The Lockup Escape Rooms Sheffield

What it’s like

Locked-room puzzle challenges with three themes, from a nuclear meltdown to a pirate mutiny, built for teams who like a bit of a scare.

You get 70 to 80 minutes locked in a themed room with your team, working through puzzles that need talking to each other more than one genius cracking codes alone. There are three rooms to pick from: Meltdown, a nuclear power plant scenario they say isn't meant to be scary but does have dark, enclosed bits; Deep Space Brig, a sci-fi horror room with a jump scare you can ask them to switch off; and Mutiny, a pirate room with handcuffs and a separation twist that's really aimed at older teens rather than kids.

This isn't one for younger children. The official line is 12+ for Meltdown and 15+ for Mutiny, and even Deep Space Brig is really only "doable" for mature under-16s. Under-10s are likely to lose interest fast since the puzzles just aren't built with them in mind, though the site does say kids 7 and under go free and can pitch in with padlocks if you fancy bringing a younger sibling along for the ride. Anyone under 16 needs an adult with them in the building, and that adult has to stay put even if they're not solving anything themselves, which is worth knowing before you assume you can drop the teens off and go for coffee.

Pricing drops the more of you there are, from £25 a head for two players down to £16 each once you're at seven or eight, so it's a better deal for a bigger group of mates than a parent-and-one outing. Rooms take up to eight for Meltdown and Deep Space Brig, though the site admits anything over six gets a squeeze, and Mutiny tops out at six. Booking's essential and they're strict on timing, arrive more than ten minutes late and you can lose the slot without a refund, so build in time to park.

Parking is either £3 for two hours on Beeley Street or two free hours at the nearby Waitrose if you time it right. It's wheelchair accessible with a lift, though the site is upfront that some puzzles will be tricky for wheelchair users even if others are completable. Cards only if paying on the day, and cancellations inside 48 hours aren't refunded since there's no cash kept on site.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Teens 12 and up; Mutiny really suits 15-plus groups

Parking

£3 for 2 hours (pay and display on Beeley Street), or 2 hours free at nearby Waitrose

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair accessible via lift

Worth knowing

10% discount for students, carers, armed forces, and blue light card holders

• Cards only tends to be the norm on site, so don't rely on cash turning up.
• There's a 10% discount for students, carers, armed forces and blue light card holders.
• Cancelling inside 48 hours won't get you a refund since no cash is kept on site.
• Mutiny uses real handcuffs, up to six pairs, so mention it beforehand if that's not for everyone in your group.
• Dogs are welcome if you fancy bringing one along.

Plan your visit

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