The best escape rooms to try in Edinburgh

There is now a great choice of escape rooms in Edinburgh with fiendish challenges to pit your wits against, writes Stephanie Abbot

By The Newsroom Wednesday, 25th April 2018, 3:12 pm Updated Wednesday, 25th April 2018, 3:19 pm

The Harry Potter-themed Department of Mysteries is the latest escape room to open in Edinburgh (Photo: Contributed)

If you’re something of a thrill seeker with a problem-solving brain, then why not give one of the city’s growing number of escape rooms a go?

The Department of Mysteries

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If you’re a muggle with a mind for magic, then this brand new Harry Potter themed escape room could be the perfection potion to entertain you. Players have 50 minutes to solve various puzzles involving spells and potions in a battle against the dark lord. If all that wizardry leaves you feeling worn out then you can stop by The Three Cauldrons Tavern for a refreshing brew.

9-11 Blair Street, departmentofmysteries.comEscape Reality

You can choose from six games ranging in difficulty levels. You can be the captain of a ship on a mission to find buried treasure, a prisoner escaping Alcatraz, a vampire hunter or someone trapped in a derelict and haunted asylum. The games are cleverly laid out and game masters offer friendly enthusiasm. If your bringing kids along it’s worth having a chat with staff as some of the games can be frightening.

1 Fountainbridge Square, www.escapereality.com/escape-rooms-uk/edinburghCan You Escape?

This escape room on Holyrood Road opened in 2014 and has been perfecting its challenges ever since. There are two options - Operation Odyssey for 2-6 players or Operation Deadlock for 3-10 - so this centrally located place is ideal for an alternative activity with friends or workmates. And be warned: there’s only a 45% success rate.

5 Holyrood Road, canyouescape.co.uk/edinburghPadlox Escape Rooms

Set in LA at the 2028 Olympics - this puzzle focuses on a newly recognised nation known as Nova Patria as they break world records at an unprecedented rate. While doping tests all come back negative you receive an anonymous message from someone asking you to meet them at the anti-doping lab when the closing ceremony finishes. Can you get to the bottom of these strange events and secure the integrity of the sporting world? This mystery will cost you £60 for 3-6 players but there is a discounted rate for teams of two - perfect for a date night with a twist.

Few escape rooms can compete with Locked In Edinburgh’s historic setting, within the old Vet School (now Summerhall). With its laboratories and dissection room, it’s a suitably creepy environment in which to carry out your investigation into a "deadly plot". Your teamwork will be tested to the extreme, and if you complete the challenge you can always reward yourself with a drink in the courtyard.

1 Summerhall, www.lockedinedinburgh.comExit Plan Edinburgh

Fancy yourself as a bit of a Sherlock or Miss Marple? The three games on offer here include a murder mystery and brain busting battles with evil geniuses. Just two minutes from Princes Street, this venue is handy for those looking for a quick ‘escape’ from the busy city streets. Prices start at £20 each for a team of two so the more people you play with, the cheaper it will be. A student discount is also available but be sure to check out the website for more details.

3 Queen Street, exitplanedinburgh.co.ukEscape Rooms Scotland

Ever wondered how you would fair in a zombie apocalypse? You can find out in one of the game options here as you race against time to escape from the outbreak area where one of the infected roams free. One thing’s for sure, it’s not just the fun that’s catching.