Travel test

WHAT: The Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star Trail at Warwick Castle.

The historic venue has teamed up with the popular Julia Donaldson story, which has been adapted into two BBC Christmas Day TV specials. The trail, and the activities are included as part of the main entrance fee, and all the castle’s usual attractions. Child tickets from £8 and adults from £12, when booked in advance. warwick-castle.com

WHERE: The Zog Trail is spread throughout the castle’s grounds, making it easy to tick off the various tasks while also making sure you see the other attractions. Warwick Castle is two miles from J15 of the M40 and one mile from Warwick railway station.

EXPERIENCE: The first activity of the trail is at the entrance to the castle, and the kids can complete them in order – and get their cards stamped – as you naturally walk through the grounds.

The activities are simple for all ages, and culminate in the little ones going to ‘knight school’ and winning a golden star. For fans of the book and TV show, it’s great fun, and a chance to have a socially-distanced meet with the main characters of the story was especially welcome.

The castle has made a tremendous effort to get things back to ‘normal’ as much as possible, while also making sure it is Covid secure.

QUIBBLES: This is obviously unavoidable in these times, but you are confined to outdoor spaces for the whole day.

We were lucky with the glorious weather – and I would recommend trying to book for a day when you know it will be dry.

VERDICT: It was so nice to finally have a day out that wasn’t a simple walk in the woods!

The usual interactive experience was scaled down because of the rules, but you still had knights and highwaymen fighting in the battlements while you enjoyed your lunch. We had a great time.

9/10