darkish woods round England have been stuffed with a Gruffalo or two for fairly just a few years now, because the Forestry Fee began creating walks to tie in with Julia Donaldson’s best-loved tales.
And with the Gruffalo celebrating his twenty fifth birthday, there are extra occasions taking place all through 2024. Head out on the Gruffalo Social gathering Path, the place you possibly can seek for lacking social gathering objects and decide the Gruffalo a gift, with a path pack containing equipment to put on, and further actions.
There are additionally some big Gruffalo statues dotted across the nation, together with at Wendover Woods the place we’ve been following the Julia Donaldson trails since earlier than my daughter might learn.
For extra Gruffalo-themed enjoyable, take a look at my evaluate of the Gruffalo Clubhouse in Blackpool
Sleep with the Gruffalo at Chessington World of Adventures
If a stroll within the woods isn’t sufficient, mini followers can come head to head with the purple prickled one at Chessington World of Adventures.
In addition to the world’s first Gruffalo riverboat journey, you possibly can snuggle down in a Gruffalo-themed bed room at Chessington’s Azteca Safari Resort resort, with a particular Gruffalo reward, and the prospect to make use of the Reserve & Trip service to get sooner entry to at least one attraction on the theme park too.
There’s additionally a Room on the Broom themed room in case you want that exact Julia Donaldson story to ship you to sleep, together with an opportunity to see the story come to life in Room on the Broom: A Magical Journey.
Ting from My Journey Monkey tried out the Gruffalo riverboat journey together with her five-year-old… And just like the mouse, they bought away uneaten.
Discover Room on the Broom in Yorkshire
The witch had a cat, and a really tall hat – and you’ll see each, together with the opposite characters from Room on the Broom at Anglers Nation Park in Yorkshire.
The stunning path across the lake is celebrating 15 years this yr – we had a good time once we visited a few years in the past, certainly one of my favorite days out with younger children who love books.
Take a look at my evaluate of our Room on the Broom time out at Anglers County Park
The Gloriumptious Roald Dahl museum in Buckinghamshire
When she first found Roald Dahl, my daughter requested a go to to Wonka’s Chocolate Manufacturing facility – and who can blame her? I wager most of us secretly fancy assembly assembly Oompa Loompas and ingesting scorching chocolate straight from a river…
The closest different is the award-winning Roald Dahl Museum in Nice Missenden, which has every little thing from the creator’s authentic writing hut to a string of hands-on displays, actions and story periods – top-of-the-line days out with children who love books.
Geared toward six to 12-year-olds, there are additionally Chiddlers’ Hour periods for little ones and trails across the village of Nice Missenden the place it’s set. Hold a watch out for normal occasions particularly throughout faculty holidays such because the Terrific Twits Backyard and Squiffing Speedy Science.
Take a look at what we thought on a go to to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, plus a Dahl-themed path by way of the village
Quentin Blake at Moyse’s Corridor Museum, Suffolk
Head additional north to Suffolk to find extra in regards to the artist behind the photographs accompanying Dahl’s phrases – Quentin Blake’s well-known illustrations have been showing at WWT websites across the nation lately, however there’s now an opportunity to see a few of his less-well recognized works at Moyse’s Corridor Museum.
The Illustrated Hospital places work on show which Blake created for varied hospitals, and which – till now – have solely been seen by sufferers and workers. Uncover every little thing from useful dragons to treetop adventures alongside the best way.
The exhibition runs to October 6 on the museum in Bury St Edmunds.
Play Poohsticks within the Hundred Acre Wooden, Sussex
Ashdown Forest impressed the situation of the Winnie the Pooh tales, and Pooh Bridge itself – the place Pooh invented Poohsticks – is close to Cotchford Home, dwelling to AA Milne and Christopher Robin.
Gather loads of sticks as you stroll by way of the woods and when you’ve had just a few video games, how a couple of heffalump hunt, or an expotition to the North Pole, whereas retaining a cautious eye out for woozles and wizzles in fact.
Claire from Suitcases and Sandcastles has some nice recommendations on exploring the forest or strive certainly one of VisitEngland’s different greatest locations to play Poohsticks, together with Morden Corridor Park, the place we’ve loved quite a lot of video games
Discover the door to Narnia in Oxford
You may not uncover everlasting winter (hopefully) or too many lions in Oxford, however you possibly can see the door which is alleged to have impressed the doorway to the land of Narnia – CS Lewis studied and taught within the metropolis and would have typically handed the intricately carved door reverse the College Church of St. Mary the Virgin.
In the event you can go to Magdalen Faculty as effectively, the animals carved on the pillars are additionally mentioned to have impressed the part the place Aslan brings the frozen animals again to life.
Don’t miss The Story Museum as effectively, with its Enchanted Library rooms bringing favorite tales to life, together with an opportunity to step inside Narnia.
Uncover Harry Potter’s Oxford
From filming places like Christ Church school to the cloisters of New Faculty, in addition to historic streets which really feel tailored for wizards, Oxford is a superb place for youths who’re followers of Harry Potter.
We took a Harry Potter strolling tour of Oxford, taking us contained in the Bodleian library the place some extra scenes had been filmed, in addition to mixing trivia quizzes with tales of pranks that the Weasley twins would have been happy with, a statue that impressed Practically Headless Nick and extra behind-the-scenes tales.
For extra Harry Potter days out within the UK, and Harry Potter places in London, take a look at these posts
Enterprise into the Forbidden Forest in London
For Harry Potter followers, there may be nothing fairly as magical because the Warner Bros Studio Tour – having visited a number of instances, together with when the Hogwarts Categorical was first added I’ve fairly actually spent all day exploring there.
Alongside the best way, you possibly can step into the Forbidden Forest the place you possibly can uncover implausible beasts – be careful for Aragog although – in addition to stepping inside Gringott’s Financial institution (watch out for dragons right here), assembly creatures galore from the films, waving your personal wand, driving a broomstick and much more.
Fly a broomstick over Hogwarts in Northumberland
Alnwick Citadel in Northumberland is famously one of many most important filming places for Harry Potter, to not point out a magical place to discover in its personal proper – however the enchanting icing on the cake is the prospect to fly a broomstick there, on the spot the place Harry had his personal first flying lesson within the movie.
There’s a tour taking you to a number of the filming places across the grounds as effectively, or you will discover data as you discover by yourself. Don’t miss the fortress’s personal dragon too.
We had a go at levitating their very own brooms there – take a look at my evaluate of a day at Alnwick Citadel with children
Go to Hobbiton’s inspiration close to Birmingham
With dragons, elves and journey, I cherished studying The Hobbit once I was youthful – though I didn’t get quite a lot of pages in to The Lord of the Rings for fairly just a few extra years.
And whereas JRR Tolkein wrote his well-known novels in Oxford, a number of the places had been impressed by his early years dwelling in Birmingham.
Head exterior the town to Sarehole Mill the place the Tolkein boys used to play, and whose miller used to chase Tolkein and his brother away, simply because the hobbits had been from the Nice Mill. The countryside and the rising industrialisation of the realm all went on to play a component when Tolkein was creating Center Earth.
There are additionally strolling excursions in Oxford which embrace JRR Tolkein in addition to CS Lewis
Chase Peter Rabbit in Cumbria
House to Beatrix Potter, who wrote her tales in seventeenth century farmhouse Hill Prime, there’s a Beatrix Potter path across the lakeshore grounds of Brockhole – itself dwelling to a number of the creatures which seem in her books.
However better of all for followers of her fluffy creations, simply alongside the lake shore, you’ll additionally discover The World of Beatrix Potter, the place you possibly can discover Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s kitchen, Jemima Puddle-duck’s woodland glade and Peter’s backyard.
Discover Mr McGregor in Hertfordshire
For much more Peter Rabbit, there’s an opportunity to satisfy him at Willows Exercise Farm not removed from St Albans – and play in his journey playground.
To not point out raiding the enormous radishes in Mr McGregor’s backyard. Regardless of the Christmas sights on throughout our go to, that was nonetheless simply certainly one of my daughter’s favorite elements.
It’s expanded since we visited, with the Lily Bobtail Nature Discovery Space, the kitchen and laundry of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and the cutting-edge Nice Invention Sensory recreation, created by Mr Bouncer. You may step into Mr Tod’s Lair in case you’re courageous sufficient, whereas the Peter Rabbit Secret Treehouse is the right place to identify Outdated Brown!
Watership Down on the Downs
For a distinct story of bunnies, head to the North Wessex Downs in Hampshire. Right here sits a hill at Ecchinswell, named Watership Down – giving its identify to the story of rabbits discovering a brand new dwelling.
I bear in mind being in absolute floods of tears on the finish of the movie, and considering of Hazel, Bigwig, Bluebell, Fiver et al nonetheless brings a slight lump to my throat (so I haven’t learn it to my daughter simply but) but it surely’s a ravishing place for a stroll regardless.
There are numerous strolling trails, together with one which passes Nuthanger Farm – hold your eyes out for wild rabbits hopping round in case you’e quiet.
Comply with the Well-known 5 and go wild in Dorset
You may observe within the Well-known 5’s footsteps in Dorset the place Corfe Citadel was the inspiration for Kirrin Citadel, which seems together with Kirrin Island in a number of books.
The smash which Enid Blyton visited in 1941 remains to be there, together with a portray of the 5 in Corfe Station – steam trains nonetheless puff alongside the route from Swanage too, and you’ll even mix it with a ship journey to Poole for a correct old school journey.
Close by Brownsea Island, with its crimson squirrels and timeless air, additionally helped encourage Kirrin Island – solely accessible by boat, it makes an incredible time out with children in Dorset.
Learn what we considered a time out on Brownsea Island, Dorset
Spot Paddington in London
Alongside Platform 1 at Paddington Station, there’s a steel statue of a really well-known bear – sitting on a bench, ready for somebody to take care of him. And it’s arduous to beat Paddington in terms of youthful children who love books.
With a adorned bench not distant, reward store and loads of locations to get a sticky bun (marmalade sandwiches are a bit trickier), it’s a enjoyable go to by itself for mini Paddington followers – together with my daughter.
It’s removed from the one statue of the lovable bear from darkest Peru, with one other one in Leicester Sq., in addition to two on the banks of the close by canal. Add in a Paddington afternoon tea bus tour, the brand new immersive Paddington Expertise on the South Financial institution, Paddington strolling excursions and a complete lot extra, and you might theme a whole London journey round Paddington Bear.
For extra locations to seek out Paddington in London, take a look at this publish for inspiration
The Wind within the Willows at Henley
At Henley’s River and Rowing Museum, there’s a nook devoted to the Wind within the Willows, with the tales recreated by fashions – it’s a beautiful place for youthful children particularly to lose themselves on this planet of Kenneth Grahame’s tales.
We even bought to satisfy Mr Toad on our go to, though the actions and family-friendly displays change all year long.
Spot ghosts in Salisbury
A fantastic choice for older major faculty age children, Cornelia Funke’s Ghost Knight e-book was impressed by a go to to Salisbury Cathedral and its faculty – you possibly can nonetheless see the effigy of William Longspee, who makes an look within the novels.
Whereas there was once a path to take you to varied places with hyperlinks to the story, this not appears to exist, however followers gained’t wrestle to determine locations they recognise from the e-book. Don’t miss Magna Carta whilst you’re there.
Swallows and Amazons adventures, Cumbria
If Peter Rabbit doesn’t tempt your children to the Lakes any extra, Swallows and Amazons is the right journey for older major age youngsters. There are places galore from the movie – one of many authentic stars, Sophie Neville, revisited a number of together with many from the current film film too.
And you’ll have your personal lake journey on Coniston – strive Stand Up Paddle Boarding on the Coniston Boating Centre. On close by Ullswater, Glenridding Crusing Centre has Swallows and Amazons day adventures for aged 6+ too.
For a extra relaxed model, you possibly can cruise aboard Steam Yacht Gondola too, which impressed Captain Flint’s houseboat.
For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do within the Lake District with children, take a look at my prime picks
Path Dracula in Whitby
In case your children have moved on from youngsters’s tales to basic literature, there are few extra evocative locations to deliver a narrative to life than Whitby, the place Dracula famously got here shore within the form of a canine.
Climb the 199 steps from the Outdated City to St Mary’s Church, and look out for the grave of Mr Swales, one other character in Dracula, within the graveyard (together with real-life Arctic explorer William Scoresby).
There are sometimes performances of Dracula at Whitby Abbey close by, though the atmospheric ruins are price a go to everytime you’re in Whitby. Or for one thing distinctly extra kitsch, enjoy all issues vampire on the Dracula Expertise. Geared toward 13+, the attraction mixes animation and particular results with dwell actors to introduce guests to Dracula’s connection to Whitby, plus the prospect to see Christopher Lee’s cloak.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Whitby with children, take a look at my prime picks
Go to Seven Tales in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Hold heading north east to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for a go to to Seven Tales: The Nationwide Centre for Youngsters’s Books – the free museum is devoted to gathering, preserving and celebrating youngsters’s books.
Whereas there are sometimes altering exhibitions, there’s an incredible show asking ‘The place do Tales come from’, trying on the method related plots seem in numerous instances and cultures around the globe – and taking a look at the concept that there are solely seven varieties of story.
Elsewhere, you possibly can step into Judith Kerr’s kitchen (the place the Tiger famously got here to tea) and meet Mog the forgetful cat. However that’s solely the start… 2024’s touring exhibitions embrace Elmer and Buddies, in addition to common storytime and craft periods.
Uncover Youngsters’s Story Centre
You don’t have to have the ability to learn to get misplaced in tales at Uncover: Youngsters’s Story Centre in London’s Stratford, geared toward children aged from 0 to 11.
This implausible multi-sensory play area in east London is ideal for younger youngsters, full with two flooring of magical Story Worlds and a Story Backyard, that includes every little thing from a pirate ship to a spacecraft and loads of different enjoyable imaginary lands for youths to discover.
There are numerous timed actions and you’ll construct your personal session, together with any particular exhibitions and storytelling, plus the play areas throughout the 2 most important flooring.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Devoted to preserving and recounting tales, there’s at all times one thing to find at The Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, with additional occasions through the Edinburgh Competition however lots to entertain children year-round.
Count on dwell storytelling, in addition to workshops and exhibitions, to not point out theatre, dance and music performances for all ages on the web site within the coronary heart of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile.
In case you are visiting Edinburgh with children who love Harry Potter, there are hyperlinks galore to the tales which JK Rowling wrote within the metropolis – discover one inspiration for Diagon Alley, take a Potter-themed strolling tour and extra.
Be careful for…
Charlie & Lola
There are repeatedly exhibitions on Lauren Childs’ work across the UK – and whereas there’s nothing at present lined up for Charlie & Lola followers, it’s price retaining a watch out.
We went to an exhibition at Mottisfont when my daughter was younger, whereas there was one other exhibition at Newby Corridor just a few years in the past, amongst others.
*First revealed 2017, final up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions on the perfect days out for youths who love books are my very own (and my daughter’s)
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