Getting Lost Makes For an Excellent Day Out

Hidden amongst the sleepy hills and forests of North Yorkshire lies a forbidden city of tunnels, caverns, underground grottos and mystical creatures. Well known by some, beloved by many, this enchanted garden will capture your heart and take you back to the days when Wonderland still existed in your mind. I am talking about the Forbidden Corner.

Originally created by Mr C. R. Armstrong as a private folly, it was soon opened up as a public tourist attraction due to high demand, and for that I am very grateful. The Forbidden Corner is quite possibly my favourite tourist attraction in the entire world.

It may be an unconventional tourist destination, but you will never forget it. The world is slightly warped within those garden walls. Reality isn’t quite as it seems. Rotating rooms with doors that could lead you anywhere; mazes of hedges that have no end; temples to gods of death and destruction; stories of the fortunate and the unlucky; cottages that belong to witches and princesses trapped as swans: it all awaits you beyond the gateway with eyes.

But forgive my cryptic ramblings, I’ll explain in a clearer tone. In essence the Forbidden Corner is a walled garden built by a rich Englishman and filled with all manner of caves, follies, towers, castles, mazes and interactive exhibits. The beauty of the Corner is that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. You may come to a cross road, and no matter what direction you turn you’re sure to find something amazing. It must be said that it is practically impossible to see everything at once. Upon arrival you are provided with a tick list of most of the main attractions, but there are always small details that you are bound to miss. I have visited the Corner four times already and I’m sure that there are still secrets that I’ve yet to see.

Now, as this is a piece of travel writing I presume you’re expecting me to tell you the best parts and the things you shouldn’t miss. Well, you see, I can’t do that. Not really. The Forbidden Corner is famed for its mysteries and deliberate avoidance of public explanation. Yes, you’re provided with a map of the site upon entry, but it is of no use. That’s the point of the Corner: to get lost. And I suggest that you do so straight away. Get lost. Don’t remember which paths you took, take a left, then a right, then another right until you can’t remember which way is up and which is down. Spotted some stairs over there? Go down them. Can’t decide whether to go left or right? Flip a coin. Put yourself into the hands of fate. Because when you’re lost you can truly enjoy the sites around you. But Cerys, I hear you say, I’ve already met that horse. So what? Talk to him again, he might have something different to say.

If you want to truly see the Forbidden Corner, arrive around lunchtime and leave just before closing time. The last entrant is at four o’clock, however, if you’re already within the walls you can wonder to your hearts content until six. The site gets quieter later in the afternoon and early evening as the families with young children have left. This means that there isn’t as much standing around in queues, the tunnels are less crowded and you can wander around to your hearts content.

Not only is the Forbidden Corner truly an enchanted garden, but it’s surrounded by the endless rolling hills of the Yorkshire countryside. Take a moment to pause at the top of the Western Tower and watch the deer and sheep in the fields. You don’t have to spend all day running around trying to find the Mouse Hole Pub, or the Serpent’s Temple. Take a moment to stop and have a chat with Bjorn the bear (he’s the bear that’s carved into a bench in the castle courtyard,) or John the Roman guard who stands vigilant outside the entrance to the Serpent’s Temple. They’re not really called Bjorn and John, those are just the names my friend and I gave them when we visited last. But, names aren’t important.

Have I convinced you yet? Are you going to explore the wild and uncharted routes of the Forbidden Corner on your next holiday? No?! Well, what if I told you that it was haunted? I bet you didn’t see that coming. Well, when I say haunted, I mean that they have a mausoleum which is alive. The dead still haunt the living down there. If you’re brave enough and think you can handle the dark and eerie chambers of the Armstrong Mausoleum, be my guest. It is not for the faint hearted though. The mausoleum is haunted by the ghosts of two young girls, neither of which seem very pleased at being locked away in their coffins behind a fence of wrought iron railings. They don’t appear to like visitors either. Despite my description, the Mausoleum is a must see. Be warned though, it is not for the young or easily frightened, as the darkness, sudden flashing lights, loud noises, bangs, screams and jump scares can be quite unnerving.

In all seriousness, the Forbidden Corner is an excellent tourist location. Beautiful, enchanting and captivating. As soon as you enter you’re enticed, trapped even by the wonder and awe that stands around you.

Water features prominently throughout the park, so prepare to get wet. Very wet. I advise you to take pictures, film your adventure and spend as much time as you can immersed in the beauty. I cannot express enough how much I adore this park, how much it has haunted my mind ever since I first set eyes upon the statues, mosaics and water features.

There isn’t really much else I can say. I beg you, no, I implore you to go and visit this wonderland of magic and mystery. And, if you feel so inclined, you can stay in one of the holiday cottages the Corner owns, which are only a short drive away from the site. But I have spoken all that I can about this mystical place, and so the rest is up to you now. So please, go and explore the endless twists and turns of the Forbidden Corner.