Exciting day out on the Gruffalo Trail near Coventry, perfect for a half term weekend

Looking for a fun place to take the kids this weekend? Twycross Zoo, 40 minutes from Coventry, has unveiled its new and improved The Gruffalo Discovery Land this half term and for the upcoming summer holidays.

Discover the Fox, the Owl, the mouse, the snake and the Gruffalo himself in the interactive journey through the deep dark woods. Alongside much-loved characters from the best-selling children’s book, visitors will be introduced to real-life snakes, owls, butterflies and more.

With its new redevelopment, visitors can discover three brand new interactive discovery areas, new Gruffalo Ranger training, new live entertainment, improved pathways and refreshed layouts for a better experience.

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Zoo officials say visitors can still walk with the zoo’s birds, butterflies and goats, meet real-life snakes and owls and have a treat at Oh Crumbs! Cafe, take home Gruffalo Goodies and meet The Gruffalo himself. The four-acre grounds are complete with animatronics and film clips for an immersive woodland experience, designed with children in mind for an enhanced educational and sensory experience.

Entry to the Gruffalo Discover Land is included in the price of entry to the zoo, so those traveling from Coventry can also enjoy the 100 acres of space, home to over 70 species of animals, if they plan a visit. Visitors can also benefit from a new annual ticket, which allows visitors to pay for a day and visit for free for 12 months.

BirminghamLive’s Kelly Ashmore visited the new Gruffalo Discovery Land with her son, which she said “didn’t disappoint”. They were given a Gruffalo Ranger card to be stamped at various points along the route and exchanged for a certificate in the gift shop.

She said the interactive sensory area makes you “fully immersed” in the story, which she described as “wonderful”. She added: “The entertainment gets the audience singing and dancing to a Gruffalo version of ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes’ before getting the chance to meet the big guy himself, which was a highlight for me, while my son ran up to him for a high-five and a hug There’s also a gift shop, filled to the brim with Gruffalo goodies, and a playground to burn off any excited energy.

Entry to the Gruffalo Discovery Land is included in the price of entry to the zoo, so those traveling from Nottinghamshire can also enjoy the 100 acres of space which is home to more than 70 species of animals if they plan a visit. Twycross Zoo now offers a new annual ticket which allows visitors to pay for a day and visit for free for 12 months.

Location of Twycross Zoo: East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Rd, Atherstone CV9 3PX – 40 minutes from Coventry via the A444.

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