Embrace the Spooky Season: UK's Ultimate Thrills Await

As the air grows crisp and shadows lengthen, it's officially spooky season – a prime time for horror fans and thrill-seekers across the UK to seek out the most spine-chilling events and attractions. The landscape of fear is constantly evolving, with options becoming more immersive and terrifying each year. From ghostly encounters to haunted villages and pulse-pounding horror-themed escape rooms, a world of frightful fun beckons. Here are 11 spooky adventures and ideas to enjoy this season and beyond, if you dare…

1. Visit Fear Scream Park, Bristol

For an adrenaline-pumping night, Fear Scream Park in Bristol stands out. It was voted the UK’s Best Scream Park for the second year in 2022 and garnered recognition at the 2024 Halloween Awards by Thrill Nation, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination for frights. The Park is open from 10th–22nd October this year. With five multi-sensory scare attractions, two extraordinary experiences, dazzling fire and laser shows, plus captivating street theatre and live performances, there’s a terrifying treat for everyone.

2. Enjoy a horror-themed escape room, UK-wide

Escape rooms offer an exhilarating challenge, tasking participants with discovering clues, solving puzzles, and completing tasks to achieve an objective – usually escaping a themed room – all within a strict time limit. Their popularity has soared, and horror remains one of the most sought-after genres. These experiences range from psychological thrillers that mess with your mind to those packed with physical scares, jump scares, or even a generous helping of blood and gore. The beauty of escape rooms lies in their ability to tap into our innate problem-solving instincts while layering on a thrilling narrative, making the fear feel incredibly personal and immediate. For those eager to dive into the terror, some of the UK's top horror-themed escape rooms, celebrated in popular reviews, include:

Butcher by Escapologic, Nottingham
Edith by Unescapable Escape Rooms, Derby
Haunted Hospital by Xcape Room, Glasgow
Heaven and Hell by Cambridge Escape Rooms, Cambridge
Z by Escape Rooms Cardiff, Cardiff
Phobia by Paralysis Escape Rooms, Stoke on Trent
Witch Way Out? by Dreadlock Escape Rooms, Cornwall
Afterlife by Cryptology Rooms, Sheffield
Cabin Fever by Horror Escape, London
Sector 17: Zombie Outbreak by Forbidden Quest, Belfast
Murder Motel by Enigma Rooms, Wakefield
The Cutting Room by Locked In Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Abigail by Trappd, Kettering

For a glimpse into the terror that awaits, consider watching the trailer for The Butcher escape room in Nottingham.

3. Go on a ghost walk, UK-wide

Ghost walks offer a unique way to delve into a region's haunted past and uncover its spectral secrets. These tours are available nationwide, but a few stand out as particularly memorable. The Ghost Bus Tours, for instance, depart daily from specific locations in Edinburgh, York, and London, guiding guests on a spooky yet comedic journey through some of these historic cities’ most haunted locales. Another highly recommended experience is The Original Ghost Walk of York, widely believed to be the world’s first exclusive ghost walk. Established in 1973 and led by a team with decades of experience, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure through York's most spectral spots. Tours run every night from 8pm, with extra tours added at 6:30pm specifically for Halloween.

4. Explore Shrewsbury Prison, Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Prison, renowned as the world’s most interactive prison, offers a chilling array of experiences perfect for those seeking a horror fix. Test your wits in Prison Break, the world’s largest escape game, where you attempt to outsmart the system and escape confinement. Alternatively, challenge the prison Governor with puzzles in The Hole and The Cell escape rooms. For the truly brave, paranormal investigations are regularly conducted at Shrewsbury Prison. Be warned: these tours are not for the faint-hearted, as participants often report inexplicable phenomena within its foreboding walls.

5. Visit Scare Kingdom, Lancashire

Scare Kingdom Scream Park is an immersive horror experience featuring over 80 live actors, intricately designed sets, and five scare mazes guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. Visitors consistently praise Scare Kingdom for striking an excellent balance between sheer terror and exhilarating fun, making it a standout attraction for those seeking a truly immersive fright.

6. Get involved in Paranormal Investigations at Fonmon Castle, South Wales

Nestled in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, Fonmon Castle boasts a tumultuous history and remains one of the few medieval castles continuously inhabited today. Beyond its rich heritage, Fonmon Castle offers a chilling opportunity for paranormal enthusiasts. Their Paranormal Investigations tour guides you through the castle at night, immersing you in a series of ghost tours, spectral tales, and active paranormal investigations, all led by a professional ghost-hunting team. Spanning approximately six hours, participants are strongly advised to prepare for the strange happenings and unexplained phenomena that frequently occur during these captivating tours. Tickets for these highly sought-after experiences tend to sell out quickly, so booking well in advance is highly recommended.

7. Take The Original Jack the Ripper Tour, London

If spectral encounters aren't your preference, consider a thrilling murder tour to get your dose of spookiness. Who better to investigate than the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, who terrorised London’s East End in the late 19th century? While numerous tours across London are dedicated to this notorious figure, The Original Jack the Ripper Tour stands as one of the most renowned. Guided by true experts on the subject, you’ll join the Victorian police in a race against time to unravel the mystery. Expect to visit his various murder sites and related locations, navigating old alleyways and examining original crime scene photographs, bringing history's darkest moments vividly to life. This tour highlights how the historical context of crime and fear can be just as chilling as any ghost story.

8. Venture around a haunted historic site, UK-wide

Given the UK's abundance of ancient buildings, it's no surprise that many come with a ghost story or two. At Corfe Castle in Dorset, a woman in white has been sighted on several occasions. Newton House in Carmarthenshire is known for sightings and echoes of ghosts. The restless spirit of the Green Lady is said to haunt Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire, while Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast has reported several spooky incidents, including shadows in empty prison cells and the eerie sounds of children crying. For more inspiration on where to encounter the paranormal, delve into this list of the National Trust’s most haunted places. The video below also shares some of the spooky stories that have unfolded over the years at the Tudor powerhouse, The Vyne, in Hampshire.

9. Explore Pluckley Village, Kent

Pluckley in Kent holds the title of Britain's most haunted village, infamous for its numerous ghost sightings. Its spectral reputation has even made it the star of several paranormal investigative programmes, including Ghost Hunters International, Strange but True, and Most Haunted. Pluckley is reportedly home to between 12 and 14 distinct ghosts, featuring figures like The Screaming Man, The Highwayman, and The Red Lady. To immerse yourself in this haunted locale, consider booking a ghost walk around Pluckley or even spending a night at Elvey Farm Country Hotel, which is said to be one of the UK’s most haunted hotels.

10. Plan a spooky woodland walk, UK-wide

With the crackling of twigs, crunching leaves, imposing trees, and often foggy air, woodlands possess an inherent eeriness even at the best of times. Couple this natural ambiance with a grisly story or two, and they become profoundly unnerving. Imagine wandering through Hindhead Commons in Surrey, the site of a brutal 18th-century murder, or the Forest of Rothiemurchus in the Scottish Highlands, where the ghost of a 14th-century tribal chief is said to roam. Cave Hill Country Park in Belfast has also been linked to a range of paranormal activity, while in Pembrey Forest in Carmarthenshire, dismembered figures – believed to be the ghosts of World War One and Two soldiers – have been seen wandering. If you dare to venture into the depths of some of the UK’s spookiest woodlands, be sure to check out this list of the most haunted forests and scary woods from the National Trust.

11. Be terrified at Scare City, Greater Manchester

Scare City makes its triumphant, and terrifying, return to the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for 2025, promising an experience that is bigger, better, and bloodier than ever before. Visitors can embark on an interactive horror trail, winding through 10 zones of expertly crafted terror and special effects. Complete with live actors whose sole mission is to scare you out of your wits, this two-hour immersive experience is strictly reserved for those seeking the ultimate scary adventure. Given its popularity and intense demand, tickets are known to sell out quickly, so securing your booking in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Final thoughts…

For those craving a spooky adventure this Halloween season, the UK offers an abundance of thrilling events and attractions. From chilling ghost walks and historical tours to terror-filled mazes and genuinely haunted castles, there’s an experience tailored to every level of scare-seeker. The even better news for horror fanatics is that many of these spine-tingling ideas can be enjoyed year-round, extending the season of fright far beyond October. For further ideas of things to do, head over to our travel section where you’ll find more inspiration for fun days out in the UK

Unleash Your Inner Thrill-Seeker: Top UK Spooky Adventures