Frightmare at Over Farm - 2011 Review
Over Farm have been scaring Gloucestershire residents for years and in 2011 have returned with an all new pirate themed event.
Our independent reviewer, Sarah Clelland went along to check out their treasure.
Arriving at the site it would seem that the event has grown since 2010 with additional rides, stalls and even a walkthrough horror house ‘Castle of Evil’, which really set the mood for our group. The event was very busy for a Sunday and the atmosphere was that of excited visitors all looking forward to the scares ahead.
Cutthroat Pirates Haunted Hayride
Ideally when booking for the Cutthroat Pirates Haunted Hayride, you book a timeslot which prevents you from having to queue for very long, but in case you do have to wait, there was some interesting entertainment via a very eccentric clown and his magic tricks.
Once on board the trailer we were joined by two Pirates and their running commentary took us on a journey through scenes and scares, some of which unfortunately were too dark to make out. We felt that as much as the darkness was atmospheric to the Hayride, there was some confusion by guests as to what was happening at times, and before everyone had the chance to take it all in, the trailer had already started going again.
As is now customary at Over Farm, the trailer makes an abrupt stop and tells the group to get off and walk into pitch black darkness with nothing but moonlight. For visitors not expecting this, there were some that were panicking ever so slightly! The group are then subjected to some additional scare characters that worked well with the darkness, as they just subtlety seemed to appear with no warning and mingled within the group.
We then made our way inside the dark barn area. Unfortunately for this section, we didn’t feel that this was as long or as frightening as last year’s. We didn’t encounter any real scares or confined spaces, and the actors seemed to be unable to work the areas as well as the barn could have offered them the opportunity to do so. That aside, the darkness did really work well and our group were relieved to be back on board the trailer.
Finally, just as we started to believe we were back on route to the bright lights and safety of the main event, we made another stop and were told to walk the rest of the way back. For our group this was the highlight of the attraction and offered the most scares and panic. Without giving anything away, the actors in this part worked the area very well, along with a clever use of costume and energy.
Once on board the trailer we were joined by two Pirates and their running commentary took us on a journey through scenes and scares, some of which unfortunately were too dark to make out. We felt that as much as the darkness was atmospheric to the Hayride, there was some confusion by guests as to what was happening at times, and before everyone had the chance to take it all in, the trailer had already started going again.
As is now customary at Over Farm, the trailer makes an abrupt stop and tells the group to get off and walk into pitch black darkness with nothing but moonlight. For visitors not expecting this, there were some that were panicking ever so slightly! The group are then subjected to some additional scare characters that worked well with the darkness, as they just subtlety seemed to appear with no warning and mingled within the group.
We then made our way inside the dark barn area. Unfortunately for this section, we didn’t feel that this was as long or as frightening as last year’s. We didn’t encounter any real scares or confined spaces, and the actors seemed to be unable to work the areas as well as the barn could have offered them the opportunity to do so. That aside, the darkness did really work well and our group were relieved to be back on board the trailer.
Finally, just as we started to believe we were back on route to the bright lights and safety of the main event, we made another stop and were told to walk the rest of the way back. For our group this was the highlight of the attraction and offered the most scares and panic. Without giving anything away, the actors in this part worked the area very well, along with a clever use of costume and energy.
The Grusome Galleon Horror Maze
The Galleon is the first thing that you see when you enter the event with its eerie soundtrack and great use of lights. Whilst in the queue line we were subjected to screams and noises from inside that we were unsure as to whether they were from other visitors going through, or the clever use of a soundtrack! It certainly made us uneasy!
We were lucky enough to go through in our little group alone, and this gave the actors the opportunity to really work their scares well and give each person individual attention. Inside, the Galleon was themed brilliantly, looking more like a permanent attraction rather than a temporary one in a marquee. The attention to detail was amazing and if our group had not been trying to hurry through to the exit, I'm sure we would have seen even more of this. Each room was different from the next, and the scares came without fail from somewhere unexpected.
This is a complete credit to the acting team and it was evident how much effort had been put into getting this right, by really taking groups out of their comfort zones and delivering scares in each and every room. The end scene seemed to have everyone running for the exit and we ourselves were left confused and terrified, as just when we thought it had ended - there was a very clever final scare that also left us running out!
The Galleon, although built in a marquee was so heavily themed creatively, that once inside you really believed you were on a pirate ship. With the sets, the acting, and the fun scares throughout, the attraction perfectly rocked the pirate theme.
We were lucky enough to go through in our little group alone, and this gave the actors the opportunity to really work their scares well and give each person individual attention. Inside, the Galleon was themed brilliantly, looking more like a permanent attraction rather than a temporary one in a marquee. The attention to detail was amazing and if our group had not been trying to hurry through to the exit, I'm sure we would have seen even more of this. Each room was different from the next, and the scares came without fail from somewhere unexpected.
This is a complete credit to the acting team and it was evident how much effort had been put into getting this right, by really taking groups out of their comfort zones and delivering scares in each and every room. The end scene seemed to have everyone running for the exit and we ourselves were left confused and terrified, as just when we thought it had ended - there was a very clever final scare that also left us running out!
The Galleon, although built in a marquee was so heavily themed creatively, that once inside you really believed you were on a pirate ship. With the sets, the acting, and the fun scares throughout, the attraction perfectly rocked the pirate theme.
Overall we were once again left feeling excited for next year’s event. Having enjoyed what 2010 had to offer we felt that, especially with The Gruesome Galleon Horror Maze, Frightmare have upped their game and delivered a fantastic family Halloween event.
To find out more about - visit the Frightmare website www.frightmare.co.uk/
You Review
incredible. My husband and I were blown away. You can forget theme parks, plastic scenery and contrived mass experiences. A night in a dark field with Billy the Pirate will shake you up big time. Best night of 2011. Can't wait for 2012 - no pressure there!!
You Review
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