Leicestershire Honors David Attenborough's 100th With Giant Gorilla Maze

When Sir David Attenborough turned 100 this year, one of Britain’s most beloved mazes decided to pay tribute in the most fitting way possible: by transforming three miles of towering maize and sunflowers into a mountain gorilla.

Wistow Maze in Leicestershire, England—the legendary broadcaster’s home county—created the design as a celebration of one of Britain’s national treasures. And the choice of a gorilla wasn’t random. It’s a direct nod to Attenborough’s iconic 1978 encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, a moment that became the stuff of natural history television legend and cemented his status as a pioneer of wildlife broadcasting.

Diana Brooks, the maze’s owner, explained that the team spent nearly a year mapping out the intricate design.“He is certainly one of Britain’s national treasures, but it also ties-in nicely to him coming from Leicestershire, too,”she noted. The effort paid off—this sprawling labyrinth stretches for three miles and typically takes around two hours to navigate. Each year, the attraction reimagines itself with a new design, whether it’s commemorated the Queen’s Jubilee, celebrated 200 years of British railways, or marked the Olympics.

This year’s gorilla design does more than just look impressive from above. Visitors who brave the winding pathways will discover 12 quiz boards hidden among the maize, featuring animals from Attenborough’s pioneering nature series and fascinating facts about the man himself. High-level bridges and towers offer panoramic views over the fields, which will eventually bloom with sunflowers as the season progresses. It’s the kind of immersive tribute that feels distinctly British—part celebration, part puzzle, entirely charming.

Wistow Maze opens daily from July 20 through September 6, with extended weekend hours on September 12 and 13. Admission runs £8.95 for children and £10.95 for adults, with a family ticket available for £37. A fitting way to honor a man who’s spent a lifetime helping us see the natural world in ways we never imagined.