Unique site that found its way to success

LURKING in deepest Coverdale, just outside the racing town of Middleham, is the Forbidden Corner.

Set in a four-acre garden, it is a unique collection of labyrinths, tunnels, and caverns. You can experience a temple of underworld creatures, a glass pyramid, passages that lead nowhere and extraordinary statues. Once voted among the UK’s top attractions, it draws in 100,000 visitors annually.

Originally Tupgill Racing Stables, Colin Armstrong is its owner and creator. His grandfather Bob, a jockey and horse trainer first visited in 1904. After stepping off the train and taking a pony and trap he bought the house and stable.

Colin’s father Gerald was a gentleman jockey and following the death of his grandfather, ownership passed to his aunt.

As a child, Colin would wander about the estate fascinated by the lake and running water. Receiving very little from his parents other than a good education, he soon made his mark in life through business.

After purchasing Tupgill, Colin set about its renovation and development. With a young family he imagined a bower with a view for himself and a walled garden and grotto for the children.

As the family lived most of year in Ecuador, a business acquaintance was consulted to develop Colin's ideas. This was to be the start of a relationship between two men, who were often to have differing views on the same subject.

The artistic brain behind the Forbidden Corner is architect Malcolm Tempest, who since his university days has been intrigued by follies. He explained: “When Colin first approached me I thought it was a wonderful idea and would enable me to create something truly remarkable.

“The grotto was a slight misunderstanding; Colin’s idea was for a structure, five feet deep: mine thirty."

Colin recalls: “Malcolm is a genius and a true eccentric, an artist with huge talent and vision. I had the idea of a small space for the children; Malcolm had much bigger ideas.”

Work was undertaken by local builder Albert Calvert, supervised by Malcolm. Soon afterwards back in Ecuador, Colin took a concerned phone call from his assistant Elaine. She said: “Malcolm has gone mad, he has dug a hole 25 feet deep, and there's water everywhere.”

On his return to Yorkshire Colin was initially unimpressed, but soon relaxed when things began to take shape. He explained: "At times, I did think about stopping it, I often despaired at the cost, but in truth I had no plan at all.”

A woodland area, the Face Tower, and an increase in the height of the wall were next; there had been some brushes with the planning authority regarding gates and the wall but nothing serious: yet.

Out of the blue came a phone call from Hull University requesting a visit. Although flattered, Colin wasn’t keen on sharing his private folly, but reluctantly agreed. Caught on the hop when they came a day early; it gave a spark to the idea of opening up to the public.

A garden and a maze were added and on February 23, 1994 the Forbidden Corner officially opened. Surpassing all expectations,10,000 amazed guests visited in that first year.

It was obvious ad-hoc arrangements were not adequate and husband and wife team Wendy and Johnny Reeves, became full-time managers.

As popularity grew, so did media interest; features in the D&S, the Northern Echo, and on television alerted a dormant interest from the authorities.

Due to an oversight, planning permission had never been sought and as it was within the National Park, this was a cardinal sin. Following the arrival of park officers, the Armstrongs were duly served with an enforcement notice; closure and loss of jobs loomed.

With objections and support finely balanced, a swift retrospective application and the hire of a top legal team brought about some optimism. Summonsed to a ‘meeting’, Colin received a frosty reception from neighbours who objected to their potential loss of view and perceived levels of noise and traffic.

Despite 2,000 letters of support and a ten-thousand signature petition the application was narrowly defeated. At a subsequent appeal the Secretary of State, who after a site visit suggested, a new car park, and some road widening. To accommodate racehorses opening hours were agreed at noon and the appeal was successful. They were once again free to welcome visitors.

Colin feels strongly and justifies his decision. He said: “ My view was and still is, the dales are not to be pickled. They need the injection of new life.

“Remember many of the villages grew up around lead mining; Coverdale once had twice its present population. We have also created much-needed jobs."

Since that faltering start the Forbidden Corner has established itself as one of the dale’s star attractions. The team constantly look to update and improve; two years ago a mausoleum was added.

Manager John Reeves explains:“ It’s old-fashioned fun; both kids and adults love it.

“We have visitors from all over the world and often get celebrity guests. Once a member of Coronation Street came and everyone was too shy to speak.

“We’ve even had marriage proposals.”

Thirteen-year-old Sienna Haynes is a regular visitor. She said: “It never gets boring. Even though I know where all the statues that squirt water are, I still enjoy getting soaked by them.

“The scary bits still terrify me, the magical things amaze me, and the funny parts always make me laugh.

“No matter how hard you try you just can’t be sure that you have seen everything, I think that there are still parts of the Forbidden Corner I haven’t seen."

In 1995 Colin received an OBE, followed three years ago by the CMG. He still keeps an overview on the business when he visits from Ecuador where he is British Consul.

When asked what his grandfather would think about it all, Colin becomes pensive. He said: “Oh I think Bob is smiling at me; he was real go-getter and a businessman and would approve. Sadly, father would have been on the other side, he was a gentleman and an amateur, and would not approve. “

The Forbidden Corner is open every day noon to 6pm until November and Sundays until Christmas. See www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk.