07 Sep 2015
Does the Isle of Thanet take its name from the Greek word Thanatos meaning death? Could this be a reason the isle has many atmospheric attractions and haunted stories to tell? Who knows, but for those who like a scary tale or want to face fear (whatever their age) – then Margate, on the Isle of Thanet, is THE place to be this Halloween, with Hellgate and Screamland leading the way, closely followed by tales of the White Lady at Quex.
For further information on events in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate - www.visitthanet.co.uk/halloween
Hellgate, Winter Gardens, Margate (27 to 31 October, 2015)
Last year the world narrowly breathed a sigh of relief as we escaped the Zombie Apocalypse. With the clear up from the Typhon virus government scientists have been working around the clock to make sure we don't suffer another outbreak. They didn't plan for the virus to mutate. The nightmare's not over!!! This year's Hellgate is Bigger, Badder and Bloodier!
Three new, fully immersive Fright Night attractions, 'Quarantine', 'Dead Meat' and 'Buried Alive', start where last year's Zombie Apocalypse left off.
Quarantine – scare rating 8
With regular screening now the norm, people have learnt to live with this new way of life, however recent testing has found some strange anomalies!!! Has the virus returned? Could it have mutated? Do you have what it takes to escape the zombie hoard.
Dead Meat – scare rating 9.5
Since the containment of the virus, there have been a number of companies investigating the effects on living tissue. There could be large windfalls for a company who can attract the interest from defence budgets and pharmaceutical giants. With governments resources stretched, who is keeping an ethical eye on these companies? You have been tasked to visit one of these facilities and report back your findings. Make sure you keep your wits about you, previous visitors have gone missing!
Buried Alive – scare rating 8.5 (this scare involves confined spaces where you will need to crawl)
As it became more and more difficult to dispose of the Zombies, many hundreds have been rounded up and buried into pits. These Zombies, in the absence of human flesh turn on each other but occasionally they resurface only to be more virulent and desperate for human flesh than ever before. The government has therefore decreed that for the greater good, humans must be added to the pit, as food, to placate the Zombies. If you are randomly selected as a 'food-drop', the outcome is almost certain death, although some brave souls have been known to find an escape route… Will you have what it takes?!
This year will also see the all-new Bloody Boulevard with Scare Fair Stalls, Trick or Treat Street Theatre, roaming characters, themed food and beverages, games and vendors each night plus the new Laser Zombie Run Zone.
VIPs Pass Scare Pass Venue Pass
Band A Early Bird £22.50 £15.00 £6
Price Band A £27.50 £16.50 £6
Band B Early Bird £21 £13.50 £5
Price Band B £25 £15.00 £5
VIPs Pass - Entrance to Hellgate Scare Fair Queue Jump and Unlimited Scares. Scare Pass - Entrance to Hellgate Scare Fair plus 3x Main Scares Venue Pass - Entrance to Hellgate Scare Fair
Early Bird – Tickets bought before Monday 14th Sept
Price Band A - Friday and Saturday Price Band B - Tuesday – Thursday
Hellgate Winter Gardens will take place each night from 27 to 31 October from 6.30pm to 10pm.
Tickets are available online or by calling the box office on 01843 292795.
Screamland at Dreamland, Margate (1 to 31 October, 2015)
This Halloween the recently re-opened Dreamland Margate, the UK's original pleasure park, transforms into a world of nightmares as it launches its first ever, major scare festival, Screamland. As night falls the site will be transformed into an experience of five fully themed, interactive and immersive scare attractions, which cleverly play on the history of different elements of Dreamland.
Festino's Forgotten Funhouse
After fleeing from Coney Island beneath a dark cloud of mystery, Alonzo Festino and his motley hoard of freaks set up their Funhouse at Dreamland in 1913. Forgotten for over a century, the grotesque curiosities have endured, feasting on the careless that wander into their secret hideout. And now, Dreamland has been resurrected in all its former glory, and the old forgotten Funhouse has been discovered once again…
The Final Cut
Step into the movies as you take the starring role in the greatest horror flick ever made. Collect your ticket for Horrorwood Picture House, and pass through the silver screen… Become part of the action in a surreal black and white dreamscape, where the cinematic horrors of yesteryear take on a whole new dimension. Will you make The Final Cut?
Dead and Breakfast
It is the year 1941, and World War II evacuees are being sent from London down to Margate, to escape the horrors of the Blitz. Lillian Critchendon, landlady at Better Days Guesthouse, offers a sickening seaside welcome to all who check in to her decaying establishment. But the bombs keep on coming, and in the dark hallways of the hotel, the revenants of war-torn Britain are seeking vengeance for their undue demise.
Scream Machine Scare Zone
In an industrial hell-hole beneath the 'Screamic Railway' a mechanical monstrosity, known as The Scream Machine, powers the coaster above. Fuelled by fear, the living power station feeds on screams, and its swarm of grease monkeys must keep it fed at all costs.
The Phantom Express
Board the old funerary train on a journey to the dead end. Evade the ghostly clutches of the sullen specters, desperately seeking their final resting place. It's a one-way journey to the end of the line…
Younger guests are not forgotten, there are scares for them too, but during the daytime.
Abramacabre
Get lost in a magical mirror maze where the ghost of The Amazing Mystero, a celebrated Edwardian Magician, is prowling the passageways in search of his beastly bunny. But be warned… after escaping from Mystero's top hat, the creature has transformed, as if by magic, into a monstrous Halloween horror!
There is also a selection of sideshows, including The Strange Sisters, The Ice Scream Man, The Laughing Sailor, Monstrous Menagerie and Punchinello. Plus complementary events including Singalong The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Dreamland Dance Club's Monster Mash and Sink The Pink's,Cockles and Muscles Halloween Special
Screamland daytime opening dates and times (suitable for all ages)
1-16 October – Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm – checking this with Dreamland
26 October to 1 November – Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Standard park ticket required (Adult £14.95, Child £12.95 in advance; Adult £17.95, Child £14.95 on the day; Under 3s free; discounts available for local residents, senior citizens, students and disabled visitors, disabled carers go free)
Screamland evening dates and times (suitable for ages 10 and over minimum)
Screamland ticket required (Early Bird £19.95, Online/Advance £22.95, On the door £24.95, Fast Track £29.95, Repeat Single Maze £5 (onsite purchase only), disable carers go free.
16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 October, 6pm till late
Evening content from 6pm till late (10 and over minimum)
Some scare attractions accessibility and restrictions apply.
Further information from www.dreamland.co.uk/screamland or buy tickets online at www.dreamland.co.uk/tickets
Images from http://www.dreamland.co.uk/press-centre
Half-Term Halloween, Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park, Birchington (25 to 30 October)
This Halloween at the Powell-Cotton Museum families will travel to the haunt of the White Lady, but before their journeys begin they will create and decorate a lantern to light their way in dark places. With willow and paper lanterns in hand they will trek in the footsteps of explorer Major Percy Powell-Cotton to the dreaded tower, hidden amongst the trees, in the northern woodland of the park. At this ill feted location they will hear the spine tingling tale of an ancient tomb, a terrible curse and discover the identity of the White Lady.
Daily 3.30pm to 5pm. £8 Adults, £6 children, maximum of 20 children per tour. Booking in advance on 01843 842168.
Tudor House and Margate Museum (31 October)
The Tudor House and Margate Museum are two of the town's oldest buildings and both venues are reportedly haunted, which has created interest in psychic circles. Visit this Halloween night and listen to macabre stories in the company of the ghosts that walk the buildings.
Suitable for children, entry by donation.
https://margatemuseum.wordpress.com/ and https://margatemuseum.wordpress.com/tudor-house
Stay over – there are lots of accommodation options in Margate
Walpole Bay Hotel, Museum and Napery ( 2*) – www.walpolebayhotel.co.uk
Smiths Court Hotel (3*) – www.smithscourt.co.uk
Sands Hotel (4*) – www.sandshotelmargate.co.uk
Premier Inn – www.premierinn.com
Crescent Victoria Hotel (3*) – www.crescentvictoria.co.uk
No. 9 B&B (Kent Accommodation Scheme *) – 07740 185348
The Bay (1*) – www.bayguesthouse.com
The Malvern (3*) – www.themalvernhotelmargate.co.uk
Information on self-catering options and the nearby resorts of Broadstairs and Ramsgate can be found on www.visitthanet.co.uk
ENDS
Press enquiries:
Please contact Julie Edwards at Thanet Tourism on 01843 577671 or Julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk
We can also assist with digital images, reader competitions and bespoke press trip itineraries including accommodation and tours for journalists with a commission.
