UP CLOSE: With moviESCAPE - Stockport-based escape rooms, and more
See the end of this article for a moviESCAPE special offer just for readers of Stockport Nub News!
It may be news to some that Welkin Mill in Bredbury is home to a haunted house, one of Merlin's castles, and a dank, SAW-inspired chamber.
Well, not quite literally.
But certainly the next best thing - meticulously designed rooms based on each of the above themes, for families, friends and colleagues to explore in an immersive escape game.
moviESCAPE Bredbury is a hidden gem which has been based at Welkin Mill since 2017, attracting visitors from far and wide. It currently offers three themed escape room games - SAWtopsy, Merlin's Magic Academy, and Haunted House II.
Participants are given one hour to escape a themed room using clues and solving puzzles.
At moviESCAPE, however, it's not just a matter of getting in and getting out. Each room tells a subtle story which players piece together as they progress.
The descriptions for each of the three rooms are as follows:
- SAWtopsy - "In this unsettling whodunnit horror, you awake in a dark, dingy basement. Can you escape before the killer returns for their next victim?"
- Haunted House II - "This room combines traditional escape room challenges with an immersive and interactive horror experience! Can you break the curse?"
- Merlin's Magic Academy - "Merlin's Magic Academy is now enrolling! Intrepid witches & wizards must cast spells and complete a series of exciting challenges to solve this magical, family friendly escape room."
There are a range of rooms, then, for families, parties, and colleagues alike. And with hundreds of visitor reviews leaving a near-perfect five-star rating, it's clear that moviESCAPE is a hit for many.
What is it, then, that makes this local business special?
As staff member Matt explains, "I think it's the immersion. It's something that we've focussed on a lot. Everything in the rooms has a reason to be there."
"We also have briefing videos done by professional actors [...]. We've designed this to be an experience - rather than just a game - it's what makes us unique."
And what have previous visitors enjoyed about these rooms? Staff member Phil explains that it's different things for different people.
"There are different drivers", Phil said.
"Some people love the problem-solving element - what we'd call 'escape room enthusiasts'. Their massive driver is to get out of the room and solve the puzzles.
"For others, it's the immersive, emotional experience."
Indeed, on the one hand, moviESCAPE has hosted 'professional' escapists - one team from Switzerland set the record for the Haunted House room by escaping in just 24 minutes.
However, as Matt adds: "People can also meander through and take 59 minutes - the rooms are just as much for them as it is for the 'professionals' - slowly going through and taking in the atmosphere is just as valid."
Phil also adds: "When you get companies coming in - especially different departments - the competitive level is off the scale! There are some massive bragging rights going on."