Can You Help?

Luckily, you can help to track down each of these escapees. Pick up a trail map identifying where each is hidden and follow it until you see a blue footprint on the floor. Look around until you spot something out of the ordinary.

 

 

 

 

 

Look Everywhere

It could be anything…you never know what is just around the corner in this town – a magical shadow or hidden animal, secret writing or an overt phrase, a tiny mouse or a huge pencil, a high up cat or a low down rat!

 

 

 

The Challenge…and Reward

When you have found it, fill in the clue on the back of your map. Once the map challenges are complete (or not!), take your map to the White House on Hockliffe Street to pick up your reward. We were given a badge, bookmark and an art card.

 

 

 

Leighton-Linslade

We spent a magical morning following the trail past old buildings, up winding mews and along busy streets.

It leads you to parts of the town you would never have realised were there. 

 

 

 

The Play Area and Splash Pad

You arrive at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground towards the end of the trail.

 

 

 

 

It is a park with a large playground, a superb splash pad with jets of water and a huge sand pit. We played for hours.

 

 

 

 

Which Story?

Essentially, this is an art work or sculpture trail with pieces inspired by books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter, The Borrowers, Alice in Wonderland and The Gruffalo.

 

 

 

 

Some of the art works are easy to connect to a particular character or story and others tie more generally into themes commonly found in children’s books – for example, doors to other worlds, making wishes and magical items.

 

 

 

Have a look at the Children’s Trail Reading List before going if you feel in need of inspiration.

 

 

 

 

Where to Start?

Maps and a pencil are available for free from Leighton Buzzard Library or The White House (on Hockliffe Street).

 

 

 

 

Alternatively, you can download a map from The Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail website.

If you’d like to see the Children’s Trail in action, check out the video that has been made to celebrate the 5th Birthday of the Childrens’ Trail.

 

 

There is One Teeny Tiny Street!

Access was easy but one of the streets the trail leads you down is called Peacock Mews. This is a charming, tiny street with a narrow alleyway. My double buggy managed to squeak through.

If you do get stuck, you can go around onto Hockliffe Street and into Peacock Mews that way.

 

 

 

Magical Fun

We have visited the trail twice now. On both occasions we have had a fantastically magical day.

Everyone was so friendly – it is no exaggeration to say that in February we were invited to two events, given several hints, and were spoken to at least another 10 times.

 

 

Rushmere Country Park

If you would like to continue the story trail theme then head over to Rushmere Country Park for some fairy tale fun in the forest.

 

Nearest Town: Leighton-Linslade
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 1RX (or LU7 1HJ for the nearest car park)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There are cafes along the trail and places to picnic towards the end.
Facilities: Cafes and shops.

How Long We Spent There: 3.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Hockliffe Street car park (LU7 1HJ), which is at the start and finish of the trail. It is a pay and display car park and was busy when we visited on a week day.
Cost of Parking: From £1 per hour

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

 

Leighton-Linslade

We spent a magical morning following the Children’s Trail past old buildings, up winding mews and along busy streets.

 

 

 

 

The Play Area and Splash Pad

You arrive at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground towards the end of the story trail.

 

 

 

 

The large playground has towers, slides, nets, swings and a huge multiplay. There is also a sandy play area

 

 

 

 

and a super splash pad with jets of water. 

 

 

 

 

 

Rushmere Country Park

If you would like to continue the story trail theme then visit Rushmere Country Park for some fairy tale fun in the forest.

Nearest Town: Leighton-Linslade
County: Bedfordshire
Nearest Postcode: LU7 1SD (or LU7 1HJ for the nearest car park)

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: There are cafes in Leighton-Linslade and places to picnic at Parsons’ Close.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, cafes and shops.

How Long We Spent There: 3.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Hockliffe Street car park (LU7 1HJ), which is at the start and finish of the trail. It is a pay and display car park and was busy when we visited on a week day.
Cost of Parking: From £1 per hour

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: August 2023

 

The House and Gardens

Around the house are some old stables, a cafe, a picnic area and a shop.

The more formal gardens have a temple and an ice house to visit and space hoppers to bounce around on. These gardens are only open on certain days so be sure to check their website before you go.

We have not been inside the house. 

 

 

The Parkland

There are 400 acres of parkland and woods to explore. Cattle roam freely so watch where you step!

Please see the Hatchlands Park website for a map with full details.

 

 

Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren

This is a cross between an adventure play area and a natural play area and has a wooden tree house, den building area, fairy doors and a play area of logs, tree stumps, wooden sculptures and tunnels.

 

 

 

 

 

The Geocaches

Hatchlands Park has 11 geocaches to track down.

 

 

 

We had lots of fun hunting for one near the house. It had a log book to sign and little treasures, including an interesting looking football figure, which we swapped for one of our treasures.

Please visit the Hatchlands Park website for further details.

 

 

 

 

The Paths

There are marked trails around the parkland of varying lengths.

The red route has a hard surface but I have managed each trail with an all terrain buggy without any problems.

The parkland can be very muddy in wet weather.

 

Nearest Town: East Clandon, near Guildford
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU4 7RT

Adult Cost Range: £5 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £1 to £9.99
Free if: Under 5 or with National Trust membership

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: There is a cafe and you can bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, cafe, picnic area, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: A full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly but the fields become very muddy in the colder months.

Parking: There is a good sized car park.
Cost of Parking: Free with entry or with National Trust membership.

Wildlife You Might See: Cattle, donkeys, birds and lots of insects.

Information Written: March 2017