Hampton Court Maze, Hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace, England.
Hampton Court Maze is a hedge maze with curved pathways lined by tall yew hedges that create distinct corridors. The layout follows a trapezoidal pattern and features multiple interwoven routes that eventually lead to a central platform.
The maze was commissioned by King William III between 1689 and 1695, making it Britain's oldest surviving hedge maze. The original design has been preserved and regularly maintained over the centuries to keep its historical form intact.
The maze was built as a place for recreation and social gatherings during the royal court era. Today, visitors can see how it served as an outdoor puzzle where people could wander and spend time together.
Visitors typically need 20 to 30 minutes to reach the center, depending on navigation skills and pace. The paths are well-maintained and walkable, and you can always turn back if you become disoriented.
The maze was originally designed with pathways that formed a specific pattern when viewed from above, yet no one could see this from the ground in that era. It was only decades later with aerial photography that this intentionally hidden artistic design was finally revealed.
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