SPOILER ALERT! Our review includes a walkthrough of the event and photos from throughout the experience.

Unlike most other scare events with traditional maze attractions, Journey to Hell offers a scare experience that once it has begun, lasts around 75 minutes, with guests navigating through a series of scare zones, mazes, and selected attractions.

On entering the park we were directed past an impressive apocalyptic scene with overturned cars and flame throwers. It felt strange that this high quality set did not feature again during the experience.

Our evening began by entering The Hub, where we were greeted with blood red cocktails (alcoholic), blood burgers and other spooky treats such as cakes and biscuits. The decoration in this area is done well with festoon lights and plenty of seating in front of the main stage, providing a welcoming start to our experience.

After enough time to enjoy our drinks the show commenced with an actor playing a news correspondent on stage explaining the back story of the event and sharing with his audience the safety instructions for the night. Of course, all is not as it seems on this cursed night and after making his way towards the opposite end of The Hub, he receives an urgent message through his earpiece that there has been an incident and guests all need to be evacuated. We, along with the crowds proceeded towards the exit where we were met with our first glimpses of what was to unfold.

The Legend of the Cursed River Caves

The first attraction included in Journey to Hell was a revamped version of the River Caves. Guests are loaded into the small boats with one person selected to wear a very dimly lit head torch before being dispatched into the caves. For the most part, boats pass through the caves in near total darkness with a spooky soundtrack playing throughout. There are actors well positioned throughout the attraction – literally screaming at guests as they slowly drift by.

Hell Tunnels

On exiting the boats guests are directed into the Hell Tunnels, a usually off-limits part of the park which brings with it some interest. This large-scale scare zone features a number of different sets and long walkways with plenty of actors providing jump scares at every turn. It was clear that there was a mash up of different themes throughout this area but each was done to a good standard. We particularly liked the butchers scene where selected guests are urged to eat a piece of human anatomy before being allowed to continue with their journey. Unfortunately for us – we were selected!

Whilst the overall impression of the Hell Tunnels was positive, there was a strange part of the experience where we walked through what appeared to be a Christmas Grotto with strobe lighting. If the plan was to disorientate us then it certainly worked as our group proceeded to make a wrong turn!

The Pledge – Dark Magic

After breaking out of the Hell Tunnels alive, we were ordered up a flight of stairs to queue for the next feature. The quality of the costumes continued at the stage, however (and although warned before) they were clearly taking great delight in swearing at guests. An effective pre-show was next where we were greeted by an evil seamstress who was hell bent on making her next fashion accessories out of us!

The experience itself is an evil magic show where Harry Houdini (apparently not that one!) first brings his home-made assistant to life before strapping her to his magic box on stage. A few moments later the trick is performed but it's certainly not Houdini that walks from the stage...

Blind Faith

Our next attraction experience of the night would be riding ICON, but this time with a twist. On boarding the empty trains actors hand out blindfolds for each rider and insist on you wearing them. The effect is brilliant. Entering the pre-launch, an edited soundtrack is played before you are launched through the twisting and turning circuit without a clue of where you are, an this proved very effective!

The Dark Abyss

After being thoroughly shaken we moved straight into our next attraction which was a ride on The Big One. The theme of this attraction appeared to be set to zombies, but in truth there were only a few actors within the station that started once they were satisfied the train had been loaded. Riding this world famous coaster in the dark was a great experience however and provided fantastic views over Blackpool.

Scare Maze

As the only traditional scare maze at the event we were excited to see their take on things. On entering the well decorated Chinese Hedge Maze a brief backstory was explained to us by an actor, before we were sent on our way, and again the wrong way thanks to the directions of one of the lost souls within. Generally, a good experience with a few jump scares throughout, however, we did feel that the addition of some smoke effects and more wrong turns could have enhanced on the experience.

Valley of the Carnevil Freaks

The next walkthrough zone comprised of some really nice decorated and well-lit sections of the park. We were met by some rather sinister looking clowns along our journey which was well complemented by a creepy soundtrack playing through the zone.

Day of the Dead Ghost Train

On leaving the area and heading back towards The Hub, our final experience and attraction was the Day of the Dead Ghost Train. The ghost train looked fantastic in the dark and the addition of dancing actors and soundtrack made the ride even more enjoyable. Once boarded the attraction itself remains unchanged, however our anticipation that there would be live actors inside did have the desired affect on us second guessing everything.

And with that our Journey to Hell was over. We slowly headed back towards The Hub for a final refreshment and were entertained on the main stage by two fire jugglers.

On exiting the park you find a well positioned stand with Journey to Hell merchandise which all looked of good quality and value.

Journey to Hell - Freak Nights runs on selected dates between 8th - 31st October 2021.

Find out more and buy tickets at www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com