Top 5 amazing mazes around the world
Wednesday, 29 August 2012 9:41 AM
Challenge yourself with these fun mazes around the world (Photo: Longleat Maze, UK)
Get ready to get lost! We’ve picked out five of the best a-maze-ing mazes around the world:
Hampton Court Palace Maze, UK
The English historian Ernest Law remarked in 1926 that Hampton Court Palace maze ‘is the most famous Maze in the history of the world, and immeasurably the one most visited.’ The oldest surviving hedge maze, commissioned around 1700 by William III, is still a popular family attraction to this day and has continued to confuse and intrigue visitors with its many twists, turns and dead ends.
Dole Plantation Maze, Hawaii
The pineapple plantation in Oahu, Hawaii, houses the largest maze in the world – the Pineapple Garden Maze. Covering more than two acres, the maze is made of 14,000 colourful Hawaiian plants including hibiscus, heliconia, croton and panax. The centre of the maze is in the shape of a huge pineapple (how apt!).
Ashcombe Maze, Australia
Ashcombe Hedge Maze in Victoria – the oldest in Australia – is a traditional hedge maze, standing over three metres high and two metres thick. The maze is comprised of hundreds of walkways leading from the South Maze to the central garden then on to the North Maze. The gardens also boasts the oldest circular rose maze in the world – planted with more than 1200 bushes and 217 different varieties, chosen for their colour and perfume.
Peace Maze, Northern Ireland
The Peace Maze, situated in Castelwellan Forest Park is one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, it is maturing quickly and visitors can attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze.
Longleat Hedge Maze, UK
Created in 1975 and planted entirely of English Yew, Longleat’s Hedge Maze covers an area of approximately 1.4 acres. Unlike most other conventional mazes, it is three-dimensional, with six wooden bridges offering tantalising glimpses towards the elusive centre of the maze. For those who manage to get to the centre, great views of the maze await victors from the observation tower.
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