CityLife

Halloween thrills at Alton Towers

Get spooked before November 1

EVER wondered what it is like to star in a horror film?

Well, take a trip to Alton Towers before November 1 and you can experience its seasonal horror attractions which will leave you feeling like you have appeared in your own scary movie.

The theme park has thrown on its Halloween costume for the weeks leading up to October 31 with rides adapted for the season and pumpkins galore. Fancy dress is optional for visitors, but many do get into the party spirit.

There are new scary attractions alongside the usual white-knuckle rides inside the park – which is open late until 9pm – including Duel: Live, a haunted house with real human inhabitants and Terror Of The Towers, situated within Alton Towers’ historic Gothic castle.

Terror Of The Towers is not suitable for those under 14 but younger children do not miss out, with scary characters roaming around the park and witches giving out treats, and playing a few tricks.

Creepy

But the best horror attractions are to be found outside the park, near Alton Towers’ two hotels, which have been themed for Halloween with great decorations, entertainment, special bedrooms and even spooky set menus.

We went to The Field Of 1,000 Screams which, when darkness descends, comes alive in a maize maze – rather creepy at the best of times – where you enter in groups of 10 or so and stumble across a host of zombies and their victims.

The climax inside an undead-besieged ramshackle bus will have your heart pounding.

This is rightly not recommended for anyone below the age of 10 and the (ugly) sister attraction to it is The Boiler House, for over 18s only. Enter that if you enjoy being petrified.

Scarefest at Alton Towers runs until November 1. Park entrance tickets start at £29.50 for adults and £22.50 for kids under 12, or £83 for a family, when booked online at altontowers.com.

Scarefest attractions outside the theme part cost £6 each or £9 for two. Advance booking for these is recommended. Call 0871 222 6672 to book a hotel room.