GIVING kids the fright of their lives at Halloween is one of the perks of being a parent, for some.
And now even toddlers can be spooked out courtesy of a brand new indoor attraction at Alton Towers.
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The Sun was given access to Trick o Treat Town this weekend, the latest addition to the theme park’s annual Scarefest.
Entering via Spooky Avenue, trick or treaters are tasked with knocking on doors where they’ll be greeted by a series of fictional characters – all loaded with sweets and scary stories.
The houses are located on Treat Street, Witchy Woods, The Graveyard and The Hill, and all have their own individual quirks and special effects.
My three-year-old son, who was joined by his sisters aged eight and 11, was (thankfully) barely phased by the eccentric characters, as he was so focused on filling his bag with confectionery.
But his two sisters, slightly more suitable for the freaky frolics given it’s aimed at children aged eight years plus, lapped up the anticipation of what oddballs were lurking behind the doors.
Scarefest has been a fixture at Alton Towers since 2007 and attracts visitors from all over the UK.
The Halloween theme is evident as soon as you enter Towers Street, as everything on sight has been given a haunted feel.
Plus, among the thousands of visitors, the ‘Alton Ancestors’ are back from the dead and roam the streets, looking for their favourite haunts – and partake in the odd flash mob.
The main stage of the park’s front lawn plays host to five Halloween characters, including Patch the pumpkin/human fusion, who star in spooktacular shows, while also meeting and greeting guests and offering up photo opportunities.
Across the street in CBeebies Land, kids favourites from an array of telly shows on the channel dress up in scary outfits for the Big Fun Show Time
But Halloween at Alton Towers certainly isn’t reserved for kids – far from it.
Four award-winning scare mazes are once again at the forefront of Scarefest.
Freak Show: The Toxic Junkyard, The Attic: Terror of the Towers and Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend of the Skinsnatchers are recommended for ages 15 and above.
But The Darkest Depths offers an interactive experience for ages 12 plus, where those who dare to enter will come face-to-face with the Kraken – the legendary monster of the seas.
The park is open till 9pm at night, to give it that extra spooky feel.
Which means punters can experience the park’s incredible roller coasters including Smiler, The Wicker Man, Galactica, Thirteen and Rita in the dark, making them even more unnerving.
Scarefest runs each day between October 15 and 31 and tickets cost £39 per person, plus an extra £10pp for attraction tickets, such as the mazes or Trick or Treat Town.
Overnight stays are available from £55 per person, including Free Parking and late night live entertainment, and are on a bed and breakfast basis.
You’ll have a freakishly good time.
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