The Secret Forest

I went with a friend to explore the newly-opened 'Secret Forest' trail at Hazlewood Castle near Tadcaster. It's meant for children but, as we're only seven inside, we decided we qualified. Unfortunately it was a damp and unexpectedly cold day and we were both a little underdressed, both for the temperatures and the mud. Nevertheless, we enjoyed following the trail through the forest and exploring the story. 

Legend has it that in 1086, Sir Mauger Le Vavasour received the land at Hazlewood from the King. As he built his grand castle, he discovered a fairy named Willow trapped in a cage by a nearby witch. Sir Mauger freed Willow, earning the gratitude of the Fairy Queen. The Queen warned Sir Mauger of the witch's desire to steal fairy magic. In exchange for his protection, the fairies bestowed magical blessings upon his family and castle. With the fairies' help, the Vavasours prospered, much to the witch's dismay. She conjured Bogglins to attack the fairies and the Vavasour family, leading to dark times at Hazlewood. In a final battle, the Fairy Queen summoned a guardian dragon who defeated the witch and her army, banishing her from the land. The Vavasours remained at Hazlewood for centuries, but over time, the memory of the fairies faded. Today, it's said that fairies and Bogglins coexist in harmony within the woods of Hazlewood.

The attraction has only recently opened and it is still a little 'raw round the edges'. The small outdoor café is rudimentary; the toilet facilities more rudimentary still (portaloos!) and the car park was a mud bath, though they were spreading stone chippings on it as we left. Nevertheless, it would appeal to imaginative small children, I think, and we enjoyed our wander through the forest. It's fun to try something different.