A stunning new ‘Selfish Giant Maze’ summer attraction opened on the Eastern Lawns of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, today with whoops of joy from local children and their parents [July 4].
Ten children from Brighton’s Amaze charity, working with parents and children with special needs, were amongst the lucky ones to try out the maze first.
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant’, a fairy tale about a Giant who doesn’t want to share the garden he loves with children, but learns the error of his ways, the maze has been exclusively made for Brighton by the creators of the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink.
Shella Parkin, MD of Laine Ltd, said: “We wanted to create something amazing for the school summer holidays on the Eastern Lawns, in addition to our popular winter attraction.
“I’ve always loved mazes and felt the Pavilion deserved its own one as there has been a long history of association between historic buildings and mazes. Our aim is to create a maze that looks as though it has always been there but somehow ‘out of view’. Our design is inspired by a story I’ve loved since I was a little girl and have read aloud to my own children.”
The 22m by 22m maze is based on a Roman design and made up of 360 metres of corridors and beautiful hidden garden rooms, evoking the four seasons in the Giant’s Garden.
Sound effects, giant gardening tools, riddles and traditional games, such as Nine Men’s Morris and Fox and Geese, will startle and delight adults and children alike as they try to find their way to the centre of the maze.
Giant ‘reverse graffiti’ footprints also mysteriously appeared overnight on Wednesday morning, leading from Brighton Station down Queen’s Road and Church Road to the Royal Pavilion.
Is there a giant in the centre of the maze? You’ll have to visit to find out! The attraction costs just £4 per person, making it affordable for families with children of all ages to enjoy and hopefully come back to more than once.
Tickets can be purchased from the box office on site only and opening hours are 11am to 7pm, July 4 to September 3, Eastern Lawns Royal Pavilion, Brighton, BN1 1EE. Find out more at Facebook.com/SelfishGiantMaze
