Need a little escape in the capital? Lucky you, London has a whole bunch of super unique immersive experiences from meeting classic family favourite characters like Shrek, stepping straight into famous artworks at Frameless, or have the living daylights scared out of you at the Dungeons. At Days Out we only shout about the best of the best so read on to discover the 18 best immersive experiences in London.
Enjoy one hour and 40-minutes of 360-degree VR at The Gunpowder Plot Immersive Experience – find yourself transported back to 1605 and seeing the life and plans of Guy Fawkes unfold. Oh, and as if it wasn’t realistic enough as is, the experience takes place in the Tower Vaults next to the Tower of London – now that’s nifty.
Similarly, to the last, this experience blends live action, multi-sensory effects and 360-degree VR to create the ultimate immersive experience in London. Explore the 24 interactive scenes as you live out the iconic novel written by Jeff Wayne – The War of The Worlds.
Shrek fans (both little and big) will love it at this immersive experience in London. Based in London’s South bank, this immersive experience packs a real punch. Journey through the 11 interactive zones and save the day for the entire Shrek gang – from the 4D Magical Flying Bus to the Poison Apple Pub, you’ll properly feel like part of the cast. Oh, and if meeting your favourite Shrek characters wasn’t enough, the Dreamworks Play Stations are the perfect spot to meet tonnes of other Dreamworks legends.
Are you proper into history and all the blood ‘n’ guts that come along with it? Well, London Dungeon is the place for you. With a curated mix of live actors, special effects and rides, you’ll be genuinely convinced you’re in 28th century London-town.
Playing Monopoly on the living room table not hitting the spot anymore? At 15-metres square, these are the biggest Monopoly boards in the world. And if you thought this iconic game could break families apart before, imagine the turmoil when it comes to bankrupting siblings and buying your way out of jail is on a life-sized-scale.
Now this immersive experience in London has a few different options to explore – from the Wizard Afternoon Tea and Potions Experience to the Magic Wand Experience. This is a wizarding world experience for all ages located in the heart of Soho.
If you fancy experiencing ABBA in their heyday, this is the place for you. Head on down to the dancefloor and prepare for a night of boogieing to their top hits – and it’ll look like they’re right there in front of you. It takes place at the ABBA Arena which was purpose-built for the show (the first of its kind) and is filled with cutting-edge technology and lighting to bring the whole thing to life. Located conveniently in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Didn’t make that luxury Greek holiday you were planning for the summer? Well, for a fraction of the price you can transport yourself to the island of Skópelos to dance and dine the night away. The meal is served with a side of romance as live actors Nikos, Kate, Adam and Konstantina perform a brand-new story (adapted by comedian, Sandi Toksvig) and belt out legendary ABBA hits to a live band.
Immerse yourself in some of the world’s most famous masterpieces and iconic paintings at Frameless London – it’s not just plain old art either, the soundscapes, projections and interactions make for quite the experience. With 360° projections and special soundscapes, you step off the street in Marble arch and disappear down a mind-expanding rabbit hole.
This certainly isn’t your typical VR experience – Phantom Peak is described as an ‘open world experience’, which’ll have you feeling like you’re on a different planet entirely. Get into character as an explorer, detective or adventurer and prepare for a unique day out. You’ll take canal boat rides, fish for platypus and play carnival games – and since you can hang about for five hours, there’s plenty to be done.
This South Bank Immersive attraction is perfect for group visits – simply head inside, select your game and prepare for a night filled with unique immersive experiences. Looking for a challenge? Check out the Squid Game challenge and join the action. Looking for something a little more family friendly? Head to the Paw Patrol and Angry Birds challenges (which are perfect for families with kids under 12).
You’ve probably seen this super-trendy London immersive experience all over socials – and for good reason, it’s well worth a visit. Settle into your seat on a 1967 Victoria Line tube carriage and prepare yourself to chow down a stunning six-course Latin American-inspired menu. Not only will you be experiencing some seriously delicious flavours, but you’ll also feel transported on a journey from Mexico to Patagonia in the transformed carriage – made even more special by the curated playlist and atmosphere.
Known (and loved) as London’s premier cyberpunk VR and bar, Hyper Reality is the perfect spot for immersive experience lovers in London. You high score chasers should head on over to The Arena to experience a selection of VR arcade games. Don’t fancy paying for Thorpe Park tickets? No worries, head over to their immersive rollercoaster experiences for a nice little adrenaline kick. Oh, and if there’s any aspiring racing drivers attending, send them over to the VR Go-Kart track – they'll just love beating the competition.
They say a trip to Moonshine Saloon will transport you to the world of a covert liquor operation led by the self-styled King of the moonshiners, Clyde Cassidy. Enter the saloon and meet new outlaws hoping to join the gang and learn the art of smuggling illicit liquor during the iconic Great American Frontier.
P.S This immersive experience in London makes for the perfect stag and hen do venue – they've even got packages specifically tailored for groups of troublesome outlaws just like you.
This is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars of the West End while also scoffing down the ultimate bottomless brunch. Each of the events is hosted at one of their secret venues for a magical 5-hours of total immersion in the world of musical theatre. Expect performances from stars from West End shows including Wicked, Les Misérables, Hamilton and The Lion King.
Oh, and we can’t forget to tell you more about the brunch – tuck into a delicious 2-course brunch and one hour slot of bottomless drinks, what’s not to like?
If you’re a firm believer that a better British comedy series hasn’t been released since Faulty Towers, you’ve got to check out this London immersive experience. This two-hour interactive production is set in a restaurant where the diners are the audience. Don't expect to hear the script of an episode during your experience, instead be prepared for three performers to embody the spirit of Torquay’s favourite hoteliers Basil, Sybil and Manuel. Oh, and obviously dinner is served too – although we won’t comment on the service from the hoteliers...
This interactive vintage cabaret experience is the brainchild of three internationally renowned burlesque performers (Miss Betsy Rose, Jolie Papillon and Missy Fatale), and makes for a great night on the town in London. With inspiration taken from the prohibition era, you can experience the golden era of jazz. It’s just about the burlesque either – you'll see fire eaters, snake charmers and live music inspired by the energy of New Orleans.
Narrated by everyone’s favourite presenter, Sir David Attenborough, the BBC Earth Experience is a great spot for nature lovers. Prepare yourself for a journey across all seven continents in one epic experience. Located in The Daikin Centre is the home of this transformative immersive experience where you will feel like you’ve stepped into the natural world, right in the heart of London.
