If your family is anything like ours, Halloween isn’t just about sweets and pumpkins it’s about hunting down the scariest, funniest, most scream worthy places we can find. Over the years, we’ve tested out some seriously spooky spots across the UK and these five have made it onto our ultimate teen approved Halloween list.
Here’s where we’ve been, what we loved and why your teens will want to go too…
1. Alton Towers Scarefest 🎢👻 (Our #1 Pick!)
Alton Towers is amazing at any time of year, but come October, it transforms into a full on Halloween playground. The rides stay open late sometimes until 9pm so you can ride through the night sky on The Smiler or Wicker Man with the track lit up against the dark. Trust us, rollercoasters are way scarier in the dark.
Once the sun sets, the whole park changes. Fog rolls in, eerie lighting flickers through the trees and creepy actors wander the pathways sometimes silently following you until you notice and scream. The scare mazes are on another level: honestly, it’s horror movie scary. You’ll scream, you’ll laugh and then you’ll scream again. It’s the kind of night that leaves your heart racing even hours later.
One maze told the story of a village haunted by “The Attic” ghost, where a cursed bride is said to still wander the halls waiting for her groom who never came. Walking through her candlelit lair made us all jump at least once.
Alton Towers Scarefest isn’t for the faint hearted, but that’s exactly what makes it so much fun for teens who love a proper thrill.
We’d definitely go back no question about it.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Ages 12+ (braver younger teens can try family zones)
- Time needed: Full day + evening (rides until late)
- Scare level: 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 (very high in the mazes)
- Budget tip: Book online early tickets are cheaper in advance
2. York Ghost Bus 🚌💀
York is already one of the UK’s most haunted cities, so what better way to explore than on a pitch black vintage Routemaster bus? The second you climb on board, you’re greeted by costumed “guides” who make the whole trip part theatre, part comedy, part horror.
The bus doesn’t just drive around aimlessly it stops at some of York’s most haunted spots so the stories really sink in. We stopped outside York Minster, Clifford’s Tower and some seriously creepy graveyards. At each stop, the actors mix real history with gruesome, ghostly legends. One tale we heard was about Guy Fawkes, yes the famous Gunpowder Plot conspirator who was actually born in York. Hearing about his shadowy past while parked near the Minster gave us chills.
One minute you’re shivering at a story of a restless spirit, the next you’re laughing because the guide adds a ridiculous twist. That blend of scares and humour keeps it perfect for teens creepy without being too heavy.
This one isn’t too intense, so it’s ideal if your family wants spooky fun without nightmares.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Ages 10+ (funny + spooky, not nightmare material)
- Time needed: Around 75 minutes
- Scare level: 🎃🎃 (spooky but light-hearted)
- Budget tip: Family tickets often cheaper if booked online
3. The Edinburgh Dungeon 🕯️⚡
This one is basically a live horror show. The moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by actors, special effects and jump scares galore. It’s part history, part pure terror think tales of witch hunts, torture and serial killers, acted out right in front of you.
One of the most chilling parts for us was meeting Agnes Finnie, a real woman accused of witchcraft in the 1600s. The way the actors told her story, with flickering torches and dark whispers, made the hairs on our arms stand up.
The finale? A sudden drop ride that makes your stomach lurch just when you thought you were safe. Definitely one for braver teens who secretly love being scared out of their wits.
The Edinburgh Dungeon is not for the faint-hearted either—it’s intense, theatrical, and will leave you second-guessing every shadow.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Ages 12+ (some scenes can be graphic)
- Time needed: Around 70 minutes
- Scare level: 🎃🎃🎃🎃 (high, with jump scares + drop ride)
- Budget tip: Combine with other Edinburgh attractions for discount passes
4. Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh 🏚️👀
Hidden beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile are old streets that were literally sealed off hundreds of years ago. Walking down there feels like time travel into a darker, creepier version of history. Guides in costume tell stories of plague, poverty and ghost sightings that make you wonder what’s lurking in the shadows.
One of the eeriest stories we heard was about a little girl named Annie, who is said to still haunt the underground rooms. Visitors often leave her toys and standing in that tiny, dimly lit space gave us all goosebumps.
It’s spooky but fascinating and honestly, we were hooked. Fun fact: Mary King’s Close was actually voted the UK’s number one attraction on TripAdvisor, beating Alton Towers and Stonehenge!
This one isn’t jump scare scary it’s more about eerie atmosphere and spine tingling history. Perfect for anyone who likes creepy stories but doesn’t want full on terror.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Ages 8+ (spooky but historical)
- Time needed: 1 hour
- Scare level: 🎃🎃 (low to moderate, atmospheric not jumpy)
- Budget tip: Early tours are usually less bu
5. Tower of London 🏰🩸
The Tower of London might look like a fairy-tale castle from the outside, but step through the gates and it’s one of the darkest, most haunted sites in the UK. From beheadings and torture to ghostly legends, the place oozes Halloween atmosphere all year round.
We joined one of the evening tours and, honestly, it gave us chills. Walking past Traitors’ Gate and the execution site at night felt like stepping straight into a horror story. The Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) tell it like it is gruesome details and all—which teens secretly love.
One story that stuck with us was the ghost of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, who was executed here in 1536. She’s said to wander the Tower’s chapel carrying her head under her arm. Standing in the spot where it all happened made history feel very, very real.
The Tower isn’t full of jump scares like a dungeon or scare maze, but the atmosphere and true stories are creepy enough to get under your skin.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Ages 10+ (gruesome stories, not staged scares)
- Time needed: 2–3 hours (longer if you explore during the day)
- Scare level: 🎃🎃 (more chilling history than outright horror)
- Budget tip: Book tickets online in advance and look for family passes
Frankenstein’s, Edinburgh 🕯️💀
If you’re in Edinburgh around Halloween, Frankenstein’s is a must visit. Set inside a converted church, this themed pub combines gothic vibes, spooky lighting and monster decor with a lively atmosphere. Every so often, the giant Frankenstein figure comes to life, adding just the right amount of creepy fun. It’s teen approved for the atmosphere (though drinks are for the adults!), and it makes a quirky stop if you’re exploring Edinburgh’s haunted side.
Quick Facts
- Best for: Teens who love spooky vibes & themed venues (atmosphere over scares)
- Time needed: 1–2 hours (longer if you’re staying for food & drinks)
- Scare level: 👻 (fun spooky décor, not horror-level)
- Budget tip: Visit earlier in the evening if you’re with teens, as it gets busier at night
Final Thoughts 🎃
From scream filled rollercoasters to underground ghost stories, these five UK Halloween experiences hit the sweet spot between fun and fright. Whether your teens want full on jump scares, comedy mixed with creepiness, or just a spooky story in a historic setting, there’s something here for every kind of thrill seeker.
So… who’s brave enough to try all five? 👀
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