“I hear there’s a plague… would you care for some hand sanitizer?”
Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Date Played: March 7, 2020
Team size: 2-6; we recommend 3
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: Between £18 – £30 per player depending on how many players you have and whether you book during peak or off-peak periods
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
Pudding Lane was a really strong escape game. The set and puzzles were lovingly built and we enjoyed it from beginning to end.
For all of its beautiful and clean execution, Pudding Lane wasn’t a game that packed an overt wow factor. There were plenty of moments that we truly adored, without any that blew our minds… and it wasn’t a problem. At all.
We took a day trip by train out of London to Reading to play a couple of rooms and wander around town, and that day was a delight, just like this game. If you’re near Reading, we wholeheartedly recommend a stroll down Pudding Lane.
Who is this for?
- History buffs
- Story seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Any experience level
Why play?
- A beautiful set
- Storytelling that played off of historical events
- Strong, tangible puzzles
Story
It was the 4th of September 1666, 2 days into the Great Fire of London. Tensions were high as the people anxiously speculated as to the cause of the tragedy.
Was the fire an accident or was it malicious? Some blamed the Dutch; others were convinced it was the Catholics.
We had to set out into the abandoned streets of London to investigate the cause before the fire gave way to violence.
Setting
From cobblestones to bricked archways, the storefronts of 1666 London looked as good as they felt. Ample effort went into material selection and weathering. It felt right.
Gameplay
TimeTrap Escape Rooms’ Pudding Lane was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.
Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, and puzzling.
Analysis
➕ We appreciated Pudding Lane’s historical setting. Through this escape game, we learned about The Great Fire of London. As tourists to Reading – and London – this was especially welcome.
➕ TimeTrap Escape Rooms crafted a lovely set for Pudding Lane. They went the extra mile with materials and detailing.
➖ While the set looked great, we encountered some unappetizing wear on some of the props.
➕ The gameplay flowed well. The puzzles were tangible and varied. They encouraged teamwork.
➕ TimeTrap Escape Rooms adapted some classic escape room puzzle types, dialing the difficulty up or back, respectively, to balance them for escape room gameplay.
➕ There was an eggscellent challenge in Pudding Lane.
➖ In the second act, the gamespace was crowded. We played with only 2 people. With a larger team, we expect it would be difficult for everyone to maneuver and participate, even though different puzzle paths could be solved in parallel.
➕ The penultimate scene was unexpected in style and set up the finale well. We enjoyed being able to make a decision that impacted the conclusion of Pudding Lane.
➕ While the hint system was clearly operating with modern technology, TimeTrap Escape Rooms had set it up in adorable housing. This was thematic and constructed to match the historical setting.
Tips For Visiting
- TimeTrap Escape Rooms is conveniently located near the train station.
- At least one member of your team must be agile enough to climb over a barrier.
Book your hour with TimeTrap Escape Rooms’ Pudding Lane, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Book Pudding LaneDisclosure: TimeTrap Escape Rooms comped our tickets for this game.
