Here at Holiday Numbers HQ, we’re feeling like it’s frighteningly close to Halloween. Although you may wish to spend the day watching classic horror films on Netflix, why not go a step further and actually visit the locations where they were filmed? We’ve compiled a list of our favourites, so sit back and spook yourself silly!
North York Moors- An American Werewolf in London
North York Moors is a national park in North Yorkshire, UK, but it’s also the creepy setting for the cult classic film An American Werewolf in London. Two college students from America set off to backpack across the Moors where they are attacked by an abnormal creature. One of them is killed and the other is haunted by visions of his friend having turned into a werewolf. Visit the Moors nowadays and you can go walking across a range of paths or go cycling.
How to visit: If you’re from the UK, why not hop on a train to one of the nearby towns to the Moors and make a weekend of it? See National Rail for destinations and times.
Stanley Hotel- The Shining
Visiting the hotel from The Shining can be a confusing affair, not least because one served as the inspiration and the other was where it was filmed. The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is the former, having inspired Stephen King to write his famous novel after spending just one night there. In the film, the exterior was the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. However, Stephen King’s notorious dislike of the film means that true fans may prefer to visit the inspirational setting.
How to visit: Why not visit in May for the Stanley Film Festival, an independent horror film festival? Fly to Denver with British Airways.
Grand Central Café- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
This one is a little odd. Remember that horrifying house from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre where cannibalism was the dish of the day? Well, it’s now a friendly family cafe located in Texas. The owners bought a resort and decided to move the house piece by piece to a new location, bringing a whole load of film memorabilia with it. Personally, I think I’d stick to a vegetarian meal just to be on the safe side when visiting here!
How to visit: American Airlines offer non-stop flights to Dallas, Texas from Heathrow.
Dakota Apartments- Rosemary’s Baby
This Gothic building in New York, complete with gargoyle statues, was the exterior set for Rosemary’s Baby, when a lady becomes mysteriously pregnant after moving to a new apartment building with her husband- often hailed as one of the most ‘perfect’ horror movies of all time. In a twisted tragic state of affairs, it’s also the location of John Lennon’s assassination in 1980.
How to visit: New York City is one of the best destinations for a city break. Check out how to do it on a budget in our guide here.
Seneca Creek State Park- The Blair Witch Project
The 1999 ‘found footage’ film was made at this state park in Maryland, USA. Take a trip here and for a $3 entrance fee, you can pretend you’re looking for witches. It’s also totally family friendly, with a delightful ‘holiday’ display of lights at this time of year.
How to visit: Salisbury, Maryland is most accessible with British Airways and American Airlines amongst those offering flights.
Oakley Court Hotel- The Rocky Horror Picture Show
This grand hotel is now home to an idyllic indoor swimming pool and a golf course, but it was also the set for several horror films, including the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Brides of Dracula, Plague of Zombies and Now the Screaming Starts. A true must visit for any horror fan, this hotel can be found in Windsor.
How to visit: If you’re based in the UK, why not hire a car and have a weekend away at this immense Victorian manor.
Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, Friday the 13th
The truly terrifying campsite where all kinds of hell broke loose in the Friday the 13th series is actually the home of a sweet Boy Scout Camp nestled in the forests of New Jersey. Sadly, the camp has only ever been open twice to the public and has sold out in a matter of hours both times, but the nearby Blairstown Diner is much more accommodating to horror fans, featured in the first film.
How to visit: Take a flight to New York and travel the most authentic way to New Jersey, by train.
Isle of Skye- The Wicker Man
This mysterious movie was featured in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, celebrating British cinema classics. Most of it was filmed in Scotland, with the Isle of Skye representing Summerisle, the Paganism hotspot and location of the missing girl.
How to visit: Fly or take the train to Glasgow then hire a car, to help you explore the island freely.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach- Jaws
Visit this beach in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and you’ll see that the crystal clear, sparkling blue water looks familiar. That’s because this was the location where Jaws was filmed! You can even jump off the Jaws bridge, to truly get into the spirit. Just watch out for those pesky sharks!
How to visit: To get to Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll most likely have to stopover in Boston when coming from the UK. Find last minute stopover accommodation with LateRooms.
Pasadena- Halloween
The house of nightmares from Halloween is now a chiropractor’s office, and is painted a cheerful shade of blue. That doesn’t usually stop many horror movie buffs travelling to see it in Pasadena, California. For a true horror experience, you could combine a trip here with a tour of Universal Studios, LA, where Pyscho was filmed.
How to visit: Take a terrifying trip to the City of Angels, with various airlines including Virgin Atlantic.
112 Ocean Avenue- The Amityville Horror
This isn’t actually the house from the movie, but the house where the events that inspired the film happened. Of course, the current owners will begrudge you knocking on their door and the house has been renovated heavily, but it’s still a creepy sight to behold. Based in Amityville, New York, this is by far the scariest location of all when you think of what happened here- mass murders and hauntings.
How to visit: Combine with your visit to Dakota Apartments in NYC.
More Locations You Can Visit:
- Venice, Italy- Don’t Look Now.
- Monroeville Mall, Pennsylvania- Dawn of the Dead.
- Cantabria, Spain- The Others
- Simi Valley, California- Poltergeist
- Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon- The Haunting
- Georgetown, Washington- The Exorcist
