The Forbidden Corner – Is The Strangest Place in the World Worth Visiting?

One of the quirkiest days out you can have in the Yorkshire Dales is the Forbidden Corner.

It’s a place filled with magic and mystery where you can expect the unexpected.

You’ll enter a curious labyrinth of tunnels, mazes, grottoes, and outlandish sculptures.

It’s a land filled with surprises, spooks and magic, and I’ve wanted to visit for the longest time.

So, my friend Tilly and I felt brave and decided to try to solve this mammoth web of puzzles. 

Here is a complete guide to visiting The Forbidden Corner, the Strangest Place in the World. 

What is The Forbidden Corner?

I have to admit that trying to describe the Forbidden Corner is a tall order. It’s a place you have to experience for yourself to really believe it exists.

Where else can you enter burping towers, haunted castles, frog fountains, paths that lead to nowhere, mausoleums and the underworld in a day? 

This eccentric maze was the brainchild of Colin Armstrong O.B.E. 

He originally built this obscure world as a private folly for his family but opened it up to the public by popular demand. 

Although there was some controversy around planning permissions when it first opened, it’s now here to stay and a fabulous attraction in Yorkshire. 

It’s a day out with a difference and a labyrinth designed for visitors of all ages to be curious, have fun and solve riddles.

How to get to the Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner is located in Tupgill Park near Middleham in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

The easiest way to get there is to drive, as it’s on a remote estate in the countryside. There is free parking available on site.

If you’re travelling by public transport. The nearest train stations are Northallerton and Darlington, and then you can take a bus to Leyburn. 

Opening times & entry fees

The Forbidden Corner is only open every day from the end of March to the end of October. 

In November/December, it’s only open on weekends. So, it’s best to check before you go to avoid disappointment. 

On weekdays and Saturdays, it’s open from 12 pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holidays it’s open from 10 am.

At the time of writing, tickets are £19 for adults and £17 for children. They often have special offers, so follow their Facebook Page for updates. 

You must have a pre-booked ticket to enter. So, make sure to reserve your time slot online in advance, as it can sell out. 

Is it just for kids?

No, although The Forbidden Corner is the perfect attraction for small children, it’s not solely designed with kids in mind.

Once the school holidays are over, you’ll find that this attraction is filled with adults trying to solve the maze. It’s designed for visitors of all ages.

Go forth, brave wanderer, and don’t let your wise years stop you from solving this puzzle.

This is your chance to embrace your inner child and explore with a sense of whimsical wonder. 

Highlights of the Forbidden Corner

So, what can you expect in the strangest place in the world? Well, I would say, expect the unexpected. This place is absolutely bonkers. 

Glass pyramids, a creepy underworld, twisting tunnels and curious statues around every corner. This maze will astound you. 

I would say these highlights below are spoilers, but you may not be able to find most of these things on your visit.

It’s a confusing place that is very easy to get lost in. You may find yourself going around in circles for hours. 

But you can try finding as many of these quirky things as you can during a visit. Make sure to pick up a map and photo checklist at the entrance.

1. Burping Castle

I knew I was going to love this place when the first thing I encountered was a castle with blinking eyes.

As you make your way though it’s huge maw with a punching bag epiglottis, it will burp at you! 

You’ll then exit through a dragon’s bum and start your mystical journey through the Forbidden Corner. 

2. Garden Maze

I had so much fun getting lost in their series of garden mazes; you’ll find so many bizarre sculptures inside.

Kicking feet, peeing boys, bears playing cards, aqua caves and gnomes playing cricket. 

I particularly loved meeting Caliban in his bubbling underwater lair, the Greco-Roman sculptures and the iron gates that ensnare you. 

3. The Temple

A series of stepping stones that float above water will lead you to a curious Roman temple guarded by sentinels.

You’ll be lured inside by voices leading you through the pillared corridor to a serpent-framed doorway.

There is a warning that something isn’t quite right about this place. But I guess the only way through is forward… 

4. Underworld

One of my favourite parts of the Forbidden Corner was entering the series of creepy underworld caverns. 

You’ll meander through mining shafts, encounter gorgons, and meet satan in his lair. 

Doors lead to nowhere, waterfalls cascade, mice party, cats chase, and a gallery of portraits seems to track your presence with Latin whispers.

It’s one of the maddest places. I’m not sure if we found everything in this underbelly; we kept getting lost. But we definitely had fun trying. 

5. Glass Pyramid

On your journey through the maze, you’ll encounter a strange and tall glass pyramid. 

What is it? How did it get here, and what is its purpose? To me, it looked like a sorting hat. 

This part felt like I had tumbled down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland, or I was walking in a scene from The Labyrinth with David Bowie. 

Everywhere you turn and every corner you take, you’ll find something bizarre. 

6. Tophum Tower

There’s nothing I love more than exploring a castle, and the Forbidden Corner has the impressive Tophum Tower. 

You can let your imagination run wild in its twisting staircases and crenellated towers. 

There’s torture equipment, flickering lanterns, knights in armour and stone dragons. 

You could spend an age exploring each room with its most spectacular stained glass windows.

Or, if you want to feel like royalty, you can be king (or queen) of the castle by sitting on the royal throne. 

On a clear day, there are also spectacular views over the Yorkshire Dales from the top.  

7. Tower Fort Refreshments

If you’ve been wandering in circles and need refreshment in this labyrinth, there is a kiosk called Tower Fort Refreshments. 

Here, you can buy hot drinks and cold drinks, delicious ice cream and sweet snacks. 

We treated ourselves to one of their strawberry and marshmallow skewers slathered with Nutella. It was messy but a much-needed break.

8. Floating Griffin

After you’ve been spooked by a demonic horse, you’ll find the gorgeous Griffin Fountain in the castle grounds.

The mythical creature appears to be floating in the water and tricks you with blocked passages. 

Also, he likes to play games with the water and likes to try to splash you. Pesky thing.

Beyond it, you’ll find a series of stepping stones that lead you beside a waterfall with three nymphs on your journey through the maze.

9. Armstrong Mausoleum

The only way that I can describe the Armstrong Mausoleum is terrifying. 

It does warn you on the signs before you go in, but nothing could have prepared me for this dark series of haunted caverns with coffins.

All I will say is, prepare to be utterly spooked. I had to have my phone torch on as I was so scared.

Before you go inside, don’t forget to say hello to the Giant Wooden Guardian with his battle-axe acting as a sentinel.

10. Froggy Fountain

Don’t forget to stop by the Froggy Fountain. It’s a manicured herb garden with a clock in its centre surrounded by a group of dancing frogs.

On the quarter hour, the garden plays band music, and you can watch the fountain show.

The setting is also stunning with trellises, herb plots, flowers, a dovecote and more. 

11. St Cuthbert’s Well

One of my favourite things in the Forbidden Corner was St Cuthbert’s Well.

As you approach the church in a creepy graveyard filled with interesting tombstones, you don’t expect much.

But when you step inside, you’ll be in awe of the Silver Swan, who greets you to try the healing water.

As we were here alone, this area was so relaxing with the lulling music.

12. Corner Café & Gift Shop

If you’re feeling peckish during your visit, you must pop into the Corner Café.

They serve a range of light snacks, hot meals and drinks throughout the day in a fairytale setting. You’ll find portraits of gardens around the world. 

As we were in Yorkshire, my friend and I knew we needed to try their roast dinner in a giant Yorkshire Pudding. It just had to be done. 

It was so delicious and gave us some much-needed fuel for our adventures in the maze. 

Just next door, you can browse their wonderful gift shop filled with quirky gifts, Burp Castle plush toys and whimsical garden ornaments. 

If you prefer, they also have a White Goose Pizza Co. located in the car park that serves a range of freshly baked pizzas and Italian dishes. 

Is The Forbidden Corner worth visiting?

Yes, my friend and I were so impressed by our visit. There are whimsical things to find around every corner.

It’s quite literally impossible to get bored in this labyrinth, as there is so much to keep you occupied. 

One of my favourite movies is The Labyrinth with David Bowie, and it felt like I had entered a part of the movie set.

I’ve never been to a place like it in my life, and it’s easy to see why it’s called the Strangest Place in the World.

Don’t skip a visit to the Forbidden Corner in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s an adventure of surprises waiting for you. 

Tips for the Forbidden Corner

• Not everything here needs to be completed. For example, you can skip the scary mausoleum if you don’t want to be spooked.

• There are some narrow passages, but I’m claustrophobic and found them wide enough. I avoided the very narrow ones for kids.

• Come with an open mind and remain curious. Question everything. Some things are meant to disorient and confuse you. Embrace it.

• There are many stairs here and some uneven ground. So, wear a sensible pair of shoes to explore.

• Take your time. It’s always tempting to tick things off as fast as you can. But some of my favourite moments were appreciating the views. 

How long do you need to visit?

I would set aside anything from 2-4 hours to visit The Forbidden Corner; there’s so much to find inside.

It’s also very easy to get lost in the maze, so you may need more time to find everything. 

We didn’t expect to spend as long as we did; we ended up being there for over 4 hours. 

We were exhausted in the end, but I have no regrets as I loved our quirky adventure.

When is the best time to visit?

As it’s such a popular attraction, there isn’t really a ‘quiet’ time to visit this place. It will be busy most of the tourist season.

But I would say to avoid school holidays, bank holidays and weekends for a quieter time.

Getting there as soon as it opens on a weekday or later in the afternoon avoids the majority of crowds. 

Read more of my Yorkshire Dales guides

Complete Ribblehead Viaduct Walk guide

A complete guide for Janet’s Foss Waterfall

How to visit The Druid’s Temple in Masham 

How to do the Malham Cove Harry Potter walk

A complete guide for the Gordale Scar walk

How to visit Pendragon Castle in Yorkshire Dales

How to visit Plumpton Rocks in Yorkshire

Save The Forbidden Corner for later