This project was initially intended to be a free two day event at a transformed Brandon Country Park, bringing to life its history, providing educational activities, and showcasing the work of BNG projects in a fun and interactive way. It was realised though that the capacity of Brandon Country Park to attract the numbers required was not large enough. In order to reach the most amount of people, the decision was made to split the event into two separate events.

Brandon Country Park hosted ‘Enchanted Forest’ on 26th August 2016 and with joined up promotion and linked activities, ‘Enchanted Heath’ followed at West Stow Country Park on 22nd October 2016. At the start of Enchanted Forest, children were given an event passport. As they participated in various activities they would receive a stamp. Collection of 4 stamps meant they received a goody bag and if they held brought their passports along to Enchanted Heath, they would be entered into a prize draw to win a glamping trip, donated by a local company. Activities included drumming, wand making, den building, geo-caching, mud crafts, archery, wishing tree, potion making, headband making, story telling and many more.

As a result of extensive promotion to new local audiences,, record numbers attended the event at Brandon Country Park, validating the decision to split the events. As part of Enchanted Forest, West stow Country Park installed a new trail around the grounds and over the heath based on the story of Beowulf and Grendel. This was lit up spectacularly for an evening guided walk where families made recycled lanterns and marched in procession through the woods and over the heath to witness a retelling of the story by actors.

Watch our evaluation film here: