My son Mack and I are massive Stranger Things fans, so we were delighted to be offered gifted tickets to the Brent Cross attraction at the Troubadour Studios! In fact, it was one of those cases where we were SO excited, I was worried that we might expect too much.
I shouldn’t have worried though, The Stranger Things Experience was brilliant! The experience is fully immersive, you are encouraged to join in with the live action as you make your way around parts of Hawkins Village, including taking part in a sleep experiment in the local laboratory.
We had VIP tickets, so we were able to skip the queue to get into ‘Hawkins Lab’, where everyone takes part in the top secret project. We were very quickly identified as having super telekinetic skills (I knew it!) which meant that we were assigned to Team Red.
What followed were a series of rigorous tests by the lab staff, almost to the point of being brainwashed, when we discovered that the lab holds a terrible secret!
No spoilers don’t worry!
What followed was a fantastically orchestrated adventure helping Max, Dustin and the rest of the Hellfire Club evade and escape the terrors in the lab and the Upside Down. The adventure ends when you arrive safe and sound in the Mix Tape leisure area to enjoy some shopping and refreshments and take some photos.
What should you know?
There are some hidden extras once you are safe and sound in the Mix Tape, look out for the QR codes hidden in plain sight. There are five to scan. Each one contains a short video with a question from one of the cast members. Get all five right and you can go to the Hellfire Club shop and claim your prize! (If you get the answer wrong, don’t worry you can go back and try again).
Is it easy to get to?
Take the Northern Line to Brent Cross. From the station it’s a 10-minute walk alongside a really busy road and through an underpass. I’d advise taking a screen shot of the route beforehand, so you know where you’re going or taking a short taxi ride if you’re uncertain.
Is VIP worth it?
VIP is around £32 more than the standard adult ticket. It includes queue jump, which is always good, and you are given an access all areas lanyard for the lab which is yours to keep as a memento. The lanyard also acts as a token for a drink at the bar in the Mix Tape, cocktails and mocktails are included (RRP £12/£8) with a souvenir cup. On top of that you get your lanyard scanned at the VIP desk at the end to receive your Stranger Things tote holding your exclusive VIP gift, only available at the Stranger Things Experience. So yes, the VIP perks give you something special that can’t get anywhere else.
Do I need to have watched Stranger Things?
You don’t need to have watched the series to understand what’s going on. You’re in an experimental lab, something goes horribly wrong and you team up with a bunch of plucky kids to defeat the bad guys and escape.
But if you are a fan, you will just love the experience. Most of the shows favourites are here, and of those who are absent, you can speak to Hopper on the phone in the booth outside the Family Video store and you can have your photo taken in Joyce’s lounge.
R U N don’t walk to get tickets as The Stranger Things Experience leaves London in January!
Get Your Tickets HERE!
Experienced and written by Sally Bendall – @girlaboutleeds
