Family Fun at The Gonks of Gardenshillock: A Magical Walk for Young Children
- James Davies
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Some family outings are worth it because they’re grand and full of big plans. Others are worth it because your child spends the whole time spotting tiny details, asking questions, and half-believing they’ve stepped into a storybook.
Our visit to The Gonks of Gardenshillock was very much the second kind.
We went as a family, myself, my wife, and our child, L. It turned into exactly the sort of outing we love recommending to guests staying with us. It’s easy-going, full of charm, and just unusual enough to feel like a small adventure.
If you’re staying at Lickleyhead Castle with little ones and want something nearby that doesn’t involve a huge amount of planning, this is a lovely option to keep in mind.
What is a Gonk?
On your last trip to a garden centre you may have noticed the gnome-like figures whose faces are mostly hidden by a pointed hat pulled down over their eyes and a big bushy beard. The only visible feature is their protruding and often bulbous nose.
If you have seen such a thing then you have already been introduced to the creatures known as gonks. They are small, playful beings who live in houses akin to hobbit holes.
A feature of Nordic mythology for many centuries, gonks have become more popular in the UK recently thanks in part to author, Samantha Annal. The author and her family own and operate the Aberdeenshire site we recently visited.
Family Fun with the Gonks
There’s a homemade, story-led charm to The Gonks of Gardenshillock that sets it apart from more polished family attractions. It feels personal. You get the sense that someone has put real care into creating a world for children to enjoy.
As an example of the attention that has been put into the walk, the front door bell of each of the gonk 'houses' really works. They each produce a different sound suggestive of the activity the gonk in question is doing. One of the door bells, pushed repeatedly by 'L', makes a whistling noise, another has the sound of wood being sawed.
The fun of the Gonks of Gardenshillock isn't solely based on imagination. Each gonk house has an associated activity station. 'L' particularly enjoyed making 'sand pies'. Apparently these are the gonks favourite food! Real cooking equipment such as cup cake moulds have been set on the stand along with buckets of sand and painted pebbles. Bon appetit!
Another activity station was puzzle based and involved setting bottles of the correct colour in the right order so as to make a 'spell' work. It was impressive watching our little one setting the bottles out correctly and gave him so much satisfaction after he had completed his task.
What makes The Gonks of Gardenshillock feel special
The Gonks of Gardenshillock has that rare quality parents are always hoping for. It gets children walking without making the walk feel like “a walk”.
That might sound like a small thing, but if you’ve ever tried to persuade a tired child along a path with nothing much to look at, you’ll know it’s not small at all. A trail with things to spot changes the whole mood. Suddenly there’s a reason to keep going. There might be something around the next bend. Might that be a gonk face peeking out?
For L, that sense of discovery was the real joy of it.
The trail has a charming, fantastical feel, the kind that lets children use their imagination without needing screens, noise, or organised entertainment. It’s not about rushing from one big attraction to the next. It’s slower and sweeter than that. Children can look closely, point things out, make up stories, and decide for themselves what the gonks might be doing when nobody’s watching.
That’s a big part of why it works so well for younger visitors. The scale feels right. The details are low-key enough to be gentle, but curious enough to keep small minds busy.
And for parents, there’s a lot to be said for an outing where everyone can breathe a bit.
We even met the author
One of the unexpected highlights of our visit was meeting the author of The Gonks of Gardenshillock, Samantha Annal.
That was a real treat.
There’s something lovely about meeting the person behind a place like this. It makes the whole experience feel even more connected and personal. The gonks are not just decorations on a trail. They come from someone’s imagination, and that imagination has been shared in a way children can walk through, touch with their eyes, and make their own.
Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll meet the author when you visit. We were lucky.
For children, meeting the person who created a story can be quite special.
When Coming with Little Ones
With young children, it’s always sensible to keep things simple. Before going, check the latest visitor information for opening times, access, and any practical details, as these can change. Dress for the weather, as you would for most outdoor activities in Aberdeenshire. A waterproof layer and sensible footwear are rarely a bad idea as we discovered on our visit. The rain didn't spoil the fun, but it might have if we had forgotten our raincoats!
Please check if the storybook trail is open during your visit to the area. The operators advise booking ahead.
A few small things can make the visit easier:
Bring a snack and water, especially for younger children
Allow more time than adults would need on their own
Expect pauses, questions, and sudden bursts of enthusiasm
Take photos if you like, but don’t let the camera take over
Leave room for the children to invent their own version of the story
That last point is important. Children often enjoy an experience more when they aren’t being directed through every moment. The trail gives them plenty to respond to, but it also leaves space for imagination.
Where is it?
The Gonks of Gardenshillock
Fintray
Aberdeen AB21 0RL
United Kingdom
