Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights 2023 'Stiches' maze review

The shows, scare zones, and twisted mazes (including the brand-new addition “Stiches”) were on my to-do list, promising a night of unforgettable frights and thrills.

This new maze, which consists of a truly messed up toy emporium, contained some of the creepiest and most unsettling things I’d ever seen at a Halloween event.

We arrived around midday to get our fill of our favourite coasters before the night's celebrations began. We started on the tamer side, experiencing The Walking Dead The Ride, the beloved Flying Fish before stepping up to the mighty Colossus.

The Swarm, always a roller coaster that blows me away, became even more exhilarating when we rode it on each side of its winged seats for the full experience. Then, as if on cue, the weather turned torrential. Despite the relentless rain, we were well-prepared with rain gear and umbrellas.

We ventured into Angry Birds 3D, the tea cups (which can spin surprisingly fast if you try), and the indoor Black Mirror Labyrinth to get some shelter. By the time we finished these, it was getting darker and much drier, and the park was beginning to transform.

The music changed to eerie tones, and rides like the drop tower Detonator received full audio makeovers to match the Halloween theme. Fright Nights truly came alive at night, and I was ready for the darkness to bring out the full horror.

Nemesis at dusk (Image: Amy C)

We embarked on all the mazes, starting with Trailers, a fan favourite from previous years. Trailers, which used to top my list, found itself at the bottom this year due to the exceptional quality of the other mazes in all honestly.

Trailers is themed around a cinema experience, where an electric storm brings the films and their horrific characters to life. A corridor of dolls within the maze is always an area where I refuse to go down alone, setting the tone for the night.

We then tried Survival Games, an experience that had disappointed me the previous year but exceeded all expectations this time. The scare actors were incredible, physically interacting with us in a terrifying way. Expect to get grabbed in this one. We were constantly misdirected, separated, and chased by the actors creating a high-thrill experience.

Topping my list for the night was the new maze for 2023, “Stitches”. My personal fears include creepy child-like entities such as dolls and teddy bears, which all came to life in this maze. It had me screaming in the introduction room before we even entered the maze and the scare actors revelled in our terror.

Fright Nights is now running until the October 31 on selected dates. (Image: Amy C)

I won't give away too many spoilers, but the seemingly endless hall mannequins with terrifying faces at the end of the maze, was a nightmare come to life. Some of the mannequins actually did come to life which had me shoving my face into my friend's coat as I could not bare to look at them. I loved being thoroughly frightened and Thorpe Park really played into the psychological element of horror here.

On a less terrifying note, the new Scare Zone for 2023, Lucifer's Lair, was a hilarious addition. The interactive actors and Lucifer himself on his throne added a touch of humour to the fright. Plus, I enjoyed a cocktail from the cocktail bar which was shaped like a hearse and the drink was aptly named “Grave Digger”.

The cocktail bar (Image: Amy C)

Fright Nights also offered some great shows, including fire dancers, and I kept returning to see what new performances were on offer.

We also interacted with Death Doors and came across a horrible bear with a rotting face which left my friend unsettled for a good few hours. Mawkin Meadow was a favourite, with scarecrows eager to give us a good fright and pose for some memorable photos.

Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights are entirely different experience at night, and I recommend enjoying as much as you can during the nighttime hours and trying to get your more typical coaster experiences during the day.

The Mawkin Meadow scarecrows (Image: Thorpe Park)

To conclude my unforgettable night at Fright Nights, I'd recommend riding Nemesis and Saw after hours. The view of the park from up there was simply breathtaking, even with the rain. There's something truly special about enjoying your favourite rides in the dark, especially during the Halloween season.

Despite the weather, nothing could dampen my spirits. I wholeheartedly recommend Fright Nights to passionate Halloween lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Fright Nights 2023 exceeded all my expectations, transforming the park into a realm of eerie excitement.

I can't wait to see what they have in store for next year.

Fright Nights is now running until October 31 on selected dates.