On a dark, dark night…at Scaresville

Every Halloween a small village on the edge of Suffolk finds itself haunted by all manner of creatures from hell.

Ghosts, ghouls and gremlins creep around the grounds of a Tudor mansion, ready to jump out and scare the living daylights out of those that dare to venture through the gates.

I was one of those daring visitors.

Yes that’s right Suf-folks! I finally made it to Scaresville after all these years! I was really looking forward to visiting, and also absolutely terrified.

We arrived at Kentwell Hall in Long Melford after a suitably spooky journey (my Sat Nav decided to stop working as we approached the village…suspicious). A guide in a skeleton costume showed us to a parking space and then we waited for the rest of our group just outside the gates.

From here we could hear the screams echoing from inside…

Once we met up with the rest of our group and all agreed we had no idea what to expect, we headed into the “Unfairground” to wait our turn.

In the Unfairground there’s the chance to grab a drink and some food, as well as watch spooky shows and play some un-fair games. Here you must wait before your time is called to go into The Haunted Village.

The whole waiting experience builds anticipation and by the time we were going in to the Haunted Village the whole group were a bundle of nerves!

I don’t want to give too much away for those who are going – but I will say that I haven’t sweated so much since I did hot yoga. It was BRILLIANT! Creepy, fantastical and incredibly well put together.

The journey took just over an hour and we went through buildings, parkland and woods. Yes, it was scary, but it was SO much fun! We all laughed, jumped and screamed in equal measure.

And at the end you reach the BAR-baric for a much-needed stiff drink to calm your nerves before you drive home.

I already can’t wait to book tickets for next year!