Horsenden Hill, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 7PQ
Gruffalo Trail at Horsenden Hill
route · Woodland walk
Source image
5.0
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.0Five carved characters turn a short woodland walk into a Gruffalo hunt: Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and a seven-foot Gruffalo.
The trail is brief, but its carved characters and activity boards give a short walk through Horsenden Hill’s woodland a playful sense of discovery. The hill’s wider paths, meadowland and views can make the visit more than a quick sculpture hunt.
Quirky · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapHorsenden Hill, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 7PQ
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the trail to find Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and the Gruffalo, pausing at the information boards for animal facts and activities. It is a short route; allow extra time only if you plan to explore the wider hill.
Things to do
Hunt for all five Gruffalo characters
Follow the short trail to find Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and the Gruffalo.
Around 20 minutes on the trail
Read the sculpture trail boards
Each character has an information board with animal facts and activities intended to engage visitors with woodland wildlife.
Extend the outing across Horsenden Hill
Visitor accounts describe continuing beyond the sculpture trail through woodland and meadows, with views from higher ground. Routes and conditions vary; check local signs.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 20 minutes on the trail, plus time for the approach and stops
Quick Escape: find the five characters
- 01
Follow the signs to the Gruffalo Trail.
- 02
Walk the short trail and look for Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and the Gruffalo.
- 03
Pause at the boards beside the sculptures for their animal facts and activities.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Horsenden Hill
- 01
Explore the Gruffalo Trail and take time to read the boards.
- 02
Extend the walk into the surrounding hill paths, woodland and meadows.
- 03
Pause to take in the views from the hill; bring a picnic or check whether the Horsenden Loaf café and bakery is open.
Verified history
Ealing’s local news reported the trail in 2016. Devon-based artist Dan Cordell carved the five figures over six weeks: the Gruffalo from redwood and the four smaller characters from sweet chestnut. The project was council-funded and licensed by Magic Light Pictures.
Hidden details
The Gruffalo’s carved details — The local news account describes horns on the head and spikes along the Gruffalo’s back, added during the carving and finishing work.
Five boards turn the walk into an activity trail — The boards alongside the sculptures offer animal facts and activities, so the trail is more than a sculpture checklist.
When to go
· No specific time of day is supported by the supplied sources.
The official trail page says it is open all year and warns that paths can be muddy in winter and wet months. No seasonal wildlife or flowering highlight is verified.
Expect muddy conditions after rain and in winter; wear boots or wellies. The official page advises care with prams and buggies.
The route
- surface
- Grassy and woodland paths are described; the official page warns that paths can be muddy in winter and wet months.
- duration
- Around 20 minutes for the trail itself according to a visitor account; allow additional time for the approach and stops.
- waymarking
- The official page says to look for trail signs; detailed current waymarking is not verified.
- start point
- The trail is at Horsenden Hill. The supplied coordinate is a main-place pin, not a verified entrance.
- parking start
- A visitor account identifies a Horsenden Farm car park, but current availability is unverified. Check before visiting.
- Five carved figures: Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and the Gruffalo
- Information and activity boards beside the sculptures
- The wider hill’s woodland, meadows and views, as described by a visitor source
Worth pairing with
Horsenden Loaf
The official trail page says the café and bakery runs Friday to Sunday; check its current hours before planning a stop.
Horsenden Hill woodland, meadows and viewpoints
A visitor account describes adding woodland and meadow paths and views from the hill after completing the short character trail.
What to look for
Find all five carved characters: Mouse, Snake, Fox, Owl and the seven-foot Gruffalo. Look for the information and activity boards beside the sculptures.
Best time to go
Open all year; choose a drier spell if you want easier footing. The trail can be muddy in winter and wet months.
The trail is described as open all year. After wet weather, expect muddy paths and wear suitable footwear.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Walkers
Route at a glance
Duration
Under 1 hour
Terrain
Woodland, Hills
Parking / start
A Horsenden Farm car park is mentioned by visitor sources, but current availability and parking arrangements need checking. The supplied map pin is for the main place, not an entrance or car park.
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 8am-8pm
- Tuesday: 8am-8pm
- Wednesday: 8am-8pm
- Thursday: 8am-8pm
- Friday: 8am-8pm
- Saturday: 8am-8pm
- Sunday: 8am-8pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The trail is reported open all year. Paths can be muddy in winter and wet weather; check current access and conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
A Horsenden Farm car park is mentioned by visitor sources, but current availability and parking arrangements need checking. The supplied map pin is for the main place, not an entrance or car park.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The Horsenden Loaf café and bakery is reported open Friday to Sunday; check current hours before setting out.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, but this does not confirm that the trail itself is wheelchair accessible. The official trail page advises caution with prams and buggies; check current path conditions.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Gruffalo Trail at Horsenden Hill
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
