Located just off the A49 between Hereford and Leominster is Queenswood. Although the forest is free parking cost £3 for 2 Hours or £1.50 for 1 hour.
The forest has a welcome centre, cafe and playground at the entrance. There is a map in the welcome centre so you can get your bearings on what route you would like to take. Before I had arrived I had already planned to go along the Gruffalo trail. On my next visit, I will go on to take the other routes, for a bit of different scenery.
The Gruffalo trail is one of many across the UK within forests based on the books by Julia Donaldson. On the Queenswood website its aimed at ages 2-6, but being the big kid I am I had to do the trail. In the welcome centre, you can buy the activity pack for £1 to go along with the trail.
The forest floor is suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and even my mum with her walking stick. There is occasionally raised gradient but it's no hike. If though you do need to stop there are plenty of benches along the way too.
The trail has 8 boards to find each one with facts and activities to complete. This is where the activity booklets come in but some activities can be done without the booklet. Some boards have statues by the board of characters from the book as shown in my photos.
Halfway along the trail is a viewing point for you to look across for miles. There is a bench that you could sit and look out for hours. The trail though does a loop around in a circle so does bring you back to the car park . The trail took us around 40 minutes but could be done quicker.
Towards the end of the forest, you finally come across the Gruffalo. Hidden between huge redwood trees he stands in all his glory. Standing tall the detail is amazing. If you did want to just see the Gruffalo though you could walk the trail backwards.