Scream Factory 2023
In 2023, Scream Factory has elevated Halloween horror to a new level following its triumphant 2022 season. The event hasn't merely returned – it has transcended into a jaw-dropping spectacle, which was worthy of it's multiple ScareCON awards for two consecutive years. We were already excited before entering but this year just raised the game!
Navigating through the unhallowed grounds, the attraction unveils 8 meticulously crafted zones, including 3 hair-raising new ones for 2023. The attraction offers a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor mazes, each more unnervingly unique than the last. This year, the theming is not just improved - it has reached another level, highlighting a palpable dedication from the Scream Factory team.
Interacting with the actors throughout was a great source of terror and amusement. We experienced an orchestrated blend of high-impact jump scares and improvised frights, all supported by excellent costuming and makeup. The actors throughout were stunningly professional, delivering performances that had everyone screaming (and laughing) for more!
We entered into the 'Clowns' zone, where we were engulfed in a frenzied world where psychotic jesters ambushed us from all directions. ‘Toxic' was another new zone, which plunged us into a disorienting journey, guided only by a rope, as our vision was sabotaged by goggles and our senses assaulted by the shrieks and commands of toxic minions.
But in the end, ‘The Cursed Mine’ emerged as our favourite. A masterclass in theming and scare tactics, the moving lift and sinister subterranean setting created a great atmosphere with meticulously timed scares that left us nervous to go around every corner!
Exiting the mazes, The After Shock Bar & End Village awaits, with a jovial party ambiance, and a wide array of delectable food and drink. Street theater actors, work the area with a number of impressive characters and roaming scares.
Scream Factory is not merely an attraction. It's a family-run enterprise, and that passion is evident in every thing that they do. It has an impeccably immersive atmosphere, exciting new zones, formidable and terrifying actors, and some incredible theming throughout. This year, it not only lived up to its reputation but soared beyond - giving us an entertaining evening of frights, scares and more. We're already excited by the prospects of 2024!
Navigating through the unhallowed grounds, the attraction unveils 8 meticulously crafted zones, including 3 hair-raising new ones for 2023. The attraction offers a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor mazes, each more unnervingly unique than the last. This year, the theming is not just improved - it has reached another level, highlighting a palpable dedication from the Scream Factory team.
Interacting with the actors throughout was a great source of terror and amusement. We experienced an orchestrated blend of high-impact jump scares and improvised frights, all supported by excellent costuming and makeup. The actors throughout were stunningly professional, delivering performances that had everyone screaming (and laughing) for more!
We entered into the 'Clowns' zone, where we were engulfed in a frenzied world where psychotic jesters ambushed us from all directions. ‘Toxic' was another new zone, which plunged us into a disorienting journey, guided only by a rope, as our vision was sabotaged by goggles and our senses assaulted by the shrieks and commands of toxic minions.
But in the end, ‘The Cursed Mine’ emerged as our favourite. A masterclass in theming and scare tactics, the moving lift and sinister subterranean setting created a great atmosphere with meticulously timed scares that left us nervous to go around every corner!
Exiting the mazes, The After Shock Bar & End Village awaits, with a jovial party ambiance, and a wide array of delectable food and drink. Street theater actors, work the area with a number of impressive characters and roaming scares.
Scream Factory is not merely an attraction. It's a family-run enterprise, and that passion is evident in every thing that they do. It has an impeccably immersive atmosphere, exciting new zones, formidable and terrifying actors, and some incredible theming throughout. This year, it not only lived up to its reputation but soared beyond - giving us an entertaining evening of frights, scares and more. We're already excited by the prospects of 2024!
Scream Factory - Halloween 2021
Scream Factory is always a highlight of any of our Halloween tours. It may not have the budget and the effects that other events do, but it always makes up for this with ingenious ideas, terrifying actors and more scares per square inch that most other attractions!
Starting and finishing in the new central hub area, the tour took us through some favourite scenes such as the butchers, the mine and of course that terrifying fog filled tunnel that seems to go on forever. But this year, there were a number of new scares and scenes added along the way that really took the event up another notch.
First up, the hillbilly town with authentic looking gas station and impeccable theming, really caught our attention. Not that we had much time to look at the scenery, as an intimidatingly muscular petrol attendant, was blocking our way and in true Scream Factory style, wasn't afraid to physically push and shove us out the way! This wasn't the first time we had been physically held back along our journey (the butchers also took a very strong liking to the Dutch visitors in our group). This playful "roughhousing" is what makes Scream Factory stand out, and all of us got picked on at different stages throughout our tour.
Another new section was a chaotically designed and grungy looking Purge style finale, where all rules were off and the actors just stalked and terrified us through a junkyard of upturned cars. For the last few years, the finale has been a rope led hooded section, so it was really refreshing to see something new, and an even more exciting addition to the line up.
Amongst all the new scenes, we still had plenty of scares from existing scenes such as the clowns in the circus, the movie characters in the cinema and the ghosts that haunt the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum. Each scene is delivered with such passion and conviction by the actors that you cant help but scream out loud in fright followed by a massive laugh as you realise they caught you unawares once again!
Back in the main hub, roaming characters and a DJ, create a party mood where guests can calm their nerves over a pint of Scream Factory beer, or with one of the tasty food options.
Talking to the owners afterwards we were amazed to hear that the changes for 2021 were small in comparison to what they have planned for 2022, and we cant wait to check back into the "factory" for another shift of fear, frights and fun. For a family run event, it is clear that the team put their heart and soul into everything they do and it really shows. If you have never been, then you really do owe it to yourself to go!
Starting and finishing in the new central hub area, the tour took us through some favourite scenes such as the butchers, the mine and of course that terrifying fog filled tunnel that seems to go on forever. But this year, there were a number of new scares and scenes added along the way that really took the event up another notch.
First up, the hillbilly town with authentic looking gas station and impeccable theming, really caught our attention. Not that we had much time to look at the scenery, as an intimidatingly muscular petrol attendant, was blocking our way and in true Scream Factory style, wasn't afraid to physically push and shove us out the way! This wasn't the first time we had been physically held back along our journey (the butchers also took a very strong liking to the Dutch visitors in our group). This playful "roughhousing" is what makes Scream Factory stand out, and all of us got picked on at different stages throughout our tour.
Another new section was a chaotically designed and grungy looking Purge style finale, where all rules were off and the actors just stalked and terrified us through a junkyard of upturned cars. For the last few years, the finale has been a rope led hooded section, so it was really refreshing to see something new, and an even more exciting addition to the line up.
Amongst all the new scenes, we still had plenty of scares from existing scenes such as the clowns in the circus, the movie characters in the cinema and the ghosts that haunt the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum. Each scene is delivered with such passion and conviction by the actors that you cant help but scream out loud in fright followed by a massive laugh as you realise they caught you unawares once again!
Back in the main hub, roaming characters and a DJ, create a party mood where guests can calm their nerves over a pint of Scream Factory beer, or with one of the tasty food options.
Talking to the owners afterwards we were amazed to hear that the changes for 2021 were small in comparison to what they have planned for 2022, and we cant wait to check back into the "factory" for another shift of fear, frights and fun. For a family run event, it is clear that the team put their heart and soul into everything they do and it really shows. If you have never been, then you really do owe it to yourself to go!
My Bloody Valentines - February 2020
If anyone had suggested that we would spend Valentines Night with a hood over our head, being attacked by dildos, then we would have probably thought they were inviting us to some kind of dodgy swinger’s party.
As it was we were back at Scream Factory for My Bloody Valentines, a raucous seasonal version of the show that mixed bawdy humor with some stunningly effective scares to create an experience we will remember for quite some time.
The route pretty much followed the same path as the Halloween show, and although some of the scenes were the same – there were also several hilarious new characters along the way. Highlights were easily the butchers couple with a very large (and almost realistic looking) “sausage”, the sexy cross-dressing nurse in the shiny tights - “these are so tight my bits feel like a scotch egg wrapped in cling film!” and a scarily convincing Frank’n’Furter from Rocky Horror Show.
But it wasn’t just about the rude laughs, there were some serious scares throughout the experience and we spent our whole tour screaming and laughing in equal measures. One drop panel in the darkness caught this reviewer so badly that they let out an extended 5-second-high pitched scream and froze on the spot. And people sometimes wonder if we are immune to being scared?
Towards the end of the tour, we were faced with the regular hooded section and this is where the sex toys came into play. Every now and then the rope would disappear and as we reached out in the darkness to find it, a scare actor would slip a dildo in our hands instead. It was hilarious and wrong in equal measures, and at one point one of the team was heard to shout “stop poking me in the a*se with that bloody dildo!”
Of course, this was all very tongue in cheek and all the way through, the actors teased us playfully– with two of the group even getting married in the most unconventional wedding ceremony ever.
We must commend Scream Factory for coming up with such a fun show and being brave enough to tackle the taboo topic of sex and love head on. The mix of high energy scares with the naughtiness and innuendo of a carry-on movie worked perfectly and we left the event with a massive smile on our faces. Carry on Screaming? You bet we will!
As it was we were back at Scream Factory for My Bloody Valentines, a raucous seasonal version of the show that mixed bawdy humor with some stunningly effective scares to create an experience we will remember for quite some time.
The route pretty much followed the same path as the Halloween show, and although some of the scenes were the same – there were also several hilarious new characters along the way. Highlights were easily the butchers couple with a very large (and almost realistic looking) “sausage”, the sexy cross-dressing nurse in the shiny tights - “these are so tight my bits feel like a scotch egg wrapped in cling film!” and a scarily convincing Frank’n’Furter from Rocky Horror Show.
But it wasn’t just about the rude laughs, there were some serious scares throughout the experience and we spent our whole tour screaming and laughing in equal measures. One drop panel in the darkness caught this reviewer so badly that they let out an extended 5-second-high pitched scream and froze on the spot. And people sometimes wonder if we are immune to being scared?
Towards the end of the tour, we were faced with the regular hooded section and this is where the sex toys came into play. Every now and then the rope would disappear and as we reached out in the darkness to find it, a scare actor would slip a dildo in our hands instead. It was hilarious and wrong in equal measures, and at one point one of the team was heard to shout “stop poking me in the a*se with that bloody dildo!”
Of course, this was all very tongue in cheek and all the way through, the actors teased us playfully– with two of the group even getting married in the most unconventional wedding ceremony ever.
We must commend Scream Factory for coming up with such a fun show and being brave enough to tackle the taboo topic of sex and love head on. The mix of high energy scares with the naughtiness and innuendo of a carry-on movie worked perfectly and we left the event with a massive smile on our faces. Carry on Screaming? You bet we will!
Scream Factory 2019
Scream Factory is back for 2019 with another variety box of scares. As previously, the scenes and scares come so fast throughout the hour duration that, it’s actually quite hard to remember everything that happened along the route!
Starting in the brand-new food and entertainment court, roaming characters set the mood while we waited to start our trail round the museum grounds. The un-named clown is back once again and was terrifying everyone with his air blaster, while the nurses engaged everyone with fun insults and comments.
Once inside the attraction we encountered gruesome butchers, serial killers, mad miners and killer clowns etc. And this is the thing that works so well at Scream Factory – no idea or concept is safe, and the team have no problem placing an IT movie homage alongside a judge’s courtroom scene There really is no cohesive structure to the event and we love that they have the confidence to just keep hitting so many different experiences back to back.
Interspersing many of the experiences were many pitch-black corridors which were just as unnerving as the live sets. These should have been moments to calm down between the scares, but were generally so dark, that they just cranked the tension levels even higher!
One of the things we always love about this event is the comedic nature of some of the scenes. Its very easy to be screaming one-minute and laughing the next. This is often pushed a bit more during the seasonal events, but the camp teddy bear behind a certain door had us laughing out loud at his comments. There were also some hilarious ad=libs during the hooded section at the end.
All in – we had a great time at Scream Factory and as soon as we came out we wanted to go straight back in and do it again. And you can’t say better than that!
Starting in the brand-new food and entertainment court, roaming characters set the mood while we waited to start our trail round the museum grounds. The un-named clown is back once again and was terrifying everyone with his air blaster, while the nurses engaged everyone with fun insults and comments.
Once inside the attraction we encountered gruesome butchers, serial killers, mad miners and killer clowns etc. And this is the thing that works so well at Scream Factory – no idea or concept is safe, and the team have no problem placing an IT movie homage alongside a judge’s courtroom scene There really is no cohesive structure to the event and we love that they have the confidence to just keep hitting so many different experiences back to back.
Interspersing many of the experiences were many pitch-black corridors which were just as unnerving as the live sets. These should have been moments to calm down between the scares, but were generally so dark, that they just cranked the tension levels even higher!
One of the things we always love about this event is the comedic nature of some of the scenes. Its very easy to be screaming one-minute and laughing the next. This is often pushed a bit more during the seasonal events, but the camp teddy bear behind a certain door had us laughing out loud at his comments. There were also some hilarious ad=libs during the hooded section at the end.
All in – we had a great time at Scream Factory and as soon as we came out we wanted to go straight back in and do it again. And you can’t say better than that!
Regular tour - Very scary
Great value for money. Great atmosphere from start to finish I scream meme we came round with me and my daughter he was great every member of staff were friendly and looked to be having a great time which makes the difference we met the main man behind it all every room was different and had you on edge to what was going to happen next the court room bit was brilliant very scared but all the planning and hard work really dose shine though we will definitely be back again x
Twilight tour - Absolutely fantastic my children had the best time and can’t wait till next year to do all it again they got loads of sweets the actors where fab really funny and didn’t come out of character once again all the hard work shines though we can’t wait to visit again next year we’ll done
The man on the fire pit (Craig) was lovely chatting to the kids about there costumes and I’d they where going Halloweening then helped me decide if my daugther would like the extreme tour also told us about the other events though the year that we’ll be looking out for thanks again
Great value for money. Great atmosphere from start to finish I scream meme we came round with me and my daughter he was great every member of staff were friendly and looked to be having a great time which makes the difference we met the main man behind it all every room was different and had you on edge to what was going to happen next the court room bit was brilliant very scared but all the planning and hard work really dose shine though we will definitely be back again x
Twilight tour - Absolutely fantastic my children had the best time and can’t wait till next year to do all it again they got loads of sweets the actors where fab really funny and didn’t come out of character once again all the hard work shines though we can’t wait to visit again next year we’ll done
The man on the fire pit (Craig) was lovely chatting to the kids about there costumes and I’d they where going Halloweening then helped me decide if my daugther would like the extreme tour also told us about the other events though the year that we’ll be looking out for thanks again
Scream Factory - My Bloody Valentine 2019
A stalwart and firm favourite, Scream Factory has been part of the North-East scare industry for almost a decade, providing us with scares and fun each October. Last year the team branched out into romance, offering up a Valentine’s event, and what fun that was (see below). We didn't need asking twice to to head down and check it out again!
As we walked to the building in the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, we could hear the strains of music playing and as we got closer we could make out some older, scratchy sounding records. The romantic scene was already being set. Inside, the ticket and queuing area was bedecked with hundreds of black and red balloon garlands, Bonnie & Clyde patrolled the holding area, complete with tommy gun and quick wits. Our favourite, The Clown, was there to greet all who attended and after a hug and a dance with him we began our Valentine tour.
Just like last year, the existing Halloween sets were utilised with a romantic overhaul. Our small group of six was greeted by a flashing transvestite who offered us a great deal for only £5! It was fun to see the men get hit on and by the time we left the very first room the energy and smut levels were set! One of our group was cornered by a very intense, and tall, Bunny Boiler only to escape her clutches to then chosen to be the groom and invited to sit at a heavily-laden wedding table with his new bride. We left them alone for a few minutes!
The laughs, scares and innuendo kept coming. Walking through the cannibal village we escaped unscathed, not so for the males in the group who enjoyed a full on smacker of a kiss with one of the residents! We had a real jump in a room where we was invited to join the swingers, but we can’t possibly repeat what was said though, at times the conversations were hilariously dirty and on occasion sweary. Another transvestite took a shine to one of our party's beard and just when my he thought he was safe, up popped the would-be lover again!
At times the dark maze areas were pitch black and we admit to walking into a wall more than once. It was in here that we were invited to sniff someone’s finger, tempting as it was we declined. The graveyard was watched over by a Priest and a scary nun who were offering marital advice, last rites and in our case, a blessing! The cinema had been claimed by an ardent gypsy who offered a ‘pretty potion’ to a girl in our group because she “needed it”!
One scene that we can’t stop talking about was the ‘three doors’. Each door offers a level of scariness and you are eventually sent through the third door. However, upon opening the second door we were greeted by a very surprised looking young lady who was being, shall we say, personally groomed by a wolf! It was hilarious and done perfectly without being offensive.
The tour ended with a hooded rope walk which was funny, especially when we lost the rope at one point and had our hand guided back with “Here, hold my knob, give it a good rub" We heard other people reacting as certain sexual implements were placed in their hands, it was hilariously non-PC - and we loved it!
There were some areas uninhabited by actors, but at times this helped to lull us into a false sense of security before the next onslaught because these actors did not hold back. We could see they were relishing the chance to see how far they could push the boundaries, and push them they did. Some of the best interactions we have ever had were here, last night.
Quite honestly we didn’t think the the Scream Factory team could have improved on last year -. but they did. The set pieces were fantastic, the actors were on form and the inclusion of bawdy humour was a good move in our opinion. There were enough frights to keep the scare fans happy and the right balance of humour to keep it lighter for the Valentine theming.
Yet another successful event for the Scream Factory crew, we just need them to add the fear factor to other holidays too! After all - it's Easter soon....
Review by Tracey Mallaby
As we walked to the building in the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, we could hear the strains of music playing and as we got closer we could make out some older, scratchy sounding records. The romantic scene was already being set. Inside, the ticket and queuing area was bedecked with hundreds of black and red balloon garlands, Bonnie & Clyde patrolled the holding area, complete with tommy gun and quick wits. Our favourite, The Clown, was there to greet all who attended and after a hug and a dance with him we began our Valentine tour.
Just like last year, the existing Halloween sets were utilised with a romantic overhaul. Our small group of six was greeted by a flashing transvestite who offered us a great deal for only £5! It was fun to see the men get hit on and by the time we left the very first room the energy and smut levels were set! One of our group was cornered by a very intense, and tall, Bunny Boiler only to escape her clutches to then chosen to be the groom and invited to sit at a heavily-laden wedding table with his new bride. We left them alone for a few minutes!
The laughs, scares and innuendo kept coming. Walking through the cannibal village we escaped unscathed, not so for the males in the group who enjoyed a full on smacker of a kiss with one of the residents! We had a real jump in a room where we was invited to join the swingers, but we can’t possibly repeat what was said though, at times the conversations were hilariously dirty and on occasion sweary. Another transvestite took a shine to one of our party's beard and just when my he thought he was safe, up popped the would-be lover again!
At times the dark maze areas were pitch black and we admit to walking into a wall more than once. It was in here that we were invited to sniff someone’s finger, tempting as it was we declined. The graveyard was watched over by a Priest and a scary nun who were offering marital advice, last rites and in our case, a blessing! The cinema had been claimed by an ardent gypsy who offered a ‘pretty potion’ to a girl in our group because she “needed it”!
One scene that we can’t stop talking about was the ‘three doors’. Each door offers a level of scariness and you are eventually sent through the third door. However, upon opening the second door we were greeted by a very surprised looking young lady who was being, shall we say, personally groomed by a wolf! It was hilarious and done perfectly without being offensive.
The tour ended with a hooded rope walk which was funny, especially when we lost the rope at one point and had our hand guided back with “Here, hold my knob, give it a good rub" We heard other people reacting as certain sexual implements were placed in their hands, it was hilariously non-PC - and we loved it!
There were some areas uninhabited by actors, but at times this helped to lull us into a false sense of security before the next onslaught because these actors did not hold back. We could see they were relishing the chance to see how far they could push the boundaries, and push them they did. Some of the best interactions we have ever had were here, last night.
Quite honestly we didn’t think the the Scream Factory team could have improved on last year -. but they did. The set pieces were fantastic, the actors were on form and the inclusion of bawdy humour was a good move in our opinion. There were enough frights to keep the scare fans happy and the right balance of humour to keep it lighter for the Valentine theming.
Yet another successful event for the Scream Factory crew, we just need them to add the fear factor to other holidays too! After all - it's Easter soon....
Review by Tracey Mallaby
Scream Factory Teesside 2018
Nestled behind Kirkleatham Museum, Scream Factory Teeside promised a show 'not for the faint hearted' and they didn't disappoint. The event offers a 45-minute multi-part walkthrough, twisting and turning through dark tunnels into scenes too numerous to list, but featuring references to some well-known films and TV shows.
The sets were fantastic and included some beautiful facades. Notably, the 'Tates' Motel (a nod to those behind the event) had us gobsmacked at its grand scale and attention to detail. Serving as the opening scene, what an incredible way to begin our tour - it left us brimming with excitement to explore the rest of the attraction!
Scares came from all angles throughout with plenty of improvisation on show from the actors along with some very quick wit. So impressively so that at times, we found ourselves brilliantly torn between terror and hilarity. Special credit must go to the attraction’s interpretation of Freddy Krueger whose characterisation and intensity was so spot-on it left us scrabbling for an escape route. Their ‘Tates’ Mother character was also particularly relentless as she chased us from her motel.
The atmosphere during our tour was really strong on the whole and our group were screaming and laughing throughout. However, we felt that there were a few scenes that could be enhanced by adding a little more audio to really crank up the anticipation and immersion, particularly in the darker environments.
The team behind Scream Factory are clearly passionate about delivering the best experience for all of their guests. The importance of maintaining a gap to the group in front was made really clear to help ensure that each and every one of us had the best and most terrifying time possible.
All in all, we loved Scream Factory Teeside and felt that its variety of scenes, scares and humour created a really fun and terrifying night out. One definitely not to be missed!
The sets were fantastic and included some beautiful facades. Notably, the 'Tates' Motel (a nod to those behind the event) had us gobsmacked at its grand scale and attention to detail. Serving as the opening scene, what an incredible way to begin our tour - it left us brimming with excitement to explore the rest of the attraction!
Scares came from all angles throughout with plenty of improvisation on show from the actors along with some very quick wit. So impressively so that at times, we found ourselves brilliantly torn between terror and hilarity. Special credit must go to the attraction’s interpretation of Freddy Krueger whose characterisation and intensity was so spot-on it left us scrabbling for an escape route. Their ‘Tates’ Mother character was also particularly relentless as she chased us from her motel.
The atmosphere during our tour was really strong on the whole and our group were screaming and laughing throughout. However, we felt that there were a few scenes that could be enhanced by adding a little more audio to really crank up the anticipation and immersion, particularly in the darker environments.
The team behind Scream Factory are clearly passionate about delivering the best experience for all of their guests. The importance of maintaining a gap to the group in front was made really clear to help ensure that each and every one of us had the best and most terrifying time possible.
All in all, we loved Scream Factory Teeside and felt that its variety of scenes, scares and humour created a really fun and terrifying night out. One definitely not to be missed!
Terrifying
Visited for the first time last night and what a night. The actors were so realistic and scary!! Worth every penny as you wouldn’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to go back next year
Visited for the first time last night and what a night. The actors were so realistic and scary!! Worth every penny as you wouldn’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to go back next year
Terrifying
Tonight was my first ever visit, with my two children who have both been before. It was absolutely fantastic. So good. The costumes, make up and characters were sensational. Worth every single penny. I am not a screamer usually but thoroughly enjoyed getting into the spirit. Well done guys you were brilliant 👍👍👍
Tonight was my first ever visit, with my two children who have both been before. It was absolutely fantastic. So good. The costumes, make up and characters were sensational. Worth every single penny. I am not a screamer usually but thoroughly enjoyed getting into the spirit. Well done guys you were brilliant 👍👍👍
Scream Factory - My Bloody Valentine
Scream Factory has been established in the Halloween industry for over 6 years now and it was a happy day when we heard that they would be branching out into a Valentine Haunt - My Bloody Valentine. The ticket and queuing area was festooned with twinkling lights and balloons, and we were invited into a photo booth to pose for a complimentary fun memento. Entertainment was provided by Hamble and Tilly and, of course, The Clown - who had added hearts to his costume. They were creepy and sweet at the same time.
Using existing sets with a ‘romantic’ twist, we were promised a shorter version of the successful Halloween event with a few added extras. In the thirty or so minutes we spent in there we were not disappointed as we explored the well-themed scenes and felt our way through the pitch-dark mazes - we were offered glowsticks for the mazes but declined them being the hardened scare fans that we are… From bunny boiling to a wedding, each set was well thought out and fun.
The actors were on form and energetic, obviously relishing a new angle to their usual roles. Some genuine laughs were had as well as some real jump scares. Being singled out by an intense gang of nursery-rhyme singing cannibals was certainly an experience, but seeing my husband being chatted up by a transvestite with an amazing pair of legs was hilarious!
Feeling like we ‘knew’ the route was, at times, our undoing. There were some legitimate jump scares throughout! As we have come to expect from the Halloween event, this Valentine, or Valloween as a Tate family member has dubbed it, event was chock-full of scares, giggles and screams and the attention to detail was still there even though a few scenes had been given a ‘loving’ touch.
Friends of ours had travelled from Scarborough on our recommendation and, thankfully, we very impressed and pleased that they had made the effort to drive for 2 hours. They have vowed to attend every event in future. The overall feeling was one of mild creepiness with amusing theatrics and set pieces interspersed with jump scares, enough to keep you laughing and catching your breath in equal measure. In my opinion it worked perfectly for a Valentine’s date with a difference.
Using existing sets with a ‘romantic’ twist, we were promised a shorter version of the successful Halloween event with a few added extras. In the thirty or so minutes we spent in there we were not disappointed as we explored the well-themed scenes and felt our way through the pitch-dark mazes - we were offered glowsticks for the mazes but declined them being the hardened scare fans that we are… From bunny boiling to a wedding, each set was well thought out and fun.
The actors were on form and energetic, obviously relishing a new angle to their usual roles. Some genuine laughs were had as well as some real jump scares. Being singled out by an intense gang of nursery-rhyme singing cannibals was certainly an experience, but seeing my husband being chatted up by a transvestite with an amazing pair of legs was hilarious!
Feeling like we ‘knew’ the route was, at times, our undoing. There were some legitimate jump scares throughout! As we have come to expect from the Halloween event, this Valentine, or Valloween as a Tate family member has dubbed it, event was chock-full of scares, giggles and screams and the attention to detail was still there even though a few scenes had been given a ‘loving’ touch.
Friends of ours had travelled from Scarborough on our recommendation and, thankfully, we very impressed and pleased that they had made the effort to drive for 2 hours. They have vowed to attend every event in future. The overall feeling was one of mild creepiness with amusing theatrics and set pieces interspersed with jump scares, enough to keep you laughing and catching your breath in equal measure. In my opinion it worked perfectly for a Valentine’s date with a difference.
All pictures were taken in the public waiting area before entering the attraction.
Scream Factory Teesside 2017
You can tell when we are having fun at a scare event - we are usually too busy and excited to take many photos. As you can see from the single image below - we only managed one photo this year! (In addition, that was taken with permission of management as it was inside the experience) So take the lack of photos outside, or afterwards as an indication that we loved it. AGAIN.
Scream Factory is an hour-long experience through multiple different zones and scenes. The layout has been changed around a lot this year but many of the dark and twisted scenes are still there and are too multiple to list them all. The experience ranges from recognisable scenes from films, generic funhouses, terrifying dark mine tunnels and atmospheric graveyards.
Every scene was filled with passionate and lively actors, who were doing their best to absolutely terrify our group. Scares came from so many different angles and there were a few simple effects, we have not seen elsewhere, but were incredibly effective and startling. Several times we were singled away from our groups and at one point in the mine, were stood in the dark with 4 mischevious and scary miners singing nursery rhymes around us!
What we also loved was that there wasn't a marquee or shed in site. All the scenes had detailed facades which perfectly set up the theme and scares within. For example, the film-based attractions are entered through a mock cinema building with the illuminated banner listing the movies contained within.
Towards the end, we were all batched together into a final scene that could have come straight from one of the Dungeon attractions, but perfectly set us up for the "punishment" - a hooded rope led finale. This was both scary and hilarious - especially as one of the characters in there seemed to be having bladder problems!
We thoroughly enjoyed every part of the Scream Factory and the different types of scenes and scares all added up to a terrifyingly fun night out. All in it was a fantastic night and is definitely an event worth visiting!
Scream Factory is an hour-long experience through multiple different zones and scenes. The layout has been changed around a lot this year but many of the dark and twisted scenes are still there and are too multiple to list them all. The experience ranges from recognisable scenes from films, generic funhouses, terrifying dark mine tunnels and atmospheric graveyards.
Every scene was filled with passionate and lively actors, who were doing their best to absolutely terrify our group. Scares came from so many different angles and there were a few simple effects, we have not seen elsewhere, but were incredibly effective and startling. Several times we were singled away from our groups and at one point in the mine, were stood in the dark with 4 mischevious and scary miners singing nursery rhymes around us!
What we also loved was that there wasn't a marquee or shed in site. All the scenes had detailed facades which perfectly set up the theme and scares within. For example, the film-based attractions are entered through a mock cinema building with the illuminated banner listing the movies contained within.
Towards the end, we were all batched together into a final scene that could have come straight from one of the Dungeon attractions, but perfectly set us up for the "punishment" - a hooded rope led finale. This was both scary and hilarious - especially as one of the characters in there seemed to be having bladder problems!
We thoroughly enjoyed every part of the Scream Factory and the different types of scenes and scares all added up to a terrifyingly fun night out. All in it was a fantastic night and is definitely an event worth visiting!
Scream Factory Teesside 2016
For some reason North of York is slim on scare attractions, but for the last five years in the small sleepy seaside town of Redcar, Scream Factory has been growing not only in size but also in reputation. The event is situated on the old garden nursery Site at the Kirkleatham Museum only 5 min drive off the seafront and is a multi-part Halloween event meaning you enter and follow a specific route through the whole event not stopping from start to finish moving through different themed scenes.
The whole attraction took from start to finish just under a hour to experience and is run on a surprisingly small footprint but you would never guess this while you are walking round. Within our visit we encountered so many different styles of scenes that it's hard to keep track of what you have seen. One thing that joined most of these small scenes together was a series of winding pitch black corridors, which were so dark we couldn't see our hand in front of our face, we just had to feel our way towards the next scene. This was so well done and with small scares deftly added into these areas too we really didn't know know what was round the next corner. The scenes waiting for us on the other end of darkness varied greatly as did the scares in them with some of these being the most original we have seen all season including one in particular that hit 3 times in the same scene and we still couldn't see where the act come from or finished!. We walked through so many different themed areas and met so many different characters including Hill Billy's, zombies, film characters and a Frankenstein type monster that gave us a real original fright.
There were too many highlights on this event to list them all but our personal favourites where a beautiful cemetery scene with a building that looked completely real and a chapel of rest scene with a very smart scare - a smoked filled room that made us feel like we were walking across the nearby moors. For the second time this year we were wowed by the smart use of strobe lighting and a fogger.
The whole event was fun from start to finish. The organisation was perfect with the event sold out the night we were there but we never had to stop or met another group once through out our experience. The enthusiasm of the creative team and a set of actors you could tell loved their job this made our trip one of our favourites of the year so far. We can't recommend enough a trip up North enough to visit this wonderfully scary attraction.
The whole attraction took from start to finish just under a hour to experience and is run on a surprisingly small footprint but you would never guess this while you are walking round. Within our visit we encountered so many different styles of scenes that it's hard to keep track of what you have seen. One thing that joined most of these small scenes together was a series of winding pitch black corridors, which were so dark we couldn't see our hand in front of our face, we just had to feel our way towards the next scene. This was so well done and with small scares deftly added into these areas too we really didn't know know what was round the next corner. The scenes waiting for us on the other end of darkness varied greatly as did the scares in them with some of these being the most original we have seen all season including one in particular that hit 3 times in the same scene and we still couldn't see where the act come from or finished!. We walked through so many different themed areas and met so many different characters including Hill Billy's, zombies, film characters and a Frankenstein type monster that gave us a real original fright.
There were too many highlights on this event to list them all but our personal favourites where a beautiful cemetery scene with a building that looked completely real and a chapel of rest scene with a very smart scare - a smoked filled room that made us feel like we were walking across the nearby moors. For the second time this year we were wowed by the smart use of strobe lighting and a fogger.
The whole event was fun from start to finish. The organisation was perfect with the event sold out the night we were there but we never had to stop or met another group once through out our experience. The enthusiasm of the creative team and a set of actors you could tell loved their job this made our trip one of our favourites of the year so far. We can't recommend enough a trip up North enough to visit this wonderfully scary attraction.
Scream Factory Review number 2
Scream Factory is located alongside the Kirkleatham Museum on the outskirts of the Seaside town of Redcar.
2016 sees the 5th year of Scream Factory and having spoken to the guys who run it, it has grown every year, this year especially as it has seen the sell out on multiple nights and even added two more timeslots on two nights because of the popularity of it.
Prior to visiting to experience the attraction on a standard night, I got to take part in a small, daylight tour of half of the haunt a week earlier and was surprised by the overall scale of the haunt. It lacks some of the finesse and elaborate theming that a haunt such as York Hallowscream does, but don’t let this put you off, it is still great and gave me more scares than I experienced at Hallowscream.
We thought this daylight tour may have ruined some of the attraction for us, but once the sun goes down, Scream Factory comes in to its own and it didn’t disappoint. It is stated on the Scream Factory website that they estimate the average guest to take between 45 minutes and hour to experience the whole thing, the first night we attended was a fairly quiet night and both runs through took us about 40 minutes.
I was afforded the V.I.P experience for the night, which gave me front of the line access, meaning we skipped the line to get in and get, virtually, straight in. We were put in to a corral to await our turn, the average group size that is usually put through at any one time is 8 and groups are sent out every few minutes, to help give you a more personal experience and not like some of the conga lines we have experienced in the more popular U.S attractions.
Once passed the Safety Talk we entered the Scream factory.As stated previously, it took us about 40 minutes to get through the attraction and that 40 minutes flew by, it felt like we were in there no longer than five minutes and that is testament to how good this haunt is.
I’m not going to go in to spoilers, but I saw scares and effects inside Scream factory that I have genuinely never seen in any other haunt, as someone who is pretty much immune to the jump scare and go through attractions like Scream Factory for the theming, the actors and the reaction of the people around me, I genuinely got at least 5 good, jump scares in this maze.
There are inside portions and outside portions, the whole things is akin to going to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando for one night, but getting through it in 40 minutes, as between each inside portion is an outside portion that feels like a mini scarezone, the calm before the storm.
Scream Factory throws every fear you have in to the mix and will push, prod and poke every one of your senses and for a maze with a relatively small budget, has been built to an impressive scale. But the thing that really makes Scream Factory a top notch U.K haunt are the actors, having gone behind the scenes and spoken to some of them, they love their job and have a passion for scaring people, but creating an immersive, fun and scary experience, which helps this stand above a few attractions I have done previously.
I have read many complaints on their facebook page about not being held back, so that you don’t catch up to the previous group going through. This is , unfortunately, the nature of the beast, when something such as a scare attraction, becomes popular, it is difficult to get people through with minimal wait and keep that experience personal and intimate. Personally I think Scream factory do a great job of pulsing the crowds through, they are not so over the top, that if you do find yourselves catching up to the group in front, that they will chastise you for slowing down.
We went through the haunt on 3 separate occasions, the first two times were on a slowish night and we got a great experience both times, no conga line and a fantastic intimate experience, on the odd occasion we found ourselves moving faster than the group on front, we just slowed a little. On the third trip, which was on a different night, it was MUCH more crowded and Scream factory had actors in certain places holding the groups up, so as not to catch up the group in front.
My only complaint, and this does not spoil Scream Factory much at all, is the lack of actors in certain areas, there are long portions of dark tunnels, that I appreciate, would be difficult to put people in there, but this does not detract from the overall experience.
From talking to the owner, Scream Factory has added a lot to the haunt this year and I look forward to seeing what changes they make next year. I hope that the success that Scream Factory has seen, this year especially, will encourage more people in the North East to create their own haunts and for this I commend them for doing something that is virtually non-existent in the North East and maybe we can rival those famous haunts down south.
But for now, Scream Factory is a fantastic way to spend a night, we wish the team all the best in the future and we will be back every year to see how it progresses.
Lee Mallaby -Unoffocial Universal Orlando Podcast
Scream Factory is located alongside the Kirkleatham Museum on the outskirts of the Seaside town of Redcar.
2016 sees the 5th year of Scream Factory and having spoken to the guys who run it, it has grown every year, this year especially as it has seen the sell out on multiple nights and even added two more timeslots on two nights because of the popularity of it.
Prior to visiting to experience the attraction on a standard night, I got to take part in a small, daylight tour of half of the haunt a week earlier and was surprised by the overall scale of the haunt. It lacks some of the finesse and elaborate theming that a haunt such as York Hallowscream does, but don’t let this put you off, it is still great and gave me more scares than I experienced at Hallowscream.
We thought this daylight tour may have ruined some of the attraction for us, but once the sun goes down, Scream Factory comes in to its own and it didn’t disappoint. It is stated on the Scream Factory website that they estimate the average guest to take between 45 minutes and hour to experience the whole thing, the first night we attended was a fairly quiet night and both runs through took us about 40 minutes.
I was afforded the V.I.P experience for the night, which gave me front of the line access, meaning we skipped the line to get in and get, virtually, straight in. We were put in to a corral to await our turn, the average group size that is usually put through at any one time is 8 and groups are sent out every few minutes, to help give you a more personal experience and not like some of the conga lines we have experienced in the more popular U.S attractions.
Once passed the Safety Talk we entered the Scream factory.As stated previously, it took us about 40 minutes to get through the attraction and that 40 minutes flew by, it felt like we were in there no longer than five minutes and that is testament to how good this haunt is.
I’m not going to go in to spoilers, but I saw scares and effects inside Scream factory that I have genuinely never seen in any other haunt, as someone who is pretty much immune to the jump scare and go through attractions like Scream Factory for the theming, the actors and the reaction of the people around me, I genuinely got at least 5 good, jump scares in this maze.
There are inside portions and outside portions, the whole things is akin to going to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando for one night, but getting through it in 40 minutes, as between each inside portion is an outside portion that feels like a mini scarezone, the calm before the storm.
Scream Factory throws every fear you have in to the mix and will push, prod and poke every one of your senses and for a maze with a relatively small budget, has been built to an impressive scale. But the thing that really makes Scream Factory a top notch U.K haunt are the actors, having gone behind the scenes and spoken to some of them, they love their job and have a passion for scaring people, but creating an immersive, fun and scary experience, which helps this stand above a few attractions I have done previously.
I have read many complaints on their facebook page about not being held back, so that you don’t catch up to the previous group going through. This is , unfortunately, the nature of the beast, when something such as a scare attraction, becomes popular, it is difficult to get people through with minimal wait and keep that experience personal and intimate. Personally I think Scream factory do a great job of pulsing the crowds through, they are not so over the top, that if you do find yourselves catching up to the group in front, that they will chastise you for slowing down.
We went through the haunt on 3 separate occasions, the first two times were on a slowish night and we got a great experience both times, no conga line and a fantastic intimate experience, on the odd occasion we found ourselves moving faster than the group on front, we just slowed a little. On the third trip, which was on a different night, it was MUCH more crowded and Scream factory had actors in certain places holding the groups up, so as not to catch up the group in front.
My only complaint, and this does not spoil Scream Factory much at all, is the lack of actors in certain areas, there are long portions of dark tunnels, that I appreciate, would be difficult to put people in there, but this does not detract from the overall experience.
From talking to the owner, Scream Factory has added a lot to the haunt this year and I look forward to seeing what changes they make next year. I hope that the success that Scream Factory has seen, this year especially, will encourage more people in the North East to create their own haunts and for this I commend them for doing something that is virtually non-existent in the North East and maybe we can rival those famous haunts down south.
But for now, Scream Factory is a fantastic way to spend a night, we wish the team all the best in the future and we will be back every year to see how it progresses.
Lee Mallaby -Unoffocial Universal Orlando Podcast
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Very scary - This was our 2nd year and it was even better than last year would say
Defo recommended just can't wait for next year's
Defo recommended just can't wait for next year's
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