The Vyne in Basingstoke, Hampshire, will host a new interactive family trail based on the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story from May 16 to June 28, 2026, to encourage outdoor play and reading.
The event is inspired by the original picture book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, as well as the award-winning animation. Visitors can walk through themed areas that recreate obstacles from the story, including the swishy grass, a cold river, and oozy mud. These sensory installations are designed to bring the narrative to life in a way that encourages physical activity for young children.
This trail is part of a larger effort to encourage reading during the National Year of Reading 2026. The National Literacy Trust launched the Go All In campaign earlier this year to help families connect outdoor activities with stories. The campaign aims to show that reading can be part of everyday life rather than just a classroom task.
This new attraction follows other community events held earlier in 2026, such as a pirate puzzle challenge and traditional Easter hunts. The estate covers 1,000 acres of gardens and woodlands, and organisers hope the bear hunt will increase the number of family visitors to the site by about 25 percent this summer.
The campaign for the National Year of Reading was officially started on January 13, 2026, by the Department for Education. It received support from the Go All In initiative to show how hobbies and passions can help children develop a love for books from a young age.
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