From mid October to early November, Groombridge Place held the frightfully fun ‘Forest of Fear’ Halloween themed event at their grounds, attracting both the bold, the big kids and families alike.
Situated in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Groombridge Place Estate’s history dates back to the 13th century when many Lords had owned the property. But more recently the gardens and grounds of the manor have become open to the public to contemplate its antiquity at their own leisure . To celebrate Halloween this year, the eerie ambience of the gardens and forests were embraced with a range of events to send shivers down visitors’ spines.
Events catered for all ages and fear capacities with earlier attractions including Witch Stilt Walkers, crafts for younger visitors and pantomime theatrics featuring the well known characters of Halloween (Dracula, Frankenstein,Van Helsing). Later on, when the sun had begun to set, the more fear inducing events began to commence; ghost stories, fire dancers, darkened woodland walks and the ‘search for Van Helsing’ with actor jump scares from inside the heart of the forest. When Joanna Adams, a visitor to the event, had a dead Handsel lurking behind her, suddenly screaming into her ear, the only words she could use to describe how she felt was, “Absolutely petrified .”
The Halloween event was an overall success with many leaving feeling thoroughly spooked by not only the shows and stories, but also the well planned horror decorations. Spider webs, a dead witch and a dimly lit forest all added to the overall chilling atmosphere felt throughout the grounds. Once the night had fully set in, the fear factor was inevitably set to escalate further. Groombridge continues to hold events throughout the year including Christmas events to begin shortly and have continual attractions such as a Birds Of Prey, the Secret Garden and free roaming animals like deer, peacocks and their famous zedonk which attract thousands all year round.
Chantel Smith, Eltham Hill School
