Thumbing through books and scrolling through endless chunks of text on the internet isn’t the most interesting way to learn about the history of London. Luckily, The Gunpowder Plot Experience in Tower Hill Vaults has brought the pivotal events of 1605 to life; immersing you in the story of Guy Fawkes and the conspiracy that sparked the annual Bonfire Night.
Through a combination of live actors, virtual reality and authentic sets the experience takes you on an interactive journey where you’ll “play an integral role in the Gunpowder Plot”. So, in dire need of a history refresher and, let’s be honest, desperate for some more cloak and dagger after that dramatic Traitors finale, we headed over to experience it for ourselves. Here’s our review of The Gunpowder Plot Experience…
Where it all starts…
The trip back in time begins before you even step foot inside the experience. Handily setting the scene, the centuries-old fortress of the Tower of London sits just opposite the entrance, its weathered facade speaking of a storied history that spans decades. But it’s just one piece of its chequered past you’ll live out at The Gunpowder Plot Experience.
Leaving daylight behind, you wander through looming dungeon-esque doors and descend into the moodily-lit Tower Hill Vaults. No need to be scared though, awaiting at the bottom of the stairs is a well-stocked bar and time-warped interiors that resemble a 17th-century tavern – well, one ahead of the times if the trendy exposed brick and electrics are anything to go by. You could easily just pop in for a drink if you fancied it…but then you’d be missing out on the main event.
What to expect…
Anyone like me who feels like they have forgotten everything they ever learned in school? You’ll be pleased to know your plunge into the past starts with a bit of context. Clustered around a map of the city, you get the lowdown on some history surrounding the plot – think background on the reigning monarch and the religious tensions surrounding his rule – before a fuse is lit and your portal into history appears in a fizzing halo of light.
Now, the adventure begins. I won’t give too much away (though you might find some spoilers about the general gist of it in the history books) but you and your group will literally become part of the story, meeting a host of mysterious characters along the way. It’s the actors’ commitment to the part that injects fun into the experience, their energy becomes infectious throughout and keeps the pacing upbeat and lively. One moment you’ll find yourself following a bold Sean Bean-reminiscent character through shadowy tunnels as he curses ‘those bastards’ and enlists your help, the next you’ll be hiding in the secret alcoves of an earnest rebel’s room, listening intently in the darkness to the sounds of unsettling disarray. It cleverly gives you a look at both sides of the story, keeping you second-guessing the motives of who you meet until the very end.
This isn’t an escape room. You don’t have to scour every nook and cranny of the rooms for clues or solve convoluted riddles. Still, you will want to pay attention as not everyone is as they seem and only the keen listener and eagle-eyed among you will be able to suss out who you can trust and who is a “double-crossing rat”. The actors do interact with you but there’s no pressure to participate more than you fancy. There were plenty of moments when they asked one of our group something and even when they just got a nervous noise or clueless laugh in response (what can I say, we don’t do well in the heat of the moment) they took it entirely in their flow, just joking around and improvising on the spot which adds to the fun of it all. It also means every experience will be brilliantly unique – if you’re not shy to speak up and get stuck in they’ll use that to their advantage too.
The lines of reality are blurred…
If you’re a sucker for virtual reality you won’t be disappointed. You can expect three different segments where you’ll need to slip on the VR headset, each one blending in seamlessly with the story. The one on the swing in particular was a favourite, not half because one of our group couldn’t hold back her screams in a few of the more, thrilling, parts. Half the time I was torn between cracking up and clutching on for fear I would tip forward with the non-existent momentum. Don’t worry though, you’re completely safe.
Later, you will clamber into a boat for another VR experience. While there were fewer screams this time, the realism was undeniable as the boat shuddered and lurched in the water of the Thames. Plus, you could even look back and see a stony-faced man pumping the oars, doing all the NPCs proud. However, you’ll be more focused watching Guy Fawkes himself (played by a charismatic Tom Felton) as he dabbles in some dramatic monologuing under an impressive silver moon.
While the forays into the digital world are mesmerising enough on their own, the experience doesn’t skimp on the educational aspects. You’ll find history and facts have been cleverly interwoven with fiction so you learn along the way without even realising. It’s a great way to treat the family to something fun and new, with the bonus of a covert history lesson thrown in.
Keep in mind…
The experience is not short. You’ll want to carve out at least an hour and 40 minutes for it. But it isn’t relentless either, I personally didn’t notice the time feeling particularly long but it was handy there was a 20-minute interval halfway through. You can hole up in The Duck and Drake to gulp down some ale (or cocktails if you prefer), gobble down olives and conspire with your friends over the events that have unfolded so far. Oh, and take a bathroom break if needed of course. This time-warped tavern where you touch base is inspired by its real-life namesake – a pub on the Strand where Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators hatched their plot to blow up parliament all those years ago.
Don’t feel like you have to make the most of their tempting range of themed cocktails while you’re there either, there’s another bar at the end where you can try punny concoctions such as the Sloe Burning Fuse (Sloe gin, Chambord, cranberry juice, lime juice & raspberry puree) or Gunpowder Spritz (gin, prosecco, grapefruit juice and mint).
There are even sensory cocktails to tantalise your tastebuds even more – one for each sense. I went for Touch, aka DIY Guy, and – as the name suggests – involved pouring in all the ingredients myself and giving it a good shake. It could have been down to my exceptional mixing skills but I think it was the flavour combo that made it a winner in my book. My friend opted for Sight, aka the Dark & Smoky, which reminded me of the glass-encased rose from Beauty and the Beast. That also went down a treat.
In conclusion…
The Gunpowder Plot Experience is an exciting and enlightening adventure that immerses you effectively in the turbulent times of the past. The actors embody their characters well and adapt to your group, while the special effects and virtual reality add extra dimension and thrills. It honestly felt like I had left reality for a while and stepped through a wormhole onto the street of 1605 London, the fact they are based in the murky labyrinth of Tower Hill Vaults is definitely their not-so-secret weapon and they used it artfully. Equal parts fun and educational, it is a fantastic experience for all ages!
