From possessed clowns to chainsaw-wielding maniacs, Tulleys Shocktober Fest promises a Halloween night out worth travelling for, but does it justify the journey and price?
With popcorn filling the eerily realistic cinema, a foul-smelling gents’ toilet and zombies lurking among retro shopfronts, I felt as though I had stepped straight into an 80s horror film.
This was Doom Town, the highlight of my visit to Tulleys Shocktober Fest, where I took on all 12 scare attractions to answer one question: is it worth leaving London for?
Tulleys, situated in the West Sussex countryside, is celebrating its 30th anniversary of Shocktober Fest, just an hour’s drive from South London.
But with tickets starting from £46.95 and fast-track packages reaching £181.95, I questioned how far visitors are willing to travel for the experience.
Visitor Kirsty Walker said: “The mazes are so immersive.
“I would travel around an hour and a half to get here for this experience.”
Yet others have travelled considerably further, with the event attracting people from across Europe, even as far away as Canada.
The road to hell
For Londoners, the journey can be surprisingly manageable, with my drive from Croydon taking approximately an hour, with free parking on-site.
Those relying on public transport can travel from East Croydon to Three Bridges, where the 84 bus runs a special route on event nights.
Return tickets cost around £8, although visitors should plan their journey home carefully due to reduced bus services.
Chris Bailey, managing director of Tulleys Entertainment Group, said: “People aren’t just travelling here to be scared.
“They’re travelling here for a night out that they can’t get anywhere else.”
Chainsaws and Abe Lincoln
Doom Town was undoubtedly the stand out attraction for me, with its recreation of a 1980s street, complete with convincing smells, music and intricate scenery.
It felt more like an immersive theatre production rather than a scare maze, but impressive scenery doesn’t necessarily mean terrifying scares.
Tucked away, and definitely underrated, Creepy Cottage was arguably the most frightening attraction, and also the shortest, at just three and a half minutes.
Its largely silent actors would disappear into the darkness before suddenly reappearing, with the biggest scare of the night coming, rather unexpectedly, from an Abraham Lincoln lookalike.
The Haunted Hayride provided a change of pace as we were towed around the forest by a tractor through theatrical scenes and entertained by performers, with many delivering more laughs than screams.
Electrick Circus also balanced humour with horror, combining a neon fun house with responsive performers who made each interaction feel personal.
Meanwhile, Wastelands Penitentiary delivered eccentric light effects that made you feel as though you were walking in slow motion, while Purgatory’s interactive lantern added another layer of tension in an already terrifying maze.
However, not every attraction lived up to expectations.
Hell-ements required visitors to wear hoods and navigate through darkness using a rope, which although it was initially disorienting, the novelty soon wore off and became repetitive.
Appleton County Farm, Appleton Saw Mill and Chop Shop also felt remarkably similar, with chainsaws and rural American horror settings making the attractions difficult to distinguish.
Bailey said: “The challenge after 30 years is to keep pushing ourselves creatively.
“We never want people to feel they’ve seen it all before.”
With both Appleton attractions introduced for the anniversary, there is perhaps still room for greater originality.
A frighteningly good night
Beyond the mazes, Tulleys is elaborately decorated, with roaming performers, bars, live music and dance floors, transforming the farm into a themed night out.
It would be easy to spend hours exploring the site without stepping into another attraction.
The food, however, was less memorable, with a meal of three chicken tender, chips and corn costing £12 and being fairly average in taste and portion.
Nevertheless, the entertainment, including the live shows, is a major part of what makes Tulleys feel like a complete evening rather than a collection of mazes.
With zombies taking over London’s streets this Halloween, Tulleys takes the spooky celebrations one step further with an entire farm dedicated to fright.
Paying to be petrified
Fast-track access made a considerable difference, with just 35 minutes spent queuing across all 12 mazes.
However, Walker also questioned whether the price would be as justifiable in a busier night with longer queues.
Nevertheless, a night out in London can easily cost the same, making Tulleys an exciting alternative to the usual night out.
Worth the screams?
Despite some repetitive attractions and average food, Tulleys Shocktober Fest delivers an exceptional Halloween atmosphere.
Its true strength lies in the immersive production, scenery and variety of entertainment in all corners of the scream park.
For groups of friends looking for a night out different to those in London, the experience definitely justifies the journey.
However, those on a tighter budget should consider whether the ticket price and potential queues are worthwhile.
8/10
All images taken by author
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