The Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner sits on the edge of Tupgill Park near Leyburn and is genuinely unlike anything else in Yorkshire. This is a subterranean maze of underground chambers, tunnels, and passages that feel less like a theme park and more like you've stumbled into someone's elaborate fever dream. Above ground it's all garden mazes and follies, but the real draw is descending into the earth.

You'll navigate narrow corridors, climb through odd architectural spaces, and encounter deliberately bewildering dead ends. Some bits are quite tight if you're claustrophobic - worth knowing upfront. The whole experience takes a good two to three hours if you actually try to solve the various puzzles and find your way out. Kids aged eight upwards tend to get the most from it. Younger ones sometimes find it unsettling rather than fun, and teenagers often complete it in half the time with casual dismissal.

It's paid admission and operates seasonally, so check ahead. The nearest proper base would be Yorkshire Dales Holiday Park or Eastfield Glamping Farm - both within easy reach for a day trip. Combine it with a walk around Leyburn itself or head into the Dales proper if you want to balance an underground afternoon with proper fresh air.

Truth told, it's properly odd and either absolutely captivates you or leaves you thinking you've paid to get lost in a basement. Worth the detour if your group likes solving mazes and weird architectural puzzles. If you want straightforward theme park rides, look elsewhere.