Scare City Experience 2025
Overview
It’s been a couple of years since we had the chance to visit Scare City Experience and the first time for this reviewer. Scare City Experience is located on the site of the former Camelot theme park near Chorley in the North West of England.
As this was the second event of the evening we arrived quite late on with a 9.00pm to 9.30pm time slot. As such in between where the car had to be parked and the actual event entrance it was a good 15 minute walk, but once at the entrance before you go in there were some food and drink options, a football game and a very exuberant Jigsaw roaming actor entertaining people as they entered and exited the venue.
Atmosphere and Setting
I felt overall this was really strong. As the 10 different scare zones are along a 2km walk up and down and through the slightly hilly site of the sadly defunct Camelot, the team has done a good job of setting the atmosphere with sound effects, bits and pieces of sets and fog and light. There is a hub section with more food and drink options, a large stage and some more toilets. As we were quite late it was packed in this section and the atmosphere was buzzing as I managed to catch the end of a fire act and the beginning of a dance off between Jigsaw and another character.
Scare Factor
This sadly was a bit hit or miss and mostly a miss. As everyone is allowed to film throughout the experience it sadly meant that pretty much everyone was filming. It meant that there was a constant stop start to individual batches and bunching of batches. And that is despite each of the 10 different zones being quite short, with a couple being much longer. I understand the marketing appeal of in-maze / zone filming, but it does detract from almost all scares. Castellum is probably a highlight as there was no queue for this section and so we could get a solo run, which was great. Abyss 2.0 would be our lowlight as we didn’t encounter a single actor throughout this zone and there were many dead spots.
Theming and Design
Again a bit hit and miss. Whilst it feels like it’s at the budget end of set design, it did its job well enough in most parts. Castellum again being a highlight as it could use the original buildings from Camelot, with the inflatable section of Carnivalley and the pallet section of The Slaughter House being the fairly uninspired lowlights
Actors and Performance
The ones I did encounter mostly seemed full of energy, but given the problems of everyone filming it was difficult for any of them to affect any reasonable scares. There were a few spots where it felt like they were a little more disinterested and just watched us slowly walking through. That said plenty of the groups we were in seemed to be getting plenty of scares based on what we could hear in front and behind us at times. Sadly this didn’t materialise for us.
Variety and Line-up
With a bunch of different themes there is plenty of variety and the other entertainment seemed decent. The themes for each section don’t really offer anything new that you wouldn’t have seen at other scare events.
Operations and Queue Experience
I decided that I would cough up for fast-track and I was so, so glad that I did. At the entrance to the event and at all bar one of the zones there were sizable queues that thankfully we quickly by-passed. We went through the whole thing in about an hour, so if you aren’t upgrading to fast-track then you could easily spend all evening at the event, most of it in queues. At the start we were also given waivers to sign which slowed things down and honestly felt more like a theatrical / marketing gimmick than anything that actually warranted a signed waiver.
Value for Money
At just under £30 for a standard ticket and slightly under £45 for a fast-track ticket I’d say this constitutes decent value for the number of zones, the great overall atmosphere and entertainment and time spent at the event. Whilst scares were mostly a miss for us, plenty of people seemed to be having a frighteningly good time
Final Thoughts
Despite the scarcity of scares for us, we still enjoyed the event overall and would consider coming back, but maybe with an earlier time slot to see how the experience differs when it’s a bit quieter. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are local. Scare City Experience runs on select dates through to 8th November, with many dates already sold out.
Scare City Experience 2023
Are you ready for a Halloween adventure like no other in North West England, right near Chorley? The Scare City Experience, nestled within the eerie remains of the former Camelot theme park, promises an exhilarating experience. Let’s dive into this review to uncover the thrills that await you.
The Spine-Chilling Atmosphere
Scare City Experience is perfectly situated amidst the abandoned Camelot theme park, setting the stage for a truly hair-raising adventure. Combine the ghostly ambiance of decaying buildings with cleverly deployed props, dramatic lighting, and eerie sound effects, and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable Halloween event.
The Experience Unveiled
This Halloween event distinguishes itself from typical scream parks. Here, rather than choosing your maze, all visitors follow a common route through various zones. These zones seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor areas, offering an exhilarating mix of scares, humour, and spooky surprises.
Character Interactions Set the Scene
Before you delve into each section, you’ll encounter characters who provide context for what’s to come. These interactions effectively immerse you in the experience. Keep reading to discover one standout character who left a lasting impression on our group with wonderful improvisations.
Slaughterhouse
The event starts going into Slaughterhouse where the classic butcher-themed area awaits, you enter to investigate the rumours of grisly events within. A classic butcher themed area with the expected body parts all over the place. Blood and gore a plenty.
Carnivalley
I’m a sucker for a carnival or clown themed area and this one didn’t disappoint. At one point we saw the clowns relentlessly scare someone to the extent they may have had a little accident. In my opinion that’s a job well done to the actors. Some great jump scares here too with what continued to be nagging interaction with some side shows offering comic relief after the relentless scares prior.
Hellevate
Before entering Hellevate, a quirky hippy character sets the tone, setting the stage with humour and intrigue. Once inside, you meet the residents, providing an experience that’s more eerie than outright terrifying. It seamlessly ties into the storyline introduced by the hippy character at the start.
Fortress
Next up we entered Fortress making great use of what I believe to be the original entrance to the theme park. As you enter HMP Camelot you are given strict instructions regarding the inmates. A simple yet effective maze offering lots of spaces to scare. I would have loved to have seen levels being used here as the opportunity to scare from above could have really added to the intensity. I really enjoyed the fight scene as it gave numerous scar opportunities that were executed well.
Swizzel’s Resurrection Zone
The central hub offers a lot, fire eaters, acrobatics and a lively soundtrack. This coupled with numerous food and drink options offers a great spot to have a rest and soak up the atmosphere. Also don’t worry if the weather takes a turn for the worst as there is plenty of covered seating available to keep out of the rain. You may even get to dance with a Zombie.
Infirmary
Into the hospital we go. Camelot Infirmary to be precise. Having closed its doors under questionable circumstances. Now it’s re opened but something isn’t right. Walking around the terrifying medical staff eerily stalk and terrorise you. The masks used here are great providing an unnerving feel throughout.
Junk Yard
With a moment to catch your breath we follow on to the Junk Yard. A wonderful use of sliders which are not used enough in the UK. The junkyard offers a lot of places for actors to hide because at any moment they could appear as if from nowhere to torment and scare. Junkyard themes really offer that realistic creepy environment and this is no exception.
Shadows
What lurks in the shadows of Whirlwind Woods. A smoky walkthrough filled with witches who have become less and less human. The use of smoke gave some genuinely good jump scares here. The actors were really on point. Considering it was late into the night when we got through the stilt walker still had bundles of energy and went to town chasing unsuspecting victims.
Abyss
Are you afraid of the dark? Well you will surely find out as you are plunged into a disorientating nightmare. What lurks in the darkness as you try and find your way through the thick fog and low light? Creatures pop out of the fog offering surprise moments throughout. These scares work well as you are so busy focussing on not falling or bumping into something.
Decontamination
Last but definitely not least was the finale. In the final act, you confront the relentless zombies in a thrilling showdown. You have to make your way through without getting caught. This used a really cool dynamic that gave a fun twist to the classic zombie experiences. With terrifying moments as the zombies get very close to you.
In Conclusion: A great night out
In conclusion, Scare City Experience offers an array of spine-tingling Halloween thrills, from heart-pounding scares to moments of pure exhilaration. If you find yourself in the area, we highly recommend a visit. At just £25 per ticket, it’s a fantastic Halloween adventure that won’t break the bank.
Don’t Miss Out!
Scare City Experience runs on various nights throughout October. Don’t let this spine-tingling adventure pass you by – head to their website and secure your tickets now!
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