Hampton Court Maze facts for kids
The Hampton Court Maze is a famous hedge maze located at Hampton Court Palace in Britain. It's special because it's the oldest hedge maze still standing in Britain today!
Contents
Discovering the Hampton Court Maze
This amazing maze was created a long time ago, between 1689 and 1695. King William III asked for it to be built. It's quite large, covering about one-third of an acre of land. Imagine a shape like a trapezoid – that's the general outline of the maze!
Who Designed This Tricky Garden?
Two talented landscape architects, George London and Henry Wise, were the masterminds behind the maze's design. They placed it in a special area of the palace gardens known as the "wilderness." This was a part of the garden designed to look more natural and wild, perfect for a maze.
What is the Maze Made Of?
When the maze was first planted, it used a type of tree called hornbeam. Over time, these were replaced with yew trees. Yew trees are known for being very dense and can be trimmed into neat shapes, making them perfect for maze walls.
How Hard is the Maze?
Even though it's famous, the Hampton Court Maze isn't super difficult. Most people can find their way to the middle in about 20 minutes. It's more about the fun of getting lost and finding your way out!
The Maze's Impact and Mentions
The Hampton Court Maze has inspired people in different ways.
Inspiring Science and Learning
A psychologist named Edmund Sanford got an idea from the Hampton Court Maze. He thought about creating smaller mazes for laboratory rats. He used these mazes to study how animals learn and solve problems.
Featured in Books
This historic maze has even appeared in popular books!
- In 1889, humorist Jerome K. Jerome wrote about it in his funny book, Three Men in a Boat.
- Later, in 1997, it was mentioned in Larry's Party by Carol Shields.
