During the school holidays, if Ethan is at respite and I have no work on, I try to get Little E out of the house. At the start of the summer holidays, I decided to take her to Abberton Reservoir. Since moving here it has been on our list of places to visit, we have just never made it there. I also noticed online that there is a Brambly Hedge Trail. Little E loved visiting the Gruffalo Trail last year so I knew she would love this. And with the Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre offering free parking, it was a win all round.
The Brambly Hedge Trail
There are seven characters from the classic Brambly Hedge stories in the Abberton Reservoir nature reserve. There is a beautifully designed Brambly Hedge map available for £1.00 from the Visitor Centre if you need a hand locating the wooden figures. The map also includes a wildlife quiz on the back. You can learn about mice, where they live and what they eat.
The Brambly Hedge Trail Map
Little E loves a map so we purchased the Brambly Hedge Trail map. I also didn’t want to get lost as it was our first time visiting Abberton Reservoir. To be honest, if you look at the map on display and get your bearings you don’t really need to buy one. But the map makes a good keepsake and Little E loved following it and finding the Brambly Hedge characters.
Lord Woodmouse
Lord Woodmouse is the first mouse you will find on the trail. If you look closely you can actually spot him from the playground. He is the head of Brambly Hedge.
Dusty Dogwood
Dusty Dogwood is the second mouse you will find on the trail. He is the Brambly Hedge miller and works in the flour mill.
Poppy Eyebright
Poppy Eyebright is the third mouse you will find on the trail. She is the wife of Dusty Dogwood.
Wilfred Toadflax
Wilfred Toadflax is the fourth mouse you will find on the trail. He wants to be an intrepid explorer.
Primrose
Primrose is the fifth mouse you will find on the trail. She is the daughter of Lord and Lady Woodmouse. Primrose likes having
Lady Woodmouse
Lady Woodmouse is the sixth mouse you will find on the trail. She enjoys hosting dinner parties for the other mice in Brambly Hedge.
Mrs Crustybread
Little E really loved following the trail. She proudly stood to have a photo taken at every mouse she found.
It didn’t take us long to complete the trail and afterward, we spent some time in the playground. Little E wants to take her brother to the reservoir. I’m sure there are many nature trails for us to discover. Little E wants to take her flower book so that she can do some flower spotting. There is also a cafe on-site with some lovely views overlooking the reservoir. I have promised Darren that we will go there one day for an afternoon treat.
Below is our video of our visit to the Brambly Hedge Trail at Abberton Reservoir.
