Room on the Broom trail, Yorkshire – review
The witch had a cat and a very tall hat, and a succession of adventures and animal friends which make it perfect as one of the most recent Julia Donaldson-themed trails.
There’s already been the Gruffalo and Superworm, not to mention the Stick Man trails and Zog. And while most are temporary, the Room on the Broom trail at Anglers Country Park in Wakefield, Yorkshire, is here to stay.
Earlier this year, we had a long weekend in Yorkshire with friends and their four-year-old daughter and along with a day out at Nostell Priory, we headed along to explore.
For ideas of more things to do in Yorkshire with kids, check out my top picks
Unlike the Superworm trail we followed, which was a fairly quick succession of boards dotted in our nearest patch of forest, this trail is spread out around the lake so it made a proper day out.
Even without the activities and carved figures to spot, it’s a gorgeous place with the huge lake stretching off into the distance and only the sounds of fellow explorers and birds.
But for smaller adventurers, this is perfect for motivating them on if little legs get tired part-way around the two-mile loop.
The trail tells the story, which most Julia Donaldson fans will know and love, with several different elements to discover or activities to try including a carved wooden figure of each character, not least the (reasonably non-terrifying) dragon, plus paw and foot prints to hop across.
In between, you’ll find all the key objects from the story – from wand and broom to hat – which you can match to the items on the activity sheet, as well as doing quick crayon or pencil rubbings as you go.
With added extras along the way, you’ll never be too far from one of the Room on the Broom activities to break up the walking.
Finally, at the end, you’ll spot the huge cauldron in a clearing and the customary big sign congratulating everyone who finishes.
Because it is spread out, there’s a bit more chance of missing one or two items from the trail, but there’s plenty to entertain even so and as the route follows a loop around the lake, you don’t really even need the signs to point you in the right direction.
Re-energised by ice-cream at the midpoint and a quick stop at the cafe by the entrance, the girls even found a second wind to have a play in the playground too – before insisting we had the story on the way home and the TV version over tea as well.
If your kids love Julia Donaldson’s stories, check out my Gruffalo Clubhouse review of the new Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse play attraction in Blackpool
Need to know: Room on the Broom trail, Yorkshire
The trail and country park are free to enter. You can buy the activity pack for a small fee at the visitor centre (where there’s more colouring and a giant bear to discover) when it’s open.
It’s worth noting the only toilets (with baby changing) are by the entrance as is the cafe, although you might find an ice cream van at the far side of the lake. There are picnic spots, including a few tables, as well.
The path is buggy friendly, although I’d expect it to get muddy after a lot of rain.
PIN FOR LATER: ROOM ON THE BROOM TRAIL, YORKSHIRE
All images and video copyright MummyTravels
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I think it is great how the forests have implemented these trails that help keep the children entertained. What a great way to get them enjoying the outdoors and walking.
They’re a lovely idea aren’t they – I’m looking forward to stick man soon.
I really want to go on one of the Julia Donaldson trails the next time I’m back in the UK, Room on the Broom is one of our favourites and we know it by heart. The 2 miles would probably make my lazy little one want the buggy, but I bet the running to different things would perk him up enough!
There should be lots of Stick Man trails for you to choose from next year, only a few Room on the Brooms unfortunately. And we did need the buggy too at times, but there was always something to keep them going around the next corner.
This looks so fun! The Julia Donaldson trails are really cute, I want to go on the gruffalo one. Not if it’s worth doing with a baby and no toddler/older children though. It would just be me, the big kid! 😛 Xx
Any excuse! 🙂 Most of the walks are lovely anyway, and pretty buggy-friendly so it’s a nice bonus. I know I read the Gruffalo to my daughter from quite a young age, so spotting the leftover carvings from those trails are good too.
My brother In laws family live nearby and have taken my nephews to this. I really hope to one day be able to go ourselves it looks like loads of fun!
It was great fun – lovely that it’s staying too (at least for the foreseeable future) as the other trails are usually temporary.
I love nature trails if this was nearer to me I would take the children I looked after but we live too far away. I have never been to Yorkshire before.
The Forestry Commission have been doing Julia Donaldson trails for the past few years and there are a lot more of these dotted around the country – it is a shame the Room on the Broom trail isn’t closer to you.
When I was little I loved going on trail walks but they nothing as beautiful as this one. I am yet to go on any as an adult so thanks for sharing.
Since having my daughter, I’ve definitely been out walking and into the woods a lot more – the activities are a lot of fun too.
This looks fab, I have been searching for a room on the broom trail down our way but we have not managed to find one yet! You caught some great photos the carvings are brilliant and its a great way to bring the story alive xx
There only seem to be a couple so far, which is a shame – I thought this might be the next nationwide one, so maybe after Stick Man? And thanks, was a lovely one to explore.
It’s such a fantastic way to encourage adventures outdoors and it’s a great way for the family to enjoy themselves and keep children entertained. This look dlike such a great family day out, thanks for sharing.
Thanks – definitely, I’m all for encouraging my daughter outdoors so it’s a lovely way to start.
This looks really wonderful. I must try to find similar places round to where we live x
It was great – the stick man trails are dotted around the country, so maybe one of those?
I love things like this! What a clever idea! #whatevertheweather
It’s a lovely one, isn’t it!
We love the room on the broom. That sounds like a wonderful trail and a beautiful fun walk. I must look to see if there is one near us.
#Whatevertheweather
It’s a lovely story, isn’t it, and the trail was a lot of fun. There’s another in the Forest of Dean, I think, but those seem to be the only two I know of at the moment.
What fun! We haven’t done any of the Julia Donaldson-themed trails yet, but I can’t wait to see Tin Box Tot’s face when we do. She adores books and gets really involved with these stories. We just need to find a trail near us (before it finishes!). #whatevertheweather
We missed the first Gruffalo ones but have done the two since, and I’m already planning Stick Man – they are so much fun, think Tin Box Tot would have a great time. Looks like there’s one about an hour from your new home too!
This is one of our favourite books, i think would completely love this!
It’s a lovely book isn’t it, definitely worth checking out if you’re nearby.
My daughter would love this – Room on the Broom is one of her favourite Julia Donaldson books. I think it’s a good idea to take a friend though…would help with the walking and make it even more fun. Will have to go next time we head up north #whatevertheweather
Definitely – the two of them had a lot of fun together.
This looks great fun. We did a Super Worm one recently in the Forest of Dean, it was thoroughly enjoyable for the kids although unfortunately it wasn’t set around a lake like the one you enjoyed and we ended up getting completely lost! #whatevertheweather
It was a lot of fun – the Superworm one we did, it would have been impossible to get lost! Still very fun, but we added a wander in the woods on to the end. I think the Forest of Dean has the only other Room on the Broom trail too…
I love the look of this trail – Room on the Broom is a favourite of ours and it’s a shame we live so far away from this as the girls would love it. It’s definitely on my list of places to visit if we are ever in the area. Looks like you all had a fun time 🙂
Really fun – it is a shame they don’t have more of these around the country, this was such a great day out.
This looks brilliant! We love Room on the Broom and have enjoyed doing The Gruffalo’s Child and Superworm trails. This one is a bit too far away from us, but will be having a go at the Stickman one near us soon!
They are great for days out with kids I think – looking forward to Stick Man too.
What a fantastic way of encouraging visitors to the area and making a fantastic day out for those more local. We love these trails and I think I shall definitely ask the boys if they fancy the journey up there.
It’s a lovely idea isn’t it – hope you have fun if you get there!
This is sooooooo cool! Room On The Broom is a firm favourite in our house and was Evie’s first ever book. This trail is so well done, I’m so impressed. The carvings look absolutely stunning and it looks like you had so much fun. I adore the video! You can’t beat ice cream by such a pretty lake. I wish I had the confidence to vlog! 😀 I don’t know who’d have more fun doing this trail, me or Evie! Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertheweather xx
Thank you! I think (secretly) I love this book even more than my daughter – always a winner when it’s huge fun for both of us. And thank you too about the video (although you don’t get to see all the outtakes) 🙂
I love your video, very appropriate music too for fast moving jumpy children! The trail looks amazing and a perfect day out for Room on the Broom lovers. My two, especially my almost 2 year old love it and would have great fun on this trail. I will certainly have to remember it for when we’re down in Yorkshire again, we haven’t found any Julia Donaldson trails nearby in Scotland.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Thanks! I keep laughing when I watch it as there are a couple of points where it looks like I’ve speeded the video up but they were actually scuttling and bouncing around that fast! Definitely one to check out next time you’re in Yorkshire – it seems only to be the Forestry Commission in England doing the trails which is a shame.
We love the Room on the Broom trail – it’s such a nice day out! Your video really captured the fun of it too! Good tip about the toilets – it is a long way around for potty training tots! Thank you for linking up with #YorkshireFamily
It was so lovely scampering around the lake. (And thankfully six months on, I’m a *bit* less obsessed with where the toilets are)
This looks like an amazing day out. I didn’t realise that there was one of the trials so close to us!
It was really fun – lovely by the lake in the sunshine.
We went to this quite a few months ago…but you’ve reminded me that we need to go again! It’s such a lovely place to walk round isn’t it? X
It’s really lovely – I wish I lived a bit closer.