Inside the Secret Forest

 

The Chinese Gardens

The Chinese Garden is intended as a place of quiet and tranquility, planted with exotic flowers and shrubs and dominated by a statue of the Buddha. A small stream runs through the middle that is crossed by an ornate Chinese Bridge. 

The Crocodile Swamp and the Grotto

To cross the crocodile swamp or reach the entrance to the Grotto, you must carefully negotiate the wooden stepping stones. Inside is the grotto's guardian, a reptilian monster who feeds on human heads. 

The Celtic Totems, the Snake and the Bird

The mysterious Celtic Totems in the centre of the Secret Forest, designed by Elizabeth Brodie as a homage to Celtic and prehistoric art, are three decorated six foot poles, supporting heads of women carved in stone. 

The Pagoda

The centrepiece of the Secret Forest is the Pagoda designed by Vernon Gibberd. Over 35ftt high, there are 42 wrought-iron steps to the high balcony, which can accommodate up to 50 people at a time and provides a spectacular view over the Secret Forest.

The Castle with No Entrance

The Castle with No Entrance is the home of a greedy Goblin who guards his treasure constantly and watches for intruders from his high window in the tower. 

The Inner Wood

The Inner Wood lies at the entrance of the Secret Forest and is largely enclosed by trees and branches that form a canopy over your head. Hiding within the Inner Wood are several animals including deer and foxes, a wolf and a wild boar.

The Prisoner in the Cell

Below the Overhead Walkway is an enclosed passage leading from the Castle with No Entrance to the Inner Wood. At the end of the passage is the chained prisoner in his cell. 

The Maze of the Green Man

The Gate with the Three Entrances leads you into the Maze and the realm of the Green Man. The Green Man is made of solid oak and lives in the centre of the Maze, enclosed by other sculpture representing a variety of animals and plants that thrive by day and night. .

The Gingerbread House

The Gingerbread House is a six-sided building embossed on two walls with cakes and lollipops and all manner of sweet things. It is the home of the witch, who crouches hidden in her kitchen, waiting for children who are tempted to enter in search of sweets and other goodies.

The Woodcutter's House

The Woodcutter's House, at the farthest end of the Forest, has been constructed by laying tree trunks horizontally one on top of the other and securing them together with dowels.