26 magical fairy trails in the UK

Northwood Trail is so much more than just a fairy trail! Of course, kids will love the magical woodland walk, low-key adventure playground and chilled out cafe. But what sets Northwood apart is their massive fairy museum, where you can marvel at unique fairy houses, dresses and more!

Take a trip into the woodlands at Scampston Walled Garden in Malton, Yorkshire, to walk the fairy trail and discover their tiny houses at the base of the trees. Tie your wish to the wishing tree, then head to the restaurant for some ice-cream and a play in the gardens.

The fairy trail at Studfold Farm in Lofthouse, Harrogate, takes you on a magical adventure to find the fairies that live in the woodlands, and see their homes. Dress up or put on Studfold's Fairy Wings and Pixie Hats, discover poems and stories, and make a wish in the fairy circle.

Head out to Trentham Gardens, Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to find the beautiful fairies around the mile-long lake, through the woodland, and in the maze and gardens. Search the grounds for the fairies: some are outgoing and can be seen in plain sight, while others are shy and hide high up in the trees.

The Arley Arboretum fairy trail takes you around the Arboretum and even through the fantastic maze to find a fairy in the centre! The fairy trail isn't just for fun, it'll also help you learn about the trees around you with questions and answer sheets. Head for a lovely day out, and become Fairy Detectives!

Whinlatter is a gorgeous National Trust forest in the Lake District. While it's not a full fairy trail, the WildPlay trail does feature a fairy kingdom, ideal for younger kids. Older kids will love to swing, slide, splash and climb on the rest of the trail through the mountain forest. It's a must for Gruffalo fans, too!

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Teach your little ones about recycling in a fun and magical way at the Green Fairy Trail in Heart of the Country Village, Lichfield. Along the trail, you'll find some facts about litter and recycling, while you search for the colourful fairy doors.

Follow the fairy trail around The Blue Pool at Furzebrook in Wareham to find where the fairies are hiding. The trail follows the perimeter of the pool with its magical, colour-changing water, adding to the magic and mystery of the fairies.

Find the fairy doors, play on the wooden sculptures and – a real must – have your photo taken in the Giant’s Chair at Rushmere Country Park in Bedfordshire. Young and old alike can look out for fairies among the herons and green woodpeckers on this 'an access for all path' trail that's not hard-surfaced but is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs at most times of the year.

The trees of Long Wood in Bath are home to magical fairies and elves who are hiding for you to find. Search for the fairy doors and find out which fairy or elf lives behind each one.

Explore the National Trust estate at Greys Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, and you might just come across some fairy doors hidden in trees and behind bushes.

• Do you enjoy exploring National Trust houses and gardens? Here are our recommendations for the top National Trust places for families

Experience enchantment during the Fairy and Elf Walk at Audley End Miniature Railway in Saffron Waldon, Essex. Make your own special wand that will help you to find the little wooden fairy houses hidden around the gardens. Look out for the grumpy troll that lives under the bridge and don't forget to leave a wish with Christabelle the Wishing Fairy, at her enchanted tree.

• Looking for more miniature railways to visit? Here are our top days out for train lovers in the UK

Just a short drive from Stevenage, Church Farm is an idyllic rural escape where kids can learn all about animals, food and farming. Plus, of course, explore the gorgeous Fairy Trail and woodland play area! For a small fee, you'll even get an activity booklet, packed with riddles and fun things to do for little ones. Visit on a weekend and you can also enjoy a tractor and trailer ride to see the animals!

• Love visiting family-friendly farms with your kids? Here are our recommendations for the best farm parks in the UK

With locations in both Norfolk and Cheshire, BeWILDerwood is a jam-packed day out for the whole family. Kids and adults alike will love exploring the magical treehouses, mazes in the sky, rope bridges, slides and zip wires – with plenty of fairy magic thrown in for good measure!

Explore the Enchanted Forest at Wellington Country Park – will the fairies be at home today? There's so much else on here, too; kids can visit the farm animals, ride the miniature railway, get wet in the splash zone, explore the immersive dinosaur zone and much more. In fact, there's so much to do at Wellington Country Park, you might want to take advantage of the campsite and stay the whole weekend!

• Does your little one love dinosaurs? Here are the best dinosaur days out in the UK

The fairies at Acorn Bank in Cumbria like to enjoy the traditional fruit orchards that grace the National Trust property’s grounds. If you want to spot a fairy, look out for the hidden doors, hollow trees and maybe explore the wild play area - you never know where the little creatures may be hiding. 

Acorn Bank is ranger Jo Day’s favourite enchanted forest. 'Pixie houses can be found in the roots of the trees and little boats are moored up on the pond.'

For a day filled with mystery and magic, head to Furzey Gardens in the New Forest, Lyndhurst. You'll need to search out and discover the fairy doors hidden around the gardens. There are said to be more than 40 nestled under bushes or hiding up trees, can you find them all? Once you're finished, use the special letter packs available to buy from the Gallery to write to the Fairy Queen – and she'll write back.

The impressive stately home Muncaster Castle has plenty to do for kids. Little fairy lovers will go crazy for the Enchanted Trail – there are woodland dens to explore, stepping stones to play on and fairy doors to look out for.

Older kids will love the unique Yeti Adventure Quarry, plus the classic Adventure Playground.

Combine the magic of fairies with the charm of animals and the rugged wilderness of 20 acres of natural woodland at Gypsy Wood Park in Caernarfon, North Wales. Your search for fairies will take you around the foothills of Snowdonia – dress appropriately for a trip around Wetlands; enjoy a ride on Woody’s Train; then enjoy a treat in the Dragon Cafe.

If you are very quiet when you enter the wood at the start of the Welsh Country Walk at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, you might just spot some tiny traces of fairy magic. Hidden among the trees are remnants of a fairy tea party - discarded fairy cups and saucers, alongside fairy doors and a toadstool village…

Spot fluttering digital fairies through your phone at Castell Coch in Cardiff. Visit Wales’ fairy-tale castle, Castell Coch and you can see the castle’s tiny mythical inhabitants through a fairy-spotting app. Follow the trail with the Cadw app, and you can find and collect 10 different species of fairies located around the enchanted castle – each with a traditional Welsh name. Find all 10, and receive a special prize.

Discover the beautifully carved fairy houses and sculptures at Balloch Castle Country Park in Loch Lomond, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire. Each carving, created by Patrick Muir from trees that have had to be felled, has a story behind it that little ones will love finding and hearing about.

The main attraction for kids at Ardkinglas is the amazing Gruffalo trail. But that's not all you'll find on these woodland paths – if you look very carefully, you may be able to spot some fairy houses, too!

Located at the Mains of Fedderate, between the villages of Maud and New Deer in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the Fairy Woods are a place of magic and beauty. Spark your little one's imagination with the trail that allows them to search out and discover the little fairy doors around the woods. After the trail, head to the Toadstool Story Circle for a snack and then explore the forest play park where they can climb, ‘bake’ at the mud kitchens or build dens.

If you're looking for fairy fun in Northern Ireland, look no further than the Giant's Lair at the Slieve Gullion Forest Park. In this innovative story trail, inspired by local legend and mythical folklore, kids can follow in the footsteps of Flynn the mischievous fairy – just be sure not to wake the sleeping giant as you explore a landscape packed with dragons, giants, witches and fairies.