Nightmare in Rainton: Unleash your fears and explore the haunting mazes

By Ania Askwith

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Nightmare at Rainton, Rainton Arena, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5PH

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Halloween season is here, and our annual tradition is to do a spooky activity. This time we have chosen Nightmare in Rainton as the reviews and their own Instagram videos look absolutely frighteningly good!

Having experienced it, I can confirm – this is a perfect activity if you are into spooky affairs. Let’s say you will make more lasting memories here than in a pumpkin patch!

The Mazes

There are three unique mazes at Nightmare in Rainton, each designed to terrify and thrill you in a slightly different way.

We did all 3, and here’s the order I would do them in if I went again:

• Maze 1: Haunt
  I said on my Instagram stories this is a good one to ease you in, but by no means is it any less scary than the others. As you walk in, you step into a realm of the undead, where ghosts and ghouls lurk around every corner. This haunted maze takes you through creepy corridors and darkened rooms, with eerie figures that get very, VERY close. The tension builds with every step. If you’re a fan of haunted houses, spooky dolls, or gorillas, this maze will have your heart racing. I was so happy to see the exit sign at the end and had a little sit down when it was over; it was SCARY!

• Maze 2: Salvage Yard
  Imagine a junkyard from your nightmares—rusted machinery, towering piles of debris and wooden pallets, turned-up cars, buses with some very unwanted passengers, and sinister figures emerging from behind the caravans. In this maze, you’ll navigate through scaffolds and scrapped vehicles, all while being stalked by creatures who’ve made this eerie wasteland their home. Not to mention the hay maze. SPOOKY!

• Maze 3: Blackout
  By far the most intense in my opinion, Blackout throws you into complete darkness. Relying on touch and sound, you’ll stumble your way through this maze, never quite sure what (or who) might be inches away. The sense of vulnerability and the unexpected jumps make Blackout a real test of nerves—definitely not for the faint-hearted! The environment feels claustrophobic and really unsettling, with not-so-welcome surprises coming at you from every corner. If I imagine myself doing this in daylight I’d be embarrassed about how silly I looked being absolutely petrified walking through tight corridors. But it was pitch black and super petrifying!! Not to mention that this one takes around 15 minutes to complete – which is a long time to be in a fight or flight mode. It had our hearts racing for sure, made even scarier as you hear people ahead of you scream and even cry! The chainsaw noise in the background was a ‘lovely’ addition too. Because even if you don’t find scary characters that frightening, I think a chainsaw does it for everyone, right?

Although I put those in order and found the last one by far the most challenging, I don’t think any one of them is necessarily scarier than the other in general because it really depends on what scares you personally. I am slightly claustrophobic, so the last one was by far my worst nightmare, while the outdoor one I could do over and over again; so bear this in mind when you go. Each of them is super fun and frightening in their own, varied way.

Tipi Bar & Outdoor Food Vendors

We found the venue really good; there is a tipi bar, which is perfect for a drink and to unwind and debrief with your team between the mazes. Outside, there was a choice of food vendors serving up staple comfort food; the pizza vendor looked particularly appealing to me, but the burgers smelt delicious too.

The Car Wash

Nightmare in Rainton is not just about the mazes; another attraction is their spooky Car Wash. As you can imagine, this is not your typical car wash—it’s an immersive horror experience where you drive through an eerie setup filled with unexpected scares. It is a separate experience and you get your tickets separately, but it’s still based in the Sunderland Live Arena car park. We didn’t do it, but it looked pretty scary. I am talking thick, blue smoke, chainsaws, and some pretty terrifying-looking characters. If you’re feeling brave, you can leave your door unlocked, which is an invitation to have your space invaded, so think carefully before you decide to do that (I would never dare!)

The Spooky Ride

There is also a smaller spooky ride just outside the venue which you can take without having a ticket to the mazes; you buy your ride tickets directly from there.

We had such a fun night at Nightmare in Rainton; there is something to be said for paying to be scared; I don’t think there’s a thrill quite like it!

If you’re North East-based and looking for a thrilling Halloween experience, this is an absolute must-visit. Trust me, this is the perfect way to make memories that will last far longer than a pumpkin patch visit. I am very surprised I didn’t have nightmares last night!

Location

Nightmare in Rainton is held at Rainton Arena, Mercantile Rd, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5PH, easily accessible from Sunderland, Durham, and Newcastle. There is loads of free parking on-site.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early to ensure your chosen date isn’t fully booked.
• Dress for the weather—some parts of the mazes are outdoors (uneven, wet, slippery, and muddy surfaces) so bring comfy shoes. And we live in the North East, so waterproofs are always a good idea, just in case.
• Bring your mates. I think what made the night even more special was the company. We all had such a good laugh, and it is always fun seeing how scared people get.
• Admission age: Strictly age 12+ and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Parental discretion is advised for anyone under 18.
• Profane language: The performers use profane language and will call you names; if you are easily offended, this event is not for you.
• You may get separated: At some stages, you may be separated from your group. This happened to us in 2 of the mazes, and it is pretty scary, but it also really adds to the experience.
• Rather be the one doing the scaring? Nightmare in Rainton are offering the unique opportunity to do just that! Email info@sunderland-live.com for information.

Ratings

On Google Reviews, Nightmare in Rainton has earned a solid 4.5 stars, with visitors praising the creative maze designs and overall Halloween experience. Over on TripAdvisor, it holds a similar rating, with guests mentioning the fun atmosphere and great attention to detail.

I will also add to this that the actors are amazing – some of them were actually spectacular!

Website

For more information and to book your tickets, visit the official Nightmare in Rainton website: Nightmare in Rainton

Best for: Halloween events, haunted mazes, scary attractions in the North East

If you found my descriptions a little vague, it is because I didn’t want to give too much away and spoil any surprises for you, but I would definitely recommend this activity if you’re a fan of Haloween fun!

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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