Forbidden Corner (Tupgill Park)
Grottos, tunnels, passageways, a labyrinth, sculptures, and various other unusual follies can be found scattered around this 4-acre (1.6-hectare plot of green in Tupgill Park Estate. Originally built as a private garden, it was later opened up to the public, with visitors encouraged to wander at will and discover its oddities.
The basics
Visitors must pre-book tickets to gain entry to Forbidden Corner. Guests are not given a map, meaning you will be left to your own devices to explore the many follies, though you will be given a tick sheet to help ensure you cover the major sights. With dead-ends, twisted tunnels, water jets, and various puzzles and tasks to figure out, you’ll be surprised by what you find.
Things to know before you go
- Pre-book tickets for the Forbidden Corner in advance of visits.
- Some younger or more timid children may find parts of the Forbidden Corner scary but these sections can be avoided.
- A café at the site serves refreshments and food, and there is also a picnic section where you can eat your own packed lunch.
- Large parts of the Forbidden Corner are not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.
How to get there
The nearest train station is Northallerton, about 20 miles (32 kilometers away). Driving from York takes about 80 minutes: follow the A1 north and exit at the junction.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Forbidden Corner opens from April through early November, and on Sundays from early November until Christmas. Come at least an hour or two before closing (6pm or dusk if earlier) to allow yourself ample time to explore.
Middleham Castle
Just a 5-minute drive east of the Forbidden Corner sits Middleham Castle, the childhood home of King Richard III. Though the castle, which dates back to the late 12th century, is now ruined, walking around the English Heritage-managed site still gives a sense of how impressive and imposing it once was.