Updated with video and pix: York Maze reveals its theme for 2019

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York Maze revealed its 2019 design today, and farmer Tom Pearcy has created what is believed to be the world’s biggest tribute to The Lion King.

The giant maze cut from a 15-acre field of maize plants near York marks the 25th anniversary of the original film and the new movie being released next week.

Tom said:

• The maze design is my tribute to The Lion King. It has been one of the most loved movies of the last 25 years.

  I remember being captivated by the film and my kids are now looking forward to the new movie coming out.
  

Mandrill and warthog

At 15 acres York Maze is believed to be the largest maze in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

When viewed from the air the York Maze design shows images of a lion, mandrill, warthog and meerkat, the principal animals featured in the movie.

Covering an area the size of eight football pitches, the animals are over 100 times their real size.

As well as being what is believed to be the world’s biggest tribute to The Lion King the giant artwork it is also a maze visitors can explore.

Tom Pearcy dressed as mandrill Rafiki from the Lion King for the press launch.

He was joined by performance group The Mighty Zulu Nation, dressed in traditional Zulu costumes the group performed Mbube (which means ‘Lion’ in Zulu) and was the original version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, which is featured in The Lion King.