Halloween season is well and truly here, and this year we headed into the woods for something a little different at Panic Scream Park in the West Midlands.
Described as the UK’s newest scare park, Panic is within easy reach of Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Warwick and Stratford. Unlike many scare attractions which are built inside warehouses or large indoor spaces, Panic takes place in the woods, making the natural environment part of the experience.
And after experiencing it for ourselves on Saturday 24 October 2026, we can confirm that the woods certainly add something to the scares.
Panic runs across just six nights, from 6pm until 10pm, with three main scare attractions, roaming entertainment, a bonus scare zone and food and drink available throughout the site.
We arrived on the second night of the event, which also happened to be when Storm Boelo hit the area. The weather caused a delay to the evening, but rather than taking away from the experience, the cold, windy conditions actually helped create an even more atmospheric night.
The towering trees were moving in the wind, creating shadows and movement around us, while the darkness of the woodland constantly left us wondering what could be lurking nearby.
There were also actors roaming around the site while guests waited to enter, meaning the scares didn’t simply begin when you entered an attraction.
Towards the entrance of the experience is Fearground, the bonus scare zone, which immediately begins introducing you to the world of Panic. There was also a fire available to help guests warm up from the weather, along with somewhere to grab food and hot drinks.


Panic features three main scare attractions:
Contagion – A biochemical and viral outbreak-themed attraction focusing on confinement and medical horror.
The Coven – A supernatural attraction centred around witchcraft, dark rituals and eerie woodland magic.
Terror Firma – A dystopian and industrial wasteland-themed attraction packed with intense encounters and actor scares.
Across the three attractions and Fearground, one thing that stood out was how effectively Panic uses its surroundings.
We were initially slightly sceptical about the idea of a scare park being based in the woods rather than inside a warehouse. However, that concern quickly disappeared.
The darkness and natural surroundings are used to the attraction’s advantage. Not every scare is about having an actor jump directly in front of you.
A lot of the fear comes from simply not knowing what is around the next corner.
You might find yourself staring into the darkness wondering whether something is watching you, while the props and scenery create blind spots that make you question exactly where you should be looking.
And sometimes, the anticipation of something happening can be just as effective as the actual scare.
One of the strongest parts of Panic is how much the woodland environment contributes to the experience.
The trees are incredibly tall, and with the wind hitting them during our visit, they were constantly moving around us. That created an atmosphere which would be difficult to replicate inside a traditional warehouse.
Even moving between areas could feel like part of the attraction.
Each maze uses a rope to guide guests through the outdoor sections. In places, the route becomes surprisingly narrow, creating a feeling of claustrophobia despite the fact that you are technically still outside.
That combination of open woodland, darkness and narrow pathways works incredibly well.
You are surrounded by trees, but you never really feel like you have a clear view of what’s coming next.
Panic Scream Park proved to be a pleasant surprise.
Going into the event, we were unsure whether a scare park based in the woods could deliver the same level of atmosphere as a traditional indoor attraction.
It absolutely can.
In fact, the woodland setting may be one of Panic’s biggest strengths.
The darkness, towering trees, weather, props and narrow outdoor pathways all combine to create an experience where you are constantly wondering what might be lurking in the shadows.
It isn’t simply a case of waiting for the next actor to jump out at you. The environment itself becomes part of the horror.
Despite arriving during Storm Boelo and having a delay to contend with, we had a brilliant night and really enjoyed our experience.
If you’re looking for something different to do this Halloween, Panic Scream Park is definitely worth checking out.
So, do you dare to spend a night in the woods?
Our verdict: A must-do Halloween experience for those looking for something different.
Panic Scream Park runs on 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31 October and 1 November 2026, from 6pm until 10pm.
Tickets are £24 per person and give access to all of the areas.
Would you dare to enter the woods?