The Forbidden Corner

A four-acre folly garden at Tupgill Park in the Yorkshire Dales, built around a simple idea: hide as many oddities as possible in a small space and let visitors find them. It began as a private folly and was opened to the public in the 1990s. Adults and children both tend to find plenty to poke at.

Expect a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and passages rather than a single marked walkway. Named features include the Temple of the Underworld, the Eye of the Needle and a translucent glass pyramid, along with statues tucked into walls and hedges.

There are trick fountains and other water surprises, so part of the fun is guessing which doorway or flagstone is about to catch you out. The route mixes garden and woodland areas above ground with underground sections of dark stone corridors and dead ends.

You are given a checklist or leaflet to help you track down the features, which turns the visit into a hunt rather than a stroll. Doubling back through the same tunnel is normal.

• A visit is typically around two and a half hours.
• First-time visitors may want longer, especially if you want to find everything on the list.
• You can go in and out during your visit, so a pause at the cafe partway through is easy.

Sturdy footwear and an extra layer are sensible: there are steps, uneven floors and narrow, dark passages, some surfaces can be wet and slippery, and the underground areas are cool. The water features are designed to surprise you, so expect to get a little damp.

• There is a lot of walking, with steps, uneven floors and narrow passageways.
• The cafe is wheelchair accessible, but the full attraction route is not suitable for everyone.
• Some corners are startling, and certain areas may not suit very young children.
• Guide dogs only.