It’s an exciting time to be an adrenaline junkie in the UK. Well, as exciting as a time can be for a group of people who spend their time denying death on rollercoasters and bungee jumps.
A Universal UK theme park is in its early stages of construction, an indoor waterpark is slated for Bicester, and Glasgow could get the nation’s largest urban zipline. As if that wasn’t enough, Alton Towers has just announced two terrifying new attractions ahead of 2025’s spooky season.
A scare maze called ‘The Edge of the Forest’ and a neighbouring scare-zone called ‘Dark Hollow’ will form part of the Scarefest 2025, a month-long event which will get even the most dedicated Halloween fan’s heart rates up. The maze will be populated by actors ready to jump-scare and just generally freak you out, as well as creepy crawlies and the sorts of creepy noises that give you goosebumps. The scare-zone will be pretty similar, just without the structure or goal of the maze.
Alton Towers is describing the event as ‘days and nights of spokes and frights’, but a maze isn’t all that it’s offering. It will operate behind the scenes VIP ghost tours for those who want to find out the history of the park and its titular tower, which was owned by the Earls of Shrewsbury for more than 400 years.
The resort is promising that ‘guests can uncover the chilling stories hidden within its walls’, so whether you’re a history nerd or a supernatural fan you’ll have a great time.
During the tour, you’ll also get to go through the scare maze with the lights on in order to learn about its construction. You’ll discover why each creative choice was made, down to the smells which are pumped into each section, and see some concept art from the planning phases. Pretty cool, right?
Scarefest will run from September 27 until November 2. The VIP tour costs £55 per person, but if that’s a bit above budget, don’t worry. You’ll have access to the rest of Scarefest, including ‘the Edge of the Forest’ and ‘Dark Hollow’ for only £34 per person. It’s cheaper to book ahead on the park’s website, so make sure to plan your trip in advance to get the best prices.
ICYMI: When does autumn officially start in the UK?
Plus: What is a ‘false autumn’ and is the UK currently having one?
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.