Thread: Tower of London Theme

Tweet

The past three years that I have done a home haunt I really havent had a defined theme. This year I think I am going to go with a Tower of London Theme. I have spent around 24 hours thinking about this and have some ideas I think I can start with. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am also considering changing the way I build my structure (tunnel) in the back yard. The last two years I have had a wood frame and wrapped it in black plastic sheets. Both of these times I have had trouble with wind. The first time I was setting it up by myself and the wind was blowing. Boy was it fun (not). This past year the wind was blowing and kept ripping the plastic off. I used a million staples from the staple gun trying to keep it up. I am thinking of using plywood or a cheep substitute and making the frame a little sturdier because it also shifted do to the wind. Rain was an issue on the black plastic I had for the roof because the rain built up on it and I had to punch holes in it to let it drain.

Another thing I am going to change is that in the past I have used my raised porch for the toters to come up and get their treat. However, several of them had trouble with the steps and I had to put additional lighting on them but some of them still had problems especially with the rain last year. I was thinking about having an "off with your head" execution type display on the porch instead. The treats would be handed out in another area.

Again any suggestions would be great.

love your ideas! And I'm glad you said something about the problem with the porch. reminded me that I had the same problem and will have to figure out something, too. TK421 made an awesome tower- not sure if you plan to build something like that for your theme, tho.
Looking forward to seeing all this!!!

I had huge problem with my tunnel because of huge wind too (It got litely flipped twice by it, so, we gave up and ripped the walls off. This year, I am planning to by plywood to build the walls. And I totally understand the millions of staples we used too..

here a few site that could help (just add a W in front)

ww.londonhorrortours.co.uk/
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh_pB3N4r3U
ww.haunted-britain.com/Haunted_London.htm

Originally Posted by osenator

I had huge problem with my tunnel because of huge wind too (It got litely flipped twice by it, so, we gave up and ripped the walls off. This year, I am planning to by plywood to build the walls. And I totally understand the millions of staples we used too..

here a few site that could help (just add a W in front)

ww.londonhorrortours.co.uk/
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh_pB3N4r3U
ww.haunted-britain.com/Haunted_London.htm

Awesome! Thanks.

Stapling through a sort of reverse furring stip of thin wood should help (something like shims but ripped longer). The pull of the wind should be distributed rather than isolated at the point of an exposed staple. Also wire attached to wood srews into the frame anchored to tent pegs should help better stabalize the structure.

Guillotines and stockades...torture chamber, I could really get in to this theme!
Shackles lot O shackles, you could do a hall of shackles with a chain curtain for the room exit...
A bridge facade? Big Ben? Hunchback?

I do not let the ToTs up the steps, my GF sits at the steps and hands out the candy and there is a little more display behind her.

Originally Posted by Yubney

Stapling through a sort of reverse furring stip of thin wood should help (something like shims but ripped longer). The pull of the wind should be distributed rather than isolated at the point of an exposed staple. Also wire attached to wood srews into the frame anchored to tent pegs should help better stabalize the structure.

I did have anchors in a couple of areas, had drilled holes in the bottom pieces of wood and had stakes in those into the ground. The top part is what shifted and that was mainly due to taking shortcuts on some of the upper structure. I am thinking on the outside I will use the plywood and on the inside walls plastic to keep the cost down. Want to have something to scare the tots and not an empty tunnel.

Originally Posted by noahbody

Guillotines and stockades...torture chamber, I could really get in to this theme!
Shackles lot O shackles, you could do a hall of shackles with a chain curtain for the room exit...
A bridge facade? Big Ben? Hunchback?

I do not let the ToTs up the steps, my GF sits at the steps and hands out the candy and there is a little more display behind her.

You should'nt have mentioned the bridge...now I'm thinking draw bridge and an idea how to do it.

oohhh I'm getting all tingly

you have a very cool idea... some factual info for you, the tower of london is actually made up of thirteen towers, each have a name..and stories..... the best would be the bloody tower, this is where the two princes were murdered... and you can't forget the Ravens, there are 6 present at all times... with 4 spares. they have cool names Thor,Baldrick,Hugin,Gundalf i can't remember the rest.. legend has it if they are ever removed the monarchy will fall...

Originally Posted by the good witch

you have a very cool idea... some factual info for you, the tower of london is actually made up of thirteen towers, each have a name..and stories..... the best would be the bloody tower, this is where the two princes were murdered... and you can't forget the Ravens, there are 6 present at all times... with 4 spares. they have cool names Thor,Baldrick,Hugin,Gundalf i can't remember the rest.. legend has it if they are ever removed the monarchy will fall...

I was actually reading about the ravens today as I was researching.