14 January 2026
Forestry England launches magical Room on the Broom trail
Forestry England invites families to step into a magical forest adventure with the brand-new Room on the Broom Trail, launching January 2026.
Bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much loved story to life, this enchanting trail offers a spellbinding experience for families to enjoy throughout 2026. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the beloved book, the trail is packed with activities, fascinating forest facts, and plenty of hands-on fun. It’s the perfect way for families to explore the great outdoors.
From 27 January 2026, visitors can join Witch and her friends on a spellbinding journey through the forest. Along the way, children will help Witch find her lost hat, bow and wand, and collect magical ingredients to complete her spell. Each stop on the trail is packed with fun activities, fascinating nature facts, and a sprinkle of woodland magic, perfect for young explorers and families looking for an unforgettable day out.
Josephine Lavelle, Forestry England National Marketing and Membership Manager said:
“We’re thrilled to bring the magic of Room on the Broom to our forests. This trail is a wonderful way for families to connect with nature, enjoy a beloved story, and create unforgettable memories together. With fun activities and enchanting surprises along the way, it’s the perfect adventure for young explorers.”
To make the adventure even more special, families can pick up a Room on the Broom trail pack for just £4. Each pack includes a themed lanyard, magic spell cards, stickers, a pencil, and a pop-out craft to create your very own witchy wand.
Find your nearest trail
Room on the Broom trails will be available at selected Forestry England sites nationwide. For more details and to find your nearest trail, visit: www.forestryengland.uk/room-on-the-broom
The Room on the Broom trail continues the successful partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures, which began in 2014, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved characters to life in natural settings. Filled with woodland magic, captivating storytelling, and family fun, this new trail offers the perfect way for families to enjoy the great outdoors together throughout 2026.
Notes to Editor
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 313 million visits in 2024/25. We use our scale and expertise to grow and care for the nation’s forests for this generation and the next. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high-quality woodlands.
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
Images are available here. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.
- Magic Light Pictures is a multi-Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-winning company creating high-quality family entertainment and products. Founded by Martin Pope and Michael Rose in 2003, it is best known for its animated adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, including The Gruffalo, Zog, and Tiddler. The films are regularly a centrepiece of BBC One’s Christmas family schedule, a mainstay on iPlayer, and have sold to more than 170 countries. Magic Light’s growing slate of work also includes the preschool series Pip and Posy, the Oscar-nominated Revolting Rhymes, and the Emmy-winning The Velveteen Rabbit. In addition, the company runs an extensive licensing programme, with over 90 global partners and 2,000 product lines in the UK alone. Recent releases include The Scarecrows’ Wedding, which aired on Christmas Day 2025 on BBC One, and a Zog preschool series set to debut on CBeebies in 2026.