Well-loved tale brought to life with forest’s Timberline Trail
ALICE HOLT FOREST UNVEILS SCULPTURES ON PLAY TRAIL
A BELOVED children’s book has come to life in a Surrey forest with the installation of four new woodland creature sculptures along the Timberline play trail.
Alice Holt Forest has unveiled four new sculptures that now sit proudly on its play trail. A mouse, snake, owl and fox now line the route, allowing little walkers to uncover them within the woods.
The Surrey forest has had a Gruffalo theme for some time and already stars the Gruffalo as well as Gruffalo’s child. These protagonists will now be joined by many of their woodland friends completing the children’s story.
The animals now sit on the Timberline trail. The short children’s walking route has been designed to entertain the entire family. Connecting the main visitors centre to the Timberline Play Area the 0.3 mile trek will entice kids to keep going with its play structures and the hidden depths of the forest.
This means that while the adults walk, the younger members of the group can explore the woodlands. For example they can try to find the magical forest fairies and their friends.
This is all on top of the new sculptures from the well-loved Julia Donaldson book. The author herself has already visited the statues to see how they bring her story to life.
The Timberline Trail is graded as an easy walk on the Alice Holt website, making it perfect for little feet. Working its way through the Farnham Forest the walk route is just off the Visitor Centre car park as well as a cafe meaning that explorers can just turn around and come back again.
One Tripadvisor reviewer was delighted with how their children reacted to the walk saying “the play park was a big hit as was the Timberline trail (with three and five year olds). Lots of the paths seemed easily accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.”
However, there are several other routes to discover including the Habitat Trail which leads off from the Timberline Trail. Also aimed at children, it features wooden play sculptures and ventures deeper into the forest for a further kilometre.
At the beginning of the year, two much loved play sculptures were removed from the route. The 25 year old owl and woodpecker were taken down in January for safety reasons.
Alternatively, the Long Pond Trail also leads on from the Timberline Trail . This route is more ‘off-road’ and although muddy in places is described as very beautiful. Taking you away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Alice Holt, the highlight of the route is Lodge Pond.
All these walks start off from the car park (Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS) for which there is a charge. Otherwise the forest is free to enter. Motorists should take the
A325 from Farnham to Bucks Horn Oak and follow signs to Alice Holt, and the site is also accessible by bus.
Plan your visit
n Opening times: Car park open daily from 8am to 7pm, Visitor Centre and Activity Centre open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm
n Address: Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS.
n Facilities: Café, play area, parking, toilets, baby changing, picnic area, visitor centre, dog wash and accessible trails. n Dogs allowed. n Free entry, parking charges apply.