The Gruffalo Art Adventure has arrived at Knole in Sevenoaks for autumn 2026, bringing 12 giant hand-painted Gruffalo sculptures to the historic National Trust estate. The outdoor art trail combines one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved characters with colourful public art, nature and a family day out around Knole’s parkland and Orangery.
Latest Update
Heritage Open Day — 15 September 2026: Knole has free admission for everyone on Tuesday 15 September, including the showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and car park. Pre-booking the free admission is recommended to guarantee entry.
A free Changing Faces of Knole: An Archaeology Walk runs from 11.30am–12.15pm. There are only 12 places, allocated first come, first served on the day; collect a tour lanyard from the Visitor Centre by 11.20am if you want to join. The walk includes a look at the historic icehouse from the new viewing platform.
Access note: the Great Hall is accessible to wheelchair users, but the rest of the showrooms require stairs. The Gatehouse Tower is reached by 77 steep spiral steps. The Orangery, gift shop, Brewhouse Café and Royal Oak Conservation Studio have wheelchair access.
For more free events across the area, see our Heritage Open Days 2026 guide.
The Gruffalo Art Adventure at Knole runs from Saturday 29 August to Sunday 1 November 2026, with trail times listed as 10am–5pm. The trail is presented by the National Trust and Wild in Art in collaboration with Magic Light Pictures.
Overview
Families can follow the trail around Knole’s parkland and into the Orangery to discover 12 giant Gruffalo sculptures. Each sculpture has been individually painted by an artist, with designs inspired by patterns, shapes and environments found in nature.
It is the first Gruffalo Art Adventure trail from Wild in Art, turning the familiar character into a collection of very different artworks rather than simply repeating the original Gruffalo design.
Dates and Times
Dates: 29 August–1 November 2026
Trail times: 10am–5pm
Location: Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent
Tickets and Admission
There is no separate charge for the Gruffalo trail, but normal admission to Knole applies. The National Trust states that the minimum admission required is an Outdoor and Tower ticket for each person.
Pre-booking admission to Knole is essential to guarantee entry, so it is worth arranging your visit before travelling rather than relying on availability on the day.
Exception: on Tuesday 15 September, Knole’s Heritage Open Day offers free admission to the showrooms, Gatehouse Tower and car park. Free admission is still recommended for pre-booking to guarantee entry.
What Will You Find on the Trail?
The adventure takes visitors through the parkland and Orangery in search of all 12 sculptures. Rather than identical Gruffalos, the figures have been transformed by different artists using colours, patterns and nature-inspired designs.
That makes this as much an outdoor art trail as a character experience, and one that could appeal beyond younger Gruffalo fans too.
October Half-Term: Gruffalo Film Screening & Playtime
Knole is adding a separate Gruffalo film screening and playtime during October half-term on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026, from 10.30am–11.45am.
The session includes a family screening of The Gruffalo, colouring activities, toys and playtime, plus a cup of squash and a biscuit for each person. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Event tickets: £7.50 per adult and £7.50 per child; children aged 0–2 are free. Normal Knole admission applies in addition to the film-event ticket. National Trust members do not pay the normal admission charge, but the film event still requires its own booking.
Accessibility: the Hayloft Learning Centre has lift access, with an accessible toilet and baby-change facilities on the ground floor.
Check availability and book the Gruffalo Film Screening & Playtime with the National Trust.
Accessibility
The National Trust advises that the trail takes place in the parkland and includes uneven surfaces. Visitors with specific access requirements can contact Knole before visiting to discuss the route and available support.
There is step-free access to areas including the bookshop, while access can vary across the wider historic estate. On the 15 September Heritage Open Day, the Great Hall is wheelchair accessible, but the remainder of the showrooms require stairs and the Gatehouse Tower has 77 steep spiral steps.
Practical Information
Knole is a large historic estate in Sevenoaks with extensive parkland, so suitable outdoor footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are sensible for the trail. The deer at Knole are wild; visitors should keep their distance and should not approach, touch or feed them.
Address: Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP. The National Trust lists TN13 1HX for sat-nav directions.
More Gruffalo and Julia Donaldson on Clarissa’s Corner
We’ve got a growing collection of Julia Donaldson family days out, books and theatre on Clarissa’s Corner. You can also explore our Julia Donaldson Author Spotlight, our guide to The Gruffalo at Tanfield Railway 2026, The Gruffalo Live 2026, and our archive Gruffalo’s Child theatre review.
You can also browse our Art & Sculpture Trails in London & the South East guide for more current trails.
FAQ
When is The Gruffalo Art Adventure at Knole?
The trail runs from 29 August to 1 November 2026, with times currently listed as 10am–5pm.
How many Gruffalo sculptures are there?
There are 12 giant hand-painted Gruffalo sculptures to discover around the parkland and Orangery.
Is The Gruffalo Art Adventure free?
The trail itself has no additional event charge, but normal admission to Knole applies. The minimum admission ticket required is an Outdoor and Tower ticket. On 15 September 2026, Knole has a free Heritage Open Day.
Do I need to book?
The National Trust says pre-booking admission is essential to guarantee entry. For the free Heritage Open Day on 15 September, pre-booking is also recommended.
Is the Gruffalo trail accessible?
The route is in the parkland and includes uneven surfaces. Visitors with access requirements should check with Knole before visiting for advice specific to their needs.
Information checked against the National Trust’s official Knole event information. Details may change, so always check the official event listing before travelling.
