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Chatham's Fort Amherst Halloween Horrors review

13:23, 24 October 2022

updated: 15:22, 24 October 2022

A spectacularly scary 10-day long attraction has opened for business.

Fort Amherst's Halloween Horrors are ready and waiting to frighten even the toughest visitors this spooky season.

KentOnline reporter Megan Carr, alongside colleagues Ben Austin and Cara Simmonds, decided to test her limits and see if she could conquer "The most realistic scares ever achieved in the UK".

I can't lie to you, the week building up to our booked visit to Chatham's well-known scare mazes had me shaking.

I was petrified and it didn't matter what Ben and Cara said, I wasn't thrilled at the decision I'd made weeks before agreeing to attend.

I'm not a fan of being scared and I hate being made to jump – both the things Fort Amherst promised to deliver.

We arrived on opening day last Friday, shortly before 6pm.

KentOnline reporters Megan Carr, Ben Austin and Cara Simmonds outside Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
KentOnline reporters Megan Carr, Ben Austin and Cara Simmonds outside Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

After a short queue, a security pat down and a pop to the portable loo we were in.

The ticket booth staff were lovely and very helpful, however, it wasn't long before the three of us heard a loud bang and saw a maniac chasing a group of teenagers with a 'chainsaw'.

Our wristbands meant we could have three goes in the mazes, this could either be a different one each time or – if you really enjoyed it that much – you could go in the same maze again.

The mazes available included the Gates Of Hell, Circo Mortis and Dead-End.

They all sounded delightful, not, so we decided to start with the zombie themed, Dead-End maze.

The queue to get into Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
The queue to get into Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

While waiting in the queue, a loud explosion went off causing me flinch.

Before I even had time to collect myself we were being instructed to enter the attraction.

Now I don't want to give too much away but the décor of the maze was spectacular, I definitely felt like an extra in The Walking Dead.

I was gripping Cara's hand so tightly that I'm pretty sure I caused some damage.

The actors in the maze were amazing, and I later discovered they were all volunteers.

Reporter's Cara Simmonds and Megan Carr after the Dead-End horror maze at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporter's Cara Simmonds and Megan Carr after the Dead-End horror maze at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

One of the men was so committed to his role that he ran up a wall and pounced on us!

After making it out alive, and somehow seeing the fun in it, I was almost excited to enter the next maze – Circo Mortis.

I had realised at this point that the thought of doing the event was scarier than the mazes themselves.

So I let loose a little and saw the funny side of being made to scream.

On our travels to the second maze Ben made a new friend.

Reporter Ben Austin sticking his finger into fluffy's bear. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporter Ben Austin sticking his finger into fluffy's bear. Picture: Megan Carr

His name was fluffy and he was a psychopathic, chainsaw-wielding hill billy who had a teddy bear strapped to his chest.

After being cornered Ben was told to put his finger in the teddy's body, to be honest fluffy's exact words were "finger my bear".

So, not being one to shy away from a challenge Ben got stuck in, literally.

He exclaimed it was wet and when he removed his finger it was covered in black gunk, glad it was him and not me!

Ben said: "The actors were very good at staying in character, though I didn't expect one of them to ask me to finger their bear.

Reporter Ben's finger after he touched Fluffy's bear. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporter Ben's finger after he touched Fluffy's bear. Picture: Megan Carr

"But how could I say no?"

Once we arrived at Circo Mortis it was clear that killer clowns were a big theme.

Clowns don't bother me much, but there were many people in the queue who were terrified.

However, the actor who welcomed us was great and even stopped for a picture with Cara.

The circus-themed maze reminded me very much of American Horror Story.

Circo Mortis at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
Circo Mortis at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

But this particular maze did involve crouching, crawling and even tight spaces.

I wouldn't recommend it if you're claustrophobic.

The actors in this maze were a lot more interactive than the last and Ben and myself were even allowed to bring one of their mallets down on a baby doll, not something I expected to be doing.

Towards the end of the maze I was actually chosen by a "ring master" to be chained to a wall.

Now in the Halloween spirit I eagerly accepted, but before I knew it I had a "machete" held to my throat.

Reporter Cara Simmonds and a clown at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporter Cara Simmonds and a clown at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

This wasn't something I had signed up for, but it was great fun...well in a thrilling way!

The final maze was Gates of Hell and this one was actually inside the fort's tunnels.

As we walked over we bumped into Fluffy's relative, a crazy man on a mobility scooter.

He had a urostomy pouch, a bag that collects urine, tied to the front of his scooter.

Ben was singled out once more and told to smell it.

Reporters Megan Carr, Ben Austin and Cara Simmonds. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporters Megan Carr, Ben Austin and Cara Simmonds. Picture: Megan Carr

Cara and I immediately backed up, instinctively seeing where this was heading.

As Ben had a whiff the actor began spraying him with the yellow liquid.

Once again I was chuffed it was him and not me who had been singled out for the gross stuff!

Cameras and phones are not permitted in the mazes, however, I was given special permission to record my experience inside the Gates of Hell.

In our opinion it was the best experience.

The entrance to the Gates of Hell at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
The entrance to the Gates of Hell at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

Actors around the forts are allowed to touch you and the creepy-looking characters inside the tunnels took this to the extreme.

Again, without giving too much away, there were many times in the tunnels where the rooms went completely black and we were attacked from all angles.

There were hands in my hair, creatures on my back and even water sprayed in my eyes.

After the initial shock it was a good laugh but I wasn't too thrilled with the state of my hair once we emerged on the other side!

Cara said: "The Fort Amhurst Scare Halloween Horrors night definitely lived up to my expectations.

Reporter Megan Carr with one of the scare actors at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr
Reporter Megan Carr with one of the scare actors at Fort Amherst. Picture: Megan Carr

"I had lots of scares along the way with many laughs at my colleagues – who were regularly picked on by lots of chainsaw-wielding actors.

"The Gates of Hell maze was the most impressive – walking through the historic tunnels added even more of a spooky feel to the whole experience."

As someone who really didn't want to go, I am so glad I went along.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves horror, gore and Halloween or even those just looking to have some fun before a night out.

The event's will be continuing until Monday, October 31 – to book tickets or find out more click here.

Children's events are also available and fair ground rides and refreshments are also on site.

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