Cursed Fright Nights
Filled to the Brim with Chills and Thrills
WHAT: Cursed Fright Nights
WHEN: 15 October — 31 October, 2021
WHERE: Wat Tyler Country Park (Basildon, SS16 4UH)
PRICE: £22 — £25
OUTDOORS: Partly (Marquees)
OUR RATING: Chance It!
Cursed Fright Nights returns after a hiatus in 2020 and the big top is back filled to the brim with chills and thrills. You’re plunged right into the action the moment you’re in line, where some very spooky and (let’s be honest) funny clowns are ready to shock you. One scare actor in particular was unfortunately rather too rude to us, egging the crowd on to boo us for our poor environmental practices (printed tickets rather than digital), which is fine, but a little concerning given some people’s access needs with using paper rather than digital, though we’re sure in the moment this wasn’t that thought through.
The ticket office itself is highly themed, which is fantastic in building creepy audience anticipation. Onward with the show!
FestEVIL/Safe Zone
Our Scare Factor: 2/10 (we think could be a 7/10 if not for rowdy patrons!)
Atmosphere Rating: 6/10
Storyline: “mEAT and greet” with our FestEVIL Freaks, but don’t hang around or you’ll be their latest victim. Then you’ll be thrown into the Safe Zone. Will you find your way through our farm filled with the undead?
We have great memories of this haunt from the last time we visited, with it being the highlight of our trip. Unfortunately our experience this year was far from pleasurable. We were behind and in front of two large groups of screaming girls, which while rather entertaining at times, meant we completely missed out on the creepy atmosphere created by this haystack maze. Don’t get us wrong — we had a ton of fun ducking under haystacks and finding our way out, but when we were effectively queuing and the other groups were getting all the scares, well…we definitely got the short end of the stick this year!
The Sewers
Our Scare Factor: 5/10
Atmosphere Rating: 6.5/10
Storyline: The Workshop was shut down, forcing business underground. Will you be able to navigate your way through the tunnel system and escape the butcher’s clasp?
We could tell this haunt had been updated since last time we came, and for the better! There were a few shocking air and water effects, as well as very disorienting lights that the actors took skillful advantage of. We also enjoyed some great interior art and some nice set designs, and appreciated that this maze appeared to be a bit lengthier than a few of its counterparts.
The Haunting
Our Scare Factor: 1/10
Atmosphere Rating: 4/10
Storyline: This house has been left vacant for decades, and you are about to learn why. You’d be surprised how heightened your senses are when you aren’t able to see.
Your typical blindfold and hold-the-rope maze — although creatively we were asked to wear black surgical masks across our eyes instead of your normal reusable type of blindfold. Unfortunately, our experience of this maze was entirely ruined by other patrons. We were grouped with an incredibly loud and rowdy group, who decided to have a chat the entire way. We couldn’t hear anything the actual scare actors were trying to say, and we definitely heard wisps of creepy whispering, etc, but really all we took in was the conversation in front of us. However, we could feel some cool effects like feathery touches to our faces and fire, which was kind of the only takeaway we got from this one.
The Institute
Our Scare Factor: 4/10
Atmosphere Rating: 4.5/10
Storyline: You are convicted and found guilty, being thrown into the deepest, darkest depths of the Institute…
Last year this maze started off by witnessing a live ‘execution’, but they have done away with that this year. Instead we started off immediately by being judged, and then sent to the institute — a completely disorienting maze from start to finish. The amount of strobes in this maze was incredible, and well used. Without ruining it there was a great effect in one of the prison cells that was unexpected and we aren’t sure we’ve seen before. The only letdown was that this was the shortest maze of the night — we would have loved to stay awhile longer!
A.L.F.’s Emporium
Our Scare Factor: 7.5/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Storyline: A curiosity shop is full of mysterious things. But beware — the deeper you go, the stranger things get!
A revamp of 2019’s ‘Abducted’, this maze uses some of the same sets as its predecessors but has completely changed the premise of the whole thing, now basing itself in a shop of curiosities. The theming was very detailed, with some really good and unexpected scares, and a few complete blackouts that created a terrifying experience. There was quite a bit of ducking involved as well, making us question what we might meet on the other side. We really enjoyed this version of the maze, and found some of the scenes and actors extremely frightening!
Final Thoughts: Perhaps the biggest letdown of the night, again, was the lack of entertainment in the actual grounds of the event. There was a single food truck and a rather empty marquee where there was some fire dancing every once in a while, but there was no real ambience to the place. A few more lights, maybe a bonfire, or some music…something to create a space people actually wanted to spend time in would have been a really nice touch. We made this same critique in 2019, and some of the walkabout actors try to create an ambience, but we felt they could have done a bit more.
We know we’re harsh haunt critics, so upon reflection we honestly think any and all Londoners who want to get some Halloween fun this year should definitely venture into Basildon. It’s one of the only bigger haunts that is easily gotten to via public transit, and certainly five haunts is worth the price tag, especially with half the haunts providing an overall great experience and, if you’re lucky, Safe Zone will too.
P.S.: Going a bit beyond London? Dr. Fright’s Halloween Nights: World Tour is insane, fun, and totally chilling!
