It’s nearly that time of the year again – love it or hate it, Christmas is just around the corner and Twycross Zoo has rolled out its new Gruffalo-themed winter wonderland just in time to get visitors into the festive spirit.
Between November 16 – December 24, 2024, visitors can step into a world where the magic of Christmas meets the wonders of The Gruffalo in the new Winter Wonderland that will temporarily replace Gruffalo Discovery Land during the festive period.
The four-acre land, complete with animatronics, film clips, and much more, offers visitors an immersive experience in which they can enter the world created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Families will encounter the real-life animals that inspired The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child stories, including Fox, Owl, Snake, and maybe even the Big Bad Mouse.
Claire Purcell is a mother of one and lives with her son Dawson and partner Deion in Colwick.
She was offered the chance to take her family on a VIP trip of the winter attraction courtesy of the Zoo.
“I know it sounds like a cliche, but honestly, the trail was truly magical,” she said.
“You get taken on a festive new adventure where characters from The Gruffalo story are brought to life along a lovely Christmas walk. It really grabbed Dawson’s attention; he wasn’t distracted once, just totally engaged. My partner and I both loved it too.
“”What’s also great is that the Zoo’s animal attractions are themed around it too – there’s a bird enclosure and goat walk-through in this section of the zoo, as well as an outdoor play area and themed Gruffalo cafe.”
“At the end off the trail, you get to meet the Gruffalo and a new character called The Gruffalo’s Child. Dawson loved them both and couldn’t stop laughing.
“You also got to see Santa too!”
“What’s also great is that there are all these photo booths along the trail so you can properly capture the day on camera.
“The Zoo staff deserve lots of praise. They made sure everyone stuck to the timings and helped create a a magical day. I couldn’t thank them enough.
Claire said the attraction had made a lasting impression on her son.
“I don’t think Dawson was that aware of the Gruffalo before we went – but now he’s obsessed and asked to watch the films as soon as we got home, she added.
“Whether your child is a Gruffalo fan or not, I’d definitely recommend a day out there. The trail is really entertaining and then you get to go around the Zoo afterwards.”
- The new Gruffalo Winter Wonderland is open at Twycross Zoo between November 16 – December 24, 2024. Prices for adult tickets start at £38 and tickets for children at £32 and include free returns for 12 months to Twycross Zoo.
