Our most common questions answered... do you dare?

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN PLAY?

Our rooms are designed for 2 to 5 players (This number is limited because of the size of the game spaces).

IMPORTANT ROOM SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Crime & Punishment Lab is only accessible via 4 flights of stairs and contains a small element of crawling & strobe lighting.

The Comms Room is only accessible via a narrow pathway, a narrow door and by crossing a road, it contains moments of high tension & strobe lighting.

Magna Carta Murder is only accessible via 4 flights of stairs and involves climbing multiple spiral staircases and momentarily going outside on the rooftop battlements during the game.

This game is only bookable up to 3 weeks in advance because it shares some areas with our event space The Guard Chamber. Please check back 3 weeks before your desired date for when the slots become available.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

Players should be 16 or over. Children aged 12-16 are permitted to take part if accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult aged 18+ and must be supervised at all times. It may be beneficial for younger players to enjoy the game with an adult to guide them along if they get stuck. Some elements of the game include tense moments and themes of war and punishment.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

You can request a cancellation and refund for a full-priced booking up to 24 hours before it is due to start. Cancellations within 24 hours of a game’s start time are unfortunately non-refundable due to staff allocation.

IS IT SCARY?

Escape In The Towers games are set within a real gaol (prison) built in 1380 and 1830. This gives it a natural eerie atmosphere but it is not designed to be scary. It does, however, feature darkness, loud noises, heightened tension, surprises and themes that some people may find uncomfortable. With the exception of the brief introduction to Magna Carta Murder there are no actors inside the room, just you and your team.

WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT TIME SHOULD WE ARRIVE?

We are based at One Pound Lane where you will also find ‘Kent’s Best Bar’ The Pound Bar & Kitchen and the Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint. Access is via The Pound, please arrive 10 minutes before your booking to use the WC etc so that you are ready to play. We will come and collect you from the lobby area at your game time. Late arrival will unfortunately eat into your game time as we have to be ready for the next team.

HOW LONG DOES THE ESCAPE ROOM TAKE?

You have an hour to escape with your cohorts. Please arrive 10 minutes before your allotted time. The whole experience should take no longer than 1 hour 30 minutes which includes the briefing and debriefing.

DO YOU OFFER STUDENT DISCOUNT?

We do not currently offer student discount but please check back for offers.

ARE THERE ANY HEIGHT OR WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS?

People of most heights should be able to complete our games, please enquire if you have any specific requirements. There is no weight restriction but there is a small element of crawling on your hands and knees in The Crime & Punishment Lab and many flights of spiral stairs in Magna Carta Murder.

ARE THERE ANY CONFINED SPACES?

There are no confined spaces in our games, however the nature of the original prison cells may feel claustrophobic to some, but no spaces are smaller than the briefing areas.

CAN I BUY refreshments?

The Pound Bar & Kitchen set in the adjoining former gaoler's house and police station offers a fantastic selection of drinks, food and snacks which you can enjoy in the bar area or one of the former police cells after your game.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR? & PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

Wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or potentially damaged. It is advised that clothes and shoes are well-fitting. Coats and accessories can be left with your Gamemaster in the briefing room which is covered by CCTV.

CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL BEFORE MY BOOKING?

Your utmost care and attention is required to escape from the towers safely. Any players who arrive having consumed alcohol will be refused entry, in these circumstances refunds are not available.

WHAT IS AN ESCAPE ROOM?

Our escape room is set within England’s largest surviving Medieval gateway the atmospheric Westgate Towers built in 1380 and Canterbury’s former city gaol built in 1830. You and your team have 60 minutes to escape from one of 3 escape experiences, the aim of the game is to escape by solving clues, puzzles and finding combinations and keys as you find yourself immersed in a truly unique and atmospheric setting. 

CAN I BOOK ON THE DAY?

You can book up to two hours before a free session is about to start. All bookings must be made and paid for online. You can add additional players to your team at the bar when you arrive for your booking if you have last minute additions! 

CAN I PLAY IF I HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR MOBILITY ISSUES?

The games are not suitable for people with limited mobility, people with sensory deficit, or people with other medical conditions that may be exacerbated by sudden or loud noises, darkness, stress, fear, confined spaces or crawling. Magna Carta Murder is particularly taxing as it involves multiple flights of narrow stair climbing and outdoor elements.

ARE THE ROOMS ACCESSIBLE?

Unfortunately because of the restrictions of our heritage building (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) the only access to The Crime & Punishment Lab is via 4 flights of stairs. The Comms Room is at ground level but has a narrow doorways and corridor and is only accessible from a narrow path by crossing a road and Magna Carta Murder involves multiple flights of spiral stairs and is set on the first floor. The width of the original prison cell doorways and corridors within the attraction are also restricted because of their original size and listed status. Please contact us if you would like any further information.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEART CONDITIONS?

Heightened tension, pressure, suspense and sudden loud noises make these games unsuitable for people with heart conditions. If in doubt please check with your doctor.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST & IS OUR GAME PRIVATE?

It depends on how many players there are, it is cheaper per person the more players you have please see the main booking page. All of our escape room adventures are private, so you will never have to share your slot with strangers.

IS THERE A WAIVER?

No, however all players play at their own risk and must follow the rules set out in the briefing. You will need to exercise all of the caution you would do in the real world so that you do not injure yourself or others.

ARE ESCAPE ROOMS DANGEROUS?

Safety is our primary concern. We have gone to every length to ensure our escape rooms are safe and fun to play in. Players are free to exit the game at any point using multiple exit buttons which are also automatically linked to our advanced fire alarm system. Exits also open in the event of a power cut and your Gamemaster monitors the game on CCTV (and audio) in the room next to you. However, this is a live action escape game and you will need to exercise all of the caution you would do in the real world. If you are careless or use force you may injure yourself or others. You play at your own risk and a full safety briefing is given beforehand.

WHERE CAN I PARK THE CAR?

The nearest car park is Pound Lane. You can set up an online account to pay for your parking here: https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/ticketless

HOW DO I GET TO YOU BY TRAIN?

The nearest train station is Canterbury West, just a short walk away. A high speed train service is available, arriving from London St Pancras in 56 minutes.

MY GROUP IS LARGER THAN 5 CAN YOU HELP?

Unfortunately the player numbers indicated are the absolute maximum number of people our Escape Rooms can physically house because of the size of the original heritage spaces! You can split your group over multiple games or the rest of your group are welcome to use the facilities and enjoy refreshments in The Pound Bar & Kitchen on the ground floor while they wait! Please note that games starts every 2 hours because of the 15 minute briefing, 60 minute game, 15 minute debrief and 30 minute reset.