Which were your favourite UK escape rooms in 2022? The rankings on Escape the Review are calculated based on thousands of reviews from players of all levels of experience, combined by the site algorithm. As last year I’ve listed the best games alphabetically not by rank order – everyone’s tastes are different, and subjective preference makes much more of a difference than whether a game is at, say, position #8 or #34. If you want the exact order, see the Map page where the ranking is updated daily; but you can be confident that any game that makes it into the top 100 is an outstanding experience well worth your time.
I’ve played 55 of the 100 here, and have relied on reviews and enthusiast discussions in describing the rest.
For the version with a map, see here: https://escapethereview.co.uk/list/1117/best-uk-escape-rooms-2022/
Archimedes Inspiration: Project Delta (South London)
This sci-fi game’s combination of dense narrative and unusual, tricky puzzles is loved by many (including me) and leaves others cold. You only have a few weeks left to try it though – the venue is due to close in February.
Beverley Breakout: The Goblins of Toadsmead (Beverley)
Beverley Breakout seems to have broken through (no pun intended) into enthusiasts’ awareness this year and settled in as a popular highlight of the Yorkshire scene. All of their games get good ratings and The Goblins of Toadsmead currently comes top.
Bewilder Box: Judgement DAVE (Brighton)
This game about an out-of-control AI from Brighton stalwarts Bewilder Box stands out for narrative focus and unusual use of technology, and remains one of my UK favourites.
Cave Escape: Monuments, Carfax (Nottingham)
Set in actual underground caves beneath Nottingham, Cave Escape benefit from their amazing location but have also built a pair of excellent games. Less experienced groups should start with Carfax, while Monuments provides a challenge even for confident escapers.
Clockwork Escapes: The Legend of Foole’s Gold (Telford)
Clockwork’s games at both their branches tend to get good reviews, and treasure hunt game Foole’s Gold gets particular plaudits – everyone who’s played it seems to enthuse about it.
Clue Cracker: Temple Quest, Diamond Dogs (Tunbridge Wells)
Clue Cracker is a firm favourite in the cluster of acclaimed companies south of London. Temple Quest is a deliriously entertaining Indiana Jones style temple romp, while Diamond Dogs is a variable score heist game with a particularly brilliant start.
Clue HQ Birmingham: The Legend of Miyalock, Captain Riddle’s Forgotten Fortune (Birmingham)
Of the many Clue HQ branches, the Birmingham one is the one enthusiasts talk about. Captain Riddle is a gorgeous and fun pirate game, and Miyalock is a fantasy adventure that narrowly escaped demolition due to redevelopment of the railway arches where it’s located.
Clue HQ Warrington: Clueston We Have A Problem (Warrington)
It’s not only the Birmingham branch that features in the top 100 though. Previously Interstellar at Trapped In Bury, Clue HQ have taken this unusual spaceship game over and made it their own.
Cluefinders Liverpool: The Tomb: Reverse The Curse, Remy’s Festive Fiasco: The Missing Gift (Liverpool)
Cluefinders have two long-standing games, The Tomb and Remy’s Room. The games that made it onto this list are temporary alternative versions of those, with wholly different puzzles – catch them while they’re still available.
clueQuest: cQ ORIGENES, Revenge of the Sheep (Central London)
London’s longest running escape company is also one of the most highly rated, and their most recommended rooms are also their hardest and most recent. ORIGENES in particular takes an ambitious concept and executes it brilliantly.
Co-Decode: Professor Dunstan, Sub Terra (Swindon)
Exquisite construction and imaginative puzzle design made Professor Dunstan a firm favourite of mine, and the more recent Sub Terra gets equal acclaim. Their latest offering CREW is even more highly rated and only doesn’t appear here because I’ve categorised it as being not exactly an escape room.
Compendium Escape Rooms: UI-55 (Bury)
I enjoyed all the games at Compendium, but for most enthusiasts their stand-out game is this submarine-themed frantic puzzle-fest where every puzzle can be tackled in parallel, and only the fastest teams can get through everything in an hour.
Cryptology Nottingham: Daylight Robbery, Dreamscape (Nottingham)
Nottingham is one of the country’s top escape room destinations for enthusiasts, and Cryptology’s games are a big part of that. Both Dreamscape and Daylight Robbery are fast paced variable-score games, and the latter in particular is legendary for the sheer quantity of puzzles it throws at you.
DarkMaster: Into The Reliquary (Crowborough)
Some games have some particular memorable feature or special effect, the sort of thing that enthusiasts excitedly discuss and reminisce long after playing – and Into The Reliquary has not just one but two such wow moments.
Deadlocked: The Time Machine (Reading)
Rarely has the time machine trope been handled so creatively: Deadlocked’s game not only has a variety of time zones but a clever riff on the idea of a time loop, topped with a lot of personality.
Doomsday Games: Pathogen (Colchester)
Amongst all the laboratory-themed escape rooms, Doomsday’s manages an exceptional level of realism; and that’s only one section of this excellent 90 minute game.
Emergency Exit Escape Rooms: The Studies of Dr. Becker (Ashton-under-Lyme)
Emergency Exit first got a reputation during lockdown for their innovative avatar games, which blended video footage with the livestream to great effect. Their latest game is available both remotely and in person, and gets excellent reviews in both versions.
Enigma Rooms Doncaster: Arabian Nights (Doncaster)
This year Enigma Rooms have no fewer than seven games in the top 100, more than any other company. First is the newest game at their Doncaster branch, Arabian Nights.
Enigma Rooms Hull: Impact, Escape The Chocolate Factory (Hull)
Next is two at Hull that also featured in the 2021 list, a tribute to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a spaceship game where I was particularly impressed by the physical layout of the set.
Enigma Rooms Retford: The Legend of Catequil (Retford)
The top game at their Retford branch is an archaeologist’s adventure through an Incan temple which gets plenty of praise for decor and puzzles.
Enigma Rooms Skegness: High Noon, The Collector (Skegness)
One of the chain’s newer branches, both the games at Skegness make the list: western themed High Noon and serial killer game The Collector.
Enigma Rooms Wakefield: Séance (Wakefield)
Another Enigma Rooms game that also made the 2021 list, Séance comes with an 18+ warning and a slew of enthusiastic reviews.
EO Escape Rooms: Scarlet (Sudbury)
It’s taken a while for the word to get around about EO Escape Rooms, but they seem to be increasingly on enthusiasts’ radar. All of their games get excellent scores, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of them on next year’s list.
Escapable: Outatime (Wakefield)
Another winner in Wakefield, Outatime is inspired by the Back To The Future franchise. That’s already a good start, and the reviews suggest an irresistible nostalgia-fest.
Escape From The Room: Chambers of Champions (Sutton)
Games with a wealth of puzzles where you complete as much as you can seem to work particularly well for enthusiast teams, keeping all players busy for a full hour. Chamber of Champions offers that in a race mode format, and an optional 90 min version where you do need to complete every puzzle.
Escape In The Towers: The Comms Room (Canterbury)
Based in the historic gatehouse building in the city walls with three very different escape rooms, each distinctive in its own way, The Comms Room is most players’ favourite at the venue: a fast-paced game in an authentic and atmospheric chamber that combines drama with smart puzzles.
Escape In Time: Secret Studio (East London)
A London legend, Escape In Time have now opened their second game but the spooky original remains a firm favourite for many. I played it many years ago but the [redacted] surprise and the [redacted] remain warmly remembered highlights.
Escape Kent Faversham: Wild West Saloon (Faversham)
Originally by Clever Dilemma, Wild West Saloon is now operated by Escape Kent, and remains a popular choice despite the stiff local competition in and around Kent.
Escape Nation: The Citadel, Incognito’s Secret Lair (Stafford)
I loved Escape Nation’s spaceship game The Citadel when I played it, admiring the meticulous puzzle design and clever integration with narrative. Their second room is superhero themed and gets equally strong recommendations, so I clearly need to go back.
Escape Plan: Roll Out The Barrel, The Battle For Britain (East London)
When someone asks for recommendations for London games, generally the only person not mentioning Escape Plan in their reply is the company’s modest owner. The company has a WW2 theme running through all of their games; The Battle For Britain has a famous ending sequence, though these days it’s a split decision between that and the cheerily upbeat Roll Out The Barrel.
Escape Quest: Mr Copplestone’s Curiosity Shoppe, Percy Pendleton’s Peculiar Predicament (Macclesfield)
Despite Escape Quest only running one game per season, both these games have shot into the UK’s top five in no time at all, and Mr Copplestone was one of only two UK games to win a TERPECA award in 2023 – need I say more?
Escape Reading: Ram Raid, Age of Magic (Reading)
Ram Raid has a deceptively laid back start before building to a high pressure climax; I haven’t played Age of Magic yet but each room at Escape Reading seems to get better than the last, and reviews rave about how gorgeous it is to look at.
Escape Rooms Durham: Lily of Lumley (Durham)
There have been surprisingly many escape games available to play in castles over the last few years. Lily of Lumley, set in Lumley Castle some way north of Durham, is exceptional in providing a game that can match the impressive location. It’s made the site top 100 despite having few reviews on this site, and may well climb further up as more enthusiasts rate it.
Escape The Past: The Anatomist (Edinburgh)
So far a single game venue, Escape The Past’s game The Anatomist is strong on the historical immersion and will be a must-play on my next visit to Edinburgh.
Escapologic: Curio, Robin of Lockskey (Nottingham)
Nottingham grandees Escapologic make the list with two very different games. Robin of Lockskey is more beginner-friendly, while being sure to wow players with its set; Curio is a perennial favourite that’s featured in the UK’s favourite games for years, thanks to clever, challenging puzzles and above all its unique twist.
Extremescape: Viking, Lost Tomb, Pirate Ship (Disley)
I’d write that Extremescape have managed the rare feat of having every one of their rooms in the top 100 – but I can’t, because they’ve just opened a fourth. But they’ve used the space of their location to create detailed, surprising, expansive adventures, where each new room is a step up in sophistication from the last.
Houdini’s Escape Room Southampton: Extinct, Escape the RMS Titanic (Southampton)
Houdini’s have exploded from a single location independent to one of the UK’s biggest chains, but of their games these two continue to impress. Both are available at other branches, but for the best experience playing the original versions in Southampton seems to be your best option.
Hounds Escape: The Explorer’s Diary, Southern Dis-comfort, Questionable Ethics (Crawley)
From the gorgeous lobby and committed in-character hosting through to the moment you leave, Hounds provides an experience that impresses at every turn. Southern Dis-comfort and Questionable Ethics were already firm fixtures on recommendation lists, and new game The Explorer’s Diary has already leapfrogged them to an even higher spot in the rankings.
Kanyu Escape: Follow in my Footsteps, Lightning in a Bottle (Wetherby)
With a classy Victorian style to the decor, Follow in my Footsteps is a beginner-friendly adventure into the unknown while Lightning in a Bottle is a lab game with a steampunk vibe and somewhat more challenging puzzles. The beautiful sets and smart puzzles have made these some of the most recommended games in the region.
Kingston Escape Rooms: Rob The Bank (Kingston upon Thames)
The Know Escape chain is popular from Chesterfield to Chelmsford and beyond, but of all their games the highest ratings go to Rob The Bank at the Kingston venue. It’s a high-intensity heist room which gets frequent praise for the hosting.
Lakes Escapes: Casino Heist (Workington)
Lakes Escapes is known as the escape venue to visit in the Cumbria region. Their star attraction is their Diamond Mine experience, but of their traditional escape rooms Casino Heist also secures a place in the top hundred.
Live Escape Salisbury: SPECTRE (Salisbury)
Live Escape’s debut game continues to be a reason to include Salisbury on an escape tour of the southwest. It’s a game that welcomes you with plenty of puzzles and smoothly transitions to ever faster-paced story and technology.
Locked In Edinburgh: The Secret Lab, The Cutting Room, Space Academy (Edinburgh)
For several years The Secret Lab was the only open UK room to have won a TERPECA. Locked In Edinburgh benefit from the beautiful Summerhall building but it’s the game design that’s made them Edinburgh’s premier venue against stiff competition, packing in a high density of puzzles with innovative use of technology.
Locked In Escape Room: Bloodline (Glasgow)
No relation to the similarly named Edinburgh company, but Locked In Glasgow have a similar reputation for quality. Every game they build seems to be well received, but their newest, about a disturbing bequest, is competing for Scotland’s top game slot.
Lucardo Rawtenstall: University of Magic: Dragon’s Heart, Corruption, Treason (Rawtenstall)
Rawtenstall’s games are immersive and lush – Dragon’s Heart is among the country’s most beautiful games, and Corruption is a grittier room that places you on the wrong side of the law, as corrupt cops hiding evidence. I haven’t yet played Treason, which is based on the Guy Fawkes incident, but that too makes it into the top hundred.
M4 Escapes: Dino Deadlock (Chippenham)
A good dinosaur game is hard to resist, and by all accounts this is a great dinosaur game – with the clever idea of being set on a bus.
Make Your Escape: Spellbound (Derby)
Witchcraft-themed Spellbound is known for the wealth of puzzles it throws at you, ideal for larger groups, though possible for an experienced pair who are happy to divide and conquer, this room is all about the puzzle solving but also has lovely theming rooted in local history.
Marvo Mysteries: M.A.R.V.O. Induction (Bournemouth)
Strikingly atmospheric and beautiful from even before the game starts, this is one of the few escape rooms I’d happily go back to play a second time. There are rumours that their long-awaited second room might be ready in 2023.
Pier Pressure: Loot The Lanes, Modrophenia (Brighton)
Loot The Lanes has held this site’s #1 spot for UK games longer than any other room, but Pier Pressure have a whole stable of top notch games, each with its own charms. Modrophenia is based around 1960s mods versus rockers culture, an unusual premise delivered with wit and charm.
Pressure Point Escape Rooms: Candyland, Candyland 2 (Ashford)
Two of the newest rooms in the top 100 list, Candyland is a double-header where you can’t play the second game until you’ve played the first. Pressure Point have a track record of creating charming, amusing rooms, with two of their previous designs being well-loved enough to have found homes at other venues after they closed.
Project Breakout: Operation Clearsafe (Brighouse)
Famed for its size, immersion and frights, Operation Clearsafe is one of the UK’s favourite scary escapes. If you fancy your chances in a zombie-infested laboratory, this is the place to go.
Rush Hour Escape Rooms: Return to Wonderland (Spalding)
A company that seems less well known by enthusiasts but is much admired by those who’ve been, Rush Hour deserve a higher profile. Top option of their three rooms is an Alice theme where you’re saving Wonderland.
Tempo: Eternal Life (Bath)
Ask what’s worth playing in Bath and watch the recommendations for Tempo pour in. I haven’t managed to get there yet myself, but I notice that almost every single review for Eternal Life tags it with ‘Great Hosting’.
The Escapement Margate: The Pit, Pirates of Polaris (Margate)
Amid the buzz over The Escapement’s new games, their classics shouldn’t be overlooked. Pirates has a wonderfully authentic ship with actual weather effects (!), and The Pit is a sophisticated and immersive subterranean adventure.
The Escapement Broadstairs: Atlantis, Wunderwaffe Operation Quartz (Broadstairs)
The Escapement’s long-awaited expansion has been worth the wait: both games instantly gathered rave reviews, Atlantis was one of only two UK games to win a TERPECA award this year. The top of the site’s UK rankings has turned into a three-way struggle between The Escapement, Escape Quest and Loot The Lanes.
The Escaporium: A Christmas Advent-ure, Operation Moonshine (Halifax)
Every year sees dozens of Christmas pop-up games, but it’s quite an achievement for one of them to make the top hundred list. Both that and established favourite Operation Moonshine share a profusion of puzzles, enthusiast-friendly design that makes sure experienced teams get a full hour of play, and exceptionally friendly hosting.
The Panic Room Gravesend: Loop (Gravesend)
The Panic Room are a phenomenon, and have turned Gravesend into an escape room Mecca with the astonishing quantity and variety of their games. Which of their games is the best depends hugely on who you ask, but the one that’s made the top 100 list is Loop, the sci-fi brain-bender originally from Clockwork Dog, which has a very unique twist.
The Panic Room Harlow: Carnevil (Harlow)
The Panic Room’s Harlow branch also gets a top 100 game – this one being their horror clown room Carnevil.
TimeTrap Escape Rooms: Pudding Lane, Station X (Reading)
The third Reading venue in this list, TimeTrap live up to their name with rooms that reflect the time period in which they’re set. Station X puts you in a 1940s railway station, and Pudding Lane takes you back to 17th Century London, both showing an exquisite attention to detail.
Tulleys Escape Rooms: Dodge City, Spellcraft, Mutiny, The Outfitters, Nethercott Manor
Every one of Tulleys’ homegrown designs makes the list. They are huge sprawling extravaganzas with an overwhelming quantity of puzzles, particularly Nethercott and Dodge – even very experienced teams may struggle to complete them in 60 minutes. They’re sometimes criticised for actually having too much to do, but there’s no question that they’re some of the UK’s most advanced and impressive escape rooms.
U-Escape: Franksy (Bournemouth)
U-Escape have always been well-regarded, but their latest game, where you’re trying to identify the eponymous graffiti artist, seems to have stepped up into a whole new league.
Unsolved Mysteries: Advent Alley and The Cabin (Chatham)
The Cabin is from Hysteria Escape Rooms under their new brand Unsolved Mysteries, under which they’re building games with an increased emphasis on interactive theatrical elements, meaning live acting that’s not just there to scare you. That’s been a big success – and the re-opened Xmas pop-up Advent Alley is currently placed even higher on the list.
Wirral Escape Rooms: The Curse of the Golden Lion (Wirral)
Escape room blogger Brit of an Escape Habit built this charming gem of a game, and her expertise is evident in the clever puzzles. It’s lovely to look at and includes a set of optional bonus puzzles to provide extra content for experienced players.
XscapeNow: Runaway Train (Telford)
Xscape currently have no fewer than six rooms to choose from, but the top rated option is this large, fun Western game set on a train.
Xscream Escapes: The Watcher (Staines)
One of the scarier games to make the list, The Watcher is from horror specialists Xscream, and has you trapped and made to complete tests set by your watching captor. It gets praise for its intense story-driven thrills.
Honorable mentions
There are some superb experiences that I’ve excluded from this list due to being not exactly escape experiences, but which should be very high on your list. In particular, the sprawling immersive world of Phantom Peak is now the highest rated option in London. Lakes Escapes’ Diamond Mine would also make the top ten. Co-Decode’s Spaceship Bridge Simulator CREW and the Crystal Maze live experience also get consistent rave reviews. Co-Decode also have the highest rated mobile game with Captain’s Treasure.
For play at home options, Headlock Escape’s The Keeper and the Fungus Among Us remains top of the list not just for UK games but worldwide – there really is nothing else quite like it. The highest rated ‘normal’ avatar games remain those from Emergency Exit, Doomsday Games, and Agent November. Highest ranked online digital game from a UK company is of course The Cyphstress from Deadlocked; and the top print ‘n’ play options are those from clueQuest, Co-Decode (again!), and Paradox Parlours.
Escape rooms have to get a lot of very good reviews to break into the top 100, and since many players gravitate to the established favourites, that can take a while. Here’s a selection of games for which initial reviews have been strongly positive, several of which seem likely to appear in a future version of this list:
- Back To The Future by Agent Brains, Letchworth: top option at a fairly recent company that’s getting excellent reviews and increasing buzz.
- Curiouser and Curiouser by TimeTrap Escape Rooms, Reading: the latest game from this reliably superb company should be a safe bet.
- Shamley’s Toy Makers by DarkMaster, Crowborough: likewise, initial reviews suggest this 90 minute game is innovative and impressive.
- Nightmare by Blackout Escape Games, Milton Keynes: certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like your games intense, take a look at this one.
- Chaos at Calamity Mine by Cluetopia Clacton: Cluetopia (previously Tricky Escape) are steadily growing and this new game of theirs sounds particularly promising.
- Nebula by Adrenaline Escape Wigan: a space prison game that’s had some enthusiastic reviews.
- Smuggler’s Ruin by Mindworks, Worthing: extending the Sussex escape room hotspot further to the west?
- Trapped in… the Forbidden Room of Fun! by Trapped In Fiction, a playful game with an unusual premise.
- Captive by EO Escape Rooms, Sudbury: a further reason to visit this venue?
- The Portland Heist by Logic Box Escape Rooms: one to catch if you’re near Somerset?
With thanks and gratitude to all the talented creators who bring us these games!