Thurleigh Farm - Spooky Fun Festival and Fright Nights
Thurleigh Farm in Bedfordshire have been hosting a family friendly Halloween event for a number of years and really came to my attention when they won a Screamie award for best family halloween attraction. Being in the area for more "adult friendly" scares we decided to pop in to the farm and experience what they are up to.
First appearances at Thurleigh are very similar to many other farm attraction around the UK, with a large play area for kids, a cafe serving delicious food (try Gerry's cakes - they are amazing!) and some animals out the back for feeding and petting.
On arrival we were given an extensive listing of all available attractions and noted that for every "dark or scary" version there was something more family friendly. The park really does cater for everyone.
First appearances at Thurleigh are very similar to many other farm attraction around the UK, with a large play area for kids, a cafe serving delicious food (try Gerry's cakes - they are amazing!) and some animals out the back for feeding and petting.
On arrival we were given an extensive listing of all available attractions and noted that for every "dark or scary" version there was something more family friendly. The park really does cater for everyone.
Scary Tractor Ride
Guests do actually sit down I just didnt get a photo of it!
This Scary Tractor ride is quite unique in that they clearly state from the start which side of the trailer is expected to be scarier and as such warn people where to sit. It could mean that some people may miss certain effects but everyone on our trailer seemed to be having fun and were grateful for the side they had chosen.
Most of the effects on the trip into the spooky woods are triggered by a simple gate mechanism which then just requires resetting after the trailer has passed through. But what fun effects they were - collapsing signs, battering rams, wrecking balls etc all swing against the side of the trailer at some point. Add in some enthusiastic live actors who menace us quite a lot and you have a fun attraction.
The tour was also full of humour which helped diffuse some of the fears of the smaller members of the party. Most of the effects were fun rather than scary, but I will confess to having two full jump out your seat moments! Which, on a family friendly attraction isn't bad at all!
Most of the effects on the trip into the spooky woods are triggered by a simple gate mechanism which then just requires resetting after the trailer has passed through. But what fun effects they were - collapsing signs, battering rams, wrecking balls etc all swing against the side of the trailer at some point. Add in some enthusiastic live actors who menace us quite a lot and you have a fun attraction.
The tour was also full of humour which helped diffuse some of the fears of the smaller members of the party. Most of the effects were fun rather than scary, but I will confess to having two full jump out your seat moments! Which, on a family friendly attraction isn't bad at all!
Monster Laser Blast
who ever thought it was a good idea to give laser guns to zombies?
Providing a new twist on the standard maize maze, Monster Laser Blast arms you with a loaded laser gun to protect you from any monsters you might encounter. After a safety briefing, small groups are led into the corn (which due to growth problems has had to be augmented by a few shelters for the actors to hide behind!).
It's not long before the monsters start to attack and the whole group are blasting away furiously! Sometimes TOO furiously. You see, the problem with these blasters, is that they only have limited ammunition and a short battery life. If (or rather WHEN) your laser blaster expires it lets out a hideous screech which is like catnip for zombies. The only option then is to run to get away! Brilliant fun and actually quite scary in the dark!
It's not long before the monsters start to attack and the whole group are blasting away furiously! Sometimes TOO furiously. You see, the problem with these blasters, is that they only have limited ammunition and a short battery life. If (or rather WHEN) your laser blaster expires it lets out a hideous screech which is like catnip for zombies. The only option then is to run to get away! Brilliant fun and actually quite scary in the dark!
Ghost Train - "your last journey"
The Ghost Train could hardly be described as a full attraction as it is purely a straight piece of narrow gauge railway track, that passes through a tunnel made of shipping containers. Saying that though, the first train to disappear into the dark tunnel delivered an incredible barrage of screams from the occupants! The actors inside were able to get pretty close to the train, but unfortunately by the time you do the whole thing backwards to return to the station you pretty much know what's going to happen and where they will scare you from! The park are in talks to get more track in the future which would really improve the length of this.
'Orridly 'Aunted Hattic
And no that isn't a typo - that's what it's called! The Hattic is a small walk through a detailed Halloween set filled with spooky props and a live ghost or two. We visited with a family of children who were suitably spooked by the goings on. We were unsettled at times as we were never quite sure what was pretend or what was an actor.
Other highlights
On top of the halloween attractions, guests can also explore the animal enclosures, do some pumpkin carving or enjoy the large indoor and outdoor play areas. Finally, towards the end of the evening, the day concludes with an exciting firework finale which is included in the price.
So, if you're a thrill seeking teenager or adult without kids, you're probably unlikely to find anything at Thurleigh to compete with some of the the more intense attractions out there . But, if you have a group with some adventurous, fun seeking kids, then you will definitely have a blast as you hang onto each other and scream and laugh together. Having visited, it's easy to see why they have been voted best family halloween event in the past.
The farm is now in preparation for this year's Christmas event. For more details of the venue, check out their website.
So, if you're a thrill seeking teenager or adult without kids, you're probably unlikely to find anything at Thurleigh to compete with some of the the more intense attractions out there . But, if you have a group with some adventurous, fun seeking kids, then you will definitely have a blast as you hang onto each other and scream and laugh together. Having visited, it's easy to see why they have been voted best family halloween event in the past.
The farm is now in preparation for this year's Christmas event. For more details of the venue, check out their website.