19 Immersive Experiences in London (You Need to Try This Year)

Whether you’ve lived in London your whole life or it’s your first time seeing the city, you’ve been missing out! 

One of the best immersive experiences in London for anyone with a curious mind or a sense of adventure, a self-guided treasure hunt in London is an activity that can involve people of all ages and interests (and it doesn’t break the bank, either!). 

Wind your way through historic streets, get hand-picked recommendations for pubs, bars and cute cafés, and immerse yourself in the past lives of London’s most famous boroughs. Just pick your trail, gather your team and get lost in a London adventure of your own…

Londoners have been enjoying theatre shows since…well, seemingly forever. But there’s more to London’s theatre scene than just the West End. 

Undoubtedly one of the most famous theatre capitals in the world, London never ceases to serve up incredible live performances for all to enjoy. And while you might have explored London’s West End (if you haven’t, you absolutely should) few people realise just how buzzing the theatre scene is outside of its world-famous theatre district. 

Take a day off from the glitz and glamour of sold-out shows to experience some of London’s smaller stages. Perks include (often) cheaper tickets, atmospheric venues and incredible performances from professional and amateur actors.

Want some inspo? Check out:

• 📍Finborough Theatre
• 📍Orange Tree Theatre
• 📍Shoreditch Town Hall
• 📍Southwark Playhouse
• 📍London Coliseum
• 📍Criterion Theatre

Looking for unforgettable immersive experiences in London this Christmas? Dive into a festive adventure with a Christmas lights treasure hunt!

This unique self-guided journey blends the excitement of an outdoor escape room with the magic of London’s famous Christmas lights. Delivered via WhatsApp, you’ll solve riddles, uncover hidden gems, and explore the city’s twinkling streets on a 3-5km walk. Perfect for couples, friends, or families, this experience immerses you in the festive spirit while revealing a different side of London.

Fancy trying an immersive experience in London that turns you into a detective? Of course you do!

Despite his crimes occurring over 200 years ago, Jack the Ripper’s name still haunts London’s streets and collective memory to this day. 

In fact, there are probably more Jack The Ripper tours and experiences out there than one person can possibly do in a lifetime–but this one’s a little different. 

Instead of following in the Ripper’s footsteps as a mere bystander, you’ll don your detective hats and piece together the facts, clues and testimony from a real murder case that occurred around the time of The Ripper’s killing spree. 

The game itself lasts a couple of hours and you don’t need anything other than a phone, WhatsApp and a Watson to your Sherlock–and tickets only cost £15 per person. 

Will you solve the mystery? Only one way to find out!

Want to get some thrills out of your immersive experiences in London? Look no further than this.

Humanity’s Last is an innovative live-action outdoor escape room game set against the backdrop of a thrilling zombie survival scenario on the streets of London. 

You and your team play as the city's last survivors amidst a catastrophic outbreak of the fast-acting “Z-Virus”, which has already devastated societies worldwide. 

This game cleverly combines the excitement of an escape room with the adrenaline rush of a survival game, challenging players to solve interactive puzzles, make critical decisions, and race against the clock to save mankind.

In this test of wit, endurance, and teamwork - your decisions matter and the “fate” of the city rests in your hands…

If you’re looking for immersive experiences in London that get you closer to our local heavens, visit The Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory. 

If you haven’t been to a planetarium before (or had the delight of visiting this one), they’re a bit like 3D cinemas, except the show is narrated by one of the RO’s own astronomers. 

You’ll get an introduction to the sky you can see from your back garden, what’s out there, which star is which (beyond Orion’s belt), and enjoy an immersive journey that enhances your understanding of astronomy, space, and the vastness of the universe. 

PSST: If you’re in Greenwich, you might want to try our Greenwich Guile route which uncovers plenty of hidden gems, secrets and interesting places to visit in the area!

Fancy turning lunch into a mystery adventure? Of course you do!

If you’re not sure what a Mystery Picnic is, it’s very simple: you follow clues sent to you via WhatsApp to take you around London, unlocking access to delicious, local vendors where you’ll collect your picnic treats. 

Half sightseeing and half tucking into tasty goodies, mystery picnics like these are the tastiest way to discover hidden gems and spend a few hours totally immersed in London’s atmosphere and curiosities.

Looking for immersive art experiences in London? Sounds like a great idea, but I’d recommend you do it differently from how you might expect. 

Search For Shoreditch is an eclectic and interactive game that allows you to explore at your own pace, discovering hidden gems and iconic street art pieces by local and internationally renowned artists (including Banksy himself!).

Apart from being a very trendy borough, Shoreditch is also a treasure trove of history, cultural curiosities and bizarre stories, and they’re all up for grabs (as long as you can solve the puzzles to unlock the secrets).

For immersive experiences in London that sharpen your creative flair, why not give art a try yourself?

Participate in a drop-in drawing class at The National Portrait Gallery for an enriching artistic experience amidst some of the world's most famous masterpieces.

Suitable for all skill levels, these sessions offer guidance from experienced artists and provide a unique perspective on the gallery's collection-and improve your drawing skills, of course.

Delve into Mayfair's hidden history with A Forbidden Fayre, an urban exploration game that takes you through this ritzy borough’s artistic and sometimes scandalous past. 

Urban adventure games like this uncovers the secrets and stories of Mayfair's former elite, their extravagant lifestyles, and their clandestine affairs. It's a captivating journey through time, revealing the opulence, creativity, and intrigue that defined this exclusive London district. 

Perfect for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike, this experience offers a glimpse into the luxurious and forbidden world of Mayfair's bygone days. Combining everything from American presidents to Victorian Dandys, you’ll find something new to discover with every twist and turn…

Looking for London art immersive experiences that nurture your ever-growing feeling of wanderlust? Here’s one for you… 

These hidden gems often provide a more intimate and personal encounter with art and history, allowing you to fully engage with the space and its treasures (and if you ask me, the real thing is still more mind-boggling than anything VR can do). 

Whether it’s wandering through the opulent rooms of a Victorian artist's home or exploring a carefully curated collection of global culture, these museums invite you to step into another world. Without the crowds, you can slow down, soak in the atmosphere, and truly connect with the art, architecture, and stories surrounding you. 

Here are my personal recommendations: 

📍Leighton House: a stunning 19th-century mansion that was once the home of Victorian artist Lord Leighton. Known for its exquisite Arab Hall with intricate mosaics and domed ceiling, the house itself is a work of art.

📍Sir John Soane’s Museum: The former home of neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, this museum is a labyrinth of art, antiquities, and architectural wonders.

📍Japan House: Japan House is a cultural hub showcasing the best of Japanese art, design, and innovation and often has really unique exhibits that really get you thinking.

By now, most people have experienced the thrill of an escape room–but what about bringing the games outdoors?

This immersive experience in London lets you solve puzzles, decipher cryptic clues, and explore London’s iconic streets while racing against time. 

You can choose whether you follow an escape room with a storyline or just race through a London Borough of your choice collecting snippets of history and odd tidbits of trivia along the way.

The major benefit of outdoor escape rooms is that you can pause the clock at any time and enjoy a sneaky pub stop or a caffeine kick at a cafe when you fancy it.

Nostalgic for the days of button-mashing and neon lights? You’re not alone.

If you’re looking for immersive experiences in London that allow you to flex your competitive muscle memory, I recommend visiting some of London’s arcade bars.

Whether you’re a Pac-Man champion or a Mortal Kombat newbie, these venues let you lose yourself in the game. And, of course, the drinks make victory (or defeat) all the sweeter!

Dine behind bars—no, really! At The Clink in Brixton, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals prepared by prisoners as part of their rehabilitation. 

This unique dining experience serves up great food with a side of social good, plus, you can finally say you've been to prison and left with nothing more than a full stomach!

If there’s one thing London (and the rest of the country, tbh) is good at, it’s preserving the nation’s history through its pubs.

In fact, you could go as far to say that visiting London’s oldest pubs is like stepping into a time machine with a pint in hand. These historic watering holes, many dating back three, four or even five centuries, offer an immersive experience by blending the city's rich past with modern-day life. 

So, as you sip your drink in some of these places, immerse yourself in the lore and true taste of London’s living history!

• 📍Prospect of Whitby and Pelican Stairs: London’s oldest riverside pub, dating back to 1520. Enjoy views of the Thames where pirates were once hanged (but don't worry, the menu’s much more pleasant!).
  
  
• 📍The George Inn (Southwark): London’s last remaining galleried coaching inn. Shakespeare drank here, and now, so can you—though maybe skip the soliloquies.
  
  
• 📍Ye Olde Mitre (Hatton Garden)
  https://www.yeoldemitreholborn.co.uk/about
  Tucked away in a secret alley, this 16th-century gem has timeless charm, cosy corners, and the remains of a cherry-tree that Queen Elizabeth I supposedly danced around. Oh, and William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered there, too…

For a truly unique coffee break, head to the Café in the Crypt beneath St Martin-in-the-Fields, right next to Trafalgar Square. 

This atmospheric hideaway offers the perfect blend of history and caffeine, with vaulted ceilings, tombstones underfoot, and a menu of delicious cakes and coffee. 

Sip your latte surrounded by centuries of history in this peaceful, yet slightly eerie, setting, enjoy a welcome break from sightseeing or just doing something a little out of the ordinary, this crypt café is a must-visit. 

Where else can you enjoy a cappuccino alongside 18th-century gravestones?

There’s no such thing as time travel–yet–but if you do have a hankering for a trip to the past, all you’ve got to do is seek out London’s domestic time capsules.

These meticulously preserved homes offer a fascinating glimpse into the personal and professional worlds of their famous occupants. All three are must-visits for any fellow history buffs and/or literature enthusiasts, offering a tangible connection to the past and the stories that have shaped our cultural heritage.

• 📍Sambourne House: the former home of a (in his day) famous Punch cartoonist.
  
  
• 📍Charles Dickens Museum: Explore the very rooms where the legendary author crafted his iconic novels.
  
• 📍Dennis Severs' House: A house that’s been transformed into a living replica of how French Huguenots would have lived when they arrived in the 19th century.

Experience the ethereal beauty of your favourite film’s score at a tribute concert set within the stunning architecture of the historic Kensington United Reformed Church. 

Whether you opt for Manga, Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter or Interstellar, these concerts give you a chance to feel the emotional depth of great composers’ music with the acoustic richness and spiritual ambiance of a sacred space, creating an immersive auditory and visual spectacle.

Hidden beneath the bustling streets of Soho, Basement Sate is the perfect spot for those who love a good cocktail with a side of mystery. 

This chic, dimly-lit underground bar offers expertly crafted drinks and decadent desserts in an intimate, speakeasy-style setting. It’s the kind of place where you can escape the city buzz and savour your drink in style—perfect for a late-night rendezvous or a secret indulgence.