A dinosaur has recently been spotted in the fields near Sherburn in North Yorkshire, after a 145 million year absence.

Measuring approximately 257 metres long and 110 metres tall, it resembles the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex – but locals need not worry – it is formed of maize plants, as the larger of two mazes at The Great Ryedale Maze.

Keeping it company is a smaller Stegosaurus measuring approximately 60m long and 30m tall – similarly formed of maize plants – which as the Mini-Maze is specially designed for smaller visitors to explore.

The Great Ryedale Maze opens next week for its third year, bringing a field full of fun for all ages.  Located midway between Scarborough and Malton in the village of Sherburn at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, the popular attraction will open for the summer holidays on Friday 15 July and close on Sunday 4th September.

The Great Ryedale Maze promises a great day out in the heart of the countryside for adults, teenagers and children, with the two dinosaur-themed mazes, an action-packed Vintage Funfair, Football Darts and a Big Top with live entertainment for families.  There will also be a range of hot and cold food and drinks to cater for all tastes, served from the fully-licensed Cabin Café.

The Giant Dinosaur maze comprises nine acres of maize plants – that’s 55,000 seeds – and over two miles of paths to challenge the navigation skills, as well as a series of fun topical clues to test the powers of deduction.

This year the entry ticket includes unlimited rides at the Vintage Funfair, as well as access to both mazes and the Big Top entertainment, with adults paying the same price as children.  Visitors can ride a motorbike or chariot as many times as they like aboard the 1936 Speedway, or spend as long as they like racing around the Brooklands Dodgems from 1937, spinning on the 1930s Chair-o-Plane, and for the adventurous, whirling at speed on the 1950s Twister and 1960s Octopus. Children can climb aboard the oldest ride Hush Hush the Train dating from 1933, while Muffin the Mule, Bumble Bee, Toy Set and Swing Boats will bring further fun.

The game stalls offer a chance to impress the family and win a prize every time – have a go at the newly-restored Sharp Shooters Rifle Range or Hot Shots Basketball, then try Goblets, Hook-a-Duck and Flip-a-Frog.  For some competitive fun there’s Football Darts - instead of throwing a dart, budding footballers can take aim at the giant velcro dartboard and show off their striking skills!

There will be picnic tables and benches around the fairground and inside the Big Top for visitors to relax and enjoy a range of family-friendly live entertainment at set times throughout the day, including Professor Dan with his traditional Punch & Judy or magic show, popular party man
Magic Ray and Steve the Juggler with his high energy feats of skill and dexterity.

The ever-popular Bale Mountain also makes a welcome return this year offering kids the chance to practise their climbing skills and enjoy a view of the fairground.

The fully-licensed Cabin Café offers a range of hot and cold food including the Gigantosaurus, T Rex and Velociraptor burgers, milkshakes and Berry Best Ice Creams, or beer, wine, G&T or Pimms for the adults as they stroll around the mazes and funfair - or relax in the summer sun at outdoor tables.

Organiser of The Great Ryedale Maze, James Cundall says “We like to find a theme for our mazes that relates to this wonderful part of the country, and given that dinosaurs used to roam this area 145-200 million years ago, and Yorkshire is famous for its Jurassic coast rich in fossils, a dinosaur theme seemed appropriate!”

“This year we’ve introduced unlimited funfair rides and the same price for children and adults so visitors can enjoy better value for their money and stay as long as they like enjoying all the rides we have to offer, as well as the two mazes and fun entertainment in the Big Top.”

The Great Ryedale Maze will be open every day from 15 July to 4 September 2022, from 9.30am to 5.30pm with last admissions at 4.00pm. Tickets are priced at £13.95 for adults and children (aged 3+) with under 3s free.  The Game Stalls and Football Darts are an additional cost of £3 per person and tokens can be purchased on site. Tickets for The Great Ryedale Maze can be purchased at the box office on site or booked in advance through Ticketsource
(https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/thegreatryedalemaze).

The Great Ryedale Maze is located just off the A64 in Sherburn, approximately 11 miles from both Malton and Scarborough.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TICKET PRICES

Adult or Child (3+)           £13.95

Under 3s                              FREE

Ticket price includes:

  ·         ENTRY TO THE GIANT DINOSAUR MAZE

  ·         ENTRY TO THE DINOSAUR MINI-MAZE

  ·         UNLIMITED RIDES AT THE VINTAGE FUNFAIR (rides include Dodgems, Speedway, Chair-O-Plane, Twister, Octopus, Hush Hush Train, Muffin the Mule, Bumble Bee, Toy Set and Swing Boats).

  ·         ACCESS TO BIG TOP FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Game Stalls and Football Darts (to include a prize every time) are additional cost of £3 per person.

Disabled and Carers 50% discount: Half price admission is offered o anyone in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and their carer. Please bring proof to the Box Office. Blue Badges are not accepted as proof.

HOW TO FIND THE MAZE

The Great Ryedale Maze is located at Sherburn, midway between Scarborough and Malton, just off A64.  Postcode: YO17 8QL
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