There’s nothing else quite like Phantom Peak in London.
Maybe the world.
And sure, there are other immersive adventures out there. There are other fully fledged towns, and there are probably ones that also come complete with local townsfolk, streets, shops, saloons, a lake, a giant blimp, a river, and an awful lot of strange goings-on too. Probably. But there are likely none that have Phantom Peak’s Westworld-style steampunk-infused, unique sense of humour, style, and sheer verve.
It all comes to us from the brains behind Time Run and Sherlock: The Game Is Now, Nick Moran, who’s built an open world where you can meet the locals, unearth the town’s shady secrets and investigate its self-elected Mayor, the elusive Jonas. Somewhere between an immersive show, giant escape room and point-and-click video game adventure, it’s unlike anything we’ve encountered before. It’s not quite for everyone, but it’s not meant to be, and if you feel like you might like it? You’ll probably love it.
This is the waterfall, just to align your expectations | Alistair Veryard Photography
The sheer scale is impressive: the team really have built an entire town in the middle of an old car park and shopping centre in Canada Water. There are festoon-lit waterways and colourful boardwalks; carnival stands; old-school saloons and plenty of quirks, from the electronic physician, Robodoc, to the town’s pioneering long-range telegraphing system. It mixes a little of the Wild West, a little steampunk and a little Disneyland, and does it all with tongue firmly in cheek – and after spending a few hours here, you really do, quite unexpectedly, start to feel like a local.
Part of that is down to the unique structure of this experience. Upon entering the town, you’ll be directed to a website that’ll guide you through your time in Phantom Peak (graciously provided, like most things in this place, by Jonas). After answering a series of questions, you’ll be assigned the first of what may turn out to be several quests to complete during the evening. You’ll be given a little backstory, and a character to track down – and from here, you’ll need to uncover clues hidden in plain sight around the town; interview other residents; look for codes; delve into the town’s archives and even brave the old quarter, Phantom Deep, where you’ll find a giant blimp wreck and a whole host of other characters who have less than favourable things to say about Jonas.
Each quest, depending on how quickly you want to crack it, could take you an hour – and that’s without factoring in the pleasant distractions of several bars; street food stalls; frequent diversions & mini games, and more. There are no large set pieces that muster huge crowds (unlike some other immersive shows, cough secret cinema cough); instead you’re invited to uncover what you can of Phantom Peak’s strange past by dipping into these missions at your own pace – and for context, there are over fifty of them*. It’s a strong immersive mechanic that means you never get that sense of FOMO from doors shutting in your face, or walking in on a crowded scene only for it to dissipate moments later.
This also begets a Marmite-level polarisation, if you get it, you get it. And if it doesn’t click with you, then you’ll likely find it baffling. But if you go in expecting to enjoy yourself, and to lean into your nerdier inclinations, then they’ve done everything possible on their end to make sure it happens.
Our only advice once you get there?
Don’t squat with your spurs on.
NOTE: Phantom Peak is open Wednesday – Sunday. Tickets start at £34 – Book Via The Nudge HERE. Looking for further dates? HERE YOU GO.
*If the completist in you is desperate to go back and tick off a few more, it’s VERY worthwhile sticking it out at the carnival games…
Phantom Peak | Surrey Quays Road, SE16 2XU
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