January 6, 2025: Enter The Forbidden Corner

It would appear that Meta knows I'm a gamer. While I've been intrigued by Puy du Fou for a while now (more on that later), this morning Instagram let me know about an attraction that seems tailor made for a TTRPG fan like myself. Sometimes the algorithm gets it right!

 

The Forbidden Corner in the Tupgill Park Estate in North Yorkshire, UK, began as a simple wooded area in 1979. Two friends decided to build a viewing tower in the western corner of the property, which led to them building a walled garden, then a grotto, then . . . well, you know how these things go. The property was opened to the public in 1994, and today it's a walkthrough attraction featuring "a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies, and surprises," according to the website.

 

That description might be underselling it. Pictures and videos from around the Internet depict a place that could have doubled as the set for an 80s children's fantasy film. There's a tower with eyes (you enter through the mouth), a hedgerow labyrinth, a folly castle/dungeon, a Roman temple, a mine tunnel, a haunted mausoleum, and more. Guests can even download the Forbidden Corner Quest App to gamify their experience with an immersive treasure hunt and Augmented Reality.

 

While it doesn't look like The Forbidden Corner can be rented out for private parties, I could see the attraction working well as a LARP destination, or even just a place where TTRPG fans could get some inspiration and have some fun. If you ever find yourself in that corner of the world, consider checking it out – and report back with findings!

 

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