[F]amilies can have a real hoot at the Lakeland Maze Park in Sedgwick near Kendal in Cumbria this year, as the 2018 theme for the massive and award-winning maze runs on a wildlife theme and features a wise old owl named Maisie!
The amazing spell of hot weather has encouraged the maize crop to grow faster than ever and, with the heatwave set to continue for a few weeks more, there should be a queue forming at the gate of the visitor attraction when the maze opens on July 14.
All can enjoy getting hopelessly confused in the sunshine, as they try to figure their way out of the natural puzzle. Families will have to hope that Maisie imparts some of her wisdom, as they solve clues that will help them find the exit route. Only a giant would be able to peer above the 8-foot high maize (already adult head-height), to try to gain a sense of direction!
The wildlife theme has been chosen because Lakeland Maze – twice Maize Maze of the Year – is working in association with Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) in 2018. CWT experts have conducted various wildlife surveys around Raines Hall Farm, where the maze is based, and discovered all manner of creatures calling it ‘home’, including owls.
Negotiating all the twists and turns within Maisie will typically provide two hours of family fun, spread over a distance of around 8 acres. Whilst there is an Emergency Map for those who really cannot find their way out, getting lost leads to lots of giggles, so being hopeless at self-navigation for a time really does create extra enjoyment.
Whilst this owl-themed activity is blinking good fun, there are lots of other things to do that make this a wonderful family day out. Younger children, and those rather more mature visitors who are still very young at heart, can tackle the easier Mini Maze, to collect mice as they go.
New for this season is a timber-built panel maze, with 3D-effects, bridges and much more, which will test the wits even further. In this maze, families must spot the coloured sheep and do what is asked of them in the quest for a baacode. Without it, they won’t be able to get out of the maze!
Those still wanting more fun can tackle a straw-bale maze, see the smaller animals in the pet barn, visit the paddocks of other animals on the working farm including cattle, sheep, various types of pig, pygmy and angora goats, horses, llamas, alpacas, ferrets and Winston the Donkey, and even feed some of those with food available for purchase from the farm.
Other children may prefer to head to the trampolines, giant draughts board, outdoor or indoor karting, tractor and trailer rides, or soft play area, complete with climbing wall.
With hot and cold food and drinks available and an indoor picnic area and shop, there is loads to do and see, whatever the weather.
Lakeland Maze Park is open from 10am to 6pm from July 14 to September 2 and then the same hours, weekends only, to September 30. On the weekends of September 22 and September 29, it will be allowing nocturnal Maisie to wake up and welcome visitors to her Moonlit Mazes, which are open from 6pm to 10pm.
Entrance to the Lakeland Maze Park costs £8.95 for an adult, £7.95 for concessions (children aged 2-15, students and carers with ID), £6.95 for seniors and £32 for a family of two adults and two children, or one adult and three children.
More information is at www.lakelandmaze.co.uk or from [email protected] and 015395 61760. Groups are also welcome and bookings can be made with advance notice of a week or more.
