I stepped into a real-life horror movie (Image: Jess Phillips)
Last week, I stepped into a real-life horror movie at what I’d consider one of England’s hidden gems. Farmaggedon, in Ormskirk, offers thriller buffs the chance to star in their own immersive horror experience in five themed mazes tackling everything from crazed backwoods axe murderers to a gory butcher workshop where you are the meal. Despite having lived just up the road from Farmaggedon for most of my life, 2026 was the first time I was daring to scare myself silly there.
With my friends – AKA emotional support hands to hold – in tow, we headed out to Farmer Ted’s Adventure Farm, which through the day is a perfect family day out complete with a Shaun the Sheep fun park. In October, however, the entire farm transforms into a Halloween haven. In 2026, it’s celebrating 20 years of scares.
First up is The Beast of Terror maze – the oldest at Farmaggedon, which is reimagined every year by Mark Edwards and his team. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but stepping into a labyrinth of crypts, caverns and woodland scenes, I got way more than I bargained for.
Something I’ve never experienced in a pop-up scare maze before was the amount of animatronics and mechanical ghoulies jumping out at us. As well as the seasoned scare actors – with some incredible special effects going on in the make-up department – the mechanical clanging adds another layer of fear to the experience.
You’ll find plenty of actors roaming around as well, ready to snap pictures with guests (or blow airhorns in their ears).
We witness Terrifier’s Art the Clown having a dance-off with a zombified Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk, while a live DJ parties in the background. Trust me, the only thing you can expect at Farmaggedon is the unexpected.
The Hellucination maze was a highlight (Image: Jess Phillips)
Beast of Terror might be my favourite maze of all, but Hellucination is another standout. In this unique twist on a typical scare maze, we don 3D glasses before entering, so the UV paint on the floor and walls seems to leap out at us.
The actors, too, are clad in bright UV colours, and you really have to watch your step as you navigate twisting corridors and walkways. The highlight is the vortex tunnel, which makes it very difficult to walk in a straight line while attempting to convince your mates you’ve not had one too many.
While Meat Locker and Maze of Death are somewhat more conventional – though don’t mistake that for tame – The Facility stands out as one of the most immersive mazes of the night. We’re invited into a zombie-ridden facility, and first on the agenda is to shoot paintballs at live actors running at us while flames erupt from barrels around the perimeter.
Then we enter the facility itself, with zombie nurses and patients clawing at us from metal beds. There are so many jump-scares in this one that it’s worth the extra ticket price; tickets for the original four scare houses (Meat locker, Maze of Death, Hellucination and Beast of Terror) start at £29 per person, while all five start at £40 per person.
Don’t miss the 3D maze and its spinning vortex tunnel (Image: Farmaggedon)
Shooting paintballs at zombies is a must-do (Image: Farmaggedon)
You can also treat yourself to a fast pass, with tickets for all five mazes including fast pass starting at £47.
Farmaggedon isn’t only about the scares, though. There’s also an area with carnival rides and street food, as well as opportunities to kick back and have a dance while you soak up the atmosphere.
The rides – a waltzer, a twister and a Miami – are a little steep, priced at £6 per person per ride, so maybe avoid this area if you’re looking to save money. Farmaggedon also boasts its own line of merch, with themed T-shirts, hats, stickers and hoodies available for purchase close to the entrance.
All in all, I’m not surprised the attraction has been going for two decades now. The thought put into each scare house is epic, and it beats out a lot of similar horror experiences in the area. I’m already looking forward to next year.
