Sunday, 16 October 2022 19:00

FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park 2022 - review & photos

FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park is back for 2022, with new scare maze attraction The Core and new theatrical experience The Exorcism joining the line-up.

FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park

The award-winning event features four returning scare attractions (X4, VITA NOVAMalefica and House of Clowns) alongside the two new experiences.

In addition to the scare attractions, the event also includes street theatre, a fire show, games, rides, food and a bar.

A classic spinning tunnel leads visitors into the main arena, which is styled as a carnival and includes various roaming scare actors.

This year, the three scare maze attractions X4, The Core and VITA NOVA form a New World Order trilogy, with an overarching story linking them together. They are all located beyond a gateway in one themed area.

We love that each attraction offers a completely different and unique experience, but they're framed as chapters and connected by a bigger narrative. It's this kind of approach that sets FEAR apart from other events and we must commend the creative team for their ingenuity.

X4

In 1994, a complex series of tunnels were discovered deep underground during routine excavation work at site Alpha-Vixen One. Hidden deep within these tunnels, the discovery of a lifetime was made, altering the course of humanity.

Omega Industries immediately took control of the site and began vigorously testing on the entity that they found within. Now, nearly thirty years later, they invite you into their compound to observe the future of modern warfare.

Witness the beginning of the end, in this terrifying start to the New World Order trilogy.

You enter a complex of laboratories and testing facilities hidden deep underground via an elevator ride like no other. Once there you will uncover the secrets that lie within. It's a fast paced, intense and detailed scare maze. The inclusion of a pre-show greatly enhances the attraction and there were some excellent scenes, so it was once again a really immersive experience.

The Core (NEW)

After the fall of the UK Government and years of national civil unrest, the New World Order has risen and the Republic of England stands victorious.

But a rebel alliance has formed, an abandoned power plant their base of operations. Hiding on the edge of society, they search for recruits to join the cause and reclaim all that was lost. But unbeknownst to them, a far greater danger lies beneath their feet…

Will you join the rebels and journey into the core? Will you discover the truth? The New World Order trilogy continues in this brand new, exhilarating second chapter of the story.

The team at FEAR has always been at the forefront of creativity and innovation when it comes to developing new scare attractions. This year is no exception with a remarkable new addition The Core added as a new chapter to experience between X4 and VITA NOVA.

As we entered the attraction, we were instructed to remove our shoes and put on waders, then we would be entering the sewers! Being asked to change your clothes for a scare maze is very unusual - it immediately put us on edge and built our anticipation.

We won't spoil the experience by saying too much about it, but expect to be up to your knees in water for the majority of an unbelievably creative new scare maze, in which you encounter many creatures.

VITA NOVA

Day 5,987 since the New World Order began.

Omega Industries has initiated it’s quality of life programme, VITA NOVA, restoring order to the Republic of England. Society will be reformed, it will be born anew.

The New World Order demands that the VITA NOVA programme is adhered to by all citizens, yet it seems that some have defied these orders and stopped conforming. They have stopped taking their VITA NOVA. All non-conformers will be detected, and they will be ameliorated….

Long live the Republic of England. Happy is the country with no past.

An epic conclusion to the New World Order trilogy, this will push your nerves to the limit.

Be warned, this is an extreme experience. You will be separated, you will be confined, you will crawl through tunnels, and you are likely get an actual electric shock! A highlight of this year's event, that again pushes boundaries, and uses a wide variety of techniques to set your heart racing. The sets, effects, costumes and acting are all of a very high standard.

Malefica

After being destroyed in a mysterious fire, the Douglas & Daughters Restoration team have begun work on the Stidham Village Sisters of Mercy Church, slowly returning it to its former glory. But something isn’t quite right; strange noises have been heard deep within the church, and volunteers claim to have seen something moving in the shadows.

And then four days ago, a diary was discovered. A diary that once belonged to Mother Superior Amelia, and may reveal what happened all those years ago… Join the restoration team and journey deep into the heart of the church to uncover the secrets that lie within.

A well themed pre-show sets up the story for the attraction, after which you enter the derelict remains of a church that once burnt down and is now inhabited by the spirits of the vengeful nuns. After a disappointing experience last year, we were so impressed with the dramatically improved intensity of the attraction this year, with all the scare actors really letting loose and terrorising us throughout.

The Exorcism (NEW)

The suffering begins… Put your faith to the test and face the demon within, as you participate in The Exorcism.

Not for the faint of heart, this unique immersive experience is unlike anything seen at FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park before. Combining thrilling theatrical techniques, guests will be placed in the heart of the story and battle to save the soul of Evelyn Grace.

An additional ticket (£10 per person) is required for this limited-capacity attraction in which 12 people at a time are invited to witness an exorcism.

The set design, audio and acting are all top notch, making this an unmissable addition to the event. It's an intense experience with moments of total darkness and various special effects, anchored by a talented cast that gives a committed performance.

There were a few operational issues on the press night, that caused long delays to the start time of each showing, and some sound leakage detracted from the immersion, but both will hopefully be ironed out swiftly.

House of Clowns

The circus has arrived at the sleepy village of Stidham once more, however, a trail of controversy surrounds its arrival; after the disappearance of its most infamous member Frank, murderous accusations have faced the troupe.

Now, with dwindling visitor numbers and nothing left to lose, the inhabitants will do whatever they can to get this house of clowns back on top. And they want you to be the star of the show.

Once again we stepped inside this world of crazed clowns. It starts as a classic curtain maze, followed by an intense smoke and strobe section, with some other elements of fun house and carnival too. It's now a fairly standard maze, but it still works well if you are scared of clowns.

Titans of Terror

Trixxie and Chunk were back, stalking the event arena and posing for photos, as well taking part in the Titans of Terror fire show.

We were guests for the purposes of this review, and benefited from the Unlimited FEAR Pass which includes priority entry to the event, unlimited fast track entry into the scare attractions, and a VIP area with complimentary snacks and soft drinks. We would recommend this great package to make the most of your time at the event.

FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park continues on selected dates until 31st October 2022. Book in advance at fearscreampark.co.uk

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