Our “Great Dragon Egg Quest” brought out the bravest explorers and most promising young sorcerers from across the land. If you missed out (or just want to relive the adventure), here’s a recap of the enchantment that unfolded.

The Quest: Unleashing the Magic

The challenge was set, Ember the Dragon had hidden three giant, mystical eggs deep within our folly. These weren’t your average chocolate eggs; each was a huge, vibrant dragon’s egg! Each one also held a vital fragment of an ancient incantation!

Families braved the labyrinth, navigating through the Temple of the Underworld to track them down. Watching everyone piece together the full spell was a highlight for us; there’s nothing quite like the sound of a hundred “words of power” being spoken around the grounds!

Meeting the Masters of Magic

Once the spell was mastered, explorers headed to St Cuthbert’s to meet Rolmi, our Dragon Trainer, for a quick progress check.

Once complete, it was time for the main event: an audience with Stoln Cairngorm, the Grand Wizard.

Stepping into the Wizard’s chamber and seeing his chest filled with hundreds of chocolate eggs was a wonder for any onlooker. Those whose spells were spoken correctly were granted access to the enchanted chest and were able to take a well-earned chocolate treasure!

To top it all off, our resident Knight, Sir Kastor Telford, was on hand to guide everyone safely through the graveyard and back to the froggy fountain, ensuring the adventure ended with big smiles and even bigger stories.

If you joined us this Easter, we loved having you. If you missed the Wizard, Dragon Trainer, or Knight, remember they will be back in June for Wizard Weekend, 27th and 28th!

We’ve designed our new membership to be the ultimate key to the gardens. Whether you’re a local adventurer or a family looking for the perfect weekend escape, here is why you’ll want to join our membership.

Unlimited Exploration

The best part of membership? Unlimited visits. For 12 months from the date of purchase, you can drop in as often as you like during our regular open season (April–December). Whether it’s a quick weekday wander or a full day of family fun, the gates are always open for you. Please note that a booking is still required, but your unique code allows you to book again and again!

The Perks (There are lots of them!)

Being a member isn’t just about entry; it’s about the extra magic. Here’s what you get:

• Bring the Whole Crew: Invite up to 5 guests per visit and get 10% off their tickets when you book together.
• Eat & Shop for Less: Enjoy 10% off at the Corner Café, the Gift Shop, and even the Saddle Room Restaurant and White Goose Pizzeria.
• Exclusive Event Access: Get first dibs and special discounts on selected ticketed events throughout the year.
• Stay in Style: Keep an eye out for our member-only offers on Tupgill Park cottages and B&B rooms.

It Pays for Itself

We like to keep things simple: if you visit just three times in a year, your membership has already paid for itself.

• Adults: £57
• Seniors: £54
• Children: £51

Already visited us recently?

If you’ve visited in the last 30 days and realised you’re not ready for the adventure to end, you can actually deduct the cost of your original ticket from your new membership! Just enter your booking reference at checkout.

Ready to start your year of discovery? Head over to our Membership Page to grab yours today. We can’t wait to see you back in the gardens (again, and again, and again!).

There is a special kind of magic that lives at the Forbidden Corner. It hides in the very woodwork of the building. Last week, we were in the attic sorting things out, and we found that some magic had crept into our vintage typewriter, which is heavy, ink-stained, and faintly smells of adventures past.

We decided to bring it down and see what the magic can do.

Introducing: The Monthly Dispatch

Starting this month, our enchanted typewriter will be churning out a monthly newsletter. Think of it as a parchment letter delivered with the speed of a magical lightning bolt. Inside each edition, you’ll find:

• Whispers & News: The latest updates from our world, freshly typed and magically transmitted.
• The Monthly Look-Back: A highlight of the moments that made us smile.
• Secret Spoils: Exclusive offers and discounts for our loyal subscribers.
• The Enigma: A monthly riddle to sharpen your mind from the Grand Wizard Stoln Cairngorm. (Warning: some riddles may require a bit of lateral thinking, and he doesn’t give us the answers until the following month, so we are scratching our heads, too)

A Quest to the Forbidden Corner

Every subscriber on our list will be entered into a prize draw to win a family ticket to The Forbidden Corner. If you’ve never been, imagine a place where the statues tell secrets, and the way to go is never quite so obvious.

No spam, no fluff, just pure wonder.

Only once a month, we will send you our newsletter, in time for you to take advantage of the month ahead.

Subscribe below to receive the magical mail!

We’re offering an Early Bird 10% Discount on all standard visits for the entire year ahead! Whether you’re planning a sunny spring outing or a cosy autumn weekend, now is the time to get it on the calendar.

The Details

• The Deal: 10% off your booking.
• Travel Dates: Valid for visits between March 28th and December 20th, 2026.
• Booking Window: You must book before the clock strikes midnight on February 28th.

Our 2026 Calendar at a Glance

To help you plan your trip, keep these scheduling notes in mind:

• Peak Season: We are open throughout the week from March through October.
• Late Season: In November and December, we shift to weekends only, perfect for a quick winter day out.
• Exclusions: Please note that this promotion applies to standard visits and does not include tickets for our special seasonal events, such as “The Forgotten Corner.”

How to Claim Your Discount

Saving on your next visit is simple. Head over to our booking page, pick your dates, tickets needed and enter the following code at checkout to apply 10% off the whole thing:

PROMO CODE: FCFEB26

Don’t wait too long, this offer vanishes at the end of February! We can’t wait to see you back here for another incredible season.

The decorations are coming down, the last remnants of tinsel have been swept away, and the festive songs have been replaced with our usual playlist. Yet, even as we move into the New Year, the warmth of this past Christmas season is still glowing brightly here.

We have just wrapped up what can only be described as a truly magical few weeks. We always love Christmas, but this year felt extra special. The atmosphere was exciting, and the laughter filled the air. Seeing so many happy faces, from toddlers to grandparents, reminded us exactly why we do what we do. It was a season of pure joy, and we enjoyed every single second of hosting you.

Santa and his elf drop off a present for the Woodsman

One of the highlights of the month was definitely our Christmas Quiz Trail. It was wonderful seeing families bundled up in hats and scarves, clutching clue sheets in hand, as they explored the grounds with such determination!

But the real star of the gardens was, of course, our resident “reindeer,” Folly. For those of you who managed to track them down, you know that Folly (our wonderfully enthusiastic team member in a fantastic costume) was enjoying themselves in St Cuthbert’s, ready with a mischievous wave or a hoof-bump for the successful explorers. The delight of all when Folly was spotted was absolutely priceless; both kids and adults were in hysterics.

Folly the Reindeer in St Cuthbert’s Reindeer Stables

However, the pinnacle of the Christmas magic was the enchanting journey to Santa’s Grotto. We didn’t want it to just be a visit; we wanted it to be an experience from start to finish.

The adventure began with meeting the keeper of the most important book in the world: Peppermint the Elf. Peppermint took their job very seriously, diligently checking everyone was on the “Nice List.” (We are delighted to report that we didn’t have a single Naughty List visitor!)

Once approved by Peppermint, guests were given the warmest of welcomes by Mrs Claus, who ushered families into the cosy Grotto itself to visit with Santa. Watching the children’s eyes widen as they stepped inside was the definition of Christmas magic.

We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who visited us this December. Thank you for bringing your energy, your smiles, and your festive spirit. You made our Christmas season unforgettable, and we are already dreaming up ways to make next year even more magical.

Happy New Year to you all!

Santa, Mrs Claus and Peppermint played our board game

🎃 Spooktacular Fun at The Forbidden Corner This October! 👻

What an incredible Halloween season it’s been here at The Forbidden Corner! The air was buzzing with excitement, giggles, and just the right amount of spooky delight throughout October. We absolutely loved seeing all your fantastic costumes as families explored the grounds and got lost in our daytime Halloween event.

🦴 The Daytime Delights: Bones, Quizzes, and Costumes!

Seeing so many of you join the hunt for the lost green bones was a highlight, you certainly have sharp eyes! The competitive spirit for the Halloween quiz was brilliant, and it was clear everyone put their thinking caps on.

But what truly made our October special was seeing all your incredible spooky dress-up! From tiny witches and wizards to creative monsters, your efforts brought so much vibrant Halloween atmosphere to every twist and turn of the corner.

🏆 The Grand Finale: Halloween Fancy Dress Competition!

The climax of the month was, of course, the Fancy Dress Competition on Halloween itself (October 31st)! Wow, you all looked absolutely amazing. Judging was incredibly tough, but after much deliberation, here are the spectacular winners:

• 🥇 1st Place: Mandrake (from Harry Potter). The creativity and detail were simply outstanding!
• 🥈 2nd Place: Gengar (from Pokémon). A brilliant, recognisable, and brilliantly executed costume.
• 🥉 3rd Place: Vampire. An amazing little vampire costume! Truly chilling.

And yes, we definitely consider the grown-ups too! The prize for the Best Grown-Up Costume went to a dazzling and perfectly menacing Cruella de Vil. Congratulations to all our winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated; you truly made the day unforgettable despite the rain!

💀 “The Forgotten Corner” 16+ Scare Event

As the sun set, the true terror emerged with our 16+ Halloween Scare Event: “The Forgotten Corner.”

A massive shout-out and round of applause must go to our dedicated staff and, especially, our tireless actors! The level of commitment, detail, and sheer terrifying energy put into this event was phenomenal. Every scare, every jump, and the chilling atmosphere was a testament to their hard work and passion. It was a complete blast to run and (we hope!) a thrill to experience!

The word of our terror has spread far and wide, and we’ve been delighted by the fantastic feedback:

• “Parks, Scares & Glitter” (a respected blogger) gave us a shining review!
  • Read here
• “Judventures” (a popular Youtuber) documented the chills and thrills!
  • Watch here
• “Theme Park Loopy” (a brilliant podcast) loved the immersive horror!
  • Listen here

Crucially, our guests have spoken, too! We’ve had a sensational 6 guests leave us 100% recommendations on Facebook! Thank you for the incredible support!

We’ve enjoyed every moment of fear, fun, and fancy dress this Halloween season. Thank you to everyone who visited and made it such a huge success. We are already plotting, planning, and preparing for an even bigger and better scare season for 2026!

If you have got this far and are still reading…. here is another bonus for you. Judventures also came back on our last night to be a scare actor and create a short documentary video on what goes into the event and being a scare actor!

We are absolutely over the moon to share this incredibly exciting news! We have been officially shortlisted as a FINALIST in the prestigious Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards 2025!

In the Running for “Large Tourist Attraction of the Year!”

Our unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies, and surprises has earned us a coveted spot in the running for Large Tourist Attraction of the Year: Over 75k visitors per year.

This is a huge honour for us and a wonderful recognition of our amazing team’s hard work and commitment to making The Forbidden Corner “The Strangest Place in the World.” We’ve always known how special the Corner is, and this shortlisting confirms that the whole region agrees!

We’re especially grateful to every single person who has visited us, got a little lost (or a lot), and maybe even got a little wet from one of the water squirters hidden round the park! Thank you for loving The Forbidden Corner as much as we do, your enthusiasm is what makes all this possible.

We hope to bring more excitment and entertainment next season!

Watch Out for the Finalist Feature!

Keep your eyes peeled as The Yorkshire Post will be producing a dedicated Finalist Supplement on 11th November, and we’ll be proudly featured alongside the other brilliant tourism businesses from across Yorkshire.

Congratulations in advance to all the other finalists! We are truly looking forward to celebrating with you all on the 1st of December!

Once upon a time (about 25 years ago, to be exact), a curious little place called The Forbidden Corner opened its gates. Since then, it has been a home of wonder, surprises, and laughter for all who dared to step inside.

And now… we’ve just celebrated our 25th Birthday! 🎉

What a marvellous two-day event it was. Families wandered through our twisting paths, giggling at the mischief around each corner. We heard the most heart-warming tales, parents who once ran through our mazes as children now chasing after their own little adventurers, and even grandparents proudly showing their grandkids the secrets they once discovered long ago. The magic has truly passed through generations, and that, more than anything, made our birthday sparkle brighter than ever.

Of course, our enchanted friends joined the celebration too. Wizard Stoln Cairngorm was delighted to meet new faces (and sneak a spell or two). Rolmi the Dragon Trainer proudly showed off her baby dragon, Cinder, who was more than happy to receive some attention. Around the park, some of our other curious characters popped up, each with a grin and a story to share, often handing out our party hats.

As the day drew to a close, we were left with full hearts and smiling faces, dreaming of what adventures the next 25 years will bring. If the past is anything to go by, there will be laughter, surprises, and more than a little mischief hiding in the hedges.

So here’s to the next chapter of our story. Thank you for being part of our tale so far. The Forbidden Corner would be nothing without its brave explorers, curious children, and joyful families.

Until we see you for your next adventure… ✨

🧙‍♂️ Wizards Weekend – A Magical Success! 🏰✨

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our enchanting Wizards Weekend at The Forbidden Corner! From curious visitors to costumed characters, the event was a magical success, and we’re so grateful to all who helped bring the magic to life. The wizard Stoln Cairngorm made so many young adventurers his apprentices, honouring them with a scroll for completing the quest and a badge to recognise their standing!

Our wonderful wizard absolutely loved meeting all of you! After such a magical weekend, he’s already deep in his dusty scrolls, conjuring up even more excitement for the coming late-night summer opening. 🪄

Meanwhile, our noble knight has set off on a brave new quest, promising to return with tales of daring adventure. The fair maiden is wandering the nearby woods, collecting inspiration (and wildflowers!) to bring even more beauty to our hidden garden corners 🌸🌿.

The jester? Well, he’s still up to his usual tricks, especially in the kitchens! If your lunch went missing… You know who to blame! 🤡🍰

Our merchant has packed up their wares and is now travelling to distant lands, searching for even more magical merchandise to bring back later this summer. Keep your eyes peeled!

Over in the dragon stables, the Dragon Trainer is beaming with pride, young Ember has taken flight! Just in time, too, as little Cinder and Scorch are proving to be quite the handful. 🐉🔥

Though our characters are off on their own adventures, they’ve all vowed to pop in from time to time over the holidays. And the best news? They’ll all be returning for our 25th Birthday party on August 14th & 15th of August – it’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss! 🎉🎈

☀️ Summer Opening – Don’t forget! Longer Days, More Magic!

We’re thrilled that we’ll be open for longer hours throughout the summer holidays, giving you more time to explore, but don’t forget! All visits must be pre-booked online, so be sure to secure your time slot early to avoid disappointment.

🧭 Plan your journey
📅 Book your time slot
🧙‍♀️ And step into the adventure…

See you soon at The Forbidden Corner – where magic, mystery, and mayhem await! 🏞️✨

We’re thrilled to announce that The Forbidden Corner will be open later than ever this summer, giving you more time to explore, discover, and enjoy every mysterious twist and turn of our unique attraction!

From Monday 22nd July to Saturday 31st August, we’ll be keeping our gates open until 7:30 pm each evening, excluding Sundays and Bank holidays when we run Sunday hours as normal, opening earlier at 10 am and closing at 6 pm. Whether you’re returning for another adventure or making your very first visit, there’s never been a better time to experience the magic of long summer evenings at The Forbidden Corner.

Extended Fun, Enchanted Evenings

With the lighter evenings and warm summer air, there’s something truly special about wandering through our labyrinth of paths, tunnels, follies and surprises as the sun begins to set. We’re genuinely excited to be able to share this extended experience with our visitors – it’s the perfect way to make the most of those precious summer nights.

Important note: The last bookable entry slot will be at 5:00 pm, so be sure to pre-book your visit online to secure your place!

Food & Drink – Stay Fuelled for Adventure!

To keep everyone energised during their visit, here’s what’s cooking (and brewing) this summer:

• The Corner Café
  • Hot food served until 5:00 pm
  • Cold food is available until 6:00 pm, when the Café closes
  • A great place to grab a bite and take a breather!
• The Tower (on the Terrace)
  • Food service ends at 6:00 pm – perfect for those later snacks
• The Potting Shed (near the play park)
  • Open until 6:30 pm, serving up those essential last-minute coffees and treats
  • Ideal for a final pick-me-up while the kids burn off every last bit of energy in the play park

Plan Ahead for an Unforgettable Evening

These extended hours are for a limited time only, and with the last entry at 5:00 pm, pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Book your preferred time slot online and come ready for an evening of laughter, surprises, and magical moments.

We can’t wait to welcome you to The Forbidden Corner this summer – let’s make it an adventure to remember!