A Liverpool woman has spoken out about her experience at an adult-only horror attraction at Newsham Scream Park, describing it as “degrading, humiliating and quite disturbing”.
Robyn Clove, who lives in the city centre, visited the park on Thursday night and said she was left concerned about the nature of the Hellfire Club experience, which features sexualised themes and physical interactions.
The 33-year-old did sign a waiver to partake in the Hellfire Club experience, however she said she has questioned whether the attraction is adequately signposted and if visitors fully understand what they are agreeing to before entering. Newsham Scream Park has defended the attraction, saying it is clearly identified as an adults-only experience, with terms and conditions outlining its themes and the physical interactions guests may encounter.
Concerns raised after others come forward
Robyn said she did not initially appreciate the scale of the concerns until other people began contacting her with similar experiences. She told the ECHO: “I don't think I fully realised the scale of it myself until all these other people started coming forward.
“I've had countless people in my DMs sharing similar stories, men and women, girlfriends and boyfriends, and the common denominator has been the same: it's degrading, humiliating and quite disturbing.
“I think it's more complicated than just a scare. It's not a fun, physical scare - it's psychological. Because it's presented in such a light-hearted setting, people aren't prepared for it. These young, impressionable kids and people who might have experienced past trauma aren't prepared for it, because it's in a light-hearted setting.”
Visit with group of seven
Robyn attended the park with a group of seven people, including two 15-year-olds. She said the group had enjoyed other areas of the event before deciding to visit Hellfire Club, an optional attraction restricted to adults.
According to Robyn, staff checked the identification of the two teenagers, who were not permitted to enter. She and another friend then used their tickets. While queuing, Robyn said the group looked for signs explaining the attraction's age restriction and asked a member of staff why it was for over-18s.
The tattoo artist said: “She said, ‘oh yeah, you know, it's a bit sexual and stuff.’ I thought it was going to be a bit cheeky, but there was no seriousness about it.”
Robyn claimed she did not see clear signage explaining the nature of the experience while queuing. Once inside, she described a series of scenes involving sexualised language, reference to incest, blindfolds and simulated physical contact.
She said one performer attempted to squirt liquid from a bottle into her mouth, which she declined, before another scene involved performers shouting sexually explicit insults at her and her friend.
Distressing moment described
Describing one particularly distressing moment, Robyn said she was blindfolded when a performer began simulating sexual contact with her.
She added: “I had a bag over my head, so one part of my brain was telling me it was a simulation and wasn't real, but it felt real. In the moment, you kind of freeze because you're thinking to yourself; it's not real, but it feels real.”
Robyn also described a later scene in which she said her hand was guided over a hairy leg before her finger was placed into a simulated body-part prop. She said the combination of darkness, physical sensations and the performers' sounds made the experience particularly unsettling.
Robyn stressed that her concerns were not about condemning consensual adult experiences, but about whether visitors were given sufficient information to make an informed decision.
She said: “I'm not interested in kink-shaming anybody. What I'm angry about is how irresponsible and negligent it is. It catches people completely off guard.”
Park defends attraction
A spokesperson for Newsham Scream Park told the ECHO: “The Hellfire Club is an optional, adults-only immersive horror attraction designed to deliver an intense experience. It is clearly identified as an 18+ attraction, with ID required for anyone under the age of 21.
“All guests must complete a digital waiver before entering and there is CCTV in place covering the entirety of this attraction and the full event to protect all participating guests and actors.
“Guest welfare is a priority throughout the attraction and our terms and conditions, which must be agreed to before entering the attraction, outline the nature of the experience, including its adult and horror themes, physical interaction and sensory effects.
“They also highlight that some elements may cause distress, identify circumstances in which the attraction may not be suitable, and explain that guests can end their participation immediately, at any time, using the safe word provided without explanation.
“The extensive CCTV coverage is constantly monitored and the entire team is always in contact via radio, with production in all attractions and immediately halting any of the attractions if there are any issues.
“The Hellfire Club is designed to be immersive and for an adult-only audience. We encourage all guests to read the information provided and carefully consider whether the experience is right for them before choosing to enter.
“Importantly, guests who decide that the experience is not suitable for them after reading the T&Cs can decline entry and receive a refund.”
