Merseyside takes its name from the River Mersey: a gateway to the North of England in one direction, and the Atlantic Ocean in the other. Liverpool has drawn people to the region for centuries: to work in the shipyards during the industrial revolution, to visit the home city of the Beatles or - since it was named as European Capital of Culture in 2008 - to take in its vibrant and artistic atmosphere. But it’s also always been a place of escape. While transatlantic ocean liners used to carry migrants and travellers across the sea to the Americas, in modern times Merseyside has become a popular location for escape as entertainment. A test of perception, ingenuity and teamwork: escape rooms are the latest trend in immersive adventure

In an escape room game, you and your team will find yourself in a themed environment - anything from an ancient Egyptian pyramid to a futuristic spaceship - and have to solve puzzles in order to get out! While the goal is to escape the scenario, it’s also a way to break up your routine and escape from your day to day life, stepping into an adventure which surrounds you. It’s hard to believe that no one had heard of escape rooms back in 2008 when Merseyside became a leader in European culture, but during Liverpool’s renaissance in the years since escape rooms established themselves as a fun leisure activity across the county. Be the protagonist of

Where can you find the best Escape Rooms in Merseyside?

• Liverpool: there’s a fantastic offering of cutting edge escape rooms in Liverpool. From historical scenarios including Victorian crime scene and Wild West frontier town, to pop culture experiences like Pirates of the Caribbean and Squid Game, and games that will transport you far from Merseyside to Samurai era Japan or a dystopian Sci-fi future, these adventures are beyond your wildest dreams. Some games incorporate elements of Virtual Reality, while there are also games that take you out onto the city streets, using tablets and Augmented reality to take you on an immersive journey where you are responsible for advancing the narrative to its conclusion.

• The Wirral: across the Mersey is the Wirral peninsula. You can be transported to the Peruvan rainforest, a high security prison or a multitude of other exciting locations without ever leaving the towns of Birkenhead and Wallasey. Or take part in a Second World War themed adventure in a real life 200 year old fort that protected the entrance to the River Mersey from Nazi invaders.

• Bootle: innovative experiences are available in the town of Bootle, where you can be guided through an escape room experience set in the fantasy world of Narnia in the company of an actor in costume. If that sounds a bit too tame for you, you can test your nerve in a real life recreation of one of the most shocking horror films ever made: The Exorcist. Unlike in a cinema you can’t just get up and leave when it gets too scary, you’re trapped in the story until you find your way out!

• Southport: up the coast in Southport you’ll find some puzzle based escape rooms that force you to think outside the box. You and your team will have to put your heads together to solve a murder mystery or escape some black magic horror!

How long does this experience last?

In general, escape rooms are designed to last around 1 hour and in Merseyside it’s no different. On starting the challenge, a clock starts counting down from 60 minutes and if it reaches zero before you’ve solved the room then it’s game over! Of course, if you’re a pro, you might finish with time to spare, and you and your team might be the name to beat on the leaderboard. Apart from the actual game time, you also have to factor in an introduction and briefing session (which will include information on how to leave the room in case of an emergency) which can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. After the game, you can stay in the centre as in some locations you can see photos and videos of your game, or enjoy some follow up activities.

Some games can last for longer than one hour, and this is the case with the outdoor adventures in Merseyside. These games take two hours to complete, which you’ll be grateful for because you have to cover an area of 2 kilometres in your quest to solve the puzzle.

Requirements to do this activity

An escape room is a perfect activity for family fun, as the different skills of each member of the team will help to successfully complete the challenge. Having said that, there are some age limits that are in place in Merseyside to ensure that everyone has a good time. Just like movies and video games, the content of escape rooms can be scary or shocking and this isn’t suitable for the youngest players. Some rooms are available to everyone over the age of eight years old, but others have minimum ages of 10 or 12 years old.

Although most escape rooms aren’t suitable for wheelchair users, people with some reduced mobility can take part in the fun. However, as some tasks in the escape rooms in Merseyside can involve picking up small objects or manipulating installations, it’s recommended that at least one member of the team is able bodied. If you’re taking the fun out of the room and onto the streets, wheelchair users can get involved, so the outdoor games are an inclusive option for everyone to enjoy.

What do you need to bring?

Your critical faculties, your cooperative attitude and your sense of adventure! These are the key qualities that will help you get into the spirit of the game - and out of it again. Apart from that, you don’t need to bring anything special, but keep in mind that escaping the room could involve crawling, ducking or other awkward movements, please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that will let you move freely.

Be the protagonist of your own adventure today in a fantasy setting of your dreams! Make a booking and we’ll take care of the rest.