DAN RUTSTEIN gets clued-up on the mysteries of one of the strangest tourist atttractions in North Yorkshire

Blue-scaled monsters, talking trees, a gnome cricket match, caves, talking horses, spitting statues, lots of water and the largest dog-bush in the world.

I encountered all these during a rather confusing but wonderful and thoroughly entertaining day out at Yorkshire's Forbidden Corner.

This is quite possibly the strangest tourist attraction in the country, but I would heartily recommend it to anyone at a loose end on a sunny day and it will certainly keep the kids quiet for a few hours.

It is located in gardens deep in the North Yorkshire countryside near Middleham, and I had only heard about it previously in rumours in the pub.

We found our way there by spotting hand written signs in Middleham giving directions on the lines of 'Forbidden Corner - Two miles on your left.'

A large well-marked sign on the edge of the Tupgill Park Estate then pointed the way to the Corner.

My excitable companions and I were greeted by a large modern building, acres of woodland and a large fish pond. We paid our entrance fee, were given a guide and entered.

You start at the Man in the Tower and the aim is to navigate your way around the gardens, following clues, exploring caverns and generally trying to see everything on view in the gardens.

The clues never prove particularly helpful, but the trick is to keep your eyes open for secret passages and try to avoid getting lost in the maze or stuck in the narrow passages.

The less aware you are, the more attractions you'll miss - but the helpful guide-leaflet lists them all, so you can measure your disappointment at the end by checking how many you failed to find.

Water seems to spurt all over the place if you don't keep your wits about you and finding all the clues proved difficult, even for four relatively intelligent young men. The bizarre ornaments, puzzles, clues and statues provided hours of entertainment and kids everywhere were running around with broad smiles.

And it wasn't just families; adults, groups of teenagers and even the odd couple could be seen blindly stumbling around the immense estate.

It is certainly novel and as such exciting.

The whole Forbidden Corner project started as a private venture, but after a well-attended Halloween party, the proprietor was persuaded to open up the gardens to the public, and we should all be grateful he has done so.

As well as the walled area containing the more exciting attractions, there are woods and a fish pond to relax by, though do watch out in the woods: bears playing cards and the ridiculous dog-bush are awaiting you.

And finally, please remind your kids that the fun of the place is discovering the clues for yourself, so shouting directions to strangers is not to be encouraged.

It would be nice if the American child who nearly spoiled our day is reading this - and for his information, the secret doorway is actually not next to the revolving platform but by the skeleton near the underground fountain!

FACTFILE

Directions: A59 to Harrogate, onto the B6265 through Boroughbridge to Ripon, onto the A61 for two roundabouts and then onto the A6108 to Middleham. Tupgill Park is on the right after a couple of miles. 55 miles, 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Entrance: Adults £4. OAPS £3.00 Children £2.50.

Refreshments: tea and sandwiches available from the caf.

Car parking: available.

Contact no: 01969 640638

Note: Parents with young children and pushchairs, may find the gravel paths unsuitable. We have also be notified that tickets are now only available from the tourist information centre several miles away from the attraction.

PICTURE: Man In The Tower starts your mystery tour of Tupgill Park, Middleham