The maze at Arley Arboretum was designed and planted in 2009 and opened to the public in 2011. It was designed and created by the Head Gardener and his team, and involved planting 3000 Hornbeam trees.

The maze is a challenging design, and will usually take about 30 minutes to complete.  It will only ever grow to just below head height, as it is quite possible to get very lost in it!  The maze is in a perfect spot, close to Turners Ride, with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. There is a picnic bench close by if visitors would rather sit and drink in the scenery whilst braver members of the party head into the maze.

The Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) derives its name from Anglo Saxon words for ‘horn’ and ‘tree’. It produces very hard wood that was often used to make cog wheels for watermills and windmills before the development of metals. Its main use now is in butchers’ chopping blocks.