With the way things have been going, there’s no better time to escape reality by immersing yourself in a completely different one. Luckily, London plays host to so many different immersive experiences that we struggled to narrow down our favourites. Whether you want to step into a magical church, step into a painting, or transport yourself to a whole other planet (where cocktails are key), there’s definitely a world that will work perfectly for you. So here are the immersive experiences in London that we recommend you check out. Be quick, as some aren’t going to be around for much longer!
Embark on a cocktail (or mocktail) experience in London that will throw you into an interstellar world on the brink of chaos. Avora is a multisensory experience where cocktails are key. From the very moment you enter and don your custom jumpsuit, you’ll be tasked with creating your own colour-changing cocktail that works as an ‘antidote’ to acclimatise you to the new world. Drawing on all the senses – taste, smell, sight, sound and touch – it’s truly a cocktail journey. Whilst the cocktails are important (and you get 3 included with your ticket), there’s a story at play that touches on climate change.
It goes beyond the story with Avora being partnered with Ecologi as well as the Sustainable Restaurant Group to deliver an experience that gives back to our planet. For every ticket sold, they have pledged to plant a tree, and the ingredients used for all the cocktails meet stringent sustainability standards. Are you prepared to accept this mission and explore the ever-changing Avora?
With the hustle and bustle of London, it’s easy to end up stressed. So why not dedicate yourself some time to focus on your happiness with one of the capitals most fantastic immersive experiences? Dopamine Land is the ideal place for you to explore that happiness journey with its multi-sensory approach to interactive rooms. We won’t spoil what you can expect (although you’ve probably seen some of it on social media already) but just know that you’ll be thrust into several themed rooms, each working on a variety of sensory experiences that will definitely bring a smile to your face.
There’s childhood fantasies alongside some ideas you’ve probably never thought about before, but certainly will after you visit. You’ll go between decompression and stimulant rooms and, ideally by the end, find out just what triggers your individual happy hormone response the most. You’ll want to take some snaps to remember it all, and there are plenty of instagrammable spots for just that. It is only around until January 15 though, so hurry and get your tickets before it’s gone.
Is it or is it not a Wes Anderson set? This next immersive exhibition will have you doing double takes and looking at the world through a different lens, Wes Anderson-style. The Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition features over 200 of the most whimsical, colourful and idiosyncratic places on Earth, showcasing everything from the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps to the turquoise train carriages of Japan.
The collection of photographs was stored in the Instagram account of husband and wife duo Wally and Amanda, who during travels would encounter real-life settings around the world that weirdly resemble the visual aesthetic of Wes Anderson’s films. From the warm pastel colours to the symmetric and geometric shapes, these spots scream Wes Anderson (although unintentionally) and you can now discover them in London!
Step into the works of Vincent Van Gogh at this truly breathtaking art experience, which uses state-of-the-art 360-degree video projection to bring the famed artist’s works to life. Ever wondered what it’d be like to look up at a Starry Night, or see the birds fly through Wheatfield with Crows? Well, you’ll be able to do just that at this incredible exhibition, which literally brings every brush stroke to life. Don’t miss out on the VR experience, either, which invites you to wander through Arles and see the inspiration for Van Gogh’s paintings unfold before you. It’s an entirely new way to experience art, and one of London’s finest immersive experiences.
Read our review here.
Embark on a multisensory journey into Monet’s iconic works of art. In late September you’ll discover a wonderland of digital wizardry behind the doors of Boiler House thanks to Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience. Walls will be illuminated with giant 360-degree projections of the French artist’s mesmerising masterpieces, ambient sounds will recreate the tranquillity of the natural scenes he loved to paint and a cutting-edge virtual reality experience will give you the chance to climb through the frame into his painted universe.
There’s even the chance to make your own artwork if you feel inspired. Plus, for a slight extra cost, you can slip on a VR headset to explore a selection of his most renowned pieces from a unique perspective: right inside the painting. Get a hold of your tickets here.
When it comes to immersive experiences, there’s almost no better source of inspiration than Sherlock. Facing a crime wave, London needs the help of a certain ‘high-functioning sociopath.’ The only problem is, he’s gone missing, and the task of finding him has fallen to the heroes no-one expected: you lot. Across the course of a 90-minute game that’s been brought to life by the creators of the hit BBC show, you’ll hunt high and low for clues, and get help from some useful video snippets featuring the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, and Andrew Scott. You’ll also probably end up shouting ‘Elementary!’ a lot… Find your tickets here.
Once you’ve tackled the Sherlock live game, pop your feet up for a drink at The Mind Palace! This Sherlock-inspired speakeasy is the perfect place for all drinking detectives. In The Case of the Poisoned Chalice, Sebastian Moran (Moriarty’s right-hand man) has brought you to The Mind Palace to test you… Can you defeat this maniac’s mind and make the perfect cocktail, or will you submit to his wiles and make a deadly drink? From the makers of Sherlock: The Game Is Now comes a new immersive gaming experience for those who like tricks and tipples. Book tickets here.
Heading to Covent Garden this summer? Escape from the central London buzz for half an hour and slip into the Grade II-listed Swiss Church near Tottenham Court Road. What awaits is Genesis, an epic art installation that depicts the story of creation, taking visitors from sea to sky through impressive 360-degree projections.
These high-spec projections have been created to specifically fit the size and shape of the 150-year-old Swiss Church. The team behind the whole thing specialise in immersive light experiences in historical monuments; with these credentials, it’s pretty darn impressive it has to be said. While the show is a succinct 30 minutes, during that time, you’ll see wondrous projections of water, earth, plants and the sky – it’s a thoroughly meditative and hypnotic experience and promises to be visually stunning. Get a hold of your tickets for it here.
London’s infamous prison-themed cocktail experience Alcotraz is the perfect day out for daredevils. Hidden behind unassuming doors on Brick Lane, you’ll find ‘Alcotraz Penitentiary: Cell Block Two One Two’, a secret speakeasy-prison cell hosting some of Alcotraz’s longest-serving inmates. You and your fellow criminals will need to smuggle in liquor past the warden, to be used to make bespoke cocktails in your cell. Sipping cocktails has never felt so forbidden! Find your tickets here!
Another great addition to this roundup of immersive experiences here. Enjoy a delicious six-course tasting menu on an decommissioned Victoria line Tube train, making for an evening like no other. It’s consuming over commuting in this unique dining experience, which features dishes inspired by the food heritage of Latin America. And don’t worry, this time, you’re guaranteed a seat! Book your spot here.
London, known as the true ‘city of spies’ has over 10,000 agents working in the capital. Have you ever wondered how it all started? Come along to this secret immersive experience, where all your questions can be answered! Hear tales of Elizabethan intrigue, the Cold War and more! You’ll learn about all the different spies, not forgetting Britain’s favourite of all – James Bond! This is a spy journey you do not want to miss out on. Created by an expert from the world of espionage and the British secret service, you will discover new facts that you will never forget! Get a hold of your tickets here.
From the minds behind London 2012’s Olympic Opening Ceremony, Frameless brings the work of world-famous artists to a new digital generation. Bespoke music accompanies multisensory and immersive experiences that take attendees right inside the world’s most beautiful works of art. Step right onto the easel and into the paintings of works from the likes of Cezanne, Kandinsky, Canaletto, Rembrandt, and many more.
It encompasses over 30,000 square feet of space, across four different galleries with unique ways of interacting with the artworks. Each gallery focuses on a different theme or aspect of the pieces. This could be the colours of the paintings, the dreamy universes of the works, or their abstract nature. Visitors may touch and feel the brushstrokes themselves, or become surrounded by the vastness of a painting’s landscape. Get involved here.
Giddy on up cowboys and cowgirls! Moonshine Saloon is for those who like their cocktail experiences with a side of adventure. Saunter down the streets of Aldgate, smuggle in your illicit moonshine (i.e. BYOB), and step behind the swinging doors for an hour and 45 minutes of a theatrical drinking experience like no other.
Throughout this fantastic immersive experience, you’ll be side by side with live actors who’ll welcome you into the illicit Moonshine empire. Roll the dice – quite literally – as you try your hand at a selection of dice and card games, or simply chat with the local cowboys and cowgirls who frequent this here spot. The bartenders will transform your booze into four personalised Old West cocktails; and as you’ve brought your own liquor, you’re now officially part of the covert liquor operation led by the self-styled King of the Moonshiners, Clyde Cassidy! Your evening will come to a climax as the Sheriff tries to foil the operation – will he succeed? Knab your tickets here.
A new exhibition arrives in London this Autumn, enabling visitors to transport themselves from regular ol’ London into the bold and beautiful artworks of 12 immersive zones. The Delight Media Art Exhibition will span a whopping 1,300 square metres, and incorporate the likes of lighting, video mapping, augmented reality, and sound to create over 25 forms of media content.
Floor-to-ceiling projections and 360-degree installations will put you front and centre to many original works, each engaging different senses – or perhaps all at the same time! Some recreate vibrant metropolises, while others are more pared back and explore the artists’ origins, traditions, and culture. Get a hold of your tickets here.
15. Go head to head with Jigsaw and and escape the Saw: Escape Experience
Bringing to life Jigsaw’s fearsome traps and puzzles in an adrenaline-fuelled game, brave applicants who dare to enter will recognise iconic sets recreated from the film franchise, including the bone-chilling bathroom and Jigsaw’s workshop. Franchise star and veteran horror actor Tobin Bell voices John Kramer, the Master of Games, Jigsaw.
In a quest to survive, players will need to outwit Kramer’s haunting SAW villain, Billy the Puppet, who puts morality, wits and courage to the ultimate test in a series of gruesome games… Those fortunate to survive this immersive experience can unwind in The Traproom, a themed bar inspired by Jigsaw’s workshop. You’ll most likely need it! Book your experience here.
Ok, so this one is for the brave amongst you! Perfect for Halloween, the London Bridge Experience is often billed as ‘the scariest attraction in London’ – and we can certainly see why! Set within the deep historical vaults of the world-famous London Bridge, you’ll get to experience the dark history of London Bridge first-hand as it is brought to life right in front of your eyes, with appearances by actors portraying William Wallace, Henry VIII and *gulp* Jack the Ripper along the way.
You can also have the option of entering into the London Tombs – an immersive scare maze playing home to a multitude of crazy characters, including spooky clowns and even butchers and murderers. Yikes! Spook yourself silly here.
17. Test your metal with some mates at the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Based on the incredibly-popular 90’s TV show of the same name, this immersive experience will give you the opportunity to indulge in 75 minutes’ worth of fun as you try and score as many points as you can in The Crystal Dome.
You and your group will need to run around four different zones – Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec. In each zone, you’ll have to test your skills, solve mysteries and face mental and physical challenges throughout. Plus, all of these are against the clock. Naturally. They’ve also got a Tomb Raider-themed maze, and if you’re up in Manchester, you can get involved too. Book your tickets here.
From the makers of the aforementioned Sherlock: The Official Live Game, comes a brand-new immersive escape experience for 2023. After completing a mission for the British Intelligence agency, you may think it’s time to celebrate and raise a glass. But the world’s most devious man has one last trick up his sleeve.
It’s up to you and your team to enter into the diabolical mind and memories of Moriarty as you take him down from the inside with some added help from the cast. Work together to crack the codes to defeat the man himself and enjoy many moments from the classic namesake TV series. Get a hold of your tickets here.
Get ready to embark on an immersive journey like never before, as Outernet’s most innovative piece yet fluttered in to Central London on September 20. Designed by Pixel Artworks, The Butterfly Trail is the world’s first mixed reality experience and will be playing every day (for free, by the way) between 12pm-6pm at Outernet’s flagship space, The Now Building.
The groundbreaking technology pushes the boundaries of immersive design and gives visitors the opportunity to hold their very own butterfly on the tip of their finger. This breathtaking display is being played across the giant floor to ceiling, four-storey high, 16K wrap around screens; the most advanced screens in the world (in case you were wondering), so it really is a deeply immersive experience that has never been possible before. Sounds pretty darn exciting to us that’s for sure! Find out more here.
Part immersive theatre, part virtual reality, our penultimate addition to this immersive experiences roundup, The War of The Worlds: Immersive Experience, has been a thrilling hit since opening in London. Based on Jeff Wayne’s musical interpretation of H.G. Wells’ landmark novel, this epic adventure imagines the 1898 Martian invasion for the digital age.
You’ll be blown away by the 300-foot Martian Fighting Machines, explore abandoned Victorian houses, witness epic battles, and even take a hot air balloon to Mars! With 24 interactive scenes, 12 live actors, and stunning VR, you’ll experience it all! Brace yourself for thrilling effects, like sudden loud noises, total darkness, and pyrotechnics too. There’s even music too! Get a hold of your tickets here.
Rounding off this list of the best immersive experiences in London is The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Experience, which offers a unique and fascinating insight into history’s most daring conspiracy. You’ll be transported back to 1605 London to witness the daring plot to assassinate King James I by Guy Fawkes, Robert Catesby and co.
With live actors and incredible digital technology, this is the ultimate historical journey, and with none other than Tom Felton (AKA Draco Malfoy) as Guy Fawkes, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action! This experience will awaken all of your senses and leave you with a crucial decision to make. Join the conspiracy here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best immersive experiences in London. Whether you’re wanting a day out with mates or something for your work lot, this extensive list should have you more than covered!
All our events are recommended by editors. Tickets purchased through Fever may earn Secret London commission.
Also published on Medium.
