Father and son team up to create UK’s ‘spookiest Halloween house’
Toby Whittle, 27, a customer service supervisor at Manchester Airport from Macclesfield, Cheshire, along with his father, Andy, 55, a parts manager at a BMW garage, have embarked on a mission to turn their semi-detached house into a Halloween extravaganza that attracts families from far and wide. Since 2017, the duo has dedicated over £1,000 to transform their residence into a haunted attraction, with Toby recently moving to his own house nearby but still maintaining this spooky tradition with his father.
Their dedication can be seen in the £100 spent on eerie decorations and £75 splurged on sweets for the expected crowd that will gather at their doorstep on October 31. Some eager visitors are even willing to travel more than 30 miles to experience the Halloween magic the duo creates. To cater to the increasing number of visitors each year, Toby has obtained a Costco membership to purchase treats in bulk and spends weeks crafting decorations, including a remarkable five-foot spider.
Their DIY haunted garden features chilling scenes like skeletons lounging in deckchairs, scattered ‘limbs’ across the driveway, and flashing pumpkins, with Toby even setting up a large speaker outside to play a soundtrack of growling wolves and cackling witches.
Last year, Toby shared videos of their Halloween home on social media, garnering over 12,000 views, with many confirming their attendance for this year’s showcase. Toby expressed his delight at the community coming together to enjoy the spectacle they create, emphasising that they do it out of their own passion and not for profit.
The Whittle duo’s journey into Halloween decoration started modestly in 2017 but has escalated into a yearly tradition where their collection of creepy decorations grows in size and complexity. From a giant homemade spider at the entrance to skeleton dogs and flashing pumpkins, their house has become a must-visit spot during the spooky season.
Visitors witness flashing demons inside the parked Mercedes and Mini on the drive before reaching the boarded-up front door, heightening the eerie ambiance. Despite the considerable investment of around £1,000 in decorations and sweets over the years, Toby remains committed to sourcing bargains post-Halloween and hunting for year-round additions at car boot sales.
Ensuring they have ample sweets for trick-or-treaters is a priority for the duo, with Toby starting to stock up a month in advance. Planning to add a smoke machine this year, Toby and his father aim to create an even more immersive experience for their visitors and are open to everyone to replicate their decorations to enhance the Halloween spirit in their communities.
As Toby and Andy’s Halloween house continues to draw more visitors each year, the father and son team are enthusiastic to keep expanding their display, even though space limitations are becoming a challenge. Encouraging others to join in the Halloween decorating spirit, Toby welcomes all to experience the spooky magic they create and even offers to share his homemade decorations.
For more updates on Toby and Andy’s Halloween house, follow @ourhomejourney23 on TikTok.
**Insights and Summary:**
The story of Toby and Andy Whittle’s dedication to creating the UK’s ‘spookiest Halloween house’ is a tale of family bonding and community spirit. Their commitment to transforming their home into a Halloween landmark showcases their creativity and passion for the festive season. Despite the financial investment and time expended, the duo’s primary motivation stems from a desire to spread joy and create memorable experiences for their neighbourhood. The evolution of their decorations from a small idea in 2017 to a grand attraction is a testament to their hard work and enthusiasm.
Toby and Andy’s story serves as a reminder of the power of tradition and the joy that can be shared through simple acts of creativity and generosity. As they open their doors to locals and visitors alike, their Halloween house stands as a symbol of unity and celebration within the community.