Nestled deep within the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park lies an attraction that defies conventional description. Far from the rollercoasters of Alton Towers or the bright lights of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Forbidden Corner offers a uniquely bizarre experience that visitors describe as feeling 'like a fever dream'.
From Private Folly to Public Wonder
The story of this peculiar place began in the 1980s, when it was originally conceived as a private folly for the estate's owner. Its whimsical charm proved so irresistible that it was eventually opened to the public. Demand from delighted visitors spurred its expansion, with more curiosities and hidden secrets being added year after year, transforming it into the labyrinthine wonder it is today.
Located at Coverham in Coverdale, the site is a substantial journey from the capital, requiring a four to five-hour drive from London. However, those who make the trek insist it forms the centrepiece of an unforgettable weekend escape to the countryside.
A Maze of Whimsy and Secret Doors
One recent visitor, TikTok user Artis Marginalia, documented her family's exploration, calling it "one of the UK's weirdest attractions". She noted, "I'm not sure theme park is the right word, but it was certainly an experience." Her verdict highlights its broad appeal: "It's great for a family trip, but honestly I feel like even just as adults you'd enjoy it just as much."
She particularly recommended it for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, whimsical stuff, and secret doors. The experience involves navigating a confusing maze of passages, discovering the Temple of the Underworld, and triggering numerous concealed doors and traps, which she described as "so much fun".
"You never know what's around the corner," Artis explained, emphasising the sense of constant surprise. For younger guests, the adventure is enhanced by a dedicated Wizard app, which allows them to hunt for and digitally collect coins scattered throughout the four-acre site.
Visitor Reactions: 'Did I Hallucinate It?'
The surreal nature of Forbidden Corner leaves a lasting, almost disbelieving impression on its guests. This sentiment was echoed powerfully in the comments on Artis's video. One TikTok user wrote: "Forbidden Corner is one of those places that you have so much fun in as a kid and then spend the rest of your life wondering if you hallucinated the entire thing!"
Another simply stated: "Absolutely loved it! So weird but it was so fascinating." A third visitor shared a similar memory, recalling: "I went there as a child with my grandparents - still feels like a fever dream more than a memory. Would love to return."
Artis concluded her own visit with a characteristically odd spectacle: the Grinch performing to K-Pop Demon Hunters, perfectly encapsulating the attraction's wonderfully strange atmosphere.
Officially described by its own website as "a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises", Forbidden Corner promises a day out with a profound difference. It challenges and delights with features like the Eye of the Needle, a huge translucent glass pyramid, and paths that lead nowhere. For families, adventurers, or anyone young at heart seeking an utterly unconventional escape, this Yorkshire gem is an essential, if somewhat surreal, destination.
