Down in the workshop, our estate team has been a masterclass in macabre engineering. We’ve been wiring, testing, fabricating, checking animatronics, sticking, painting and making things out right creepy. Because our venue is a mix of outdoor and underground spaces, every prop has to withstand the brutal Yorkshire weather while remaining completely hidden until the moment you walk past. Our prop budget has already teetered on the “over budget”, but it will all look fantastically terrifying at the event, so worth every penny, shackle and tupence.

Costume preparation is also when the characters truly start to breathe. We don’t rely on off-the-rack Halloween masks. Instead, we distress heavy canvas, leather, and tattered lace, dragging fabrics through the mud (literally at times), shredding hems, and layering them with grimy wash to achieve that authentic, centuries-old decay. Our actors have been chomping at the bit to scare the pants off this year’s guests. Some will stalk, some will jump, some will make you laugh, and certainly some will chase…
“Harrrrooooold” – Mrs Harold

Speaking of the Harolds, Mrs Harold demanded that they step it up this year, “I wanna be a princess, with a tiara and a karaoke machine to sing to my sweet Harold”. Well, you better believe she always gets what she wants!

We are currently tweaking the lighting, adjusting the claustrophobic corridors to feel tighter and darker than ever before, and fine-tuning the atmospheric audio that will echo through the underground grotto. If you thought getting lost in the daylight was a challenge, wait until you face the grounds when the sun drops, and the forgotten residents finally wake up. We are dying to welcome you in, and we can’t wait to hear you scream.

16th, 17, 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st October

What happens when you take The Forbidden Corner out of our mysterious labyrinth of tunnels and drop us right into the heart of the Great Yorkshire Show? Absolute magic, mild chaos, and a whole lot of Yorkshire pride!

We packed up our usual dose of wonder and headed down to Harrogate for the 2026 show, and let’s just say it wasn’t your average day out in the Dales. Here is the lowdown on how our grand excursion went down.

The Baby Dragon got to go!

You can take the mythical creatures out of the maze, but you can’t take the mischief out of the creatures. Our little baby dragon Scorch decided that four days of tractors, livestock, and prime Yorkshire produce was the perfect place to stretch his wings and cause a stir. The first year we went, we took Ember, then last year was Cinder, so it was only fair Scorch got to come this year.
True to form, he kept popping up where he definitely wasn’t supposed to be, trying to inspect the prize-winning sheep, attempting to judge the cheese competition, and generally keeping everyone on their toes. Let’s just say security had their hands full trying to keep a scaly toddler from hitching a ride on the back of a pig! (Luckily, the pig wasn’t having any of it)

Meeting the Stump Cross Caverns Mammoth

Every good adventure needs an epic crossover, and we found ours when we bumped into our good friends from Stump Cross Caverns. If you thought navigating our underground chambers was tricky, try running into a prehistoric woolly mammoth in the middle of a showground!

Craig and Sophia were delighted to take him for a walk, and even Scorch was shy around such a large creature. We spent a good portion of the day swapping stories about life beneath the Yorkshire earth, our tunnels versus their 300-million-year-old limestone caves, while bewildered onlookers wondered what kind of alternate timeline they’d accidentally stepped into. It was an iconic meeting of North Yorkshire’s finest curiosities.

Running into someone from our neck of the woods

No trip to the showground would be complete without catching up with some familiar faces from our neck of the woods. We happened to bump into the wonderful folk from Raydale Preserves, who brought along their whole collection of mouthwatering, different-flavoured jams and preserves. Frankly, it was a massive relief that little Scorch wasn’t tagging along for that particular chat; otherwise, every single tasting sample would have vanished in a single, fiery gulp!

If you fancy bringing a taste of the Dales home with you, you’re in luck. We proudly stock a selection of their finest flavours right here in our Gift Shop, so you can pick up a jar for your morning toast next time you wander through our labyrinth.

Until Next Time!

From the roar of the main ring to the bewildered faces of folks meeting a rogue baby dragon for the very first time, the Great Yorkshire Show 2026 was one for the history books. A massive thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, braved the crowds, and shared their past memories of the place or discovered it for the first time!

Back to the labyrinth we go, just don’t tell the dragon, they’ve already started planning their next excursion!

The gates of Forbidden Corner have a mind of their own. For most of the year, The Forbidden Corner is a place of wonder and whimsy, but as the shadows lengthen and the air turns cold, something else wakes up.

We are terrified (and thrilled) to officially announce that The Forgotten Corner is returning for 2026.

📅 THE DATES

Mark your calendars and prepare your nerves for:
OCTOBER 2026

16-17-23-24-30-31*

*Tickets are not yet on sale, but make sure you follow the Forgotten Corner on TikTok and Facebook to be the first to know when tickets go live. If you haven’t followed yet, now is the time.*

WHAT IS THE FORGOTTEN CORNER?

If you thought the Labyrinth was tricky in the daylight, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Forgotten Corner is our premier adult-only horror experience. We take the strange statues, the hidden tunnels, and the twisting paths of our 4-acre garden and turn them into a living nightmare.

Expect live actors, immersive soundscapes, and jump scares that take full advantage of the park’s unique architecture. In the Corner, the walls don’t just have ears—they have teeth.

WHAT’S LURKING IN 2026?
We’re stepping up the intensity for this cycle. We have new characters, new themes, and a host of returning characters. Mr and Mrs Harold, anyone?

We’ve also heard rumours of new residents being added to the Mausoleum, a place where your own heartbeat might just be your worst enemy. Stay tuned; the nightmare is only just beginning to take shape.

FOLLOW THE BREADCRUMBS

Don’t miss a single update. We’ll be dropping “Leaks” and character spotlights across our social channels over the coming months.

*Warning: The Forgotten Corner is an intense horror event. Please check our official event page for age restrictions and safety warnings before booking.*

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

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… ✨