To immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit, thrill-seekers are flocking to Scream Factory in Redcar for a hair-raising experience.
Kirkleatham Museum by day, a haunted tour of terrors by night, this scenic woodland area is transformed into an arena of terrors for all to enjoy.
After having our tickets scanned, we had the opportunity to explore a mediaeval-style waiting area, complete with food, drinks and an enormous bonfire.
As you wait for your time slot to be called up to enter the maze by Freddy Krueger on the DJ decks, rogue scare actors will feel free to terrorise you (when they aren't sporadically breaking into dance), which we found amped us up for the actual experience.
Once the realisation sets in that it's too late to turn back, creeping closer to the front of the queue, workers split you into groups you’ll walk through the maze with.
Never splitting up groups of friends or family, though. Pay close attention to the safety briefing and heed the warning to watch your footing, I learned from experience.
The moment you step inside, the tension is palpable. The atmosphere is full of nervous jitters and anticipation as you're greeted by an excited clown who seems very eager to slam you into his cell.
This experience is very effective in forming quick alliances as your group realises the only way to feel secure is by huddling together, safety in numbers, right?
While you're ambushed by clowns on both sides of this cage, the only thing separating you is slim metal bars.
This was a highlight of the experience for us; you’re lucid enough to be fully immersed in the terror, which sets the bar high for the rest of the maze.
Each section brings a fresh, frightening cinematic universe to get lost in. Some personal favourites were the Coal Mines, butchers, and Stranger Things tour.
Every aspect of the production, from the costuming to the odd aromas, is crafted to each section perfectly to assault all five of your senses.
The actors add authenticity to the experience, being fully dedicated to their characters' gory persona, instinctively knowing when to pop out for heightened comedic effect.
For those seeking out a Halloween attraction that packs a punch, Scream Factory is a must-do.
They open every Halloween season from October 18th to November 2nd. Come and experience this four-time Scare award winner for yourself, if you dare…