Gruffalo

The Gruffalo gallery sits near Hazlehead, just outside Aberdeen, and it's essentially a celebration of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved picture book come to life. You get interactive displays, illustrations from the original story, and enough activities to keep under-eights properly engaged for a good hour or so. The space works because it doesn't oversell itself - it's not trying to be a theme park, just a genuine tribute to how that little mouse outwitted a rather grumpy Gruffalo.

Families with young children will absolutely get the most from it. The interactive bits mean kids can actually do something rather than just stare at glass cases, which is refreshing. Adults who grew up with the book or have read it fifty times to their own children will find themselves oddly charmed by the attention to detail.

Admission details aren't clear from available information, so ring ahead before you visit. Allow around an hour to ninety minutes - longer if your child decides to spend twenty minutes colouring in at the craft stations.

If you're staying at Deeside Holiday Park nearby, it's worth factoring in as a rainy-day activity, though it's hardly essential to your trip. The real draw is if you've got Gruffalo-obsessed kids who need a pilgrimage. Otherwise, it's a pleasant enough stop rather than a reason to plan your whole holiday around.