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Looking for something a little more entertaining and engaging in London? Then our list of the best immersive experiences in London might be for you.
From interactive Japanese bingo in central London to a high tech carnival of competitive fairground games in Canary Wharf, there are a whole host of immersive experiences in London to suit all tastes (and budgets).
And traditionalists might enjoy life sized board games or secret cinema locations – there is plenty to enjoy with our best immersive experiences in London guide for 2023:
Best Immersive Experiences in London
1. Hijingo Bingo, Shoreditch
Right now in 2023, we’d rate Hijingo (bingo) as our favourite interactive and immersive experience in London – it is totally unique and great for nights out with friends or co-workers (even better after a few of their tiki cocktails!)
If we had to describe Hijingo in two words, it would have to be ‘beautifully bonkers’. Hijingo in essence is Japanese inspired bingo, a neon nirvana of bright lights and an attack on the senses. Jeez, Hijingo is just unadulterated fun, like Gala bingo on acid – and it is so easy to get involved and join in the bingo fun.
With Hijingo prices starting at £16pp for two games, this is futuristic fun in the heart of central London (located near Shoreditch and Liverpool Street station). Popular with work crowds, you enter a modern bingo hall adorned with state-of-the-art video screens, neon lights and a huge stage.
Each session consists of three games and prizes up for grabs on our night including a retro games console, mini drone plus the chance to win £250 cash or a European city break; swish!
Hijingo immersive bingo has a virtual bingo caller plus two dancers who ably assist and bring winners onto stage – just don’t miscall as if your numbers are wrong, you’ll do the walk of shame and be the centre of attention (this happened several times during our visit). Talk about immersive if you end up on stage doing a loser’s dance-off!
Drinks at Hijingo can be ordered via the app or with one of the roaming servers – try the cocktails served in a Maneki-neko waving cat cocktail mug; cute as! Bao buns, burgers and other fare can also be purchased at Hijingo during your bingo session.
Address: Hijingo Bingo, Broadgate Quarter, 90 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BA
2. ABBA Voyage, Stratford
Gimme, gimme, gimme another ticket to see ABBA Voyage! Opening to rave reviews and daily sell-out performances (twice a day at the weekends), ABBA Voyage in Stratford is quite like nothing else we’ve ever done in London before.
If you told us a ‘virtual’ performance by ABBA could have been so uplifting, emotive and such a fun night out, we wouldn’t have believed you – but this truly delivers and we urge you to go and see it with your own eyes.
The ABBA Voyage execution is excellent; from the 360 degree lighting displays and live band that merge seamlessly with the holographic ABBA to the huge dance floor at the front (you can buy seated tickets or standing / dancing tickets).
ABBA Voyage belts out all the well known ABBA songs such as Dancing Queen and Winner Takes it All with some songs introduced by the virtual ABBA members – again it sounds like it shouldn’t work but it truly does.
If you missed out seeing ABBA live when they were in their heyday, then this is your opportunity to see ABBA in 2023 – tickets are selling fast. Ticket prices range from £21 upwards but most of the ‘cheaper’ tickets are sold out months in advance.
ABBA Voyage tickets are now on sale with ABBA Voyage performances currently scheduled until January 29th 2024.
To find out more and book tickets visit their official website here >
Address: ABBA Voyage Arena, Pudding Mill Lane, London E15 2PJ
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3. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience, Piccadilly
As teenagers of the 90’s, we were blown away when we heard about the Crystal Maze London Immersive experience opening in London.
A classic British entertainment show, contestants would scamper around four themed zones completing challenges (or trying to do) to win crystals which would then determine how much time they had in the final Crystal Maze – brilliant stuff. It has now been lovingly recreated in the centre of London.
We loved our Crystal Maze Live Experience fans – Caroline had her birthday party here and it was nice to try and complete the activities with your friends (often with the help of your Crystal Maze guide).
Starting in Islington and since moving to Piccadilly Circus (near Oxford Street), The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is one of the most popular and fun immersive experiences in London.
The attention to detail and theming is superb – prices for the The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience in London start from £75 per person as at April 2023.
Address: 22 – 32 Shaftesbury Ave, West End, London, W1D 7EU
NB – Did you know they tried to launch a Fun House London immersive experience with the blessing of original host Pat Sharp but it failed to take off after raising only a small part of their original fundraising target? Not so Fun House…
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4. Fairgame, Canary Wharf
A new London immersive entertainment and event concept to arrive at Canary Wharf (it opened in late 2022), Fair Game is the most fun we’ve had in London for a long time and up there with Hijingo Japanese bingo in Shoreditch.
How best to describe Fair Game? A carnival of games and epic immersive entertainment – in fact all the fun of the fair without the rubbish circus acts.
Fairgame is a fun, themed fairground style attraction with over 10 games to play – as you are competing with your friends, it can get quite intense! Fair Game in Canary Wharf also has lots of eating and drinking options – we’d actually recommend eating after the activities as some of them can be energetic if you really get into them (especially the basketball toss)!
There are various options / packages available at Fairgame Canary Wharf and we opted for the £25pp package which included 70 minutes of gaming activities (you get to do each game twice) plus two drinks each (wine, pints of beer, prosecco etc).
The basic package at Fair Game for just the immersive games experience is £15. Prices correct as at April 2022.
All of the gaming action is recorded by your electronic card which you register at the start and tap each time you play a new game – your best score from the two rounds is then added to your overall score so you can see where you rank in your team. It is fair (game) to see we became quite competitive!
The gaming activities are all a lot of fun, from water pistols filling up clown’s faces to horse-racing and a shooting alley – handily there is also a beer holder below each game seat so you don’t spill your pint when you get way too into the games.
Fair Game is a neat and fun concept and definitely one we will play again in the future.
Address: Fairgame Canary Wharf, 25 Fishermans Walk, London E14 4DH
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5. Tomb Raider: The Live Experience, Camden
From Cambodia to Camden… Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider: The Live Experience has now set up home in the basement of Camden Stables Market (brought to you from the makers of The Crystal Maze Experience: Live!).
Promising an immersive adventure through themed puzzle rooms and worldwide settings (think glamourous settings like Finland, not Finchley!), this is one of the newest live experiences in London and perfect for large groups (possibly a fun team build beckons).
With live actors in character to help you along the way and stunningly designed sets, swing on by Camden to undertake Tomb Raider: The Live Experience.
Tomb Raider The LIVE Experience is played in teams of up to 8 and starts from £46 pp, as of April 2023.
Address: Tomb Raider: The Live Experience, The Stables Market, Camden, NW1 8AH
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6. Lightroom – David Hockney ‘BiGGER and CLOSER’, King’s Cross
A brand-new immersive installation comes to King’s Cross in 2023.
Lightroom is a new exhibition space open seven days, located over four storeys on Lewis Cubitt Square, nestled between Central St Martin’s and Coal Drops Yard.
The first major show at Lightroom: David Hockney; BiGGER and CLOSER opens in February 2023 and runs until June 2023 with tickets starting from £25.
The new Hockney installation will see projections of his work across the gallery across six themed sections including new and rarely seen before pieces.
Address: Lightroom, Coal Drops Yard, 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY
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7. God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow
One of the more unique inclusions on this immersive experiences in London list, God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow is a neon nirvana that allows you to freely wander around a huge showroom of sublime light installations and weird and wonderful sculptures (Jesus with a gun anyone?).
As soon as you walk through the shutters into this picture perfect palace of light, you are immersed into the experience of bright lights and subversive neon shines. A joy to behold.
God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow is free to visit (as at 2023) but donations or purchases of neon sculptures are very much appreciated. Read more about God’s Own Junkyard here >
We’d also rate God’s Own Junkyard as one of our most Instagrammable places in London to visit >
Address: God’s Own Junkyard, Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, London E17 9HQ
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8. ABBA Mamma Mia The Party, The 02 North Greenwich
Head to the O2 in Greenwich to enjoy Mamma Mia the Party, an interactive disco and dining experience where you’ll become a Dancing Queen.
Based on ABBA songs and the hit West End stage show, be transported to the Greek island of Skopelo in this immersive London live stage experience.
Enjoy a four course meal (The Dinner Takes It All?!), classic ABBA hits and overall, have a Super (Trouper) time – we’re sure dessert will also include Honey (Honey).
Take a chance on Mamma Mia The Party at the 02 Greenwich, Wednesday – Friday (6.30pm – 10.30pm) and Saturday – Sunday (12pm – 4pm and 6.30pm – 10.30pm). Advance booking is recommended.
Address: Mamma Mia The Party, Nikos Taverna, The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX
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9. Secret Cinema (various London locations)
The stalwarts of immersive cinema screenings in London, Secret Cinema have been hosting the most amazing and interactive film events in the capital for years – the ‘secret’ to their longevity and success? They are just damn good at it and pay extra attention to detail.
We were lucky enough to go to their Back to the Future Secret Cinema in Stratford years ago and more recently even attended a Stranger Things secret cinema immersive event in a former disused carpet showroom in Walthamstow (waaaaay better than it sounds).
New Secret Cinema immersive events in London are set to be announced for 2023 and 2024 soon – check out the Secret Cinema website here for more details >
Secret Cinema, address…who knows?
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10. Dine on an old Tube train – Walthamstow supperclub.tube
Eating food on the London Underground is normally frowned upon but not at Walthamstow’s Supperclub.tube – it in fact, it is actively encouraged, an epicurean experience like no other in east London.
Taking you on a literal fine foodie journey and immersive ‘underground’ experience, the supperclub tube takes place on a disused Victoria Tube carriage, transporting the best of Latin inspired cuisine to Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum.
Over 6 courses (which change seasonally), Walthamstow’s Tube tasting experience is brought to life with Latin American love, curated by Nick Atkins and Colombian born Head Chef Bea Maldonado (who comes aboard the Tube to welcome you on your culinary journey).
Unique, tasty and ultimately fun, Walthamstow’s Tube supper club is an immersive dining experience that ‘departs’ three times a week (Thursdays to Saturdays).
Read about our tasty Tube journey aboard the Walthamstow Tube Supper Club >
Address: Walthamstow supperclub.tube, Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, 10 S Access Road, London E17 8AX
11. Phantom Peak, Canada Water
An epic immersive steampunk world full of side-shows, attractions, games plus bars and street food, Phantom Peak is the ‘Old West’ brought to life with indoor and outdoor immersive activities and mysteries.
Billed as the ‘Venice of the West’, there is a large canal that takes centre stage as well as a waterfall feature and old ruins.
Each experience lasts around 4 hours and visitors are encouraged to wear (appropriate) fancy dress as they meet and interact with the locals of Phantom Peak.
Phantom Peak tickets start from around £36 per adult or £134 per family of four as at April 2023 – booking in advance is required.
Find out more about Phantom Peak in London here >
Address: The Southwark Construction Skills, Centre Canada Street & Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 7PJ
Like this? Try London’s best street food markets and food courts >
12. London Bridge Experience & The Tombs
The London Bridge Experience promises an immersive theatrical maze of local London characters detailing over 2000 years of history in this area.
Located between the Shard and London Bridge Station, this subterranean journey beneath the streets of London shows how the Great Fire of London took hold and other dark moments such as the infamous Jack The Ripper, as told by a tour guide.
Aimed more at tourists than locals, the London Bridge Experience starts from £26.95 per adult (plus booking fee) if booked online in advance as at February 2023 (or £28.95 on the door).
Book your London Bridge Experience and Tomb Tickets here >
Address: London Bridge Immersive Experience, The Rennie Vaults, 2 – 4 Tooley Street, London SE1 2SY
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13. Odeon BFI IMAX Waterloo
A huge cinema screen located in Waterloo near South Bank, in this case, BFI does not stand for ‘Big F*cking Images’ but instead, The British Film Institute. The biggest cinema screen in the UK no less, many premieres and special screens attended by the cast and crew are often held here.
If of interest to film geeks, the IMAX Waterloo screen is 20m high by 26m wide (basically, epic and enormous) – this really feels like you are up close and kind of in the movie, making it an immersive London cinema experience (although not with actors like Secret Cinema).
There are several websites you can sign up for to attend free advance film screenings or attend fan events.
In the past, we’ve been able to attend screenings like The Wolverine (Hugh Jackman appeared), Marvel’s Eternals and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (complete with full main cast and directors attending) by registering with ShowFilmFirst.
Address: BFI IMAX Southbank, 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk South Bank SE1 8XR
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14. Evans and Peel Detective Agency, Earl’s Court
There are dozens of ‘immersive event’ bars in London, many of which come and go.
However, one of the first ever immersive / secret bars in London you need to track down is the Evans and Peel Detective Agency, a stalwart of the secret bar scene in London. We first went there for a work Christmas party years ago and everyone had such a fun night.
Evans & Peel Detective Agency is a speakeasy bar with regular live music events and one of the best cocktail menus in London. Get into the spirit (or spirits even). Once you’ve pasted the detective agency entrance (a little role play is encouraged), you are free to enjoy the cocktail bars
Bookings in advance are recommended with a deposit of £20 required to secure a table – a £5 live music fee is also requested per person. Prices are correct as at April 2023 (and it is more based in Earl’s Court as opposed to Chelsea, despite what their website says).
Address: Evans & Peel Detective Agency, 310c Earls Court Road, London SW5 9BA
Heard about the secret bar in Seoul where you enter through a fridge door? Read on >
15. Sherlock: The Official Live Game, Shepherd’s Bush
Unlike most Sherlock Holmes immersive London experiences, this Shepherd’s Bush escape room is actually an official set-up, licensed by the makers of the latest BBC TV reincarnation. This means it features genuine, new clips of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Martin Freeman as Watson – an elementary immersive London experience if you will.
Play London’s leading detective Sherlock Holmes as you journey through locations and recreations from the BBC TV show including 221B Baker Street.
Help to catch the killer through sets from the show – can you crack the case as easily as Sherlock?
Reward yourself afterwards with a drink or two in the Sherlock Mind Palace speakeasy bar – you can sneakily enter this plush bar through the hidden entrance of Doyle’s Opticians.
Alternatively, just nip into the Wetherspoons next door or one of these Shepherd’s Bush pubs. Ale-mentary stuff!
Sherlock: The Official Live Game London immersive experiences start from £35pp for a shared experience lasting 100 minutes or £40pp for a private experience (4 to 6 players) – Sherlock: The Official Live Game prices correct as at April 2023.
Address: Sherlock: The Official Live Game, W12 Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush, London W12 8PP
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Our Final Best Immersive Experiences in London…
16. Monopoly Life-Sized, Tottenham Court Road
Shake your money maker! Massive Monopoly comes to London; one of the newest giant games and immersive experiences in London (<doffs Banker’s Hat>).
At Monopoly Life-sized, travel around a huge game board buying up properties (for us, the only way we can afford to buy in London!) with escape room challenges in an 80 minute immersive adventure.
Located on Tottenham Court Road (itself a prized Monopoly location – how meta!), you can relax before or after the game in the Top Hat bar with themed Monopoly cocktails and desserts like Mr Millionaire’s Millionaire Cheesecake (it sounds quite ‘rich’ – sorry not sorry…)
Monopoly Life-sized interactive game tickets start from £49 per player – advance bookings are required and you must be part of a group to play.
Address: Monopoly Lifesized, 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PS
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And one London Immersive Experience to Avoid
Faulty Towers The Experience
Literally this is one of the worst ever experiences (immersive or not) we’ve ever had in London – we won tickets via a Time Out competition.
Recreating the classic sketches from TV’s beloved Fawlty Towers experience is never an easy task and this sham of a immersive London dining experience is proof of that – even original series co-creator John Cleese has voiced his concern about this particular production.
From start to finish, Faulty Towers the live experience is just BAD. The ‘setting’ was a business meeting room in a shabby hotel that literally had no dressing or set. The food was a shocker (under the pretense this was just like the Fawlty Towers kitchen from the programme) – e.g cold soup and a hard bread roll for starters isn’t funny.
The Faulty Tower actors were OK, but the joke of them taking the mickey out of diners soon wears thin. If we hadn’t won the tickets, we would have been asking for a refund. Tickets cost around £70 per person as at March 2023 which includes a so-called dinner – DO NOT buy ‘Faulty’ goods.
Other London blog posts you might like
- Best things to do in Shoreditch, east London
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- Best things to do in Greenwich, London
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