The Panic Room Gravesend
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
ENTRY
from £8
WHERE
Gravesend
What it’s like
A puzzle-and-clue venue for older kids and teens, with escape rooms, axe throwing, laser tag and a splatter paint studio under one roof.
This is really a collection of grown-up party games with a couple of things bent towards families. The main draw is the escape rooms, an hour of searching for clues and solving puzzles as a private group, nobody else gets shoved in with you. Beyond that there's axe throwing, laser tag, a TV game show experience with a host running mini games, karaoke rooms, a splatter paint studio, retro arcade machines and a corner for pool, darts and shuffleboard.
The recommended age is 12 and up, though they will let kids as young as 8 join in if there's an adult with them in the group. That matters when you're picking a room, because this isn't toddler territory and it isn't meant to be. If you've got a group of ten-year-olds who fancy themselves detectives, book small. The site is upfront that the doors aren't actually locked, you can step out any time, and if anxiety in tight spaces is a worry for anyone in your crew, they'll let you look at the room first or suggest a smaller group.
Budget for about 90 minutes on site once you count check-in and photos, even though the games themselves run 60 minutes (75 for Hell House). Rooms are £20 a head, axe throwing £25, the TV game show is £15 for kids and £20 for adults, and splatter studio runs £30 to £35. It adds up fast if you're doing more than one activity in a visit, so pick the one everyone actually wants rather than trying to squeeze in two. There's a bar and café on site doing pizza, nachos and the usual soft drinks, so you're not stuck hunting for food afterwards.
Booking ahead is pushed hard, especially for weekends, and turning up late is a real risk, they'll cut your game time short or mark you a no-show with no refund. Some rooms and activities sit upstairs with no lift.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 8 to teens, though 12 plus is really the sweet spot
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended, especially for weekends and busy periods
- How long to allow
- Around 90 minutes total including check-in and post-game photos
- Food
- On-site bar and café with pizzas, nachos, popcorn, snacks, cocktails, mocktails, wine, local beers, soft drinks, ice cream, hot
- Wheelchairs
- Some escape rooms wheelchair accessible (Whodunit Motel Murder confirmed)
- Parties
- Kids birthday parties with choice of escape rooms, laser tag, karaoke, TV game shows, arcade
- Rooms upstairs have no lift, so mention any access needs when you book
- Late arrivals can lose game time or be treated as a no-show with no refund
- You can add extra players and pay on the day if your numbers aren't final
- You can look round a room in advance if anyone's nervous about tight spaces
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Escape rooms are £20 a head for an hour. Axe throwing is £25, laser tag £8.95 a game, and the splatter studio runs £30 for kids and £35 for adults.
Do we need to book in advance?
Booking ahead is strongly pushed, especially at weekends and busy periods. Last-minute slots do turn up sometimes but you're gambling on it.
What age do kids need to be?
12 is the recommended minimum, but 8-year-olds are welcome if there's an adult in the group. Most rooms are pitched at 8 plus or 10 plus.
How long does a visit take?
The games themselves run 60 minutes, 75 for Hell House. Once you add the briefing and photos at the end, plan for around 90 minutes on site.
Are we actually locked in the room?
No, the door is never locked and you can step out and back in whenever you like. They say the rooms are large enough that claustrophobia shouldn't be an issue for most people.
What happens if we're late?
They'll try to give you the full hour but reserve the right to cut your time short. Turn up too late and it counts as a no-show with no refund.
Will we be put in a room with strangers?
Every escape room booking is private, so it's just your group.
Can we book before we know our final numbers?
Book for whoever you're sure of and add extra players on the day when you arrive.
Is there food on site?
There's a bar and café doing pizzas, nachos, popcorn, ice cream and the usual drinks.
Do you do birthday parties?
Kids parties can be built around escape rooms, laser tag, karaoke, TV game shows or the arcade, with a table, unlimited squash and pizza thrown in. A 50 percent deposit secures the booking.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Some rooms are, Whodunit Motel Murder is confirmed accessible, but others have limited or no access and a few activities sit upstairs. Best to check the specific room and your wheelchair type before booking.
How many people can play together?
It depends on the room, escape rooms range from 2 up to 10 players, laser tag takes 2 to 16, and the TV game show studio handles 4 up to 24 depending on which room you're in.
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