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When times turn tough people increasingly look towards Escapist Immersive Fantasy Experiences
In times of adversity we humans seek solace in Fantasy Escapism, and we have certainly had something of a major cultural impact in these last few years - of Immersive Experiences - which is reaching a peak currently.
There are various different types of Immersive Attraction and I’m deliberately not focusing on the Virtual Reality / Metaverse part of that phenomenon, but rather the build of fantasy interactive environments - some fully realised permanent landmarks like the canal-side Steam Punk mining village of Phantom Peak.
A lot of this is a mix / evolution of old-fashioned theatre-in-the-round - crossed with puzzle-solving and ’Escape Rooms’ much like a modern-day ’Crystal Maze’.
This is an expansive albeit not fully exhaustive rundown of 22 significant London environs attractions - which range in price from £10 to £100 typically - with VIP options and concessions usually available. Some include meals / food and drink - and for some - e.g. Faulty Towers and Mamma Mia! The Party - it’s central to the experience. Median price is around £35 - that seems largely the going rate nowadays!
These experiences are usually of around 1 hour in duration - some as little as 30 minutes, and some as much as 5 hours or whole day events.
Nearly all of these need to be booked in advance and reserved - as places are strictly limited. These are of a wide variety - covering the Arts, Theatrical and TV Shows, Movies and other Cultural phenomena. And a lot of them involve dressing up and getting in character!
Secret Cinema is really the master of this format - and have been putting on these immersive participation events for 15 years now - with famous episodes including Back to the Future, Blade Runner, Dirty Dancing, Star Wars, and Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge. Current classic is of course Guardians of the Galaxy - with Marvel Studios fully onboard!
We currently probably have around 40-50 of these types of Immersive events and experiences in and around London - with many of them fairly permanent attractions now - while the majority are very evidently temporary.
If you are looking for a fun day out with the family - then this article is a good place to start. Note that some of these experiences are not family-friendly and require participants to be over the age of 18 - while there are plenty of these that are great for the whole Family.
I’ve tried to include all the pertinent details - while I decided against referencing duration - as a lot of these places have spill-out areas where you can stay on after the main event as such!
I hope you enjoy this overview and are able to make good use of it!
Alice in Wonderland Immersive Experience - CluedUpp GeoGames @ Various
WHAT? - Street-style immersive experience with various Alice in Wonderland character actors in place - with props, and a variety of mysteries and puzzles to be solved. CluedUpp arrange Alice in Wonderland adventures all over the UK - in various cities - including London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. There's a very significant full-takeover of Tunbridge Wells in November - which our illustrious Product Director Q will be attending with his family - surely a perfect family day out!
AGE? - For the whole family
WHERE? - All over the UK at different times of the year - including most of the bigger cities.
HOW MUCH? - Q paid £34 for a family ticket - which is bargain in this time and age!
Alien : Escape Experience @ Madame Tussauds, Baker Street Tube
madametussauds.com/london/whats-inside/experiences/alien-escape/
WHAT? - Separate exhibition on Alien/s Movie theme - scary jump-horror alternative walking ghost-train kind of thing! Obviously various waxwork characters in situ - some mechanical - with a lot of extra audio/visual effects to give you the atmosphere of the film series - including several narrow passages like on the USCSS Nostromo spaceship.
AGE? - 15+
WHERE? - 18 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR (nearest Tube is Baker Street)
HOW MUCH? - Part of general admission to the whole facility - Family tickets can be had for as little as £31 per person in advance, standard single is from £33.50 in advance, £37 on the day up to £48.50 in advance, £52 on the day for Fast-track and added Marvel Universe 4D attraction.
Dopamine Land @ Old Brompton Road, South Kensington
dopaminelandexperience.com/london/
WHAT? - "Dopamine Land is a brand-new, multisensory experience that channels the limitless imagination of your inner child and transforms it into reality... It’s an interactive museum that combines traditional media and technology. An opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and connect with your emotions through colourful installations."
AGE? - For the whole Family
WHERE? - 79-85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW7 3LD (nearest Tube is South Kensington)
HOW MUCH? - Adults £17,50, Children £13.50
DreamWorks Tours: Shrek’s Adventure! London @ County Hall, South Bank
WHAT? - Immersive attraction based on key scenes and evolved games from the Animated Movie series of the same name and of course the Kingdom of Far Far Away!
AGE? - For the whole family
WHERE? - County Hall, South Bank, SE1 7PB (nearest Tube is Waterloo)
HOW MUCH? - Standard ticket is £24 in advance, £30 on the day
Faulty Towers the Original Dining Experience @ the President Hotel, Bloomsbury
interactivetheatre.com.au//faulty-towers-the-dining-experience-london-west-end/
WHAT? - An immersive 3 course hotel dinner with character actors inspired by the Fawlty Towers sitcom in situ - Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and confused Barcelona waiter - Manuel! Featuring several memorable 'scenes' from the series with further improv and set routines. First course is typically tomato soup!
AGE? - Some adult humour - but broad in its appeal
WHERE? - Location shifts regularly, currently at the President Hotel in Bloomsbury - 56-60 Guilford St, WC1N 1DB (nearest Tube is Russell Square)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets around £65 per person (including food), Children's tickets at around £40
The Great Gatsby Immersive Experience @ Gatsby's Mansion, Mayfair
immersivegatsby.com/event/the-great-gatsby
WHAT? - Welcome back to the roaring twenties! Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties. The champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host. As invites go, this is the hottest ticket in town. A hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence awaits. Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart racing adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale.
AGE? - Some Adult Themes - Parental Guidance advised
WHERE? - Gatsby's Mansion, 56 Davies St, Mayfair, W1K 5HR (nearest Tube Bond Street)
HOW MUCH? - General Admission around £33, General Admission with Cocktail at £43
Guardians of the Galaxy : The Live Immersive Experience by Secret Cinema & Marvel Studios @ Wembley Park
tickets.secretcinema.org/guardians-of-the-galaxy/?v=f
WHAT? - "In a secret location, we open up the doors to an evening of suspense and spectacle beyond any film-lover’s imagination. Dressed as part of the cast, you can choose to blend right in with the crowd or take centre stage as your reality blurs with that of the story. Pick from one of 6 Ravager Clans to join forces and become an active part of the main action!"
AGE? - 18+
WHERE? - Secret location at Wembley Park HA9 (nearest Tube is Wembley Park)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets range from £35 Standard to £115 for VIP Immersive Experience + Film
The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Experience @ the Tower Vaults
WHAT? - Immerse yourself in the Gunpowder Plot at the Tower of London Vaults. Your five senses will ignite as you make a dangerous attempt to escape the Tower, uncover a secret safehouse, and make the daring journey along the Thames towards the Houses of Parliament. You’re not just witnessing history, you are part of it.
AGE? - 12A - Children 12-15 need to be accompanied by an Adult
WHERE? - 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, EC3N 4EE (nearest Tube is Tower Hill)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets from £40 Standard to £110 VIP
Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds - The Immersive Experience @ 56 Leadenhall Street, Aldgate
thewaroftheworldsimmersive.com
WHAT? - Celebrated rebooted and evolved Stage Show based on the H.G. Wells book. Now with 24 Interactive Scenes, a breathtaking 1 hour and 50 minutes Immersion - of course with a signifincant cast of live actors, mechanical and virtual reality effects, and of course that iconic and celebrated music!
AGE? - Minimum Ages is 10, Children 10-15 must be accompanied by adult.
WHERE? - 56 Leadenhall Street, Aldgate, EC3A 2BJE (nearest Tube is Aldgate)
HOW MUCH? - Standard Tickets from £40-£90, VIP tickets from £120.
Jurassic World : The Exhibition @ ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock
jurassicworldexhibition.com/uk/
WHAT? - Board the ferry to Isla Nublar and walk through the massive Jurassic World gates. Walk under a majestic Brachiosaurus, come face-to-face with ferocious raptors, and get a rare up-close look at the most vicious dinosaur of them all, the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
AGE? - For the whole Family
WHERE? - ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL (nearest Tube is Custom House)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets start from £15
Klimt : The Immersive Experience @ 152 Brick Lane, Spitalfields
WHAT? - Enter the colorful pallet of Gustav Klimt. Step into a wonderland of moving paintings and be amazed by the golden era of modernism.
AGE? - For the whole Family
WHERE? - The Boiler House, 152 Brick Lane, E1 6RU (nearest Tube is Liverpool Street)
HOW MUCH? - £20 for Adults and £11.20 for Children
Mamma Mia! The Party @ The O2, Greenwich Peninsula
WHAT? - Feel transported to the island of Skopelos to dance, dine and have the time of your life! As the sun sets, you’ll take your seats at Nikos’ family-run taverna where you’ll enjoy a delicious four-course Greek meal before dancing the night away at a glittering ABBA disco. Plan your getaway with family and friends to Mamma Mia! The Party for the ultimate Greek holiday experience to remember.
AGE? - For the whole Family
WHERE? - Unit 6.05, 02, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0DX (Nearest Tube is North Greenwich)
HOW MUCH? - Standard Tickets £99 (including 4 course meal and drink), VIP Tickets at £195
Operation Black Door : An Immersive Theatrical Experience @ The Churchill War Rooms, Westminster
iwm.org.uk/events/operation-black-door-immersive-event-experience
WHAT? - Join the Department of Defence and step into the 1940s. Eavesdrop on discussions and participate in solving missions in the place where history happened and where crucial decisions were made during the tensest days in the Second World War.
AGE? - 18+
WHERE? - Churchill War Rooms, King Charles St, SW1A 2AQ (nearest Tube is Westminster)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets from £35
Peaky Blinders : The Rise Immersive Show @ Camden Garrison, Stables Market
WHAT? - "1921, London. Crime boss Tommy Shelby personally invites you to his family’s Camden warehouse to share an expansion plan that could prove lucrative for everyone. In other words, a night of celebration is in order! Whether you kick back in the pub, advise on business affairs in the office or conspire with the Italians in the cabaret lounge, how the family meeting goes is up to you. Just keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground, because Tommy’s enemies are closer than you think..."
AGE? - 14+
WHERE? - The Camden Garrison, Stables Market, NW1 8AH (nearest Tube is Camden Town / Chalk Farm)
HOW MUCH? - General Admission is £59.50, Premium is £79.50, and VIP is £99.50
Phantom Peak : An Immersive Open-World Adventure @ Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe
WHAT? - "Step into Phantom Peak, a glorious, steampunk wonderland, often referred to as The Venice of The West. You will feel as though you have travelled through time and space into an amazing alternate universe, where technology and victoriana live side-by-side. As you meander through the vibrant town and talk to the locals, you will soon learn that not everything is as it seems. Full of mystery, intrigue and excitement, discover everything that Phantom Peak has to offer! Admire the breathtaking waterfall, jump into a boat with your friends, enjoy the interactive games, and stroll along The Waterway, a beautiful canal that snakes through the Main Street full of shops, eateries, and more. A place to explore, drink, dine and play, this one-of-a-kind immersive adventure is not to be missed––get tickets for Phantom Peak: An Immersive Open-World Adventure in London!"
AGE? - Under 16's to be accompanied by an Adult, under 3's go free!
WHERE? - Canada Street, Surrey Quays Road, Rotherhithe SE16 7PJ, UK (nearest Tube is Canada Water)
HOW MUCH? - General Admission typically £34
PunchDrunk : The Burnt City - Fall of Troy Experience @ One Cartridge Place, Woolwich
onecartridgeplace.com/theburntcity/
WHAT? - "As Greece teeters on the brink of victory, the neon backstreets of Downtown Troy give way to a sprawling labyrinth hiding secrets even the prophecies could not foretell. In this colossal playground, the furies watch on as mortals play out their fate. And as night falls, the city comes alive. One last time."
AGE? - 16+
WHERE? - One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, SE18 6ZR (nearest Tube is Woolwich)
HOW MUCH? - Standard Ticket £76.50, Premium is £96.50, and VIP is £136.50 - also daily lottery for 'Locals' where tickets can be had for as little as £25.
SAW : The Experience @ 1 America Square, Tower Hamlets
WHAT? - "SAW : The Experience is a theatrical immersive experience combined with the thrill of escape room style challenges. Those who dare to play the game will be split into teams of up to 6 people, where you will work together to complete challenges and explore multiple rooms to test yourselves and others."
AGE? - 18+
WHERE? - 1 America Square, Tower Hamlets, EC3N 2LS (nearest Tube is Tower Hill)
HOW MUCH? - General Admission is £34 - must be booked in advance
Sherlock : The Official Live Game @ West12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush
WHAT? - "Enter into the world of Sherlock with immersive sets and environments from the show, as you work together as a team to solve mysteries and puzzles before time runs out. Play the detective in this brand-new Sherlock case featuring original content from the stars of the show including Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, Martin Freeman, and more."
AGE? - from 7+. Children under the age of 15 need to be accompanied by an Adult
WHERE? - West12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8PP (nearest Tube is Shepherd's Bush)
HOW MUCH? - Private Experience - Adults £40, Children £35 ; Shared Experience - Adults £35, Children £30
Stranger Things : The Experience @ Brent Cross
strangerthings-experience.com/london/
WHAT? - "Stranger Things : The Experience throws you headfirst into your favourite show — join Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Max, and Will for a very special episode starring… you! Venture inside Hawkins Lab for a 1-hour immersive experience featuring a brand-new Stranger Things storyline, then explore an 80’s-themed Mix-Tape medley open court with food & drinks, special merchandise, photo ops, and much more."
AGE? - Recommended for ages 13+ and up, all minors need to be accompanied by Adults - no admission for under 5's
WHERE? - Troubadour Brent Cross Studios, Tilling Road, NW2 1LW (nearest Tube is Brent Cross)
HOW MUCH? - Tickets start at £41 per person
Tomb Raider : The LIVE Experience @ Stables Market, Camden
WHAT? - Work through real-life puzzles, collect relics, brave the zipline, climb through the jungle, and outsmart the enemies in this unique live adventure. A sort of glorified Lara Croft themed Crystal Maze type multi puzzle room experience!
AGE? - Tomb Raiders need to be aged 12 and above. Under 18s will need to be accompanied by an Adult.
WHERE? - Lower & Upper Basement Atrium, Middle of Camden Stables Market, NW1 8AH
HOW MUCH? - Tickets range from £44-£79
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience @ 106 Commercial Street, Spitalfields
WHAT? - Massive Immersive Exhibition space with 20,000ft full audio and visual surround room, animations, 360 degree projections and Virtual Reality. Experience Van Gogh's works on a scale never seen before - and go inside various digitisations of his most famous artworks.
AGE? - For the whole Family
WHERE? - 106 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6LZ (nearest Tube is Liverpool Street)
HOW MUCH? - Adults £24.90, VIP £39.90, Children £15.90 and VIP £27.30
Yayoi Kusama : Infinity Mirror Rooms @ the Tate Modern, South Bank
tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/yayoi-kusama-infinity-mirror-rooms
WHAT? - Infinity Mirrored Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life (Myriad LEDs) is one of Kusama’s largest installations to date and was made for her 2012 retrospective at Tate Modern. It is shown alongside Chandelier of Grief, a room which creates the illusion of a boundless universe of rotating crystal chandeliers.
AGE? - All Ages
WHERE? - Tate Modern, South Bank, SE1 9TG (nearest Tube Southwark)
HOW MUCH? - Free for Members, otherwise £10 - available with Fizz (£30) and Dinner (£55) - Members pay £10 less
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