Help us keep Glendurgan's maze forever puzzling

The maze at Glendurgan in Cornwall was planted in 1833 for a family with 12 children. It was never envisaged that around 90,000 people would walk its winding paths each year. We need to improve the infrastructure and health of the maze to make it more robust so it can cope with the volume of visitors it receives each year. Here is how you can help.

the maze at Glendurgan with the summerhouse in the centre — The Glendurgan maze

Restoring the maze to its former glory

visitors in the maze summerhouse at Glendurgan Garden

Saving the maze for future generations

When Alfred and Sarah Fox planted the maze at Glendurgan in the 1800s to entertain their 12 children, they would never have imagined it would one day attract so many visitors. As a result, the maze is struggling to cope and we need to improve the infrastructure (paths and steps) and health of the hedges so they can continue to delight visitors for generations to come.

visitors exploring the maze at Glendurgan Garden with the summerhouse in the background

A puzzling challenge

With narrow winding paths, tall hedges and over 170 steps, restoration of the maze poses a huge challenge for the garden team. The work involved includes resurfacing the paths to improve drainage and durability, replacing the 173 wooden steps with durable concrete alternatives, and cutting the hedges right back to cut out dead wood and prune any non-laurel plants.

Video

How do we keep Glendurgan's maze forever puzzling?

What does it take to look after Glendurgan's maze each year? Here's the National Trust gardeners and volunteers in action, trimming the hedges of this 185 year old maze.

We're replacing 173 steps to more durable ones
There are 709 metres of paths which need resurfacing
It will cost approximately £200 per metre to restore the maze

Donate to Help us keep Glendurgan's maze forever puzzling

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Why give to the National Trust?

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of supporters to look after the outdoor spaces in our care. Not only do our supporters help to conserve beautiful landscapes and protect precious plants and wildlife. But they also ensure that future generations have places they can find freedom from everyday life, reconnect with the natural world and make memories to treasure. Your donation will go towards this project and other vital conservation work in the outdoors at this special place. With your support, we can continue to protect the irreplaceable. For ever, for everyone.

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Donate now to help keep the maze forever puzzling