Mike Laycock and family get lost in the massive maize maze near York (From York Press)

Mike Laycock and family get lost in the massive maize maze near York

10:51am Saturday 30th August 2008 in Search By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

What and where?: The York Maze, situated just off the B1228 at Elvington.

Why? It’s one of the biggest mazes of its kind in the world – the size of several Wembley football pitches – and it attracts more than 50,000 visitors a year from all over the region. You can’t live in York with children and not be tempted to go and see what all the fuss is about. We went after all that rain in August but managed to forget our wellies, and feared we would be greeted by a muddy quagmire. In fact, there were only a few soggy bits which we generally managed to walk or leap past.

The maze this year has been created in the shape of the Statue of Liberty – not that you can tell this from the ground. Instead, we wandered along endless corridors lined with ten-foot high walls of maize, frequently ending up at dead-ends. We had been given a map at the start but then been challenged to find our way round without it. After ten minutes, we were hopelessly lost and turned in desperation to the map for help as we sought to find and solve a series of clues. It was good fun, but quite tiring after tramping round for an hour. We moved on to see some of the maze’s other attractions, which include a jumping pillow – think of a bouncy castle without any walls – an inflatable maze and a maze of illusions – think of a fairground hall of mirrors in a natural setting. It was a good day out, if a little expensive, and it’s worth spending a few hours there to get your money’s worth.

When? Open daily from 10am until 6.30pm, with last admissions at 4.30, until Sunday September 7.

How much? Adults: £7.95, children: £6.95, OAPs: £7.45, under threes free.

Parking? Yes, free.

Toilets? Yes.

Refreshments? Yes, there’s a café.