A beloved storybook character is greeting families at Wendover Woods this summer.

The Witch from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic tale Room on the Broom will appear as part of a special free event on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Forestry England has teamed up with Magic Light to host the event, which marks the 25th anniversary of the much-loved children’s book.

It promises a day of fun and adventure for young readers and their families.

Kirstie Smith, national marketing manager at Forestry England, said: "We're delighted to be celebrating 25 years of Room on the Broom here at High Lodge.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for families to step into the story, enjoy time together outdoors and experience a little bit of magic in the forest.

"We can't wait to welcome visitors and see the excitement on children's faces when they meet the Witch."

Visitors will have the chance to meet the Witch during a series of meet-and-greet sessions.

There will also be story-themed activities including a Room on the Broom woodland trail, face painting and a chance to make their own wands.

The meet-and-greet sessions will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Forestry England is advising families to arrive early if meeting the Witch is a top priority.

No booking is required for the event.

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The special day complements Forestry England’s ongoing Room on the Broom activity trail at Wendover Woods, which will run until the end of 2026.

The self-guided trail invites families to explore the woods through interactive story-themed challenges and activities.

Trail packs are available for £4 and include a themed lanyard, magic spell cards, stickers, a pencil and a pop-out craft to create your very own witchy wand.

Forestry England looks after 1,500 woods and forests across the country, welcoming more than 313 million visits in 2024/25.

Its plans for 2026 include creating at least 6,000 more hectares where wilding activities are integrated in productive forests, increasing the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and having one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests, and planting at least 2,000 hectares of new, high-quality woodlands.

Magic Light Pictures, the company behind the event partnership, is known for its award-winning adaptations of children’s books including The Gruffalo, Zog and Tiddler.

The company runs an extensive licensing programme, with over 90 global partners and 2,000 product lines in the UK alone.