Mazes; a challenge for all the family.
Do you enjoy the competition of being the first to find your way to the middle or is the fear of never getting back out too much?
If you’re a fan of mazes, prepare to be bamboozled among the bamboo and mystified in the middle of the maize as I share our favourites from around the region.
Alnwick Garden Bamboo Maze, Alnwick
In the Labyrinth, as bamboo sways and rustles noisily in the wind, obscuring the Garden’s other sights and sounds, the twisting paths of the maze run almost stream-like amongst the bamboo. A fun Labyrinth that was designed by Adrian Fisher, an international maze-maker. The maze is made from the bamboo Fargesia Rufa, a new Chinese variety.
Material: Bamboo
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 10-20 mins
Price: Included In Garden Entry Cost
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.alnwickgarden.com
Copleys Corn Maze, West Yorkshire
Farmer Copleys have one of the largest Corn Maize Mazes in Great Britain with a mini maze for smaller children and a large maze for families to enjoy together.
Material: Corn
Permanent Feature: ❌ (opens 31/7/2021)
Time: 1-2 hours
Price: TBC
Difficulty: 🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://farmercopleys.co.uk/events/copleys-corn-maze/
Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park. A tourist visitor attraction unlike anywhere that you have been before, ideal for the adventurers and those young at heart!”
Material: Everything
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: At least 2-3 hours
Price: Family (2 adults + 2 children): £48.00
Difficulty: 🤯🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk
The Great Ryedale Maze, North Yorkshire
The Great Ryedale Maze is an attraction for all the family nestled in beautiful countryside at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds. There’s a field full of fun with nine acres of maize plants and never-ending paths to explore, and for younger adventurers there’s a two-acre Scarecrow Mini-Maze. The Vintage Funfair offers thrills for adults and children alike aboard the 1930s Speedway, Dodgems and Chair-o-plane, while the Hush Hush train ride and Swing Boats will delight the little ones. Test your skills at the game stalls and win a prize every time. For some competitive family fun have a go at Football Darts, then enjoy live entertainment in the Big Top.
Material: Corn
Permanent Feature: ❌ (opens 14/7/2021)
Time: 30-45 mins
Price: TBC
Difficulty: 🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://m.facebook.com/greatryedalemaze/
Leases Park Maze, Newcastle
This 24-metre square maze is made up of (adult) waist-high hedges and is overlooked by the Moffat Pavilion. The maze was designed by Newcastle school children and sees the maze split into quarters, each a different colour, to represent the four elements – red for fire, blue for water, yellow for air and green for earth.
Material: Evergreens
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 5-10 mins
Price: Free
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://urbangreennewcastle.org/our-green-spaces/find-your-park/leazes-park
Minotaur Maze, Kielder
The Minotaur Maze is located in the grounds of Kielder Castle and is a must for children and adults alike. The adventurous will discover a number of special features that include a set of stairs taking visitors above the walls. The final goal, a small glittering room formed from rocks of recycled glass is a quiet place from which to contemplate the task of discovering a return route to the outside world.
Material: Stone
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 10-15 mins
Price: Free
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://www.visitkielder.com/garden/minotaur-nick-coombe-shona-kitchen-2003
Nelly’s Labyrinth, Cragside
Nelly’s Labyrinth at Cragside, named after a reputed local witch, is a tangle of secret paths and tunnels which are cut into a huge rhododendron forest.
Material: Rhododendron (woody plants)
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 20-30 mins
Price: Included In Property Entry Cost
Difficulty: 🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
Pirate Quest, Tynemouth Park
This interactive maze and scavenger hunt will test your seafaring skills. Are you brave enough to walk the plank or face the scurvy seadogs? Can you sail the seven seas and find the wreck of the pirate ghost ship or will you be all washed-up? Your swashbuckling kids can take part in the exciting treasure trail and win a few pieces of eight!
Material: Artificial Hedges
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 10-20 mins
Price: £2 per person
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.tynemouthpark.com/attraction/pirate-quest/
Saltwell Park Maze, Gateshead
A small maze ideal for the younger ones. The entire maze can be observed from a higher view point so if your children get lost you can help guide them.
Material: Evergreens
Permanent Feature: ✅
Time: 5-10 mins
Price: Free
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3958/Saltwell-Park
Spilmans Maize Maze, North Yorkshire
At Spilmans you can have a go at finding your way through the corn crop, which has been cut into a magical unicorn.
Material: Corn
Permanent Feature: ❌
Time: 10-20 mins
Price: £3 per child
Difficulty: 🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.spilmans.co.uk/maze/
York Maze, York
Created from over one million maize plants, York Maze is not just the largest maze in the UK it’s an award winning fun filled, day out in the country. With over 20 different rides, attractions and shows to enjoy, York Maze offers an amazing fun-filled family day out.
Material: Corn
Permanent Feature: ❌ (opens 17/7/2021)
Time: 1-2 hours
Price: TBC
Difficulty: 🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.yorkmaze.com
Lakeland Maze Farm Park, Kendal
A little out of our region but well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area. Back in 2004, farm owners Graham and Jane decided to grow a maize maze and open their doors to the public. Since then the park has expanded to include play equipment, petting areas, purpose built all weather mazes, a cafe and soft play areas.
Material: Corn
Permanent Feature: ❌ (opens 15/7/2021)
Time: 1-2 hours
Price: TBC
Difficulty: 🤯🤯
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Parking: ✅
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.lakelandmaze.co.uk
These are our favourites, if I’ve missed yours out let me know in the comments.
North East Eats and Kids 