Hyams Haunted House's Asylum 13 in a Warsash back garden has its last night on Sat 31 Oct, 6pm to 9pm: free, bring food bank donations; family walkthrough 3pm.
A haunted house built in a Warsash family’s back garden opens a new attraction, Asylum 13, on Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October, and the only price of a ticket is a bag of shopping for the food bank.
Hyams Haunted House, at 108 Church Road, is in its ninth year. Entry is free, but the evening scare sessions, with timed slots from 6pm to 9pm, have to be booked on Eventbrite, where the free tickets were still on sale when we checked on 22 October. Those sessions are for visitors aged 12 and over.
For younger children and anyone who would rather not be chased, there is a walkthrough with no scare actors on Saturday 31 October from 3pm to 4.30pm. That one needs no booking.
What Asylum 13 is
The organisers describe this year’s attraction as a journey through “a terrifying abandoned institution”, built with scenery, atmospheric lighting, custom effects and live actors. The cast runs to up to 14 performers, and the volunteers include members of the Associated Wizards of the South.
The team say they have put more than 1,000 volunteer hours into designing the sets, building the special effects and fitting out the themed rooms this year.
Tony Hyams, the local horror fan who started it with a group of volunteers, said: “What started as a passion for Halloween has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined.
“People often arrive expecting a few decorations because it’s a home haunt, but they’re amazed when they step inside and discover a fully immersive experience built in a family back garden.
“We’ve invested more than 1,000 volunteer hours creating this year’s attraction and developing the custom special effects that bring it to life.”
From a neighbourhood display to a national shortlist
It began as a small neighbourhood Halloween display. The organisers say it now draws about 450 visitors a night and more than 1,300 over a typical Halloween season, from across Hampshire and further afield.
This year it was a finalist in the SCAR Awards, which cover the scare attraction industry, in the out-of-season category. Hyams Haunted House is listed among the nominees in that category on the published 2026 shortlist, alongside attractions from Punchdrunk, Scream Factory and Walsall Scare Maze.
“The recognition from the SCAR Awards was an incredible surprise because we’re competing alongside much larger commercial attractions with professional budgets and resources,” Mr Hyams said.
“To see a volunteer-run home haunt recognised at that level was a huge honour for everyone involved.
“But the thing we’re most proud of isn’t the scares. It’s being able to support local families through foodbank donations.”
What to bring for the food bank
Instead of an entry fee, visitors are asked to bring donations for Waypoint Hub Foodbank. Last year, the organisers say, visitors gave more than half a tonne of food and essentials, and the attraction now brings in a similar amount every year. The list they have asked for:
- tinned food
- dry food
- toiletries
- household essentials
- pet food and pet supplies
What it means for you
- Evening scare sessions: Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October, timed slots between 6pm and 9pm, ages 12 and over. Free, but book on Eventbrite first.
- Family walkthrough: Saturday 31 October, 3pm to 4.30pm, no scare actors, no booking.
- Where: 108 Church Road, Warsash, SO31 9GF. It is a family home on a residential road, so please be considerate when arriving and leaving.
- Bring: a donation from the list above for Waypoint Hub Foodbank.
- Updates are posted on the Hyams Haunted House Facebook page.
For everything else on over half term and Halloween, see our Fareham Halloween 2026 listings and Fareham October half term guide.
Have your say