Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Book

What is The Gunpowder Plot?

The Gunpowder Plot is a thrilling new immersive experience produced by multi-award-winning Layered Reality™ and Historic Royal Palaces and opened in May 2022.

Layered Reality™ experiences combine the latest digital tech together with live theatre plus real physical sensations to create a unique immersive experience that is truly memorable.

You will journey back in time to 1605 and be part of history's most daring conspiracy. You can find out more about the experience here

Do I need to know the story?

No, not at all! We have designed the experience to be understood and enjoyed by those who don’t know anything about The Gunpowder Plot.

What are your opening hours?

Our venue opening hours are:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 12:00 - 22:30

Friday: 12:00 - 22:30

Saturday: 10:45 - 22:30

Sunday: 12:00 - 21:00

Opening hours are subject to change.

Our kitchen opening times may vary

Where is the venue?

Our address is:

8-12 Tower Hill Vaults

London

EC3N 4EE

United Kingdom

The Tower Vaults are right next to the Tower of London

How do I get there?

By Tube: The closest tube station is Tower Hill (Circle and District Line). London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee Lines), Monument (Circle and District Line), Fenchurch Street and Tower Gateway (DLR Line) are also nearby.

By Train: The closest overground station is Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Charing Cross stations are also nearby.

By Bus: Bus routes N15 and I5 stop close to the venue at Tower of London bus stop TB eastbound towards Limehouse or bus stop TA westbound towards St Pauls. Great Tower Street (TU/TT), St Katharine Docks (TS/TN) are also nearby.

By Car: There is no designated parking at the venue. The closest car parks are Tower Hill Coach and Car Park - 50 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6DT (2 min walk) and Minories Car Park - 1 Shorter Street, London, E1 8LP.

By Boat: Tower Millenium Pier is the closest pier and is served by Uber boat, RB2 and City Cruises.

How long is the experience?

The experience will be 1 hour 40 minutes including the 20 minute interval. We also have our very own themed bar, where you can enjoy drinks and delicious meals before and after your experience.

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time on your tickets (or earlier to enjoy a drink in our themed bar). This will give you plenty of time to get checked in, sign the waivers, and store your belongings in a locker (these are free to use). Unfortunately, we are unable to admit latecomers.

Is the experience scary?

The Gunpowder Plot is a fun and thrilling experience. There are some surprises, shocks, and moments of suspense but most people won't find it too scary overall.

Is there an age limit?

This experience is classed as a 12A so parental guidance is required. Please note that some scenes are very dark with loud noises which some children may not enjoy. Children aged 12-15yrs will require parental consent via a waiver prior to admission and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The experience may not be suitable for children under 12yrs.

Can children attend unaccompanied?

Children under the age of 16yrs must be accompanied and supervised by an adult aged 18yrs or over.

What should I wear?

As this is an immersive experience, across three floors, we recommend you wear comfortable clothing and flat trainers or shoes. High heels, flip flops or similar are not suitable and our team reserves the right to refuse entry for health and safety reasons.

Ticket and booking info

How much are tickets?

Standard: £70- £40

Wheelchair: £70- £40

Children (under 16): save £10 per ticket

VIP tickets: £110- £90

Groups of 10+ can claim a £5 per ticket discount online. Use discount code GROUPS85W at checkout.

Book early for the best prices, as prices are subject to increase over time.

Do you have any booking fees?

No. There are no booking fees when you book tickets via our website.

How many tickets can I purchase?

You can currently book up to 16 tickets per order (subject to availability) on the website. If you would like to book more than 16 tickets please visit our Groups Bookings page.

How do I make a booking for a large group or event?

The Gunpowder Plot is a great experience for groups. Groups of 10+ save £5 per ticket - use discount code GROUPS85W at checkout. You can book a maximum of 16 tickets online.

If you would like to book more than 16 tickets please visit our Groups Bookings page.

What do VIP Tickets include?

Step further into the story with our unique VIP package including food, drink, and souvenirs to give you the very best and most memorable experience. A VIP Ticket includes:

  • A delicious meal and house drink.

  • An exclusive themed cocktail to enjoy during the interval.

  • A souvenir printed photograph.

  • One item of merchandise up to the value of £10.

  • Reserved VIP area in the main bar after the show.

Can I buy tickets at the venue?

We advise booking tickets in advance for your preferred date & time. There may be a limited number of tickets available at the venue for experiences taking place on the day but this is not guaranteed.

Will my ticket include entry to the Tower of London?

Entry to the Tower of London is not included with a ticket to The Gunpowder Plot. If you wish to purchase a ticket to the Tower of London you can add a voucher to your order which you can redeem at Tower of London ticket booths.

Do I need to print my tickets?

No, you can show the digital copies to the box office upon arrival.

I can't find my ticket confirmation, will this be a problem?

When you book via our website, you should receive the tickets by email shortly afterwards. If you haven’t received any confirmation, please check your spam/junk folder in case it ends up in there. If you still can’t find it, please email us at [email protected].

Do you sell Gift Vouchers?

Yes, you can purchase gift vouchers HERE. The Layered Reality™ gift voucher can be used as part or full payment to buy tickets and preorder food, drink and photos.

How do I redeem my Gift Voucher?

You can use your Layered Reality™ voucher as part or full payment to buy tickets and preorder food, drink and photos. At the checkout when purchasing tickets, enter your unique gift voucher code and this will deduct the voucher amount from your order total.

How do I redeem Theatre Tokens?

Please email Guest Services on [email protected] with the following information:

Name

16 digit Voucher Number

4 digit Pin

Show Name

Preferred show date/time

If the tickets cost more you will need to pay the outstanding amount using a debit/credit card.

What is your Flexible Exchange Policy?

Our Flexible Exchange Policy lets you change your tickets anytime up until 5pm the day before your experience by paying an £8 exchange fee per ticket. Simply contact us and we’ll email you a gift voucher (minus the fee), so you can rebook when you're ready. Please note tickets are non-refundable.

Separate terms apply for Group Bookings. Please see here.

What is your cancellation policy?

It’s easy to cancel and exchange your tickets, so you can book with 100% confidence.

Our Flexible Exchange Policy lets you change your tickets anytime up until 5pm the day before your experience by paying an £8 exchange fee per ticket. Simply contact us and we’ll email you a gift voucher (minus the fee), so you can rebook when you're ready. Please note tickets are non-refundable.

Separate terms apply for Group Bookings. Please see here.

What is your refund policy?

Our Flexible Exchange Policy lets you change your tickets anytime up until 5pm the day before your experience by paying an £8 exchange fee per ticket. Simply contact us and we’ll email you a gift voucher (minus the fee), so you can rebook when you're ready. Please note tickets are non-refundable. In the event that the experience is temporarily closed due to force majeure, guests will be offered a gift voucher of the same value, to visit the experience upon re-opening.

Separate terms apply for Group Bookings. Please see here.

Access guide

I have a medical condition, is this experience suitable for me?

This is an immersive experience so it may not be suitable for everyone. For further information, please see our full Access Guide.

Are there any alternative routes inside the experience?

Yes, there are alternative routes for guests who do not wish to participate in certain physical activities. All of these routes include stairs.

Is the experience fully accessible?

Yes, there will be wheelchair accessible days every month. For further information, please view our full Access Guide.

Do you offer Essential Companion tickets?

If you require an essential companion we’ll convert one of your existing tickets into an Essential Companion Ticket free of charge to make it easier for you to see a show. Just click ‘yes’ when you book online to request a free Companion Ticket, ensuring that you have at least 2 tickets in your basket for the discount to be applied.

A free Essential Companion ticket is only available for Standard or Wheelchair performances (not VIP performances). This offer cannot be used with any other offers or discount codes. T&C's apply.

Is there any chance of motion sickness?

Yes, due to the nature of the technology and motion simulators, some guests may experience motion sickness however, the scenes are typically less than 10mins in duration. If this affects you, we recommend taking travel sickness tablets before you attend. If you feel unwell during the experience we recommend you shut your eyes or remove the VR headset if necessary.

Can I do the experience if I'm pregnant?

This experience may not be suitable for guests who are pregnant. Please see our Access Guide for more information on the experience content.

Can I wear my hearing aids?

Yes, you can wear your hearing aids inside the experience. Please let our team know if you require additional support when using the VR headsets.

Are there any content or trigger warnings?

The Gunpowder Plot contains themes of swearing, violence, torture, murder, death, terrorism and religious discrimination.

The experience is classified as 12A so adult supervision is required. Children under 16yrs will require parent/guardian consent via the waiver prior to admission and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The experience includes multiple effects which include total darkness, virtual reality, motion simulators, uneven surfaces, confined spaces, air blasts, strobe lighting, latex, sudden loud noises, live actors, fog, scent and temperature changes. This combination of effects is designed to immerse guests in the experience and is intended to be impactful.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Group Bookings

Do you have special prices for schools or colleges?

We do not have specific prices for schools or colleges but if you complete the online booking form with your preferred dates and times, we will contact you with the best prices we can offer at the time.

Are there specific timeslots for group bookings?

No, groups can book for any times (subject to availability).

Can we have exclusive timeslots?

Yes we can offer exclusive timeslots. Depending on the size of the group there may be an additional charge.

Do you have a maximum number for group bookings?

There is not a maximum number for group bookings but for Gold and Platinum packages, where a meal is included and service is staggered, we would recommend no more than 4 full timeslots - or 64 guests in total.

Can I reserve tickets while I discuss it with the rest of the group?

Unfortunately we can't reserve tickets without payment.

What is the minimum number of guests required to book a Corporate Group Package?

Corporate Group Packages are available for groups of 16+

Can I use a discount code on a group booking?

No, offer codes cannot be applied to our group packages.

When should we arrive for our group booking?

We advise groups to arrive at least 30 mins before the first time-slot. This will give your group plenty of time to get checked-in, sign the waivers, and store belongings in the lockers (these are free to use). If you have booked a package which includes drinks upon arrival we recommend 1 hour before the first time-slot to enjoy our themed bar.

How long is the experience?

The experience is 1 hour 40 minutes including a 20 minute interval.

How long should I plan for my whole package experience?

Between 30 minutes to 1 hour for arrival/check-in/pre experience drinks.
1 hour 40 minutes for The Gunpowder Plot: The Immersive Experience. Add on an additional 10 minutes for each timeslot you have booked.
Between 1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours for dinner and drinks afterwards.

Can I go outside in the interval?

The interval bar forms part of the experience so you will not be able to leave during the interval.

Do we need to pre-order our food?

Yes a pre-order form will be sent with your invoice. Pre-orders must be received within two weeks of your event.

Can our group eat before we go through the experience?

Food can only be served to groups after they have been through the experience. Our kitchen is small and therefore food service must be staggered and served to the guests as they exit The Gunpowder Plot.

Can we have a private room to eat and drink in?

We don't have private rooms for hospitality unfortunately. Your group will have reserved tables to themselves in the main bar.

If you are interesting in buying out the venue for your event please contact us on [email protected]

Can I pay a deposit upfront and the rest later?

No, full payment is required one week after making your booking.

Is service charge included in my package booking?

A standard 10% service charge is included on the silver, gold, and platinum packages.

What is your cancellation policy?

See here for terms and conditions.

What are your T&C's for group bookings?

See here for terms and conditions.

When are groups packages available?

Packages are available Weds-Sundays. A Premium is charged for Saturday bookings.


The venue is closed on Mondays andTuesdays.

General FAQs

Are you recruiting team members?

Click HERE to view our current vacancies.

Are you casting for actors?

If you or someone you know would be interested in working for us, please send a CV/Spotlight, headshots and covering letter detailing your training and previous experience to [email protected].

Can I sign up to your mailing list?

Join thousands of members now by signing up to our mailing list HERE.

Benefits include:

✓ Early booking access to our next show.

✓ Discounts for new experiences.

✓ Dedicated member experiences.

✓ Referral rewards for you and your friends.

Are you on social media?

Yes we are. You can follow us on these platforms:

Twitter - @GunpowderImrsv

Facebook - @GunpowderImmersive

Insta - @gunpowderimmersive

Will you be opening an experience in my location?

For announcements about future locations, please join our mailing list HERE.

How can I contact you?