Looking for an adrenaline-pumping, brain-teasing adventure in Gloucester? Escape rooms offer the perfect blend of challenge, teamwork, and excitement, whether you’re a local or just visiting. From immersive indoor experiences to thrilling outdoor adventures and cutting-edge virtual reality escapes, Gloucester and nearby Cheltenham have a variety of options to test your wits. Below, we’ve rounded up the best escape room experiences in and around Gloucester, including the renowned Houdini’s Escape Room Experience, outdoor escapes, and more. Get ready to solve puzzles, crack codes, and make unforgettable memories!
What is an Escape Room?
An escape room is an immersive, interactive game where you and your team are “locked” in a themed room (or virtual environment) and must solve a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges to “escape” within a set time, usually 60 minutes. It’s a test of creativity, logic, and teamwork, perfect for friends, families, or colleagues looking for a unique outing. Whether you’re deciphering codes in a wizarding school or breaking out of a virtual prison, escape rooms deliver heart-pounding fun.
Escape Rooms in Gloucester
Gloucester boasts a vibrant escape room scene, with top-notch venues offering diverse themes. While one notable escape room, Trapped Escape Rooms Gloucester (formerly located at 1a Longsmith St, Gloucester GL1 2HJ, UK), has sadly closed, there are still fantastic options in the city to satisfy your puzzle-solving cravings.
1. Houdini’s Escape Room Experience (Gloucester)
Houdini’s Escape Room Experience, a globally recognized leader in escape rooms, brings its meticulously crafted adventures to Gloucester. Known for being voted the #1 Escape Room in the World, Houdini’s offers two thrilling experiences at their Gloucester location, each designed to challenge and entertain.
- Escape from Alcatraz Escape Room
Channel your inner escape artist in this prison-break adventure inspired by the infamous Alcatraz. Work with your team to navigate through locked cells, uncover hidden clues, and outsmart the guards before time runs out.- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, ideal for both beginners and seasoned escapers.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £20 per person (discounts available; see below for promotions).
- Features: Immersive set design, intricate puzzles, and a gripping storyline.
- Hexmore School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Step into a magical world where you’re a student at Hexmore, a school for aspiring witches and wizards. Solve enchanted puzzles and uncover magical secrets to complete your mission in this spellbinding adventure.- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly but with challenges for experienced players.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £20 per person (discounts available; see below for promotions).
- Features: Whimsical atmosphere, family-friendly, and packed with Harry Potter-inspired charm.
- Location: Houdini’s Gloucester, Unit 5, St. Oswalds Retail Park, Gloucester GL1 2UE
- Booking: houdinisescape.co.uk/gloucester or call 01452 238121
- Promotions:
- 25% Off This Summer: Use promo code S25SUMMER for bookings Monday–Friday before 6pm from July 21, 2025, to September 1, 2025 (excludes Dundee, Farringdon, and Greenwich; minimum 4 players).
- Every Tuesday: 50% off all day (after 6pm during school holidays; excludes Farringdon and Greenwich; minimum 4 players, no code needed).
- Every Thursday & Sunday: £10 per player after 6pm (excludes Farringdon and Greenwich; minimum 4 players, no code needed).
- Every Friday: 20% off after 6pm (excludes Farringdon and Greenwich; minimum 4 players, no code needed).
- Why Visit?: Houdini’s is renowned for its attention to detail, immersive storytelling, and high-energy experiences. Perfect for birthdays, team-building, or a fun day out with friends.
2. Tenpin Gloucester
For a unique twist on the escape room concept, Tenpin Gloucester combines bowling with an escape room experience, making it a great choice for a full day of entertainment. Their escape room is designed to be accessible yet challenging, ideal for groups looking for a casual yet engaging adventure.
- The Heist
In this thrilling escape room, your team is tasked with pulling off a high-stakes heist. Navigate through security systems, crack safes, and escape with the loot before the authorities catch you.- Difficulty: Moderate, suitable for all skill levels.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £18 per person for a 60-minute session.
- Features: Compact yet immersive room, perfect for combining with bowling or arcade games.
- Location: Tenpin Gloucester, Centre Severn, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HR
- Booking: tenpin.co.uk/gloucester or call 0871 222 3675
- Why Visit?: Tenpin offers a fun, laid-back environment where you can enjoy an escape room alongside bowling, laser tag, or a meal at their on-site restaurant. Great for families or casual group outings.
Escape Rooms in Nearby Cheltenham
Just a short 8-mile drive or 15-minute train ride from Gloucester, Cheltenham offers additional escape room options for those willing to make the trip.
1. Frightmare (Cheltenham) — Closed
Previously listed as a horror-themed attraction, Frightmare at Over Farm in Cheltenham (Staverton Court, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 0UX) was known for its seasonal Halloween events and a rage room experience. However, the Frightmare Halloween festival, which included immersive horror attractions, closed in February 2023 after moving to a Gloucester city-center location in 2022 and struggling with low turnout post-COVID. The operating company, Scared LTD, entered voluntary liquidation, and there is no information about the festival or any escape room activities returning. While a rage room continues to operate at the Cheltenham site, it does not offer puzzle-based escape rooms.
- Why It’s Not an Option: If you’re seeking a spooky escape room, try the alternatives below instead.
2. Escape Hunt Cheltenham
A top-rated venue in Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter, Escape Hunt offers immersive escape rooms with a variety of themes, perfect for those seeking a spooky or adventurous experience.
- Alice in Puzzleland
Dive into a Wonderland-inspired adventure, solving whimsical puzzles to escape a fantastical world.- Difficulty: Beginner to moderate, great for families.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £25-£30 per person for a 60-minute session.
- Features: High production value, family-friendly, and replayable.
- Aladdin
Embark on a magical heist to retrieve a genie’s lamp, navigating traps and riddles.- Difficulty: Moderate, suitable for all skill levels.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £25-£30 per person.
- Features: Richly themed, ideal for groups.
- Our Finest Hour
A WWII-themed spy mission where you crack codes to thwart enemy plans.- Difficulty: Challenging, best for experienced players.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £25-£30 per person.
- Features: Historical immersion, intense puzzles.
- Location: Unit D1, Brewery Quarter, High St, Cheltenham GL50 3FF
- Booking: escapehunt.com/uk/cheltenham
- Why Visit?: High-quality production and diverse themes make Escape Hunt a must-visit for escape room enthusiasts, with outdoor city hunts for added variety.
3. Escape Rooms Cheltenham
This independent venue in Cheltenham’s town center offers unique, Gloucestershire-inspired escape rooms, including a spooky option for horror fans.
- Hester’s Quest
A witchcraft-themed adventure based on local folklore, where you solve eerie puzzles to uncover a witch’s secrets.- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, ideal for thrill-seekers.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £20-£25 per person for a 60-minute session.
- Features: Spooky atmosphere, perfect for fans of horror-themed escapes.
- Operation Foresight
A GCHQ-inspired spy thriller, cracking codes to prevent a global threat.- Difficulty: Challenging, great for puzzle pros.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £20-£25 per person.
- Features: High-tech puzzles, immersive storytelling.
- Cheese Robbers
A fun, lighthearted caper inspired by Cheltenham’s famous cheese-rolling tradition.- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly, ideal for families.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £20-£25 per person.
- Features: Humorous and unique, great for all ages.
- Location: 52 Winchcombe St, Cheltenham GL52 2ND
- Booking: escaperoomscheltenham.co.uk
- Why Visit?: Locally inspired themes and the option to combine with axe-throwing upstairs make this a standout choice. Summer deal: one child free with code SUMMERESCAPE.
Outdoor Escape Rooms in Gloucester
For those who prefer fresh air with their puzzles, outdoor escape rooms offer a unique spin on the classic format. These experiences combine physical exploration with clue-hunting, turning Gloucester’s streets into a giant game board.
- Gloucester Treasure Hunt by Hidden City Adventures
This outdoor escape experience transforms Gloucester’s historic streets into a puzzle-filled adventure. Using your smartphone, follow clues that lead you to landmarks like Gloucester Cathedral and the Docks, solving riddles to unlock the next step.- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly, great for families and tourists.
- Group Size: 2-6 players.
- Price: From £15 per person for a 2-3 hour adventure.
- Features: Self-guided via an app, flexible start times, and a mix of history and fun.
- Booking: mycityhunt.com/treasure-hunt-gloucester
- Why Visit?: Explore Gloucester’s rich history while solving puzzles, perfect for a sunny day out or a unique date idea.
Virtual Reality Escape Room Experience
For a futuristic twist, virtual reality (VR) escape rooms let you dive into immersive digital worlds without leaving Gloucester. These experiences use VR headsets to transport you to fantastical settings, where you solve puzzles in a fully interactive 3D environment.
- VR Escape Rooms at Gloucester VR Arena
Located in the heart of Gloucester, the VR Arena offers a range of VR escape room experiences that blend cutting-edge technology with classic escape room challenges.- Example Game: Cyberpunk Heist
Step into a neon-lit, dystopian city where you and your team must hack systems, dodge lasers, and pull off a high-tech heist.- Difficulty: Moderate, requires some comfort with VR controls.
- Group Size: 2-4 players.
- Price: From £25 per person for a 45-minute session.
- Features: State-of-the-art VR headsets, multiplayer teamwork, and a variety of themed adventures.
- Location: Gloucester VR Arena, 23 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1NS
- Booking: vrxperience.uk/gloucester or call 01452 345153
- Why Visit?: VR escape rooms offer a next-level experience, perfect for tech enthusiasts or groups looking for something new and exciting.
- Example Game: Cyberpunk Heist
What to Expect
In a traditional escape room, you’ll enter a themed room (or virtual environment) and have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, find hidden objects, and crack codes to “escape.” You’ll work as a team, with game masters providing hints if you get stuck. Outdoor escape rooms involve exploring real-world locations, often guided by an app, while VR escape rooms use headsets for a fully immersive digital adventure. Most venues require you to arrive 10-15 minutes early for a briefing, and comfortable clothing is recommended. Sessions are ideal for groups of 2-8, though some venues accommodate larger teams.
Why Try an Escape Room?
Escape rooms are more than just games—they’re a chance to test your problem-solving skills, bond with friends or family, and create lasting memories. The adrenaline rush of cracking a tough puzzle or escaping just in time is unbeatable. Plus, escape rooms cater to all skill levels, from beginners to puzzle pros, making them perfect for birthdays, team-building events, or a fun night out.
Tips for Your Visit
- Book in advance: Escape rooms are popular, so reserve your slot at least a week ahead, especially for weekends or group events.
- Arrive early: Get to the venue 10-15 minutes before your session for the briefing and to settle in.
- Wear comfortable clothes: You’ll be moving around, so opt for casual attire and closed-toe shoes.
- Check age restrictions: Most escape rooms have a minimum age of 8-12, with under-18s often requiring parental consent or supervision. VR and horror-themed rooms may have higher age limits.
- Bring your A-game: Communication and teamwork are key—listen to your teammates and share ideas.
- Take advantage of promotions: Use Houdini’s discount codes or check for off-peak deals to save on your booking.
Make a Day of It
Since some escape rooms are in Cheltenham or involve exploring Gloucester, why not make a day of it? In Gloucester, visit the stunning Gloucester Cathedral, grab a coffee at the quirky Tank bar in the Docks, or explore the Gloucester Quays for shopping and dining. In Cheltenham, stroll through the Regency-era Promenade or enjoy a meal at one of the town’s many gastropubs. For outdoor escape enthusiasts, combine your adventure with a visit to the nearby Cotswolds for scenic walks.
Ready to Escape?
Gloucester and nearby Cheltenham offer a fantastic range of escape room experiences, from Houdini’s world-class Alcatraz and Hexmore adventures to Tenpin’s heist-themed room, outdoor treasure hunts, and immersive VR challenges. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a fun group activity, there’s an escape room for you. Book your session, gather your team, and see if you can crack the codes in time!
