Giant Gorilla Maze Honors David Attenborough's 100th Birthday

One of Britain's largest mazes just became a living tribute to the naturalist who taught generations to love our planet.

Wistow Maze in Leicestershire, England, spent nearly a year designing a spectacular three-mile labyrinth shaped like a mountain gorilla. The tribute celebrates Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday and honors the legendary broadcaster's most iconic moment: his 1978 encounter with wild gorillas in Rwanda.

The award-winning attraction uses GPS technology to carve winding paths through towering walls of maize and sunflowers. It takes about two hours to walk the entire maze, which stretches across vast fields in Attenborough's home county.

Owner Diana Brooks chose the gorilla design as a double celebration. "He is certainly one of Britain's national treasures, but it also ties in nicely to him coming from Leicestershire, too," she said.

The maze hides 12 quiz boards among its pathways, each featuring animals from Attenborough's pioneering nature documentaries. Visitors can learn fascinating facts about the broadcaster while searching for the boards.

High-level bridges and towers dot the maze, offering stunning panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. As the season progresses, the fields will burst into bloom with sunflowers.

Why This Inspires

This isn't just a clever design. It's proof that one person's passion for nature can ripple across decades and inspire communities.

Attenborough spent 70 years showing us the wonders of our natural world, from deep oceans to mountain peaks. Now his neighbors are giving back with a celebration that brings families together outdoors, learning about wildlife while creating memories.

The maze changes every year to mark important moments. Last year honored 200 years of British railways with a steam train design. Previous years featured a crown for the Queen's Jubilee and a javelin thrower for the Olympics.

At season's end, the maize gets harvested as cattle fodder before being reimagined the following spring. It's a sustainable cycle that keeps giving.

Wistow Maze opens daily from July 20 through September 6, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to celebrate nature, community, and one remarkable life dedicated to protecting our planet.