Brand-new family trail brings The Gruffalo’s Child to life at Saltram

A much-loved children’s story has been brought to life at a National Trust garden in Plymouth with the launch of a brand-new winter family trail.

The Gruffalo’s Child, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, has taken over the historic garden at Saltram, marking the National Trust site’s first-ever winter trail inspired by the classic book. Families are invited to step into the “deep dark wood” and follow the story through the garden, encountering familiar characters along the way.

Designed as a seasonal outdoor adventure, the trail features interactive games, playful challenges and a variety of family-friendly photo opportunities, encouraging visitors of all ages to explore the landscape together during the winter months.

Olivia Meeson, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager at Saltram, said: “We’re so excited to have brought The Gruffalo’s Child to life in the garden. It’s such a joyful, imaginative story, and the trail offers families a wonderful way to explore the outdoors together during the winter season. Our teams have worked incredibly hard creating moments of magic in the garden and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to enjoy a very special trail this winter.”

Once the trail is complete, visitors can warm up in Saltram’s café, which is serving seasonal treats, providing a cosy end to a crisp winter walk.

While Saltram House is temporarily closed, there remains plenty for visitors to see and enjoy across the wider estate. The closure will allow important preparatory works to begin, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aimed at improving accessibility at the historic property. The house is due to reopen on Saturday, 14 February.

The Gruffalo’s Child trail runs until 1 February and is included with normal garden admission, with no need to book in advance. Garden admission charges apply for non-National Trust members.