SIMON RITCHIE and family have fun getting lost at Easingwold Maize Maze.

Where: Easingwold Maize Maze, just off the A19 Easingwold by-pass.

Why: Because at £15 for a family of four it’s probably the best value day out in the area. Once you’re in all the rides and games are free and you can go on them as many times as you like. And there are no hidden costs.

The maze itself is pretty tricky, though, so be warned. Devised by owner, sheep farmer Paul Caygill, the aim is to find five clues, get to the flag-pole and then get out. Easy! Well, not exactly.

We went round in circles. There were times when we were in touching distance of the flag, only to find our way blocked.

Cheating did cross our mind, but thankfully we stumbled across the right path and managed to finish in a respectable 45 minutes. But there’s more to the maze than just the maze.

The pedal go-karts are great and even adults can race around on them. The giant inflatable slide will keep your children occupied for ages – at some places you would pay £2 for just five slides, here you can spend as much time on it as you want.

There’s also a giant sandpit, outdoor snakes and ladders, a volleyball net, football pitch, swingball and Connect 4. You can even have a go at limbo dancing.

You can get up close to a host of animals including pygmy goats, pigs, chicks and curious alpacas, and children can pick up and stroke adorable little rabbits and guinea pigs.

Try if you can to get there on a Monday for the magic shows by Phil Grainger. His trick with the electric saw is guaranteed to make you wince.

The only negative thing about the maze is its short shelf life: it shuts on Sunday, September 4, so get there quick.

Car parking: Loads and it’s all free.

Family friendly: Totally. Everything is devised to keep the children amused – great for the very long summer holidays. There are also little buggies to pull tired children through the maze.

Toilets: As you’re in the middle of a field, portable toilets only.

Refreshments: Marquee selling delicious homemade Dexter beef burgers (£3) and sausages (£2.50) from nearby Thornhill Farm. Also reasonably priced local cakes and sandwiches, including ham or marmite for the kids (£1). Tea and coffee (£1), soft drinks and ice creams too.

Admission: £15 for a family of four (two adults and two children), single tickets £4.75. Under-threes go free.

Opening hours: From 10.30am seven days a week. Last admission is 4.30pm. The maize is open until Sunday, September 4.

Disabled access: Yes.

• For more details, phone 07974 090323 or visit easingwoldmaze.co.uk