Fear at Avon Valley Scream Park is an exhilarating blend of terror and excitement, offering a night of horror-filled fun like no other. From the moment you walk under the flaming sign with "FEAR" blazing above you, you know you're in for something special. After a quick ticket check and bag search, you're immediately in a Halloween experience unlike anything we've ever encountered before. The event kicks off with a trommel tunnel, where the spinning illusion makes you feel as if you're entering a different dimension — a perfect way to start the night!
With five meticulously designed horror mazes and two additional rides available as upgrades, the event is packed with things to do. Each maze has its own unique theme, making for a well-rounded evening of scares.
X4: Blackout
This alien-themed maze takes you deep underground, with a backstory revolving around the discovery of an alien entity by Omega Industries. What makes this maze stand out is the fact that you’re plunged into darkness, navigating the eerie corridors with nothing but a glow stick. The feeling of disorientation, combined with realistic sets and animatronics, keeps you on edge throughout the experience. One particularly memorable part is the sideways-moving fake lift, a surprising and disorienting feature that left us baffled (in the best way). The maze’s sense of isolation and fear is heightened by the limited visibility, making it one of the scariest at the event.
The Core
This maze delivers a truly unique experience by requiring you to wade through water in an abandoned sewage plant turned rebel base. The concept of walking through water, especially when actors are lurking nearby, is utterly unsettling. The detailed makeup on the actors and the clever use of multi-levels — just when you think you’ve escaped, you’re plunged back into water — adds to the tension. The Core is truly a standout, and we hope more scare parks experiment with water-based horror.
Vita Nova
This maze feels like a cross between dystopian sci-fi and psychological horror. Set in a future where a "New World Order" enforces compliance through DNA treatments, Vita Nova messes with your mind in the best way possible. Starting off alone, locked in a cupboard, sets the stage for an anxiety-inducing experience. Crawling through tunnels and navigating rooms with mirrors and smoke, you're never quite sure what's real. The added touch of small electric shocks from the walls was a thrilling surprise. Vita Nova manages to push the boundaries of horror, making it the only maze this year that genuinely scared us.
House of Clowns
For fans of clowns, this maze will scratch that itch, but it does fall a bit short compared to the others. The laser effects at the start, which obscure what’s below, could have benefited from more smoke to enhance the atmosphere. That being said, the mirror maze and flexible string fences in the strobe-lit scenes were creative touches. While it’s packed with clowns, it doesn’t quite reach the terror of the other mazes.
Malefica
Themed around nuns, demons, and a haunted church, Malefica is both beautifully themed and terrifying. The exterior looks like an abandoned church, setting the tone before you even step inside. One of the best moments was walking through a hall filled with fake bodies, never knowing which was real until it was too late! The sets were incredibly well done, and the scares were constant. It was a highlight of the event, and despite its strange location, it’s worth the hunt to find it.
Big Fire Show
In the center of the event, there’s a massive fire show that draws a huge crowd. The stage is surrounded by flames, creating a visually striking backdrop. The actors, including park icons like Chuck the Clown and Frank, dance around in a fun, game-show-style performance that adds a lighter, but still engaging, break from the terror. On a cold night, the fire effects are especially welcome!
Secret Bar
For those lucky enough to snag a golden ticket, the secret bar is a hidden gem. More than just a bar, it’s also a mini-show, with lights flickering and gunshot sounds echoing through the room. The saloon-style theming is well done, although the space is small. Still, it’s a fun, intimate experience for those in the know.
Overall Experience
This year marks our return to Fear at Avon Valley since 2018, and we were blown away by how much the event has grown. The mazes are more creative and intense, with some truly standout moments — particularly in X4: Blackout, The Core, and Vita Nova. While House of Clowns felt like the weakest maze, there’s still something for everyone here. The addition of two rides provides even more variety, and the food trucks offer plenty of tasty options that left us completely stuffed by the end of the night.
It's clear why this event is so popular, and we’d highly recommend arriving early or upgrading to a fastrack ticket to beat the crowds. If you’re anywhere near the Bristol area this Halloween season, Fear at Avon Valley Scream Park is an absolute must-visit.
