Final Scores – By Category:

Cast (20% of Final Score): 9.41

Costuming (10% of Final Score): 8.04

Customer Service (10% of Final Score): 9.3

Immersion (10% of Final Score): 7.8

Special Effects (15% of Final Score): 8.2

Scare Factor (20% of Final Score): 8.55

Entertainment & Value (15% of Final Score): 7.63

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Final Scores – By Attraction:

Attraction 1: 8.49

Scare Kingdom provides a sprawling trail of five mazes and one themed area that takes you on a journey through different realms of fear. In The Sickness, be prepared for confrontation with a disused NHS building, and all the horrors within it, whilst Manor Mortis allows for the proper exploration of an incredibly detailed (and haunted) manor of bygone years. The catacombs open in Gothica, mortuary doors and coffins swing open in Body Snatchers, and the clowns are out for some devilish fun in CarniHell. Meanwhile, make sure you look over your shoulder in the Wasteland, or, you might just get kidnapped!

The cast of Scare Kingdom delivered an exceptional performance, bringing each character to life with impressive dedication and energy. They were placed throughout the trail, creating an immersive experience across all zones. The cast was fewer in The Sickness, yet this did not hinder the experience.

The interactions were both memorable and thrilling. One of our group members was abducted at gunpoint and taken into isolation, while another was guided onto a hijacked bus at hammer-point, and held captive in tense suspense. Other moments took place in secluded rooms where actors engaged us in unsettling conversations about our own desires, fears, and secrets.

The cast of Wasted was particularly interactive, expertly working to separate us and create unique, individual experiences. Each character, especially those who introduced new areas, was charismatic and committed to storytelling, setting the stage for each scene. Memorable moments included a magician who challenged us to make the right choice—or face an ominous consequence—before entering Body Snatchers. In CarniHell, the clowns’ performance was both menacing and threateningly humorous.

Scare Kingdom’s cast went above and beyond to create an immersive, unsettling, and thrilling experience that kept us engaged and on edge from start to finish.

The costuming in Scare Kingdom was skilfully executed, with a variety of striking and imaginative designs that enhanced the immersion. The masks were particularly well-finished, featuring everything from menacing, toothy clown faces to discomposing, ragged masks that added to the horror air.

The clowns in CarniHell showcased the strongest and most memorable mask and costume designs, standing out with their eerie details and workmanship. While some of the other costumes didn’t have the same standout impact, they were still thoughtfully crafted and successful, pulling us deeper into the nightmarish world. Each character felt indisputably part of the realm, making the experience even more engaging and credible.

Finding the site via satnav was uncomplicated, though we did notice a lack of prominent signage along the highway, which could make it challenging for first-time guests. Once on location, navigating the extensive trail was simple and hassle-free. There were no noticeable safety concerns throughout our visit, and the staff we encountered were friendly and obliging.

The website offers a wealth of information ahead of time, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your visit, and the staff are quick to respond to any queries via email. The customer service experience was smooth and well organized, contributing to a positive and enjoyable trip.

The pre-haunt area, featuring a large illuminated pumpkin, and a few smaller pumpkins in a shed, set a festive yet eerie atmosphere, though the theming was limited. Yet, once inside, the storylines were well-crafted and immersive, with each maze featuring a narrator who guided us through the unfolding narrative.

Line flow was generally smooth, though there were times when our group became bunched up with others despite the best efforts of the actors to keep us separated and maintain the pacing. The batch sizes were well-managed, allowing for an optimal experience without overcrowding.

The spaces between the haunts were faintly lit, with an unsettling, atmospheric glow that added to the sense of immersion. While the pre-haunt area could have benefitted from more elaborate theming, the attention to detail and ambiance within the mazes themselves more than made up for it, ensuring a thrilling and engaging experience.

The special effects in Scare Kingdom added significant depth to the experience, with air cannons placed throughout the mazes, and heightening moments of stress. A continuous soundtrack played in each space, enhancing the atmosphere, although it could have been louder to better mask any sound bleed from other zones. The sound design was effective, but there was room for improvement in balancing the noise between different segments.

The scenic design was intricate, with detailed environments that made each space feel immersive and unique. Fog fields and attempts at laser-driven fog effects contributed to the eerie atmosphere, with Body Snatchers offering a particularly unsettling moment when we were seized, and felt wires brushing against our legs. Illusions, such as a coffin dramatically opening, were also used to great effect, increasing the sense of surprise and dread.

CarniHell featured circus-themed sets, with winding corridors, that created a sense of claustrophobia and anxiety. Manor Mortis was the most elaborate, starting with atmospheric studies and libraries before leading into a wine cellar and garden, where we encountered an interaction with an undead gardener. Though the attraction didn’t rely on animatronics, the extensive use of props, like hammers held by the actors, helped to ground the experience in physicality. Light, sound, and fog effects were integrated throughout, contributing to the mental strain of traversing the trail.

The actors played a key role in intensifying the experience, not only through their interactions and menacing physical presence, but by stopping us with their bodies. This added a layer of vulnerability, making us feel trapped and at their mercy, further immersing us in their terrifying world.

The constant possibility of being grabbed at any moment was a thrilling and unnerving aspect that kept us on edge throughout the experience. It built a sense of real anticipation, as we never knew when or where the next scare would come from. In both Wasteland and CarniHell, the moments where we were isolated from the group were especially terrifying, as we were left unsure of when we would reunite with our party. These isolation tactics were effective in keeping us anxious and heightened the fear.

The actors did an excellent job of delivering scares to everyone, tailoring their approach depending on the situation. But, there were instances where we encountered other guests being frightened, which somewhat diluted the intensity. The experience leaned more toward creepy, unsettling moments rather than pure terror, creating an atmosphere of constant unease. These creepy interactions helped break up the typical jump scares, adding variety.

The finale, a classic clown chainsaw chase, was an exciting conclusion. The actors taunted us, trying to force us down different paths, and their pursuit with the chainsaw kept us running and screaming. It was a fun, adrenaline-pumping end to an otherwise intense journey, combining physical scares with a playful, chaotic energy.

We were rigorously satisfied with the main attraction, which provided a solid 40 minutes of thrilling scares and immersive trail experiences. Yet, the extra entertainment included in the ticket was somewhat underwhelming. The solo singer at the end didn’t quite match the energy and intensity of the main event, and the space where it took place felt lacking in atmosphere.

Furthermore, the concessions were minimal, which felt inadequate for such a large-scale event. While the main experience was excellent, the supplementary entertainment didn’t quite measure up to the high standards set by the rest of the attraction.