FAMILIES are invited to an educational storytelling day at the Big Friendly Giant’s home in Windsor Great Park next week.

It is all happening Cumberland Lodge on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 7 and 8

The storytelling days are designed for children aged four to 11 and their parents and guardians. Guests are welcome at any time between 10am and 4pm, and admission is free. However, tickets must be booked in advance through Cumberland Lodge’s website.

Cumberland Lodge is a 17th-century Grade II listed country house in Windsor Great Park located 3.5 miles south of Windsor Castle. It is now occupied by a charitable foundation which holds residential conferences, lectures and discussions.

Research by admirers of children's author Roald Dahl has revealed that the special house in Windsor Great Park that the Queen gives to the Big Friendly Giant at the end of Dahl’s fictional tale probably refers to Cumberland Lodge, which was also the name of Dahl’s more modest childhood home in Cardiff.

Dahl knew the larger Cumberland Lodge in Windsor well, having spoken to a group of visiting American students there just a few years before The BFG was published.

Next week's storytelling days will have a range of activities to allow children to engage with a variety of social issues.

There will be a storytelling marquee with award-winning author Bali Rai (Web of Darkness and (un)arranged marriage) and Shoo Rayner (Axel Storm and Ricky Rocket) who will share extracts from their own stories.

Children will also be able to go ‘giant spotting’ in Windsor Great Park with the help of an activity booklet that explores the history of some of the park’s tallest, oldest and most significant trees.

Refreshments will be available at Cumberland Lodge to purchase throughout the day.