Hide and Shriek
Hide and Shriek
5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
Hide and Shriek is one of the UK's Scariest Attractions and Essex's No. 1 Scare Attraction - featuring a variety of Live Action Scare Experiences throughout the year! Brand New for 2017 - The Séance, discover Southend's Dark Paranormal History in an experience that combines 18th Century Techniques with Theme Park Technology. This is an encounter, that will seem all too real, testing your senses and bravery...
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
142 reviews
Excellent
130
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Peter_Michelle_Ski
Leigh-on Sea, UK87 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Only found this by mistake. Wow I must take my hat off to the staff they have done such a brilliant job of creating an old house with the smells etc. It's a must and is worth the price (bearing in mind they are situated in a shopping centre where the overheads are not going to be cheap). Please support these young entrepreneurs/fantastic entertainers. I am not in any way connected to or know any person who takes part. Please though, get a group of your friends and go for it....!
Written June 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Peter_Michelle_Ski,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5* review, we're glad to hear you survived The Séance.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Kind Regards,
George
Hide and Shriek Team
Written June 17, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hollie C
Ipswich25 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
I run an Theme park page on facebook (TPAAUK) and I've visited all 3 of Hide and Shriek's attractions. The first one I'scream factory which was their first ever attraction at Halloween and what a fantastic start. The sets were incredible and the acting was very good. Next up we did the Zombie shopping centre which was so well organized and brilliantly put together. It felt realistic to the point that we questioned if it was a real zombie apocalypse! The final attraction was Alien Escape which is Europe's largest escape room. From the sets to the design to the game itself everything was on point. The difficulty was perfect and the alien was terrifying! The producers/designers have so much talent and deserve the Scar Award they have recently received. Congratulations to the guys that work so hard to get everything so perfect as you've created a monster that I hope continues to surprise, shock and satisfy every thrill seeker out there! 10/10 I really would recommend these attractions to everyone.
Written July 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davebennerz
Benfleet, UK72 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
7 of us went through the experience at Hide & Shriek last night (28th June 2016) and I absolutely loved it. It was my first experience of an escape room and the added tension caused by having an alien in the mix really made it for me.
The puzzles in the main, weren't too taxing, we only got stuck on one piece and we made it out of the room with just over 10 minutes to spare so there wasn't the frantic shouting and panicked energy we might have had if it had gone to the wire.
The design was really good and some of the others who had been on other Escape Room adventures commented that the layout being a whole complex rather than just a couple of rooms really added to the adventure of the experience.
I won't say too much as don't want to spoil this for others going but I absolutely loved it and there are far worse things to spend an hour on in Southend so get booked up and go along.
The puzzles in the main, weren't too taxing, we only got stuck on one piece and we made it out of the room with just over 10 minutes to spare so there wasn't the frantic shouting and panicked energy we might have had if it had gone to the wire.
The design was really good and some of the others who had been on other Escape Room adventures commented that the layout being a whole complex rather than just a couple of rooms really added to the adventure of the experience.
I won't say too much as don't want to spoil this for others going but I absolutely loved it and there are far worse things to spend an hour on in Southend so get booked up and go along.
Written June 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Macy S
1 contribution
Oct 2018 • Friends
really wasn't happy with my 'experience' last night, got told our original exorcism experience was cancelled due to 'failed special effects' and got put to so called 'VIP' where (clearly improvisation) there was only 2 actors throughout, the guy took 20 mins just to pour 6 drinks (we wasn't told about.. and they were alcoholic), we then was made to run and stand in this room where the guy from reception soon came with a torch and asked us if we had 'fun'. they clearly had sick staff members, overran or something like that. i was left genuinely saying to the guy "oh is that it?!".. still expecting something more to happen as nothing did. was given complimentary tickets to come back for what we was supposed to be at anyway, after traveling quite a way to get there i'm not happy with my experience. as a group costing us £60 I WOULD NOT recommend to anyone if this service is given to everyone. hoping when we come back we will have the full experience we was supposed to receive initially.
Written October 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley N
Rayleigh, UK2 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Took 8 teenagers for my daughters 15th birthday last night. They were screaming before they even started this challenge and screaming even louder when they came out. Im not giving any details away this is most definitely 'you have to see it to believe it' event !
This is without doubt the best attraction in Essex and the guys that run it do everything to make it memorable. Even us parents not taking part were looked after. The attention to detail is outstanding and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into this whole concept.
Well done guys you were fabulous!!
This is without doubt the best attraction in Essex and the guys that run it do everything to make it memorable. Even us parents not taking part were looked after. The attention to detail is outstanding and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into this whole concept.
Well done guys you were fabulous!!
Written August 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lesley N,
Thank you for leaving us a 5* review on TripAdvisor, and we are glad to hear your daughter had a birthday celebration to remember! We look forward to hopefully doing the same next year.
Alien Escape will be closing on the 4th September to make way for a HUGE all-new Halloween Event, so keep a close eye on our Facebook page for an announcement soon - we hope to see you there!
Kind Regards,
George Bejko-Cowlbeck
Co-owner Hide and Shriek
Written August 3, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelsey E
London, UK2 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
From the minute you walk in they are in character. The guy who took us round was very creepy but also really funny at the same time. I was very scared and the guy did his best to reassure me whilst also staying in character. The challenges were a lot of fun and although me and my partner aren't the brightest, with the help of the hints, we managed to get through it. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who likes the thrill of the unknown.
Written July 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zearis
Southend-on-Sea, UK2 contributions
Jun 2016
I didn't know what to expect from the alien escape room but it was fantastic! The staff, costumes and set were all amazing. The puzzles were genuinely puzzling and with the timer running down and constant noises it really sets the scene and panics you.
I think that the objective could have been made more clear and the final exit wasn't well explained so we ended up behind a wall cowering from an alien - that just made the whole experience better. I had a great time and I would recommend going!
I think that the objective could have been made more clear and the final exit wasn't well explained so we ended up behind a wall cowering from an alien - that just made the whole experience better. I had a great time and I would recommend going!
Written June 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sabian666
3 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Sister and daughter did Dead Centre and said how fantastic it was so group of family and friends got together for Alien Escape....
Brilliant set up, costume and puzzles - I was totally puzzled. Lots of screaming and tension and can't wait for the teams next event!!
Brilliant set up, costume and puzzles - I was totally puzzled. Lots of screaming and tension and can't wait for the teams next event!!
Written June 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nataliefurnish
2 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Very entertaining evening! Excellent venue! Staff and actors were very profession! Over way too soon could have lasted a bit longer. (Story of my life really lol) only in the venue for a short time. Highly recommend a visit.
Written September 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
secretstar87
Basildon, UK47 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Booked a night here with my boyfriend as the hopeful highlight of our weekend away in Southend.
It was ok. Having done a lot of escape rooms and scare fest events, this was ok. The experience is over very quickly and basically requires that you sit in a room with a tape recorder playing for the duration. It is very atmospheric and the story is really good - we were both suitably scared!
Reasons I've only given it a 3 are:
The host, who remains in role from the moment you arrive to when you leave, states that you are to remain in your chair.
When he leaves you, the recording states that you will later be exploring the house you've walked through to get to the room of the seance.
At 1 point, it wasn't clear if we were expected to stay sitting down or to get up. We stood up at 1 point, only to be 'told off' afterwards for not staying seated.
At the end of the short experience, the host hid behind a curtain near to the entrance and jumped out at us with a fake chainsaw - noise blaring! I was so freaked out, as I thought the experience was over, that I ran head long into the glass window of the small waiting room in my panic... I gave myself a nasty bump which bled and had a sore head for a week afterwards.
The host seemed more concerned that I might attempt to sue (which I wouldn't try anyway) than seeing if I was ok and both my boyfriend and I felt the experience wasn't clear or particularly safe, given the confusing and conflicting instructions and the glass not having any paintwork/stickers on etc.
Having been sat in a pitch black room with just strobe lighting for 30 minutes prior to being chased with the chainsaw in a small room wasn't something I'd ever expected or experienced before.
I'd recommend the experience to others - just be aware that it's not quite like any other escape room / scare experience you may have had before!
It was ok. Having done a lot of escape rooms and scare fest events, this was ok. The experience is over very quickly and basically requires that you sit in a room with a tape recorder playing for the duration. It is very atmospheric and the story is really good - we were both suitably scared!
Reasons I've only given it a 3 are:
The host, who remains in role from the moment you arrive to when you leave, states that you are to remain in your chair.
When he leaves you, the recording states that you will later be exploring the house you've walked through to get to the room of the seance.
At 1 point, it wasn't clear if we were expected to stay sitting down or to get up. We stood up at 1 point, only to be 'told off' afterwards for not staying seated.
At the end of the short experience, the host hid behind a curtain near to the entrance and jumped out at us with a fake chainsaw - noise blaring! I was so freaked out, as I thought the experience was over, that I ran head long into the glass window of the small waiting room in my panic... I gave myself a nasty bump which bled and had a sore head for a week afterwards.
The host seemed more concerned that I might attempt to sue (which I wouldn't try anyway) than seeing if I was ok and both my boyfriend and I felt the experience wasn't clear or particularly safe, given the confusing and conflicting instructions and the glass not having any paintwork/stickers on etc.
Having been sat in a pitch black room with just strobe lighting for 30 minutes prior to being chased with the chainsaw in a small room wasn't something I'd ever expected or experienced before.
I'd recommend the experience to others - just be aware that it's not quite like any other escape room / scare experience you may have had before!
Written September 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi louisa
how did you book this - every time I look on the website it says event unavailable (or something like that) - I want to go 23rd July - I can give them a call - but by the time I remember I'd imagine the office is close.
thanks
Julie
Written July 9, 2018
When will the next dates for the zombie experience be announced?
Written August 30, 2017
HideAndShriek
Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Hi Pat5y,
We hope that we will announce more dates very soon, for early 2018.
Alternatively, we get a cancellation every now and then for the next run in September. If you email us (contact form on our website) we can put you onto the reserve list in the event any tickets become available.
Written August 31, 2017
With the dead center zombie experience, what happens if the zombie gets you?
Written August 14, 2017
HideAndShriek
Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
If you're 'caught' by a Zombie - your entire group will face the consequences together, so you won't be singled out or miss out on anything. You'll start together, and finish together - but some hungry zombies will no doubt result in your group experiencing some challenges, thrills and scares along the way!
Written August 14, 2017
Do you do all three attractions when you visit or just one?
Written October 30, 2016
We've done every event so far from the I scream factory last year to the scream Park last month. It has been fantastic every time and each subsequent event has been better as they have become more experienced
Written November 27, 2016
HideAndShriek
Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Hi Dennie53,
We are located within the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend-on-Sea. Duration varies depending on which attraction/event you visit, on average our experiences last 60 minutes but some are longer and others are shorter (duration will be reflected in the price).
Full details on our current event is available via our website.
Written October 11, 2016
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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