THIS year's Halloween horror fests in Britain have reached an almost epic scale.

Torture cellars, grisly lairs and disorientating mazes are just some of the bloodcurdling ways to scare yourself silly over the next week.

Here's our pick of the bunch...

ALTON TOWERS, STAFFORDSHIRE

This year's Scarefest returns for its fifth year featuring the Carnival of Screams, an old travelling funhouse overtaken by evil clowns and a disorientating maze.
There's also the Terror Of The Towers and the abandoned Boiler House, rumoured to be the grisly lair to a pair of violent and psychopathic serial killers.
Scarefest runs until October 31. See altontowers.com or call 0871 222 6672.

LEGOLAND, WINDSOR RESORT

See the spectacular Scooby Doo Fireworks and discover the Curse of the Lake Monster. Have fun in the Mystery Mansion, take part in the Scooby Doo And The Gang character hunt and learn how to make swamp slime.
Halloween events take place today, tomorrow, October 28, 29 and 30 and November 5. See legoland.co.uk

HOP FARM FREAK WEEK, KENT

Freak Week is back with blood curdling vengeance offering four brand new Fright Night attractions.
Taking place from October 27-31, the event has been created by illusionist Richard Bellars who appeared on Penn & Teller's TV show Fool Us. See hopfarmfreakweek.co.uk.
Not recommended for children under 10.

BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH

Experience a night of screams and scares as Blackpool's famous tourist attraction turns into Vampire Beach. The park will be home to the new Rock Out stage, hosting some of the north-west's best upcoming bands and there will be packs of zombies roaming the park.
Kids in fancy dress will get a treat from the Nickelodeon store. See vampirebeach.co.uk

THE DUNGEONS in LONDON, EDINBURGH, YORK, WARWICK and BLACKPOOL

This Halloween the Dungeons present the King of Scare, Stingy Jack, who was doomed to wander the underworld in darkness with only a turnip lantern to light his way. Plus there are horrible histories to discover, shows and hairraising rides. Extended opening hours until October 31. Check out thedungeons.com and warwickcastle.
com

EDEN PROJECT, CORNWALL

Taking place until October 30, Halloweden sees the ice rink make a spectacular return with a new, glacial look sure to send a chill down skaters' spines. In the Wishcraft Tent there will be pumpkin carving, wand making and potion mixing. See edenproject.com

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

Take part in Trick or Treat in Market Square but beware of the headless horseman. The eerie old house, home to Hocus Pocus Hall, gets bewitched and there will be extra surprises hidden among the 3D fun. Takes place until October 31. See chessington.com

DRUSILLAS PARK, ALFRISTON, EAST SUSSEX

Venture through the creepy cobwebbed corridors of The Haunted Cottage, home to Winifred the Witch as she plays hide and shriek with the unsuspecting public. Jump aboard Thomas the Tank Engine to complete the Pumpkin Challenge. See drusillas.co.uk

STOCKELD PARK, WETHERBY

Enjoy a theatrical performance which takes visitors on a journey through the Enchanted Forest on October 25 and 26.
Fright Nights, from October 27 to 30, include the blood-curdling Garden of Evil, The Maze of the Minotaur and the Haunted Dolls' House. See stockeldpark.co.uk or call 01937 586333.

PLEASUREWOOD HILLS, SUFFOLK

A bumper Halloween scarefest is heading for Pleasurewood Hills on the Norfolk/Suffolk border when The Hills Have Eyes event takes place from October 22 to 30. Ghosts and ghouls will be lurking around every corner. Check out pleasurewoodhills.com

WALES GREENWOOD FOREST PARK, GELLI GYFFWRDD

Get creative with creepy crafts, make your own Harry Potter broomstick and bring a witch's pet to life. Head to the Forest Theatre for a trick or treat from Howard the magician or listen to creepy tales from The Yarnspinner on October 30. Visit in fancy dress and get free hot chocolate. See greenwoodforestpark.co.uk

PILI PALAS NATURE WORLD, ANGLESEY

Doors open at 10am every day until the end of October for the Scary Spider hunt, Halloween pumpkinmaking sessions and apple bobbing. Kids in fancy dress get in for half price and all entrance tickets will be valid for unlimited visits during Halloween half-term. At 4pm there is a haunted Halloween parade to the Creepy Cavern. See pilipalas.co.uk

ERDDIG HOUSE, near WREXHAM

This spooktacular event on October 30 includes craft workshops and a ghostly trail. Mini Harrys and Hermiones will love creating their own magical broomstick and willow wands and listening to scary stories. See northwalesborderlands.co.uk

PENRHYN CASTLE, BANGOR

Staff members who have experienced paranormal activity in the castle will guide visitors on the night of October 26. Bring your own torch. On October 27 there will be creepy-crawlies, sinister insects and Halloween pests lurking in the grounds. See star-attractions.co.uk

SCOTLAND

SAMHUINN FESTIVAL, EDINBURGH

The Samhuinn Festival on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, is a celebration of the arrival of winter and the Celtic New Year with music, spectacular costumes, dancing and fire on October 31. The event commands spectacular views over the city. See beltane.org

HALLOWEEN CASTLE OF MAGIC, TRAQUAIR HOUSE, INNERLEITHEN

This new event sees four of Scotland's leading magicians performing extraordinary illusions at the Halloween Castle of Magic on October 30. Plus there will be the Spooky Passage Experience, tarot reading, Halloween games and scavenger hunts. See traquair.co.uk

THE SCOTTISH CRANNOG CENTRE, PERTHSHIRE

Visit the centre on October 31 for the Spooks & Sacrifice Festival. Dress in costume and take a carved lantern to join the torchlit procession through loch-side woods, watch the fire sculptures burn in ceremonial sacrifice and enjoy storytelling. See crannog.co.uk

M & D'S THEME PARK, LANARKSHIRE

Halloween drive-in movies including Nightmare On Elm Street, The Ring and Friday The 13th will be showing October 28-30. Plus there's a Halloween party for youngsters on October 28. See scotlandsthemepark.com