A hotel to escape from it all
ANYONE looking for a perfect escape this spring could find it at Lumley Castle in County Durham, which is inviting visitors to enjoy a visit there – with a difference.
The hotel in Chester-le-Street is gearing up for today’s launch of an Escape Room – and The Chronicle was invited along for a look behind the scenes as it was tried and tested.
The preview revealed that what will await its first players are mind-bendingly clever puzzles combined with an old-fashioned murder mystery – one based on the medieval castle’s infamous story about its haunting by Lily of Lumley.
Lily is said to have been thrown to her death down the on-site well in the 14th Century by priests when she refused to renounce her faith. And the legend is at the heart of the new Escape Room – said to be the first in Britain to be at a historic site – which has been created inside a beer cellar.
While it does not take players below ground, it is made up of a succession of atmospheric rooms – kitted out with period furniture – which they can progress through only if they solve the clues within each.
And the players are up clock.
An hour, which ticks down on an electronic clock, is allocated to the game and, of five trial runs which have been undertaken by specially-invited groups, just two were successful, one of which was a group of self-styled Escape Room experts, who against the made it out with only a couple of minutes to spare.
One of those testing it out described it as like stepping back in time, with its twists and turns being intriguing – but not scary – and huge fun.
She said: “It’s very clever, but do-able”, adding: “It’s not about how clever you are but how laterally you can think.”
The premise of the game is to solve intricate clues in Lily’s story to unlock the rooms and finally lift the curse said to have been hanging over the castle since the 14th Century.
The progress of players is watched at all times and those really struggling en route could well find themselves being given an extra clue by a helpful crow.
The new venture in County Durham has really captured the imagination of Escape Room fans and bookings have been under way ever since news of the plans was first announced.
The castle’s Escape Room can cater for groups of six people at a time and players have to be over the age of 10.
Anyone in need of some refreshments after taking part will be able to use their ticket to receive a discount in the castle’s bars and restaurant.
Sam Lupton, of Escape Rooms Durham, which is behind the new addition, has said of it: “We have worked tirelessly over the past few months to create a game that is not only entertaining but is also completely immersive in its gameplay and the only one of its kind in the UK.”