CHILDREN’S favourite Zog, the young dragon dreamed up by family favourite author Julia Donaldson, is returning to Warwick Castle bigger than ever before – with a world-first attraction.

The Zog Playland, officially backed by the dragon’s creators, will open as a permanent addition to the castle grounds on April 9, with a range of activities for young kids.

The specially themed area will include both sensory and physical play, and accessible activities so that all the family can have fun.

Zog Playland will include Princess Pearl’s Tower, Dragon Wing Zip Wires, the Adventure Crawl Tunnel, Dragon Slides & Swings, Interactive Sand Play and themed Role-Play Market Stalls.

Included will be interactive activities such as building pretend fires in the sand play area, keeping the lion’s cave warm and going shopping for Zog at the market stalls.

It’s based on Zog and the Flying Doctors, by author Julia and illustrator Axel Scheffler, and children can take on the roles of Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout as they create stories of their own.

The new initiative builds on the success of last year’s Zog Quest for the Golden Star interactive trail, which we reviewed here, and which will return for another run alongside its big brother Playland.

Say organisers: “From soaring through the sky on dragon wing zip wires, to sliding down the red dragon’s spotty tongue, Zog superfans will be surrounded by the sights and sounds from the story they know and love.”

Playland has been designed to be inclusive and accessible, with step-free access, multi-sensory experiences, access to Princess Pearl’s Tower, and development activities for younger children.

For opening hours, prices and details of the many other attractions on offer at the castle, lay siege to www.warwick-castle.com