Doncaster Fear Factory 2023 Review

This was my first visit to Doncaster Fear Factory, and a first time visit is an exciting occasion. Scare entertainment is always a thrill, but an element of mystery adds a little extra pumpkin spice. I had no expectations going in, but with the rolling mist in the car park and the sound of screams lingering in the air, I sensed my optimism rising. And as it turns out, rightly so.

The atmosphere of this event is made all the more bewitching by its woodland setting; the striking entrance façade gives way tree-lined pathways lit in eerie greens and purples, which have been cleverly utilised as scare zones, serving to maintain the tension between mazes.

Each maze has a distinct personality, and yet all are connected by an overarching, thought-provoking thematic narrative. The real achievement here is presenting this serious environmental message via theatrical dialogue and visual theming, while still delivering the shocks and delights of jump scares, dark humour, and chainsaw-wielding chaos. It’s a unique and refreshing mix of elements, brought to life by energetic scareactors who clearly understood the brief. I’ll definitely be back next year!