The UK’s largest Shaun the Sheep attraction and only Royally approved maize maze had its grand opening at Farmer Ted’s Adventure Farm in Ormskirk yesterday.

With the help of the award winning animation studio and creators of Shaun the Sheep, Farmer Ted’s got in touch with the Lord Chamberlain’s Office at Buckingham Palace.

They were fortunate enough to have been granted permission to use the Queen’s official Platinum Jubilee logo to celebrate the wonderful occasion.

The maize maze has been slated as the most challenging one ever produced at Farmer Ted’s, comparing it to an escape room experience. 

Lancashire Telegraph: Birds eye view shot of the Shaun the Sheep maize mazeBirds eye view shot of the Shaun the Sheep maize maze

The maze was designed by Mark Edwards, Managing Director of Farmer Ted’s, who enlisted the help of Liverpool-based positioning and survey equipment specialists, KOREC Group. 

KOREC assisted Mark with the equipment needed and also helped turn the design into maize reality with GPS coordinates.

To create the maize maze, over one million corn seeds were planted on the 14 acre site. 

Lancashire Telegraph: Trimble unit used to accurately design and construct the mazeTrimble unit used to accurately design and construct the maze

Mark Edwards, Director of Farmer Ted’s said: “Each year Farmer Ted’s designs a unique maize maze and this year it was only right that we should try and design a maze to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

“We spent approximately two days perfecting the design of the maze and then a whole day in the field mapping it out.

"Once we had the design sorted, we sent it to KOREC who cleverly transformed it into coordinates which we could then input into a handheld GPS device which “Farmer Ted” holds as he literally drags his heels as he walks - carving out over two miles in paths for this year’s maize maze! 

“From there, we set about planting the seeds on the 11th May to make sure the maize would be big enough ready for opening, which took about two days in total including ploughing and sowing the seeds.

“Once germinated, maize can, in the right conditions, grow between 50mm and 70mm per day and reach well over two metres once fully grown.

“We’re really excited to welcome visitors to the Shaun the Sheep maize maze this year, it’s definitely been a labour of love, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved!”
The Shaun The Sheep Platinum Jubilee Maize Maze will run until September, 4. If you fancy giving the maize maze a go, you can book through Farmer Ted’s website.