Escape your worries with these top 10 VR experiences in London
There are many things to do in the city(things to do London), but some of my favourites are thrill-seeking adventures. It’s a good way to let off steam over the weekend and to just spend time with friends.
Among these adventures are VR experiences in London that offer just the right dose of excitement to energize your week. Check out my list of the best options in the city.
1. DNA VR
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Website: https://www.dnavr.co.uk/
Address: House, Basement, Units 1-2, 400-404 York way York
Contact Details: +442871220827
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 2:30pm – 9:30pm
- Fri: 2:30pm – 10:30pm
- Sat–Sun: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £33 for 1 guest
Picture an experience full of infinite possibilities – that’s what DNA VR provides. With diverse offerings like the VR Arcade, VR Escape Room, Premium Free-roaming Experience, and Ubisoft’s VR Escape Room, guests of all ages are guaranteed to have a fun time.
If you’re a first-time visitor, it’s recommended to try the VR Arcade, which consists of 50 VR games and experiences for ages 7 and above. The full experience lasts for 60 minutes, so you and your family can maximize the adventure.
DNA VR is so unbelievably immersive that you’d wonder why real life can’t be as cool. The staff are friendly and patient, too, so they offer a great experience even for newcomers.
| Pro tips: You’d want to wear light and comfortable clothing as you can sweat while moving around the space. Prepare the scaredy cats, too, if you’re taking on a zombie adventure. |
2. Sandbox VR
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Website: https://sandboxvr.com/london
Address: The Post Building, High Holborn
Contact Details: +442070823001
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 10:00am – 11:30pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 12:00am
- Sun: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £255 for 6 guests
Sandbox VR gives the full VR experience where you can see and physically interact with everyone inside an adventure through motion capture cameras and 3D precision body trackers.
Explore the thrilling worlds among their selection including Stranger Things, Deadwood Phobia, and Squid Game. If your party has fewer than 6 people, don’t fret because you can take on the public session where you can invite participants from other groups.
Sandbox VR requires a minimum age of 8 for its participants, and players under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult, so just take note when bringing the whole family.
| Pro tip: For friends and family who aren’t interested in experiencing VR but want to join the weekend trip, they can head over to the cocktail-serving robot to keep them entertained. |
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Website: https://www.navrtar.com/
Address: Dickens Yard, Longfield Ave W5 2UQ
Contact Details: +442036965253
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 2:00pm – 10:00pm
- Sat: 11:00am – 10:00pm
- Sun: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £28 per person
When you enter the adventures at Navrtar, you will be greeted with a 60-minute free-roam VR experience. It’s a brilliant idea as a team-building activity or even as just a family weekend trip.
The VR experience includes a multi-player VR mini-games arena, zombie survival experiences, and an augmented reality (AR) darts system, all of which great features when bonding with loved ones and peers.
The younger crowd will be pleased to know that Navrtar offers student discounts, too, so it’s accessible for everyone. They offer the discount through their website, so check it out!
| Pro tips: Don’t worry about your personal belongings because there are lockers available to store your items while you play. If you’re celebrating a birthday, make sure to let the staff know. You might be able to score a free drink or two! |
4. meetspaceVR Escape Room
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Website: https://meetspacevr.co.uk/
Address: BoxPark, Olympic Way, Wembley Park
Contact Details: +448000886911
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Sat: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
- Sun: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £20 per session per person
Mark your weekends with fun but not-so-easy challenges at meetspaceVR Escape Rooms. They have immersive and engaging VR experiences like Alice in Wonderland, Cyberpunk, and Jungle Quest.
Alice in Wonderland and Cyberpunk are some escape room themes that are great for ages 12 and up, which I think is a good mix if adults are accompanying older kids. Wait for your fantasy fascination to awaken with their amazing graphics!
If you’re having difficulty with a task, their staff can help nudge you in the right direction as they match your energy throughout the exciting experience.
| Pro tips: Those who wear religious head covering may want to drop by the store before booking a session, so you can check how to adjust the VR headset’s fit according to your needs. If you wear prescription glasses, you’d want to wear contact lenses instead, so you’d have a more comfortable experience with the VR equipment. |
5. Eclipso
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Website: https://eclipso-entertainment.com/en/london/
Address: 213 Camden High St
Contact Details: +447591931670
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 11:00am – 8:00pm
- Sat–Sun: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Adults: Starts at £23
- Group Bundle (minimum of 4): £21
If you’re looking for an experience that is both educational and entertaining, rush to Eclipso for a fulfilling day with loved ones. It offers various cultural experiences like those surrounding the Colosseum and the Titanic.
Each virtual reality experience lasts for approximately 30 minutes each, but you won’t even notice time passing. The features are meticulously crafted with high attention to detail, so you’d be impressed by what technology can do nowadays.
Make sure to bring kids along for a fun learning opportunity. You can make the most out of your immersive experience with the help of friendly and approachable staff whenever you need assistance, too.
| Pro tips: If you haven’t tried virtual reality experiences before, you’d want to take your time walking around with the headset on to avoid feeling disoriented. Check out their gift shop for souvenirs and merchandise! |
6. iFLY Indoor Skydiving and VR Flight
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Website: https://www.iflyworld.co.uk/locations/ifly-london-at-the-o2/
Address: Indoor Skydiving at The O2, Peninsula Square
Contact Details: +443301915387
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £43.99 per person
You’d be surprised to know that there’s an indoor skydiving experience for those who happen to be adrenaline junkies. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is an exhilarating and safe activity that will definitely get your heart pumping.
Throw away your fears as you experience a safe way to free fall in the air with the help of professional and encouraging instructors. They go above and beyond to make participants feel comfortable while having a great time.
iFLY allows anyone ages 3 and up to fly with minimal restrictions like for those who are pregnant, and under the influence of alcohol, so you can bring the whole family for a weekend of cool experiences.
| Pro tips: It’s best to check out the venue first before booking a schedule to see if you’re comfortable with strangers watching you while you fly. You don’t want to feel anxious right before your flight! Consider booking an add-on for photos and videos to help you remember your exciting day. |
7. VR Experiences at SEA LIFE London Aquarium
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Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd
Contact Details: +442079678025
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Fri: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Sun: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £32 per adult
Experience unique immersive exhibits at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, where you can explore the depths of the ocean and its hidden wonders through a virtual reality experience. Witness up close the creatures that you’ve only dreamed of.
Filled with mini documentaries with various topics like whales and sharks, the VR offering is a great sensory experience for kids and adults alike. You’d feel like you’re literally underwater with sea life.
SEA LIFE’s VR is jam-packed with immersive features because apart from engaging in VR, you can also meet the creatures like the Blacktip Reef Shark, and the Sand Tiger Shark in real-life through their Aquarium Tunnel.
| Pro tips: Allocate at least three hours for the whole experience to make sure you don’t rush through any of the features.Try to go on a weekday if you want to avoid the large crowd. |
8. Immersive Gamebox
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Website: https://www.immersivegamebox.com/en-US/venues/sbk-london-southbank
Address: Arch 3, 83 Scoresby St
Contact Details: +447361583839
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Wed: 1:00pm – 9:00pm
- Thurs–Fri: 1:00pm – 10:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 10:00pm
- Sun: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £37
You can describe Immersive Gamebox as the perfect balance of excitement and challenge, especially with the wide selection of themes for their virtual reality experiences. You’d be left wanting more.
They have themes that are in partnership with Netflix like Squid Game and Floor is Lava, so this is good news for fans out there. They also have a Batman-themed VR experience that is good for children ages 7 and up.
| Pro tip: Take note that you can order drinks during the experience, so just place your order to stay refreshed! |
9. Omescape VR
Media credit: Omescape VR
Website: https://omescapelondon.co.uk/
Address: 1st Floor, 75 Greenfield Rd
Contact Details: +442072785200
Operating Hours:
- Daily: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £30 depending on group size
Omescape VR is a unique free-roaming virtual reality experience that is not just for kids but for grown-ups, too.
They have various options to choose from like Eclipse and Jumpers which are both exciting and engaging VR themes that can include up to 12 players. Other themes like B-Block Breakout and The Parvus Box, on the other hand, can include up to 18 players.
You’d be assigned a Game Master, too, so it’s a friendly experience even for first-timers.
| Pro tip: You can book a VR escape room for a party, so keep this in mind for your next celebration! |
10. Thrill Coaster at The O2
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Website: https://www.thrill-coaster.com/tickets
Address: The Icon Shopping Centre at The O2
Contact Details: +443305553330
Operating Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
- Fri: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Sat: 11:00am – 8:00pm
- Sun: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Admission Costs:
- Starts at £18
If you’re willing to push your fear boundaries, check out the Thrill Coaster at The O2. Experience the world’s highest VR roller coaster and scream your lungs out with friends.
It’s a 360-degree virtual reality ride that features various sights like Manchester, Shanghai, and Singapore. You’re sure to feel transported to a completely different place as an escape.
The staff are helpful and they explain what you should anticipate in clear detail to keep you informed beforehand. This is a mind-blowing adventure that you surely won’t forget.
| Pro tip: It’s best to pre-book online to avoid lining up with the crowd. |
