King Charles appears in maize maze masterpiece at Powys farm

To mark the coronation of King Charles earlier this year, Will created a special royal family-themed design at his farm, near Llangattock, in the south of the county – designing his maze in the shape of His Royal Highness’ face.

And, as these pictures show, Will’s design is the king of all mazes.

“As it is King Charles’ coronation year it tied in nicely with that,” said Will, 26, who took over the tenancy at Park Farm in 2022.

“I saw something online and thought I’d give it a go.

The King Charles maize maze at Will Land's Park Farm in Llangattock, Powys. (Image: Will Land)

“I designed it and my brother works for a GPS company so he then programmed it. I drove around when the maize was knee high and cut some paths, then the paths were drilled this year.”

Will, who farms the land with girlfriend Lydia, admitted the process had given him plenty of sleepless nights, adding: “The paths were too narrow at first, but I was amazed at how it turned out.”

The maize maze opened in early August and was enjoyed immensely by visitors for the next month – even drawing in some famous faces.

Funnymen Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar paid Powys and Will a visit, after hearing about the King Charles maze while working for the South Wales Argus as part of their series, Hold the Front Page.

Will and partner Lydia, had a visit from comedians and wannabe journalists Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar. (Image: Will Land)

“That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” admits Will.

“Josh and Nish visited us for their show in September, they came and filmed for the show.”

They’d heard about Park Farm after Will’s sister Ceris, who also contacted us, emailed the show’s producers. “They were working with the Argus and they got in touch through that,” added Will.

“It was a shock. I had a phonecall and said ‘yes’ but I didn’t really take it in, I thought this can’t be true, then they showed up.”

Will added that the reaction from people visiting the maze has been great, even if many didn’t believe it resembled King Charles’ face. They had to be shown the drone pictures to be convinced. “They thought it was amazing,” said Will, who plans to do something completely different next year.

“Next year I think we’ll change the design and theme. But we’ve gone straight into the pumpkin patch, which opened last week, so I haven’t had time to think about next year.

“We’ll plan that in December or January.”

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From maize mazes to pumpkin patches and beyond, diversification is something most of the agricultural industry is embracing. It has to, with chicken sheds and holiday lets popping up on hillsides throughout Powys in recent decades.

Will is soon going to be adding another project to Park Farm's stable, by operating a pizza parlour from a converted horse box.

“Diversifying has become a huge part of farming. We felt we had to do it as modern farmers,” said Will.

“You have to do it. The traditional ways just don’t cut it these days.”

Park Farm was a camping site prior to Will taking it on in April of last year. His grandparents farm in Monmouthshire, while his dad has land near Ross-on-Wye, in Herefordshire.

Stunning views from Park Farm. (Image: Will Land)

Park Farm lies in 203 acres of the beautiful Usk valley, with the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal running straight through the property an added bonus. From the top of the farm there are spectacular views of the Black Mountains and the Sugar Loaf.

Although the maize maze is now closed for the year, the Park Farm pumpkin patch is open until October 31.

For more information or to book a visit to the pumpkin patch, email parkfarmbookings@outlook.com, phone 07592 589904 or visit the Park Farm Llangattock Pumpkins and Maize Maze Facebook page or check them out on Instagram @park_farm_llangattock.