Scream Factory 2026 review

We were given two free tickets to experience the event, we retain editorial control on what our review says!

Our Slasher Review

Scream Factory returned for another year of scares, and despite Storm Boelo threatening to disrupt events across the UK, we were pleased to see it go ahead. The event has had a few improvements to its hub area, including a new, purpose-built merchandise kiosk that looks much better and makes the food counter area feel less cramped.

The walkthrough delivered plenty of scares, with returning attractions offering a mix of high-energy actors, disorientating fog, dark mine tunnels and gruesome plastic surgery scenes. The actors were a real highlight throughout, using their surroundings brilliantly to create tension, unexpected scares and memorable interactions.

The biggest highlights were the two new attractions for 2026. Project 13 was a standout, combining a prison setting with horror movie icons, clever character interactions and some brilliant scares. It was weird, bonkers and exactly what you want from a horror attraction. Kirkleatham Playthings, meanwhile, uses blackout goggles instead of traditional hoods. Although this style of attraction isn’t personally for me, others clearly found it terrifying.

Overall, Scream Factory remains a fantastic night out for horror fans, combining memorable characters, creative environments and plenty of scares. It’s an event we continue to enjoy returning to year after year.

Our Stalker Review

Scream factory returned for another year of screams, so of course we popped along to get scared, see the changes they have made and to experience their two new attractions for 2026.

Storm Boelo was battering the UK and with many events cancelling, part of me was expecting Scream Factory to cancel. Luckily they didn’t and when we arrived it was just raining. The wind hadn’t picked up yet, so we donned our boots and coats and headed in. Checking in was quick and easy and we were greeted by their hub area. It’s been slightly revamped. They have built a new kiosk for their merchandise stand and I must say it looks better. Previously it was cramped on the end of where the food counters were and it did look a bit like it had been just plopped but now with its own kiosk it looks a bit more refined and less cramped at the food counters making collecting food easier. The roaming characters were put, but obviously due to the weather there wasn’t as many as they usually have. Scream factory is one long walkthrough attraction through different attractions.

We queued up to head in and after a slight delay due to some late comers for the previous slot, it was time to head in. As always it starts with the jail cell containment area. The actors controlling this really set the tone for what was to come. They were in your face and intimidating. The first area we got to was the Killer Clowns. I didn’t notice any changes to this section but the actors really made it. They are high energy and really used the areas well to provide some great scares. Next up was one long walkthrough in a tunnel with thick fog that was disorientating. You could barely see ahead of you. It is a zone that is more about building tension as opposed to scares and it works well.

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After we emerge from the tunnel we were greeted by some hillbilly mechanics. We got bunched around a table where a hillbilly explained what parts of us were best for eating. The area is full of people trying to cook us or how much they like us. There were a few unexpected scares here just from actors hiding that worked really well.

It was then time to venture into the mines. It was dark. They used this to their advantage and provided some really great scares and they came from all directions too with one actor being in the roof! The actors really worked the areas well and whilst some of the corridors had nothing in but darkness it did make you feel uneasy about where the actors were.

After the mines it was time to check into St Sinisters. This plastic surgery themed attraction really goes for the gross. Bodies are everywhere all mangled and reconstructed and it has one of my favourite scares with a body being stretched on a wall and actor just screaming in pain out of no where. The actors were all great and worked very well.

We then had a rest bite as such in the next area as it transitioned to the next major attraction. In this little bit you walk around and meet a couple of zombies and then walkthrough a nice little graveyard. The priest managed to scare us and with one of us assuming a doorway was the way we needed to go only to be scared by an actor waiting there was funny.

Next up was their first of two new zones, Project 13. It’s a prison themed area and you are so thrown off guard by the first character you meet. A big, burly security guard with the squeakiest, high pitched voice I’ve ever heard. It completely threw me off guard that when he bellowed in a deep voice it made me jump. Inside it’s a prison but its inhabitants are not prisoners, they are horror movie icons. It’s such a clever idea. Each cell was a homage to horror movie icons and you meet quite a few throughout including Art, Freddy and a girl in a jigsaw trap. It’s weird and bonkers and that’s exactly what you want and it just worked so well. It had some great scares including Art running at you with a shopping trolley. I also need to give a huge shoutout to the bear right at the end who took the time to even give us a hug, it was needed.

Last up was their second new attraction Kirkleatham Playthings. This is a hooded attraction but instead of hoods it’s blackout goggles which are more comfortable. I personally have never been a fan of these types of attractions. I don’t find them scary and whilst I appreciate the effort the actors went to to try to get me, I’m sorry, I just wasn’t scared. But judging from the screams ahead and behind, others were, so I can appreciate that people will find it scary in general.

Scream Factory is a really fun night filled with scares and interactions that stay with you long after you’ve left and we just really enjoy every visit we’ve had.