The Art of the Maze - Exploration, Symbolism and Landscape Design

The Art of the Maze
Exploration, Symbolism and Landscape Design

At Hestercombe, we are delighted to present our Maize Maze for summer 2026, created in collaboration with Dillon Keyte of Hestercombe Farm. Planted as a celebration of the landscape and in a spirit of seasonal fun, the maze invites visitors of all ages to lose themselves for a while before finding their way out towards one of Hestercombe’s most beautiful destinations, the Water Garden.

This exhibition accompanies the maze and explores the rich history and artistry of maze-making. At its centre is the work of Randoll Coate, a pioneering British maze designer who helped revitalise the form in the late 20th century.

Coate transformed the idea of the maze beyond simple entertainment, creating works that are layered with symbolism and narrative. His designs explore themes of time, identity, spirituality and place, and are carefully composed landscapes intended to be experienced both on the ground and from above. Having completed over 50 mazes across Britain and internationally, his work demonstrates the maze as a powerful form of visual and spatial storytelling.

Coate described his approach as “landscape calligraphy” — designs that can be read as much as they are walked.

We hope that, whether you are navigating the twists and turns of the maize or exploring the ideas within this exhibition, you enjoy the journey as much as the destination.