17
Dec,2025
If you’ve never done an escape room before, picking the right difficulty can make the difference between a thrilling night out and a frustrating mess. London has over 150 escape rooms, from spooky haunted houses to high-tech spy missions. But if you pick one that’s too hard, you’ll spend the whole hour feeling lost. Too easy, and you’ll walk out bored. The goal isn’t to win-it’s to have fun, work with your team, and leave with a story to tell.
Start with Easy or Medium, Not Hard
Most escape rooms label their difficulty as Easy, Medium, or Hard. For first-timers, Easy is the sweet spot. These rooms are designed to teach you how escape rooms work. Puzzles are clear, clues are obvious, and the storyline guides you step by step. You’ll find physical keys, hidden numbers, and simple locks-nothing that requires decoding ancient symbols or solving math equations under pressure.
Medium rooms are fine too, but only if your group has at least four people and one person has done an escape room before. Medium rooms add time pressure, multiple puzzle paths, and a few red herrings. You might need to find a code hidden in a book, then use it to unlock a box that reveals a key. That’s manageable. But if you’re new and pick Hard, you could be staring at a wall of symbols for 20 minutes while your friends panic.
Check the Room Description Carefully
Don’t just go by the difficulty label. Read the room description like a detective. Look for phrases like:
- “Perfect for first-timers”
- “No prior experience needed”
- “Guided hints available”
- “Family-friendly”
Rooms that say “For experienced teams only” or “Requires logic and pattern recognition” are red flags. Avoid those. Also, skip rooms with themes like “Cursed Laboratory,” “Nuclear Submarine,” or “Psychological Horror.” These are usually harder and more intense than they need to be for beginners.
Instead, look for themes like “Treasure Hunt,” “Museum Heist,” or “Lost Key in a Victorian House.” These are usually built for newcomers. They focus on exploration and teamwork, not brain-busting riddles.
Group Size Matters More Than You Think
A group of two people should never try a room labeled “Medium” or higher. Two people can’t split up to search, and if one person gets stuck, the whole team stalls. The ideal group size for beginners is 4 to 6 people. That way, someone can search the bookshelf while another checks the drawers, and a third reads the notes on the wall. You cover more ground, and if someone misses a clue, someone else will find it.
If you’re a group of three, go for Easy. If you’re five or six, Medium is fine. Larger groups mean more eyes, more ideas, and more chances to solve puzzles before time runs out. Smaller groups need simpler puzzles to succeed.
Read Reviews from Real Beginners
Don’t trust the marketing photos. Look at reviews written by people who say things like “First time ever,” “We were terrified,” or “We thought we’d fail.” These are the ones that matter.
On sites like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews, filter for reviews from the last 6 months. Look for comments like:
- “We had no idea what we were doing, but the staff gave us just enough help.”
- “The puzzles were fun, not confusing.”
- “We escaped with 8 minutes left-we thought we’d be stuck forever.”
Avoid rooms where multiple beginners say: “We were clueless,” “Nothing made sense,” or “We needed 10 hints.” That’s a sign the room is too hard for new players.
Ask for a Hint System That Doesn’t Punish You
Not all escape rooms handle hints the same way. Some give you a limited number of hints, and once you use them all, you’re on your own. Others let you ask for hints anytime, with no penalty. For beginners, go for the second kind.
Good hint systems feel like a friendly nudge, not a failure. For example, if you’ve been staring at a locked box for 10 minutes, the game master might say: “Check the painting above the desk.” That’s helpful. A bad hint system might say: “You have one hint left. Use it wisely.” That adds stress, not support.
Before booking, call or email the venue and ask: “Do you offer unlimited hints for first-timers?” If they say yes, book it. If they hesitate or say no, pick another room.
Time Is Your Friend, Not Your Enemy
Most escape rooms give you 60 minutes. But some offer 75 or 90 minutes. If you’re new, choose the longer option. Extra time reduces panic. You won’t feel rushed to solve everything in the first 15 minutes. You can take a breath, talk things through, and actually enjoy the story.
London venues like The Escape Game and Exit Game offer 75-minute sessions for beginners. These rooms are designed with pacing in mind. You get a slow build-up, a few easy wins early on, and a satisfying finish. That’s the kind of experience you want on your first try.
What to Avoid at All Costs
Here are three common traps for beginners:
- Dark rooms with no lighting - If you can’t see the clues, you can’t solve them. Avoid rooms described as “pitch black” or “low-light only.”
- Physical challenges - Climbing, crawling, or lifting heavy objects? Skip those. Escape rooms are about thinking, not strength.
- Jump scares - If the room advertises “scary elements” or “horror theme,” it’s not for beginners. You’ll be too busy being scared to solve puzzles.
Stick to well-lit, story-driven rooms with clear visuals and logical clues. Think of it like a detective novel-not a horror movie.
What Happens If You Don’t Escape?
Here’s the truth: most beginner groups don’t escape. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to win. It’s to try, laugh, figure things out together, and leave with a better idea of what escape rooms are really about.
If you don’t escape, the game master will walk you through the solution. That’s the best part. You’ll learn how the puzzles worked, what you missed, and why the clues made sense once you saw the answer. That’s how you get better.
Don’t feel bad. Even seasoned players fail sometimes. The best escape room experience isn’t about the clock-it’s about the conversation you have on the way home: “Did you see that hidden key?” “I thought that book was just decoration!”
Final Checklist for Your First Escape Room
Before you book, run through this quick checklist:
- Difficulty: Set to Easy or Medium
- Group size: 4-6 people
- Theme: Avoid horror, darkness, or physical challenges
- Time: Choose 75 minutes if available
- Hints: Unlimited or friendly system
- Reviews: At least 5 reviews from first-timers saying it was fun and not too hard
If all five boxes are checked, you’re ready. Book it. Show up. Have fun. You don’t need to be a genius to enjoy an escape room. You just need to be curious.”
Can I do an escape room if I’m not good at puzzles?
Yes. Most beginner escape rooms don’t require puzzle-solving skills-they require observation and teamwork. You don’t need to be a math genius or a codebreaker. You just need to look around, talk to your group, and try things. The puzzles are designed to be solved with common sense, not advanced knowledge.
How early should I arrive for my first escape room?
Arrive 15 minutes early. Most venues give a short safety briefing and story intro before the game starts. This helps you understand the rules and get into the mood. Rushing in late means missing important info and starting the game stressed.
Are escape rooms safe for kids?
Many London escape rooms are family-friendly and welcome kids as young as 10, especially in Easy-level rooms. Always check the venue’s age policy. Avoid rooms with horror themes or loud noises if children are in your group. Some venues even offer kid-specific rooms with simpler puzzles and bright, playful themes.
What should I wear to an escape room?
Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes. You won’t be running or climbing, but you might need to crouch, reach behind furniture, or open drawers. Avoid tight jeans, high heels, or bulky coats. Most rooms are indoors and climate-controlled, so dress like you would for a casual day out.
Can I bring my phone into the room?
No. Most venues require you to leave phones, watches, and bags in a locker. This keeps the experience immersive and prevents cheating. If you need to be reachable for emergencies, let the staff know-they’ll give you a way to contact you if needed.
