Genuinely scary Halloween events in and around Birmingham that you should never take little kids to

If you think that Halloween is all cutesy pumpkins and dressing up for an evening of well-intentioned frivolity collecting Haribo from your neighbours, then you can think again. It feels as though the season of scares is more popular than ever in the UK and there's plenty going on in Birmingham to frighten the living daylights out of you this October.

We've put together a guide on more family-friendly things to do in the days leading up to October 31 but in this one, we're looking at the events best suited for adults and older kids (at least secondary school age). Just use your parental discretion in those instances, we don't want to get in trouble for encouraging you.

The purpose, we'll be honest, is to scare you out of your wits. Only the brave will survive! Up for the challenge? Take a look at what you can get involved with. Hold on to your hats...

Poll: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Shrewsbury Prison Ghost Tour

Shrewsbury Prison, The Dana, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2HP

One of the world's dark tourism hotspots, Shrewsbury Prison is no joke! It actually had inmates until March 2013 and now it's open to the public for ghost tours, scary sleepovers and more!

It's a Victorian prison but it's built on the original Georgian prison so it's possible to head underground to those spooky tunnels for really unsettling moments. More than that, you learn a lot as you go. Like what happened in the hanging room, for example...

There are escape rooms and tours suitable for families but the ghost tours, suitable for ages 12 and up, are ramping up from one weekly to more regularly as we approach Halloween. Listen out for chains rattling...

Tickets and information here. It's worth noting also that ghost hunters from Most Haunted do seriously spooky trips here too. Info on how to get involved in those are here.

Alton Towers Scarefest

Alton Towers, Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB

You might think because it's a theme park that the scare mazes are Alton Towers are easy but some of them are genuinely frightening. Read about what happened when we visited last week - one was so scary our reporter wouldn't even dare go inside.

We've seen people walk out of mazes crying and, been in them when actors touch you. Yep. You heard. They can touch you!

You have peace of mind that the actors, while they might touch you, cannot actually harm you. But when you're screaming your noggin off in the midst of it all, that's the last thing you'll remember.

Scarefest runs at Alton Towers from October 13 to October 31. You can book your tickets through the Alton Towers website, here. It's suitable for those age 12 and over.

Aston Hall: Aston After Dark

Aston Hall, Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD

Youngsters can, and do, go to Aston Hall for their ghost walks (they have daylight ones too) but after seeing a ghost in the window when we visited in the dark, we can confirm that it is, actually, really unnerving when you get there. The old Jacobean mansion is one of Birmingham's most haunted buildings!

The ghost stories are told by a very sinister and creepy guide and you'll be left wondering whether they're true stories, fables or total fabrications. The sense of dread? The cold corners and the creaky floor boards? All 100% real, we can confirm.

The next hour-long after-dark tours are on November 18-19 and November 24-25 and are suitable for those age 12 and above - tickets here. The later you go (last tour is at 9:30) the creepier it is - it gets really dark in those upper rooms..

Luna Springs Scare Maze

Luna Springs, Digbeth Arena, Lower Trinity St, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4AG

If you don't want to go all the way to Alton Towers for a scare maze, there's an 18+ options right in the city centre. Digbeth venue Luna Springs has a scare maze on from October 18 until November 4 and isn't for the faint hearted.

Meltdown is the first immersive horror experience in Digbeth and their aim is to frighten you out of your wits with suspense and a fear of relentless danger. Nice!

The idea is, you're in an abandoned nuclear facility and there are horrors in all the nooks and crannies, from the hum of malfunctioning nuclear equipment to. Well... why spoil it?

The scare maze has time slots right up until 11pm and, as well as the terror, there are DJs, cocktails, fun fair rides and street food, which takes the edge off! Not for youngsters under 14 and all under 18 have to be accompanied by an adult. Tickets here.

The Purge Bottomless Brunch - The Cocktail Club

The Cocktail Club, 31 Temple Street, Birmingham, B2 5DB

How spooky can a bottomless brunch be?! Well, this one is a little different from the cutesy brunches the city has dotted all over. The Cocktail Club is transforming into The Purge on Saturday, October 28 and between 1pm and 3pm, guests will be immersed in a world where 'survival is not guaranteed'!

As well as bottomless drinks and brunch food, the Temple Street venue will have live music, masked singers and, perhaps most scary of all (unless the singers are terrible, that is), scare actors hidden among the crowd. The venue says that its hosts will be watching your every move. "Commit a crime and GET DONE".

Jack the Ripper Escape Room - Escape Live

Escape Live, 18-24 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, B19 3LY

This one isn't only for Halloween, there are spooky-themed escape rooms at Escape Live all year round (we did the Room 13 one and it was particularly stressful - and fun!). The Jack the Ripper room will test your wits, as well as your nerve.

Once you're immersed in the room, you'll get caught up in the moment. Receiving a tip from the London underworld that an informant knows the identity of Jack the Ripper.

That said, the notorious killer has found out that your informant is on to him, forcing them into hiding. If you can't survive the Ripper's hunting ground and save the informant. Well... it doesn't bear thinking about really, does it.

This escape room is suitable for age 11+ and up to six of you can take part together. Safety in numbers. Check the site for availability and to book.

Hellraiser - Cast Q&A at the Electric Cinema

Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY

Fans of cult horror classic Hellraiser will be able to attend a special screening of it at the UK's oldest working cinema on Thursday, October 19. As well as watching Clive Barker's classic horror, there'll be Cenobites in attendance!

Cast members Nicholas Vince, Barbie Wilde and Simon Bamford will be taking part in an in-person discussion after the screening. Definitely worth going if you're a fan of film.

The Electric has a whole host of horror movie screenings planned for the run up to October 31. Watch Friday the 13th, The Shining, The Exorcist and more the way they were made to be enjoyed. Is enjoyed the right word?! Tickets and listings here.