<< Our Photo Pages >> Breamore Miz-Maze - Turf Maze in England in Hampshire

Submitted by Gerald_Ponting on Thursday, 28 June 2001  Page Views: 38593

Multi-periodSite Name: Breamore Miz-Maze Alternative Name: Miz Maze
Country: England County: Hampshire Type: Turf Maze
Nearest Town: Fordingbridge  Nearest Village: Breamore
Map Ref: SU1412520266
Latitude: 50.981630N  Longitude: 1.800161W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

theaksy visited on 27th Aug 2021 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 4 Access: 4

weeblewobble visited on 1st Jan 2009 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 2

JimChampion have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.5 Ambience: 4 Access: 3

Breamore Miz-Maze
Breamore Miz-Maze submitted by JimChampion : May 2005. A composite image of the miz maze, taken from the vantage point of a tree stump to the north of the maze. It is in very good condition, and this is probably because of its relatively remote location and surrounding fence. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Turf Maze in Hampshire. This is a really beautiful maze, although not easy to find. I visited out of the holiday season and there was no one around to give directions. It is 84 by 81 feet in diameter, of 'Chartres' design, within its own small wood, the trees completely encircling it.

It is a scheduled ancient monument and fenced off, thus being impossible to walk upon. However, if you could the maze follows the raised grass paths - using it would wear it out! The mizmaze on St Catherine's Hill is a more sensible design, in that you walk in the cut paths, wearing the impression of the maze deeper into the soil.

Access Leave your vehicle at the Breamore House and Museum car park which is clearly signposted from the A338. On foot, follow the signs to Breamore House (no need to buy a ticket) and follow the bridlepath past the house and all the way through Breamore Wood and keep going. A large sign indicates the final turn you need to take to reach the miz-maze. The Giant's Grave long barrow is less than 500 metres SW of the mizmaze and is worth a look if you've come this far.

Note: Breamore is pronounced 'Bremmer' locally... useful info if you need to ask for directions.
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Breamore Miz-Maze
Breamore Miz-Maze submitted by Antonine : Visited 2013 (Vote or comment on this photo)

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Nearby Images from Geograph Britain and Ireland:
SU1420 : Breamore, Mizmaze by Mike Faherty
by Mike Faherty
©2013(licence)
SU1420 : Breamore Mizmaze by David Martin
by David Martin
©2024(licence)
SU1420 : Signage for The Miz Maze by Clive Perrin
by Clive Perrin
©2021(licence)
SU1420 : Breamore Mizmaze: detail by Christopher Hilton
by Christopher Hilton
©2012(licence)
SU1420 : Breamore: the mizmaze by Chris Downer
by Chris Downer
©2007(licence)

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"Breamore Miz-Maze" | Login/Create an Account | 26 News and Comments
  
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Found the place OK, but it's looking very neglected. The ground between the raised route is very overgrown.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Friday, 01 June 2018
    Yes like you we have just visited the miz maze at breamore and now you cannot see any of the maze. We have been going there for over twenty years and it has never looked this bad,with broken fences and completly overgrown.You would think being one of only eight historic sites of this kind in the whole country,somebody would take responsibility for its upkeep.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Sunday, 18 March 2018
17th March 2018 Lovely cold walk in snow beautiful through the woods stunting views and Miz Maze all in white. Cannot wait until bluebells in woods are out again
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Friday, 11 July 2014
I am going to visit the miz maze within ten days. You all made me curious.
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze - current condition? by Anonymous on Monday, 31 May 2010
I visited the Mizmaze today (31 May 2010) and was very upset to find that many of the surrounding yew trees have been felled, while others have had branches removed on the side facing the maze. Trees have been felled to make what was a narrow footpath around the labyrinth into a wide vehicle track.

This new track goes right round the maze, giving it the feel of a roundabout or traffic island, cut off from the surrounding yew copse.

The whole site looks awful, all the atmosphere has gone, the maze feels very exposed (and is by the way as overgrown as I have ever seen it), the surviving trees look badly damaged with many bare scars from chopped off limbs. The stumps of the felled trees have been cross-hatched to prevent regeneration.

All in all an absolute desecration of what was once one of the most beautiful turf labyrinths in the country.

I will go back with a camera at some point in the next couple of weeks and get some pictures to post here.

I urge everyone who loves this place to boycott Breamore house, its tearooms and 'museum'.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze - current condition? by Anonymous on Friday, 17 April 2009
Hello, As I am reasonably local I have visited the maze several times and am glad to report that on my last visit 1 week ago (10/04/09) I found the site in quite good condition. Due to the circle of trees and shrubbery however it is not easy to follow the pattern. I would suggest a simple raised stand so people could look down on the site. Perhaps the owners of Breamore could take the responsibility for the site and point out to their visitors the route, I'm sure it would be an added attraction. It is a lovely walk with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.
Dave Beaves 17/04/09
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze - current condition? by Anonymous on Thursday, 12 March 2009
Hello - I'm from Canada and have found your page through someone in Salisbury; I enjoyed reading the updates. I will be visiting Salisbury this weekend/next week and am interested in seeing the Maze - can any one tell me what sort of condition it is in currently? Thank you.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Visited Miz Maze today 6.1.2009. Slightly overgrown but recognizable. To find just follow Bridleway to left hand side of Breamer House and after about 1 and a half miles M-M is on left clearly signed. MH (Downton)
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Just visited it today (11 June 2008) and it would appear that some one is looking after it. There are obvious signs of work and lots has been done. Not completed yet however.
No sign of vandalism.
Posted by DF ( for the sake of BW's curiosity if he reads this far)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Tuesday, 27 May 2008
I gather that the Miz Maze has been cut and restored to its original form - the reason it was in such a state was due to having to keep out vandals who had started to destroy this ancient site.

I am going to have a look tomorrow!

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Monday, 10 September 2007
Having lived in Alkborough in Lincolnshire for 15 years, where there is one of these mazes in excellent condition, I am astonished to find the Miz Maze at Braemar in such an appallingly overgrown condition. It is quite impossible to see the paths in the Maze.
Surely it would not take much effort to cut the grass and weeds, which for the past months have almost obliterated the maze?
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by myrrdin on Monday, 12 March 2007
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With respect to all, instead of asking time and time again who is responsible for the upkeep of the maze (and this applies in many other instances too), the answer is quite simple. US. There are no signs of ownership around the maze, and it would be no great hardship to carry at least a half moon tool to edge the maze and some hand shears to trim the glass. It's sad that we still look outside of ourselves for solutions to problems such as this. On a more positive note, I visited the maze with my partner for the first time in mid February and am happy to report it's condition is now similar to the photo above, with only the right hand side of the maze being a little overgrown. I for one will spend some time clearing it on my next visit. It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness, as they say.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Sunday, 24 June 2007
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    I haven't been back to the miz-maze since I took the photo above, but I'm glad to hear that its condition has been improved recently. Unlike the standing stones etc. these kind of sites (whatever their age) need regular maintenance if they are not to vanish - a bit like the chalk hill figures.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Thursday, 05 October 2006
Does anybody know who the hell we can contact about the miz-maze because if it isn't sorted out soon, all will be lost.
A friend and myself were up there and found it completely overgrown. I went to find out who was responsible and spoke to someone at Breamore house and was given the phone number of Sir Henry (i think thats his name). I managed to chat with him and he said that he would ensure that the maze would be cared for. Well it was not!
I went up again later in the summer and found it completely overgrown. I went down to the house and spoke to the caretaker who was relatively new and he said that the man who used to do the upkeeping had lost interest. he said that he would go up and strimmer the brambles down.
I went up again and saw the maze and the brambles etc has been cut down but the maze has really suffered. You can hardly identify the actual patten on the outer perimeters, the banks have corroded a great deal. Some action needs to be taken especially with the rain and bad weather coming up or it will be lost forever!

[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Saturday, 07 October 2006
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    See if you can raise a bit of public interest in the site - write letters to the local papers such as the Forest Journal and the Salisbury Journal.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Anonymous on Saturday, 09 September 2006
i have just returned from a trip to the mizmaze with my two daughters 7 and 10, we was dissapoined to see after the long yet enjoyable walk that the maze is now so overgrown, as to be almost compleatly unrecognisable.

Such a shame an important site and part of our national heritage has been left to vanish beneath natures blanket.

I am sure there are people willing to clear and maintain this special place if the poeple responsible for its upkeep are unable or unwilling to do so?
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Saturday, 09 September 2006
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    As far as I know the Breamore mizmaze is part of the Breamore House estate - try contacting them through their website: link. I'll say again that I'm surprised and disappointed to hear that its been neglected like this - it was in such beautiful condition last year when I last visited.

    Jim
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Downtonian on Monday, 21 August 2006
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Finding this website and Andy's description of Mizmaze near Breamore reminded me to visit it after more than two decades.

Sadly, Mizmaze does not presently appear as shown in Andy's photo. It was almost totally overgrown when I visited six weeks' ago and again two weeks' ago (growth suggested that nothing at all had been done in the interim to clear growth). It was impossible to make out most of the design. Who is actually responsible for the upkeep of this ancient monument? They need to get their act together or admit that they are not up to it and leave it to someone else. Since I first visited a fence has been constructed around it with an unsigned notice asking visitors to keep out, but nowhere is there anything to say who is responsible for its upkeep.

Any advice on who to tell about sorting out its bad state of upkeep would be welcome.

--
Jim Moody
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    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Monday, 21 August 2006
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    Hi. It was me who took the photo above, last summer. It had the fence around it then, and the sign asking people to keep off the mizmaze. I'm surprised to hear that it is in such bad condition, considering how well-kept it was last year. The mizmaze is part of the Breamore House estate - try contacting them through their website. They have also fenced in the nearby Giant's Grave longbarrow (for its own protection) and last summer they had made a path through the crops in the field so that you could get to it and see it, as well as putting an information board on the fence.

    If you want a mizmaze that you can walk on, try the one on top of St Catherine's Hill in Winchester. Its not so perfectly formed, but it is grazed by sheep to keep the grass down.

    Jim Champion
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by TimPrevett on Sunday, 08 May 2005
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The archaeology data service lists the maze as mediaeval, but numerous barrows and an ancient track within a 1 km diameter.

cheers

Tim
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    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Andy B on Sunday, 08 May 2005
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    Yes - I don't consider any of the mazes we have listed to be prehistoric but they are here as they are of Earth Mysteries/Folklore interest.
    Andy
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      Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Sunday, 08 May 2005
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      Going by the info thats on the web, there aren't many of these turf mazes anyway: the portal's not going to be overwhelmed by them. The two I know about (Breamore and St Catherine's Hill) are at prehistoric sites anyway, so they're definitely worth a mention (in addition to the 'earth mysteries/folklore' interest).
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by JimChampion on Sunday, 08 May 2005
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Re: Breamore Miz-Maze (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Friday, 10 August 2001
(IP: 64.12.105.44)
I understood this maze to be "prehistoric". I do not therefore understand the reference to "Christian" design. EMail: LorraineMPBrown @ aol

Regarding the above comment...

All the online resources I can find describe the Breamore Mizmaze as medieval: for example the Hampshire treasures description is:
Mizmaze, Breamore Down. Well preserved. Mound in centre like a disc barrow. 25m diameter.

The reference in the main text to it being "of 'Chartres' design" means that the pattern of the maze matches the tile pattern in the nave at Chartres cathedral in France. I don't know whether the above allusion to being 'like a disc barrow' means that the mizmaze is thought to be an adapted Bronze Age site. There are a lot of even older earthworks nearby (Grims ditch and the Giants Grave long barrow) and there are round barrows in the surrounding trees.

If anyone knows why this site is thought to be prehistoric then please post a comment here.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Thorgrim on Sunday, 08 May 2005
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    Turf mazes are not regarded as being prehistoric and they are not, strictly speaking, mazes at all. Mazes have many routes and dead ends and the trick is to find your way to the centre and out again. Turf mazes are labyrinths and have but one path which continually turns back on itself, but unerringly makes for the centre. The design is found on the earliest coins and seals of Crete and Egypt and so is of the greatest antiquity. However, the turf mazes are also known as "the Game of Troy", "Troy Towns", "Trojins" in Scandinavia and "shepherds races". The latter name was used by Shakespeare and as such, they probably formed the arena for a game or contest.

    The designs in cathedrals are greatly elaborated versions, but essentially the same in that they have but one path. Known also as "Trip to Jerusalem" it has been suggested that they were a form of penance. After the collapse of the Crusades, it was no longer possible for wealthy knights to gain remission from Purgatory by making a perilous journey to the Holy Land. Instead, they followed the hard tiled path of the cathedral labyrinth on their knees. The local bishop set so many excruciating crawls to the centre as being equal to one "Trip to Jerusalem". Later, of course, they became mere landscape features in large gardens.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Breamore Miz-Maze by Andy B on Sunday, 01 July 2001
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O.S. Ref. SU 142203 eleven-ring Medieval Christian design; turf maze, circular, 87 x 87 ft

Good web site: http://www.maze-world.com/BritainAncTurf&Stone.htm
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