Scare City Experience

What it’s like

A one-way scare trail through an abandoned theme park with live actors jumping out at every turn, strictly for older teens.

This is a walk-through scare trail, not a fairground with rides. You move as a group along one continuous route through fog-filled woodland and derelict theme park sets, with actors popping out along the way. There's a refreshment stop halfway, which you'll be glad of, because the site reckons the whole thing takes anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on how fast your group moves and how often you need a minute to recover.

The age range here is tight, 14 to 16, so this isn't one for younger kids or anyone easily rattled. Standard entry is £32.50, or £45 if you want to jump the queue on the gold ticket, which is a proper night out price for what's essentially a very elaborate scare. Tickets are non-refundable too, so a change of plan on the night costs you.

You book a timed slot and turn up for it, no earlier. Miss your window and they'll try to shuffle you in if there's room, but nobody gets through the gate after 9:30pm, full stop. There's food, soft drinks and alcohol on sale along the trail with a challenge 25 policy running, and you'll need to sign a disclaimer before you're let in.

Worth knowing before anyone commits: the trail has steps, uneven ground and narrow passageways, and it isn't accessible to wheelchairs or anyone with limited mobility. Actors will get close but nobody's allowed to touch them, and doing so yourself risks getting thrown out. Accessible toilets are at the entrance and exit, which is a decent gesture even if the trail itself rules a lot of people out.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

14 to 16 year olds; not built for younger kids or nervy adults

Last entry

9:30pm (last time slot)

Booking

Timed slots required. Late entry not permitted after 9:30pm

How long to allow

45-120 minutes

Food

, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available at multiple points

Wheelchairs

Trail not accessible to wheelchairs or persons with limited mobility

Dogs

No pets allowed except assistance dogs in Scare Village

• You'll sign a disclaimer on arrival before you're allowed onto the trail
• No touching the actors, even if they touch you first, or you risk being removed
• Food, soft drinks and alcohol are sold along the route with a challenge 25 policy
• Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Scare Village, no other pets

Plan your visit

See all Circus & Street Performance in Manchester · Things to do in Manchester