Screamtime Margam Castle is a petrifying scare trail featuring a cast of actors across a huge number of environments, disturbing and realistic effects, and frights along the trail and within the castle itself, from evil clowns to ghostly killers – and everything in-between.
Returning for 2025 and set within and around the Georgian country house of Margam Castle in Wales, this year it is joined by two other Screamtime haunts at Elvaston Castle and Wentworth Woodhouse. It’s really something to see a producer create an event across multiple venues, and we think that they’ve outdone themselves this year at Margam Castle. For where else can you experience frights which drip with history all around you.
The trail at Screamtime Margam Castle featured a very good number of cast, though certain sections focused more on atmosphere than direct performer interaction. This balance worked well given the length of the haunt, as the quieter stretches offered a welcome lull and allowed us to catch our breath before the next intense meeting with the unknown.
Some of the most raw moments came from performers who posed as ghostlike animatronics, standing still to perfection…until the last possible moment. We were completely convinced they were mechanical until they sprang to life in an instant with a jolt and a sinister laugh that sent us staggering back.
Many of the actors adopted a completely quiet, stalking approach, gliding through the darkness and reappearing in unexpected locations. Others whispered cryptic phrases or broke the silence with unexpected, unnerving outbursts that kept us always on edge. One standout performance came from a clown near the start, whose convulsive, puppet-like movements gave the uncanny feeling of him being controlled by invisible strings. It was a disturbingly mesmerising way to begin!
The costumes were impressive all along the trail, with the masks standing out as particularly creative and distinguished. We found ourselves wondering if they had been specially commissioned for the attraction, because we have indeed never seen anything quite like them. One especially memorable example was the altogether realised bear in the castle’s playroom, accompanied by a bizarre stitched gingerbread figure with a giant head and mismatched eyes.
Other masks depicted skeletal beings with maggots emerging from hollow eye sockets, creating a very disturbing image. The clowns, with their pointed noses and intricate detailing, wore masks that looked more like crafted prosthetics than simple face coverings. At the opening, a doll-faced character made an immediate impression with a mask whose eyes blinked and moved all on their own, adding a bizarre lifelike quality. Touches like this raised the bar on the entire experience and made the trail visually gripping throughout.
We had a wonderful time during our visit to Screamtime Margam Castle. All the staff members we interacted with really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and all communications prior to our attendance were helpful and prompt. Even though there’s a pervasive feeling of threat throughout the experience, nothing is actually dangerous here, which is a credit to the effective organisation of the event given how large the site is.
Two areas we might suggest could be improved for next year would be a touch more signage in the parking lot, directing us to the start of the trail, and a little more information on what the event actually entails on the website. Screamtime operates three similar events in historic venues across the UK, and so it would be good to get a sense of any difference between them (although we understand that this is mainly environmental rather than relating to other aspects).
The pre-haunt area was lit beautifully, making excellent use of the castle’s Gothic design. Purple and red lights glowed upward through the stately archways, creating an atmosphere that was both elegant and sinister. This area also featured a roaming actor with disconcertingly long fingers and an enthralling fire dancer, along with some delightfully creepy Screamtime signage that set the mood superbly.
We felt immersed to the hilt through most of the trail, supported by consistent lighting and well-crafted soundscapes. Yet, once we reached the second part, the experience ran quite close to the midway entertainment area. The music and noise from that section sometimes carried over, which disrupted the sense of isolation a little. The ending also felt a bit abrupt, as the trail looped back into the parking lot to where our journey had started.
The special effects focused on lighting and sound, both of which were used to great results. One memorable sequence featured LED light strips synced to the sound of distant shrieks, creating an eerie and disorientating light show that matched the terrifying air. We cannot overstate how magnificently the lighting played off the location and scenery, with vast windows flashing lurid red on the exterior of the castle beckoning us forward in an almost filmic fashion.
The scenic elements were also engaging, with striking visuals such as skeletons crawling up the staircases inside the castle’s grand Gothic hall and giant play blocks in the playroom that spelled out “PLAY DEAD.” Throughout the trail, mannequins were positioned so realistically that it was often difficult to tell which might suddenly walk from their plinths. This uncertainty added a constant sense of stress. We cannot overstate how magnificently the lighting played off the location and scenery, with vast windows flashing red on the exterior of the castle luridly beckoning us forward in an almost filmic fashion.
Thick smoke filled the clown passage, while atmospheric effects elsewhere maintained a sense of mystery and unease. Although the special effects were used sparingly, their thoughtful placement and design contributed very much to the all-encompassing mood of the experience.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7.5
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 10
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7.25
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.5
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 5.75
The scares here ranged from quick jump scares to more mental, drawn-out meetings with various foes. Most of the fear came from stalking-style scares, where characters would begin following us at a distance, slowly closing in before rushing forward and then retreating once more. This unpredictable pacing kept us uneasy and always searching for the next fright.
Some of the most effective moments came from performers who posed as statues or animatronics, remaining still until the instant they came to life. The sudden realisation that these figures were real was alarming and added a powerful element of surprise and shock.
The trail is divided into two main segments. You begin with the first half of the stroll, followed by a midway entertainment area featuring fairground rides, marshmallow roasting, drinks, and other fun activities. After spending time there, visitors continue the trail at their own pace through the castle itself before returning to the midway area and then descending down the final path. It is a distinctive setup that offers a nice balance between scares and relaxation.
The ticket price felt reasonable compared to similar attractions of this scale. Those who choose to spend extra time in the midway area will find plenty of cosiness, atmosphere, and entertainment for their money. We might have had a marshmallow or two – and, of course, some mulled cider!
Margam Castle, Port Talbot, United Kingdom SA13 2TJ
