Dear GuestWelcome to the Forbidden Corner Cottages. We trust you had a safe journey and are ready to relax and enjoy your stay with us.

You will have a welcome basket in the kitchen with a few essentials to get you going until you have time to go shopping. You will also have your complementary tickets for entrance to The Forbidden Corner.

Please feel free to explore Tupgill park and the surrounding areas on a nice morning you can walk onto Middleham moor and watch the Race Horses training. Just be careful if you have a dog or small children around the horses.

We have endeavoured to give you as much information as possible in this welcome pack to help you with your stay. If you require any further information then please don’t hesitate in contacting us in The Saddle Room Restaurant.

We have the Corner Café open during normal opening hours at The Forbidden Corner serving great Coffee made to our own recipe and delicious snacks and meals. Don’t forget your souvenir from our shop before you leave to remind you of your stay at Tupgill Park.

If you prefer a Drink or a meal please feel free to come over to your neighbour ( The Saddle Room Restaurant) where we serve high quality meals and grand honest grub cooked to perfection. Don’t forget takeaway is available.

Customer feedback is really important to us and we have a visitors book that you can fill out and also our accommodation is listed separately on Trip Advisor If you have the time to comment this would help us immensely

Have a great stay with us if we can help please ask as we really want you to enjoy your stay with us.

Leo Morris- Manager-The Saddle Room Restaurant

A Little History on The Forbidden Corner.

The brainchild of Mr C. R. Armstrong CMG O.B.E, the Forbidden Corner was originally built as a private folly but due to public demand was subsequently opened to the public.

The Forbidden Corner originally started as a small wood of Fir trees initially planted as a wind break to the stables at Tupgill Park, with hundreds of trees being planted in 1979. Ten years later in 1989, Colin Armstrong and his good friend Malcolm Tempest decided that a small bower in the western corner needed to be created to enjoy the view down the Coverdale valley. The first job was to build a high wall to shelter the area from the high winds and to create a walled garden.

While the wall was being built, an idea of a grotto was suggested, a little cave made of piled rocks. This supposed little grotto ended up growing into a twenty-five-foot deep hole with soil being carted away in dumper trucks.Heavy rains shortly after filled up the hole, so a channel had to be dug to drain away the water. During the new digging, huge boulders were found and saved for future use. However with heavy rain and the discovery of underground springs, the sides of the cave kept collapsing leaving Colin Armstrong with an expensive muddy hole.

Luckily, the summer of 1991 was much better. The hole was stabilised and strengthened and the first concrete was poured. Come 1992, the grotto was really taking shape and ideas from all over the world, from Skipton Castle to Portmeirion, were being planned for The Forbidden Corner. New additions were planned and put into practise, such as the boulder canyon and a pyramid of molten glass.

In 1993, after somehow hearing about the grotto, Hull University contacted Malcolm and the first visit of The Forbidden Corner was arranged with a coach of students arrived in July, all of whom really enjoyed themselves, even in the unfinished state.

The decision to open The Forbidden Corner to the public was made. Once the builders had moved out, the gardening started and the hedging for the maze was planted, The paths were improved by hand due to no room for heavy machinery. The Face Tower was built that welcomes guests to the folly.

On 23rd July, 1994, The Forbidden Corner was officially opened to the public. Around 100 people came on the opening day. Over time, a building was converted to a ticket office, cafe and gift shop to welcome the excited visitors.

In 1998, new features, such as the Green Man and Fawcett Tower, The Forbidden Corner attracted over 80,000 visitors. The folly was featured in the media, with television programs and newspapers recommending our gardens. Unfortunately this attracted the attention form the planning officers at the Yorkshire Dales National Park. By some oversight, no planning permission had been applied for. It was suggested that retrospective planning permission was to be applied for……… The story Continues

Colin Armstrong's autobiography "Behind the Forbidden Corner" is

available at the gift shop.

Emergency NumbersPolice: 101Doctors: 01969 622391Dentist (Leyburn): 01969 622132Dentist (Catterick): 01748 832802Chemist (Leyburn): 01969 622160

A pay phone can be located outside of your accommodation as there is no mobile

reception.

Name Opening Times (Mon-Sat) Opening Times (Sunday)

Central Stores (Middleham) 06:00 – 20:30 06:00 – 18:30

Co-op (Leyburn) 08:00 – 22:00 10:00 – 16:00

Campbells (Leyburn) 08:00 – 20:30 (Saturday 19:30) 10:30 – 16:30

One Stop (Leyburn) 07:00 – 23:00 07:00 – 22:00

Petrol Station Leyburn 09:00 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00

Post Office Leyburn 09:00 – 17:30 ( Saturday 12:30) Closed

Local Shops

TaxisFinghall Private Hire – 01677 450882 / 0774880880M.Y. Taxis – 01969 623596 (Weekdays till 10 pm –weekends till 12pm) – not Wednesdays.

On Line Grocery Ordering

MiddlehamFish & Chip Shop - 01969 623362Stable Door Chinese – 01969 623568

LeyburnDragon Inn Chinese – 01969 623568Fryer Tuck Fish Shop – 01969 624719Saffron Indian – 01969 625777Rupali Indian – 01969 624863Giovanni’s Italian – 01969 622951

Local Takeaways Local Fast Food Delivery's

Leyburn

Soprano’s Pizza – 01969 624777( Collection Available)

Fish and Chip Van

Ramsay's Fish and Chips has been serving the dales for over 30 years now. It generally stops at around 6.15pm on a Thursdays go

to the bottom of tupgill park and turn right as it stops opposite the first

cottage on the right ( We cannot guarantee this will definitely

happen)

Something Different ?

Ripon has hosted some of the most exciting, prestigious and enjoyable racing in the country

for more than 300 years. It never fails to impress year on year with its outstanding back

drop and exciting atmosphere. Always challenging itself to improve and build on

spectator experience, Ripon has a lot to offer.

Local ChurchesSt Peters & St Pauls Roman Catholic Leyburn

St Marys & St Alkeldas MiddlehamMiddleham Methodist Church

WifiFree access to WIFI is available. Connect to the Forbidden Corner Network with the

password:- happy holidays

Things to do out and about.

The Forbidden Corner of course!(don’t forget to use your free ticket !!)Middleham Castle Castle BoltonJervaulx AbbeyWensleydale Cheese FactoryBrymor Ice CreamRope Makers of HawesWensleydale RailwayBlack Sheep BreweryTheakstons Brewery Visitor CentreWensleydale ShowDales Festival of FoodRipon Racecourse

Fishing

River Wharfe - River Ure - River Swale - River Bain, - River Tees - Kilnsey Park - Fewston and Swinsty Reservoirs - Leighton Reservoir, Malham Tarn - Scar House Reservoir

Permits can be obtained at the Cover Bridge Pub for the River Cover and the River Ure for excellent trout and grayling fishing right on there doorstep!

We own the fishing rights for the River Cover that borders our Land. Brown Trout , eels and crayfish have been caught in the River Cover. If you would like to fish here please consult a member of staff.

Don’t forget you will need a valid Fishing licence

Feedback

We are constantly looking for feedback and really value your comments. There is a visitors book and also we are listed on Trip

Advisor as “forbidden Corner Cottages”

WalksJervaulx Abbey

Map based on Ordnance Survey mapping by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ©Crown Copyright.

Map: Pathfinder 630Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)Walking Time: allow 3 hours, plus time to visit the abbeyParking: at the Abbey Tea Rooms

This walk encompasses a visit to the lower slopes of Witton Fell, the luxuriant parklands of Wensleydale and the long-forgotten hamlet of Low Thorpe.

Jervaulx Abbey, built by the Cistercian Order in 1156, is synonymous with Wensleydale cheese. It is generally accepted that the original recipe was perfected by the monks in those far-off days when the cheese was known as Cover Bridge cheese. The monks cultivated large flower and herb gardens and also bred horses. The origin of horse racing connections at nearby Middleham was also down to the monks' influence.

Leave the car park, turn right, and follow the road for a short distance to a junction where you turn right to follow a secondary road known as Newstead Lane (GR 170854). Swing left at the bend to pass Low Newstead Farm, and gradually rise along a section of Stake Bank Road. As the road levels off, turn right at an inconspicuous cross roads (GR165844) making towards Hammer Farm on the unmade Hammer Road (High Newsteads Farm lies in the opposite direction if confirmation of the junction is necessary). As you approach Hammer Farm, Grey Yaud Plantation is to the left. This conceals a redundant stone quarry from where stone used in the construction of Jervaulx Abbey came. Danby Hall, home of the Scropes, can be seen prominently across the valley on the right.

The driveway passes to the left of the farmhouse and buildings (GR155846), and is forsken on the right, immediately after the fragile looking barn. Alternatively, continue along the driveway for 50m and go over a stile on the right immediately prior to reaching a gate. Whichever route you follow, make for a gateway resting in the far (NW) corner of the facing field.

Pass through a narrow swathe bisecting a larch plantation, then go right, to accompany the boundary towards a small, metal gate. From the gate continue in the same direction, with views of Wensleydale unfurling with every step, until the plantation ends. Turn left across the field towards a solitary tree. From the tree turn right and start a brief descent to a gate. Turn right, as indicated by the waymark arrow, then follow the boundary to your left towards Castle Lodge, which houses one of the moor keepers. The tumbling waters of Deep Gill Beck are usually audible.

Pass through the confines of Castle Lodge, then stroll along the narrow lane, past Waterloo Farm. Here an element of excitement enters the expedition, in the form of the forgotten hamlet of Low Thorpe (GR145858).

Low Thorpe has generally been swallowed up by East Witton, although several dwellings remain within the original boundary. The graveyard is on the left of the lane with many headstones remaining legible despite their age. One of these graves is said to contain the body of an infant with two heads. History books reveal another example of human deformity associated with Low Thorpe. This relates the tale of a child being born in 1825, having a hare's head. The church at Low Thorpe was dedicated to St. Martin, and formerly belonged to Jervaulx Abbey. It was taken down in 1809 and its stone used in the construction of the 'new' church which stands several hundred metres to the north, at the eastern end of East Witton. This new church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, was endowed by Thomas, Earl of Ailesbury, to commemorate the 50th year of the reign of King George III. It was restored in 1871.

The route leads into East Witton, a typical Wensleydale village with houses either side of a green, formerly used as common grazing land. Immediately attention is focused upon a large glacial boulder on the village green known as the Boulder Stone, and said to weigh three tonnes. It required 18 horses to drag it here in 1859. The site became a focal point of village life as it housed the village's water supply (now condemned).

Accompany the green to the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, built in 1882, (GR 142860) to reach a signpost indicating Cover Bridge. Enter the enclosure, seeking a gated stile at the far left corner. Continue across several additional enclosures, treading the same general line while appreciating long distance glimpses of Penhill far away on the left.

At a ruined barn (signposts) turn right, then left to Cover Bridge which is already in sight (GR144870). Emerging from the fields don't cross the bridge - instead cross the road to a gate. Now follows an enchanting mile and a half, first in the company of the river Cover, then its big brother the Ure. Along the way retrospective views of Witton Fell, East Witton and its church are away to your right. Across the river, there is a closer encounter with Danby Hall.

The riverside saunter ends abruptly at a newly-laid surface. Pass through the gate then follow the track to the main road, where a left turn leads to the tea rooms and refreshments.A visit to the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey and parkland setting is recommended. The abbey was a Cistercian foundation, dating from 1156.

From Tea Shop Walks in the Yorkshire Dales by Richard Musgrave

Walks – Local Easy

1. Leave the cottages and head to the duck pond2. Walk past the duck pond and onto the moor past the large house on your right.3. Turn right on to the moor and follow the track until you hit the road.4. Double back on the road to the bottom of the park.• Approx. 3.9 miles

There are lots more walks or cycle routes online

We found the following websites very good and a lot of the walks personally tested

http://www.walkingenglishman.com/http://www.daleswalks.co.uk/http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Remember to close gates and be safe . Judge your timings and take liquids and food with you. Watch out for animals and be respectful to the countryside for other users.

New Forbidden Corner Adventures eBook and Paperback

Grab your copy at The Forbidden Corner