As the weather gets colder and the decorations go up in homes and high streets, there is no better time to try something festive — and a Christmas escape room might be one of the most original ways to do it! Combining puzzles, storytelling and Christmas magic, these experiences are the perfect alternative to another evening at the pub or the Christmas market. From London to the coast, here are some of the best Christmas escape rooms in the UK to try this winter.
1. PLAN52: Christmas Edition: clueQuest, London
Located in the heart of London, clueQuest has given its popular PLAN52 mission a festive makeover for the season. Known for its clever puzzles and high production values, the Christmas Edition brings together spy-themed storytelling and a festive twist. The mission involves a sabotage at Santa’s headquarters, and players must step in to restore order before it is too late.
ClueQuest has a reputation as one of the best escape rooms venues in the capital, and its festive version maintains the same high quality with added seasonal flair. The setting is immersive, the puzzles are smart but achievable, and the tone strikes the right balance between challenge and fun. It is an ideal choice for groups of friends, couples, or student societies looking for something unique to do in London during December.
2. A Christmas Carol: Pier Pressure Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City
Fans of Dickens and classic Christmas storytelling will enjoy A Christmas Carol by Pier Pressure Welwyn. Inspired by the famous Victorian tale, the escape rooms recreates the world of Ebenezer Scrooge in a richly detailed, atmospheric setting. Players move through a series of rooms representing the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, solving puzzles to help Scrooge rediscover the meaning of Christmas.
Set inside a converted 18th-century watermill, the escape room blends theatre, literature, and puzzle-solving in a way that feels both traditional and fresh. It is more story-driven than most escape rooms, focusing on narrative and ambience rather than just difficulty. This one is perfect for smaller groups who want an immersive experience with strong festive visuals.
3. Santa’s Oopsie: Cluetopia, Clacton
For a more light-hearted and playful option, Santa’s Oopsie at Cluetopia Clacton offers a fun, family-friendly experience that is perfect for December. The plot is simple: Santa has mixed up the presents and needs help sorting everything out before Christmas morning. Players must navigate a series of rooms, solve puzzles, and put the right gifts back in the right place.
This escape rooms recreates leans into the comedy and chaos of the holiday season with bright sets, creative proper, and a relaxed atmosphere. Cluetopia’s rooms are known for their accessibility and charm, making them ideal for mixed groups and first-time players. The Clacton location also adds a coastal touch to the experience — a fun day trip for students based in Essex or East Anglia who want a change of scenery.
4. Elf Isolation: Know Escape, Bishop’s Stortford
Elf Isolation from Know Escape offers a more family-oriented take on the festive escape room. In this story, players are part of Santa’s Elf Support Team, working to get his house ready for Christmas Eve. Naturally, things go wrong, and it is up to the team to restore order and ensure everything is in place before Santa returns.
What makes Elf Isolation stand out is its accessibility. It is designed for a broad range of players, with puzzles that are engaging but not overly complex. The tone is light, friendly, and suitable for all ages, making it an excellent choice for groups that include younger family members or anyone new to escape rooms.
5. Ho Ho Hurry Up: Cryptology, Sheffield
Cryptology’s Ho Ho Hurry Up in Sheffield is one of the most polished Christmas escape rooms in the UK, offering a fun, story-driven festive challenge without feeling too gimmicky. The premise is simple: Christmas is on the brink of disaster, and your team has just 60 minutes to help Santa get everything back on track before the clock strikes midnight. The room uses detailed, wintery set design and a strong narrative to create an immersive atmosphere that feels cosy, making it a great choice for groups wanting a seasonal activity that delivers a proper escape-room challenge.
For anyone in Sheffield looking for a Christmas activist that goes beyond shopping and Christmas markets, Ho Ho Hurry Up offers a festive escape rooms experience that is fun, fast-paced, and perfectly designed for work socials and season celebrations.
6. Christmas Candy Chaos: High Wycombe Escape Rooms
Christmas Candy Chaos at High Wycombe Escape Rooms leans fully into the playful side of the season, offering a brightly decorated, candy-factory-inspired story where Santa’s sweet-making machine has gone haywire. The mission is to get everything working again before the North Pole grinds to a halt: a premise that gives the game plenty of room for colourful visuals, tactile puzzles, and family-friendly silliness.
Despite the lighthearted theme, the puzzles are well structured and varied, making it a solid option for both beginners and experienced players who want something festive but still engaging. It’s cheerful design and accessible difficulty level make it particularly good for mixed-age groups, work socials, or anyone looking for a fun escape room that captures the chaos and charm of Christmas in equal measure.
Christmas escape rooms have quickly become one of the most popular festive activities in the UK, offering something more interactive and memorable than the usual seasonal outings. Whether you want a cosy, feel-good challenge packed with nostalgia or a high-energy mission to save Christmas before time runs out, there is a room for every group, budget, and skill level. From family-friendly adventures to more puzzle-heavy experiences, these seasonal escape games are a great way to celebrate December with friends, colleagues, or anyone who enjoys a bit of festive problem-solving.