After breakfast we set off through the pretty countryside to Traquair, stopping along the way to photograph the River Tweed. We managed to arrive a little early but the gate was open and the kiosk manned so we were able to go in. One again the weather was glorious so we chose to look around the grounds and tackle the maze before going into the house.

Photo taken by Mr C

There are a few animals in the grounds which are kept behind wire. One of the goats kept trying very hard to push through the wire stretching his head towards us as far as it would go. There were also two very sleepy, snoring pigs, or they were until Mr C inadvertently spooked them by accidentally snapping his glasses case loudly whereupon they charged towards him with great commotion and noise.

We managed to conquer the maze after a few false starts. This has to be one of the best mazes I have been in, it has three sub centres that you have to pass through before finding the middle.

Next we enjoyed a look around the house although later we realised that we had managed to miss out one of the floors (the one I particularly wanted to see) and neither of us could figure out how we had done so. Traquair has its own brewery so sampled the ale and bought a few bottles to enjoy at home, probably with slow cooked beef in beer. We had lunch in the cafe where I couldn’t resist a piece of citrus, coconut and pecan cake. It was delicious!

On our journey back towards the hotel we stopped off at Trimontium Roman site to find that there was only an information point. Before returning to the hotel, we thought we would try and pick up some Doddington Cheese, which, we remembered from a previous occasion was purchased from an honesty table outside the farm. We found the farm but this time there was no table so we came away empty handed.

This evening we dined with Toby and Leona who used to run the Coach House. Earlier in the day the duty manager double checked that four of us would be dining and asked which table we would prefer. We had chosen a round table in the window. In the evening a different duty manager was on shift and was very attentive, making sure that we received the best service. We had a lovely evening in good company. Before we retired for the evening the duty manager told us he wouldn’t be back on duty before our holiday finished, said goodbye and hoped he would to see us again.

This maze was designed in 1980 by John Scofield and planted with 1500 Leyland Cypress trees donated by NICHOLAS SAUNDERS.  The first tree was planted by Anna Vaughan, the youngest child in the Traquair school.  In 1982 after an extremely severe frost two thirds of the Leyland Cypress died and were replanted with Beech.

The maze consists of four subcentres which must be visited in turn before reaching the middle – a distance of a quarter of a mile from the entrance.  To leave quickly a shorter route may be used.  On Easter Sunday an Easter Egg hunt for  younger children is held here.

We were lucky enough to have the maze all to ourselves when we took the challenge.  You can see a picture of  the FOOLS EXIT (the short route) here.

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860)

In times past, pilgrims followed a circular route, sometimes on their knees, as an act of piety, penitence or meditation. Pilgrims would also follow more complicated labyrinths, the most famous of which is Chartres. Our simple mown spiral version may be further developed at Arley.

Michael Dervill
Head Gardener

I for one hope that they do develop the idea further, I find labyrinths and mazes quite fascinating.

I need to go back and test out the theory!!

Once in the centre of the labyrinth the only way out is via the underground grotto containing the elements of earth, air, fire and water; not to mention a legendary giant.

From the guide book:

Planted in 1988 with 2400 yew tree, the Leeds Castle maze leads to a spiralling path up to a raised viewpoint overlooking the park.  Reminiscent of the traditional geometric style of planting, the maze takes the form of a topiary castle.  The pattern includes a chalice and a queens crown, which can only be seen only once the puzzle has been solved.  The only way out of the maze is through the underground grotto, where the elementals of earth, air, fire and water are joined by the legendary giant Typhoeus, who tried to overpower the Greed gods but was vanquished by Zeus and placed under a volcano, where he became the source of fire.