Mizmaze facts for kids
A Mizmaze is a special kind of maze found in England. Unlike a regular maze where you make choices, a mizmaze is actually a labyrinth. This means it has only one long path that twists and turns but never splits or has dead ends. You just follow the path from start to finish!
There are two famous historic mizmaze sites that still exist today. One is in Breamore, Hampshire, and the other is on St Catherine's Hill near Winchester.
Breamore Mizmaze
The Breamore Mizmaze is located on a hill close to Breamore House. It's a circular design, similar to the famous labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France.
This mizmaze is surrounded by yew trees. Close by, you can also see an old Bronze Age burial mound. The mizmaze itself is fenced off, which helps protect it so it can last a long time. A few years ago, some trees around it were cut down. This was done because water dripping from the branches was damaging parts of the maze. Even so, the area still looks very natural. It's hard to know exactly when these turf mazes were made. It's possible there weren't even trees around when this one was first created! The turf path of the labyrinth is kept in very good condition.
St Catherine's Hill Mizmaze
The Winchester Mizmaze, found on St Catherine's Hill, is quite unique. It's shaped roughly like a square, but its paths are gently curved, and its corners are rounded.
What makes this mizmaze even more special is how its path is made. It's one of only two old English turf mazes where the path is a narrow groove cut into the grass. Usually, the grass itself forms the raised path, with shallow channels marking its twists. The Breamore mizmaze, for example, has these raised paths. The Winchester mizmaze is so large that you can even see it from above using Google Earth!
Modern Mizmaze at Mount Ephraim
A newer, large mizmaze was created by garden designer Sarah Morgan. You can find it at Mount Ephraim Gardens in Kent, England.
This modern mizmaze is based on traditional labyrinth designs. However, it's a bit different because it has some dead ends, making it a mix between a maze and a labyrinth. The paths are made of grass and are marked out with tall ornamental grasses and colorful perennial plants.
