We took All Saints Scout Troop to Blackburn Dart Zone for an end of term activity night, and it was absolutely fab! The setting was awesome, the Dart Zone owner put in loads of effort, and the Scouts had a great time with their Nerf wars.
The Blackburn Dart Zone is a little difficult to find. Firstly you drive through a gate which looks like it leads to an old industrial site, then you enter an old mill at the ground floor. It looks like it hasn’t changed at all since the industrial revolution ended! The staircase isn’t for the faint-hearted, but acts to weed out the weaker members of the team.
When you reach the top you’re presented with a whole level dedicated to Dart Zone, with a briefing area and office, a very large room off to the side which they have food and drink in, and then the games arena itself. At first glance the operation looks a little rough and ready, but when you get into it you see that these guys have put their heart and soul into the operation, and they have plans for the rougher bits which they are working towards. Personally, I loved the place just as it was!
The Scouts were really excited as they chose their face masks and dart guns from the large selection in the briefing room. The rules were straightforward and explained clearly. There is an element of sportsmanship needed for the game – it’s not like laser tag where a computer records your hits – but that’s what Scouts is all about anyway.
The games each lasted around 15-20 minutes, and each one had different objectives and gameplay. The staff worked hard to make sure that it was as fair as it could be, and that everybody followed the rules. They tailored the games to our Scouts, and I’m sure they’ve got a whole list of different scenarios they can call on.
We had booked for two hours, which was supposed to include three games and food. They were really generous because it was a Scout Troop, and gave a really good deal to us. In the event, we were asked that since it wasn’t a birthday party and there was no cake ceremony to fill out time, did we want another game instead – yes, of course we did! Thank you very much!!
The function room was at the other side of the briefing room, and looked amazing. As it is an abandoned mill there is loads of head room – probably 5 metres tall – and so they have installed a number of patio heaters for warmth in various areas. Down one side is a number of tables covered by a few event gazebos, decorated with camouflage netting and fairy lights. In one corner are a few old comfy chairs and sofas with a huge cotton reel as a table. The windows in the place are huge floor to ceiling ones, and the view over Blackburn is amazing. It was really comfortable in there and we were sorry to leave.
We weren’t expecting much in the way of food, but when it came out there was more than the Scouts could eat. On top of hot dogs for everybody, there were crisps, biscuits, cakes and drinks filling the table. They all ate their fill and reminisced about the battles they had fought together that day, before being pulled away by their parents.
One final detail which popped up in conversation with the owner of the Dart Zone was the interesting fact that the building is, in fact, haunted! He gave several accounts of different occasions which point towards spirits being trapped in the building. Is it true? We don’t know, but if any building was going to be haunted, this was the one.
For more info and pricing, visit Blackburn Dart Zone’s website.
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