A unique escape room experience
This Spring St Neots Museum in partnership with Mystery in History will be hosting a unique escape room interactive experience where participants have 60 minutes to solve challenging puzzles so they can jailbreak.
Our escape room is being staged in the historic former police station in St Neots, where the current museum is based. Over a number of dates teams have the opportunity of being locked in the cell and given 60 minutes to escape. The cost will be £70 per team for any team size up to 8 people, which means that you can try the most original escape room in Cambridgeshire for less than £10 per person.
The dates for 2018
Our first season of Jailbreak has surpassed all our expectations and in the last few weeks over 330 people have tried to escape from jail in St Neots Museum, and another 200 are booked for the coming weeks. This level of interest has surpassed all our expectations, so we’ve released some (final) additional dates for those who have been unable to book so far. The final dates for this season will be:
- Thursday 5 July
- Saturday 7 July
- Sunday 8 July (afternoon)
- Thursday 12 July
After this, season one of Jailbreak will then close, and work will begin on a brand new challenge for the autumn. Thanks again for the massive support that St Neots (and beyond) has given this new venture.
The scenario
It is the 2 July 1898. Earlier today, St Neots was stunned by the public hanging of Mr Walter Horsfold, who was recently found guilty of the murder of his cousin, Annie Holmes. You, his friends, were angry at what you felt to be an unfair verdict and went out to console yourselves after witnessing the dramatic hanging in Cambridge. Unfortunately, you got into a brawl at the Falcon public house, and following complaints from local residents, have been arrested and brought to St Neots Police Station cells. You now stand accused of being drunk and disorderly and creating a public disturbance.
You will be transferred to Huntingdon Assizes in the morning to face formal charges, and your prospects for the coming hours are a night in a cold and cramped cell. Therefore you are determined to try and escape! There are some people locally who are sympathetic to your cause and may have left information, clues and items at the Police Station that will help you to escape, but do you have the skills to effect a Jail Break?
The challenge
After being locked in the cell, you and your colleagues will have 60 minutes to break out. You will have to pass through three stages: breaking out of the cell; breaking out of the cell corridor; and – finally – escaping through the main gate. These stages get progressively harder and more complex so you will need to work together, promptly, from the very moment the game starts.
This game does not require any strength or physical force. All the information you need to escape is already provided, as long as you use your eyes, ears and your brain and are able to work together as a team.
Frequently asked questions
What is an escape room?
If you’ve not tried one of these before — an escape room is a physical adventure game where players are locked in a room and must solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives, all this within 60 minutes. It’s a bit like The Crystal Maze or Fort Boyard but don’t worry its just for fun so you will be let out after the experience is complete. The challenge is to get out, and compete with other participants for the best time. Good luck.
Is Jail Break suitable for people in wheelchairs?
Yes, doors will be narrow, but the whole experience is conducted on the same floor level.
What is the largest group size?
8 people
Is that really a genuine police cell, and are we really locked in?
Totally. Half the group will be locked in the cell, and half in the cell corridor. Your first challenge will be to work together to unlock the cell door.
What is the minimum age that can play?
We would recommend that the attraction is unsuitable for anyone aged under 10. Children under the the age of 18 taking part in the Escape Room must be accompanied by an adult.
What if I get claustrophobic?
No need to worry, someone will be at hand to help you out. Early escapes are assisted when medically required.
Are there prizes?
Successful teams will have the option to have their photo taken with a board recording their escape time. The team who escapes in the fastest time throughout the season will get a special prize, and our Facebook will keep an updated list of ‘top times’.
I loved the museum but didn’t get chance to look properly at the displays.
Then come back again during normal opening hours which are 11am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday. Admission is free for local residents and £3 for non-residents.
I really enjoyed it, can I come back again?
The attraction will remain unaltered for our first season, April to June, so you will find it repetitive if you come back in that time. We hope to have a second season later in the year where we will have totally new clues and forms of escape, so trust you will want to come back for that.
Anything else?
We hope you have a great time and want to tell your friends all about it, but please, if you do no spoilers.
Booking information
Tickets for a team (up to 8 people) costs £70. If you have any queries please email us or contact the museum on 01480 214163.