written by Mummabluberry on 28/08/2011
I made the mistake of visiting during a bank holiday weekend but nevertheless I was under the impression that numbers of visitors were strictly monitored to avoid overcrowding. This was clearly not the case today. I took my grandsons there on a visit - aged 4 and 2 and it was a stressful and frightening experience. We got stuck in one of the narrow tunnels which was completely dark and so full of people that it was impossible to move in either direction. The steep stone steps were slippery due to yesterday's downpour and I was fearful of my 2 year old getting crushed and my 4 year old who is autistic completely freaking out. Getting out was extremely difficult and distressing. |As a result, we had to cut short our visit so a 58 mile drive each way proved an expensive mistake.
written by on 22/08/2011
I saw a leaflet for the Forbidden Corner on holiday last year and we finally made the trip over the weekend with my sister and young son. We were really exciting having been to something that was similar in Scotland many years ago on holday. When we arrived we had to queue for a long time even though all tickets are pre-booked and it was difficult keeping a young child entertained, particularly when you aren't told what's going on. The website informs you that you have to book a specific time to visit in advance so there aren't too many people but we found everywhere really crowded...that was the most disappointing thing. There were so many people that is ruined the atmosphere on the attraction and it meant we spent a long time waiting around and we weren't always able to go where we needed to. Perhaps the experience would have be better if there were less people there. I know we went on a weekend (peak time) but I thought it misleading that you're given the impression that numbers are limited to good effect when in reality it can be so busy you don't enjoy it! We won't be visiting again.
written by thedash on 26/10/2006
I went along with my 3 1/2 year old after finding information on the website. Being self employed, it was my first day off for 4 months so I wanted to take her somewhere interesting.
Unfortunately she freaked at the entrance, a huge gaping mouth that opens it's eyes and burps at you. Although I managed to get her through by scooping her up and telling her to close her eyes and then running through, the fear never really subsided. We had a fairly calm 10 minutes or so exploring some of the more open areas but when a little more courage was needed to explore the unknown, the memory of the burping monster returned. On every turn the fear of going back to the thing increased, until she was calling for Mummy at the point of potentially losing bowel control, poor thing. I was struggling to find the exit which I guessed was under the trees and close to the monster but I failed to find it and things were getting worse the more we stayed in close proximity to the beast.
I eventually found an open area but was cut off by a low hedge. I managed to pass her over the hedge and climb over myself to reach a terrace overlooking some friendly sheep.
At this point I rang reception and they sent someone in to rescue us.
In all an interesting half hour or so.
On the plus side, the staff were very friendly and I was offered a free ticket if I wanted to visit again. Perhaps we will return at some time in the future when little one is a bit braver.
My word of advice is, only fearless little ones should be taken, or perhaps with much pre-warning of what to expect and shown a few pictures from the internet before arrival.
Written on: 14/04/2007
I went to the Forbidden Corner twice and I found the second time better because they update it every year with more interesting and exciting things! It seems impossible to get more exciting things to put in there then they already have but they seem to have managed!
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<br/>Oh by the way, the big dog that is on the guide is in the picnic area right at the back. It also notes on the back about fish swimming on the floor. This can be found through the gate at the back of the picnic area. There are two big ponds through here. There are some very big fish in the pond which kind of freaked me out because I am petrified of fish but I managed to get through nervously. There are two gates going into the picnic area, one going straight to the ponds and one going into the main picnic area. The one that is pretty much opposite the entrance door to the Forbidden corner is the one going into the main picnic area. The one on the side of the wall near the driveway is the one straight to the pond area.
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<br/>Hope this information helps!
written by echo16 on 10/10/2006
We found the pictures in the brochure deceiving, as not a lot of the things shown did much! Water squirting objects were rather repetitive, and it was quite cramped when school parties arrived. It became boring at The Forbidden Corner after the first roam around. It was very boring for the adults, and some children looked fed up after a while.
written by colette222 on 03/09/2005
Overall I would of enjoyed the day at the Forbidden Corner much more if there had been just me and my older child (who is 10), however I was told that it was fine to bring small children in pushchairs, but as I soon found out there is absolutely no point in this, as it is extremely difficult to manouvere a pushchair through the woods and i quite often got stuck in the pathway and as a result my baby got a good soaking from one of the statues due to me not being able to move away quickly enough. Also many parts of the maze are up steep steps and it is impossible to fit a pushchair up them so therefore I missed most of it due to it being inaccesible to myself, so I was slightly frustrated about this, however, if I had of come just with my older child I would of enjoyed it a lot more, but for older people and unfit people it does involve several hours of endless walking (round and round in circles if you get lost!) and it is advisable to take a change of clothes for children as there are places that you will get wet! It was ok but it isn't very well signposted either so I dont think I will be returning in the near future.
written by Derry on 09/05/2004
The Forbidden Corner Leyburn, N Yorkshire is overall worth a visit, but see the bad points above.
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Mrmoomoo1981's Response to Mummabluberry's Review
Written on: 15/05/2012
Dear god. Stay at home in future.