WHAT: Stourbridge Scare Maze
WHERE: 8, 10 Crown Ln, Lower High St, Stourbridge DY8 1YA
WHEN: Friday 6th October – Tuesday 31st October 2023
PRICE: £14-£18.50
OUR RATING: Do It!
This year Storefront City visited Stourbridge Scare Maze, a West Midlands based high intensity live action horror attraction spread out over 12,000 square feet and 3 floors, and chockablock with petrifying scenes full of twisted and terrifying creatures. It’s an extreme 20-minute experience guaranteed to scare you…or cut you to pieces!
We had heard of Stourbridge Scare Maze before but weren’t sure what to expect. According to their website, the idea behind this year’s maze is that a tormented scientist by the name of Dr. Victor Bloodborne has devised a device capable of piercing the veil between dimensions, but unbeknownst to him actually opened a gateway to Hell itself. The Stourbridge Scare Maze invites audiences into this otherworldly parallel universe, starting with the scientist’s evil lair which is now ground zero for this horrifying convergence of our universe and the dark force that has entered our reality.
After escaping the clutches of Dr. Bloodborne, his evil doppelganger, and the other creatures within his laboratory, we were then navigated through a series of other environments outside of the lab which have also been taken over by this parallel universe, from a crumbling asylum to an eerie swamp, and then through a scarecrow laden path up to an area with horrifying hillbillies and sadistic pig butchers. Even more scenes and themes followed, from a zombie infested military bunker, to stinking sewers inhabited by an unknown creature, and finally to an evil circus where there was no escape from the twisted inhabitants who resided within.
Stourbridge Scare Maze threw everything into this haunt, and there was so much to experience along the way. The set designs were absolutely amazing, especially the recreation of a swamp area full of wooden treehouse-like huts and with the sound of nature all around you. This was perhaps the most immersive experience we’ve had all season, and there was a sense of beauty amongst all the horror around us. We wanted to stop and take it all in, but of course the actors around us wouldn’t have that! There were environments like this one and the tunnels of the sewers that were just so well-built and worldbuilding that we were in complete awe of what we were seeing, and we can’t believe the level of detail and work that was put into some of the scenes.
We have gotten a bit more courageous this year, so we have been more open to being touched in scare mazes, something which we have been avoiding in the past. While we still haven’t attempted the more extreme mazes the country has to offer, Stourbridge definitely ramped up the intensity for us, and we were pulled, pushed, and jostled quite a bit in this maze. The most memorable moments physically were when two actors each went down the line, person by person, to stick a fake weapon to our throats, which added a personal touch to the experience and also helped with the batching and queueing problems that were happening inside the haunt. While the first actor with his knife to our throats was unique and frightening, it was with the second pig butcher where we weren’t as comfortable with our experience. The fake knife was held to our throats, and we were pushed against the wall with such force using it that we still felt it against our skin until well after we had finished our walkthrough. We appreciated the dedication of all the actors, but this specific interaction had us feeling quite uncomfortable at the end. We know this would be an exciting experience for some, but perhaps we’re just fans of the lighter and subtler touches!
We have to give major kudos to the final scenes of the haunt within the Carnevil Circus, as there was such great use of distraction in this section and the actors had a great sense of timing. We didn’t expect to be the centre of attention in this circus, with horrifying clowns and carnival acts surrounding us from all sides – extremely disorienting and terrifying! This was a great finale to the maze, and while we’re not sure how all the bits and pieces fit together story-wise, we were scared to pieces nonetheless.
Final Thoughts: Our trip to the Stourbridge Scare Maze was a heart-pounding journey through terror and excitement, an experience that left us impressed yet unnerved. This maze not only met but exceeded our expectations by delivering a terrifying adventure. From the ominous laboratory of Dr. Victor Bloodborne to the disorienting and nightmarish circus, each element was well-crafted, immersing us in a world of horror that showcased the unwavering commitment of the creators and actors. This year’s maze pushed the boundaries with more physical interactions, which could be exhilarating for some but crossed our comfort zones. Nonetheless, it was surprising to discover that the experience offered exceptional value for the quality of craftsmanship it provided. For horror aficionados seeking both fright and thrills, Stourbridge Scare Maze is an absolute must-visit.
