Pete WiseNowhere else seems to do gory and ghostly quite like York. Our city is feted as one of the world’s most haunted destinations, and whilst that might be a difficult/kind of ridiculous claim to back up, it’s undeniably indicative of the immense weight of fascination surrounding the paranormal which surrounds the town and characterizes some of those who visit and inhabit it. This fascination feeds off the accumulated bloodiness and anxiety of over sixteen centuries of settlement, Roman legions, Viking raiders, Medieval kings and Victorian workhouses, and much else in between.
One result of York’s orientation towards the occult is the generous helping of macabre tourist activities on offer, from grandstand attraction The York Dungeons to history-heavy guided tours led the likes of renowned hat-wearer and Come Dine With Me contestant, Trevor Rooney. Throwing their own metaphorical hat into the ring this October working in conjunction with olde time pub The Golden Fleece and fear-aficionados GNG entertainment, sprightly young theatre troupe Nightshade Productions are promising an immersive and theatrical supernatural extravaganza to stand proudly alongside their more established rivals within the scare sector.
This new enterprise entitled the ‘All Hallows Terror Trail’ will build on the foundations of their existing ‘Terror Trail’ productions – guided walks in which the thesps allegedly use ‘sword fighting, live music, dance, live execution and special effects to bring the gory history of York to life’ – and incorporate a grizzly meal of wolverine with all the trimmings in the poltergeist-ridden confines of The Golden Fleece. There will also be the option of an overnight stay in a bespoke ‘scare room’ at the Inn. We advise readers considering the sleepover not to approach it as a romantic one – costumed actors with keys to the room will be specially commissioned to terrify you throughout the night, dealing a death blow to any prospects of gentle repose.
If you fancy a touch of black humor in the city this Autumn, this left-field night out is shaping up to be a good bet. The ‘Terror Trail’ will run from 20 October until 3 November, setting off each night at 6.45PM from The Golden Fleece Inn, whilst the additional Meal and Scare Room options will be available October 12, 19 and then from the 21st to the end of the month.
For more information about the tour and/or meal please contact amosjacob@yorkterrortrail.co.uk
For more information about overnight stays in the scare rooms, contact gary@gng-entertainment.co.uk
