A blood-curdling scream rings out across the dark, damp grounds. On the muddy path behind me, somebody stumbles. A silvery moon hangs in the chilly sky, half-illuminating the Gothic battlements of Hinchingbrooke House up ahead; a school by day, but which tonight has been transformed into the setting for a real-life horror movie.
Until 30 October, scare-seekers are invited to put their nerves to the test on an immersive, hackle-raising journey into the unknown. The house, we’re told as we gather in its cavernous, candle-lit hall, has been taken over by freaks – we don’t know what’s waiting for us inside, but we know they won’t be friendly. Just keep close, and keep moving, and we might get out alive.
Now, I’m no stranger to interactive scare experiences. The only 5k run I’ve ever attempted was an adrenaline-pumping Zombie Apocalypse Evacuation in Bassingbourn, and I was back fighting zombies (this time in a deserted swimming pool complex) for my hen do this summer. So I needed no persuasion to spend my Sunday evening being chased through a spooky house and grounds: the more axe-wielding maniacs and demon children, the better.
The Horror at Hinchingbrooke House didn’t disappoint. For one, the setting is magnificent: its creepy, ancient staircases, dusty libraries and shadowy woodlands lend an authenticity and gravitas to the experience and provide the perfect, sinister backdrop.
After feeling our way blindly through the first pitch-black room, it took some nerve to push open the heavy door and plunge headlong into the next. A rumbling soundtrack accompanied our slow procession through the library, where gaunt faces pressed against the window from outside and an enraged undead thrashed in his cage in the middle of the room. My pace rapidly picked up on approaching a large bed, where a woman suddenly appeared, lit intermittently by strobe lights as she crawled and clawed her way towards us: thoroughly disorientating and panic-inducing.
Further on, we found ourselves in the maths block, where algebra was far from the only terrifying encounter. This had been turned into a stark, smoke-filled psychiatric hospital, where patients wandered the corridors at unnervingly close quarters. Nervously we squeezed past one woman, whose mutterings turned without warning to screams of “GET OUT!!” – we didn’t need telling twice.
Some of the action takes place outside (this probably looks rather lovely in the daytime, I thought, as I jogged through the rose garden pursued by a man with a chainsaw) culminating in last-ditch dash, one by one, through the zombie’s lair.
Of course how scary you find The Horror at Hinchingbrooke House depends completely on your fear threshold. For me, it was more exciting than nightmare-inducing – which is possibly a good thing. Taking most of it at walking pace, in a big group, meant the tension built slowly, burst by plenty of jumpy moments. But I relaxed a little once I realised none of these freaky figures were grabbers, and there were times I’d have liked a full-on chase and more chaos to really test our wits.
Nonetheless there’s no doubt this is a quality, well-orchestrated event – brand new for 2015 – that’s guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. The costumes, from the tattered, bloody brides to the menacing clowns, are excellent while sound and lighting are used to great effect to create a chilling atmosphere. Great fun for groups of friends, it’ll sort the true horror fans from the scaredy cats.
Tickets are £18.50, time slots start from 6.30pm. Not suitable for under 12s.
www.enterifyoudare.wix.com/hinchingbrookehouse
MORE LIKE THIS:
Read on for more Halloween ideas near you
