Haunting and historical! Winders Haunted Farm has been recovering since the tornadoes of 2021 and the several that have hit Central Kentucky throughout the years. However, this team is strong, driven by determination and family promises to keep the haunt running.
Have you ever been to a haunted location with a paranormal historical connection? Well, this family is tied to the Bell Witch from Addams, Tennessee, and what a treat that it’s been made a part of the haunt itself. Winder’s Haunted Farm sits on 80 Acres of land, a small portion of which will consist of the spookalicious hay ride and the walkthrough of their haunted house, which used to be a pig house – super cool!
From the hayride to the tunnel to the haunted funeral home, the cast members actively shaped our experience. On the hayride, a dedicated guide detailed the family’s property history and their paranormal connection to the Bell family. Aside from the guide, we encountered a small group of actors who repeated their roles at different points during the 10-minute ride. While the number of actors was limited, each showcased high energy and interacted with guests throughout our journey.
After the hayride, two standout characters entertained us as our group split up to enter the tunnel: a scarecrow and an enigmatic actor. Both were hilarious, cryptic, and highly interactive.
Inside the funeral home, we encountered Sierra, who avoided telling us her age and attempted to steal our toes. She made a considerable effort to observe our feet and kept us alert, as the preceding group took their time, ensuring each experience felt personal and attentive.
Within the funeral parlor, each actor remained in character and delivered strong performances tailored to the setting. The cast excelled at storytelling, making guests feel a part of the event.
We loved seeing makeup applied from hairline to fingernails – it created a complete transformation. Full costumes with no exposed skin heightened scares and storytelling. Even masked actors wore convincingly dirtied arms or weathered gloves. All attire perfectly matched each scene and was carefully put together.
One memorable detail was the girl on the silver slab, blood and entrails spilling from her stomach. The effect was seamless – nothing looked like cheap plastic.
Costumes and masks evoked a scarecrow vibe suitable for the farm – think burlap, frayed, and weathered. Several outfits were styled for a somber funeral, dark and ghostly; was that a specter in the chapel, or the occultist?
Speaking with the family was a genuine pleasure, especially hearing their heartfelt stories and promises to departed relatives. Their warmth made us feel truly welcome, as if we were already part of the family.
Winder’s Farm staff was helpful and all smiles, even on a chilly night!
Information about Winder’s Farm is available on their Facebook Page, which lists the address, email, phone number, operating dates, and times. You may need to search posts for pricing; admission is $10 per person.
Parking is straightforward, but be cautious; the road is narrow, though paved. If you dislike driving on tight roads, bring a confident driver. An attendant with a glowing wand directs you to the parking, making the process easy.
From the hayride to the famous tunnel and the funeral home, we were immersed in unique, special, and unexpected ways. Walking up, we found a throne, Halloween lights, a graveyard, and a trailer with ample seating for us humans to prepare ourselves for a journey that became one of the most memorable and unique experiences of our season.
On the hayride, we heard the Bell family’s story – deaths in mining accidents, and lingering spirits haunt the grounds. The family, direct descendants of the Bell Witch, has inherited her legacy, maintains the farm, and keeps an invitation open to relatives beyond the grave – while scaring visitors along the way. The chilling tale and cold night left us on edge, goosebumps lingering long after we left.
Special effects at Winders Farm truly did shine in The Tunnel – a surprise structure designed to test your limits. Dark, loud, and confining, it bounced us through twists like ping pong balls. The unique squeeze tube compressed us from the waist down, leaving no escape – a standout feature this season.
Besides the screams of terror, chainsaws, grumbles, and grunts of the cast, there wasn’t much sound besides the eerily natural sounds surrounding us, leaving some areas a little quieter. The silence contributed to the chill ambiance of the night, helping us lean towards considering the potential paranormal aspect of this haunt, while also leaving room for complete immersion.
Other effects included fire, fog, steam, realistic props like knives, and an authentic embalming set. These elements made the scenes convincing and drew us deeper in, making us feel like our souls were next in line.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 8.2
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 9.65
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7.85
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 7.8
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 8.05
Into the woods we went, to find our souls, or perhaps the souls of dozens of passed away witches, actors, family, and more..
Among our favorite scares was on the hayride, where about 15 participants embarked as the story unfolded. Suddenly, actors appeared and began interacting with guests, including one who arrived with a live chainsaw. After sizing us up, they expressed intentions of selecting a guest, and then, in a surprise, “abducted” a guest and dragged them off into the woods.
The haunt offered countless scare opportunities, from the dark woods to the funeral home. Some areas were pitch-black, making surprises unpredictable, while illuminated spots made scares easier to anticipate, challenging actors to innovate. They generally succeeded. Spooky dialogue and clever storytelling set this haunt apart, whether delivered verbally or through nonverbal scares. Winders Farm’s methods were impressively creative.
The finale featured multiple chainsaws, heightening disorientation during our escape. As we returned to the front, two actors presented us with a task that resulted in Morgan running even more. Just when we thought it was over, the surprises continued.
Our adventure began with a 13-minute hayride packed with fright, jump scares, and the family’s story. Next, after receiving a tale, our group moved to the tunnel for two intense minutes. We exited into a graveyard and queued at the Funeral Home, which we entered for another 13 minutes, dodging soul-snatching actors. Total experience: 28 minutes. At $10 per ticket, that’s 2.8 minutes per dollar (MPD)! That’s almost three times our recommended 1 MPD, making this a worthwhile investment.
Beyond the haunt, there were photo ops, a spooky playground, a tent with food and tables, a cemetery, and more. The place felt like a Halloween family reunion. After hearing the story, it was clear the spirit of family extended far beyond those present. We loved that.
127 Flat Creek Street, Mortons Gap, Kentucky 42440
