What is 'Escape from the Golden Hinde'?

It's an Escape Game on a historic ship in the centre of London!

The Golden Hinde is a perfect reconstruction of the ship Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world in the 1570s. It is haunted by ghosts from that journey.

The reconstructed ship also sailed around the world in the 1970s. Ghosts from that period also dwell on the ship.

So, the ship holds an unhappy mix of spirits - like a dodgy Rum Mojito. (Which, legend has it, was invented by Drake.)

You will be locked on the ship with these ghosts. You will have 60 minutes to escape.

You'll also learn some history. But don't let that stop you.

What if I don't escape in time?

The ship will sink, and you will be lost forever in the murky depths of the river Thames.

What does it cost?

The full price for 'Escape from the Golden Hinde' is £48 per person.

But most days have big discounts at popular times. See our OFFERS page.

While we're working on a game tailored for youngsters, children under 10 are welcome to play the adult version for free (maximum of 2 per crew, minimum age of 4). There must be at least three paying guests per crew and one of them must be over sixteen. Please bring proof of ages.

You can pay by Credit or Debit card.

How many can play?

Any group from 3 to 18 people can play. Larger groups split into crews of 6 with staggered start times. Each crew will start around 15 minutes after the previous.

All players should arrive at the same time, however, to have the fun of the briefing together. We'll also keep those that are waiting fully entertained.

If you have a larger group, you could always come to Secret Studio's classic game near Brick Lane, where we can host groups of up to 27 all playing the same game at the same time.

You won't be playing with strangers, but you might see other people on board the ship.

Who can do it?

Most people can play, but it isn't suitable for everyone. Here are a few things to consider.

Ages:

The adult versions of the game are designed for ages 10 upwards, but we've discovered that younger children often have an awesome time!

So while we're working on a game tailored for youngsters, children under 10 are welcome to play the adult version for free (maximum of 2 per crew, minimum age of 4). There must be at least three paying guests per crew and one of them must be over sixteen. Please bring proof of ages.

Language:

All crew members need to be able to understand and read English.

Physical Activity:

There is some mild physical activity, but this needn't stop you coming. You can always ask one of our GamesMasters to come into the room and help. As a guide: if two crew members can lift a medium-sized suitcase between them, then your crew will be fine on its own.

Surprises:

There is the odd surprise! Let us know when you arrive if you really don't like shocks, and we'll tailor the experience.

Accessibility:

The Golden Hinde was designed in an age when accessibility was not given enough priority. There are steep stairs, low ceilings, cramped spaces and trip hazards, as well as low light levels in some areas.

Unfortunately the features of the ship make it inaccessible for wheelchair users.

To solve the mysteries at least one crew member needs reasonably good hearing and one or two members of each team will need to kneel or crouch a couple of times.

There is the odd surprise! Let us know when you arrive if you really don't like shocks, and we'll tailor the experience.

If you would like further information on whether the ship is suitable for you to visit, please email The Golden Hinde directly: [email protected]

Is it good for corporate and team building events?

Our immersive adventures, Escape From The Golden Hinde and Secret Studio offer incredible history-rich environments in which your team can build relationships, interact collaboratively and feel a sense of achievement in a fun, playful way. They are an ideal opportunity for your people to connect and interact meaningfully in order to solve problems - skills which can then be transferred back into their work.

You can read a blow by blow account from one of our corporate clients in our Blog.

For larger events (up to 100 people) we can turn the entire historic ship over to you, providing an absolutely unique party space with catering, drinks and entertainment, including the escape game (see "Mutiny!").

Alternatively, for smaller groups (up to 24 people) Escape From The Golden Hinde offers a unique team building experience. Here's how it works: All players arrive on the ship at the same time, to have the fun of the briefing together. Our deckhands will then split you into crews of 6. Each crew starts the game around 15 minutes after the previous. We'll keep those who are waiting fully entertained with deck games and, if you wish, some complimentary shots of rum. You can book via our bookings page. If there's no availability when you want to come, and you are a group of 15 or more, let us know. We might be able to open especially for you.

If you are absolutely set on your whole team playing at the same time, you could always come to Secret Studio's classic game near Brick Lane, where we can host groups of up to 27 all playing the same game simultaneously.

Can we party ("Mutiny!")?

For a special birthday, a Stag/Hen do or any important event we can turn the entire historic ship over to you, providing an absolutely unique party space with catering, drinks and entertainment, including the escape game. We call this experience Mutiny! for good reason!

Here's how Mutiny! works:

All guests are welcomed aboard by our band of 16^th Century sailors. They receive a fun briefing including drinks and deck games, and are split into crews of 6.

Two crews (ie 12 people) will start their games every 20 minutes. Deck games and revelries continue for the crews that are waiting.

About half way through the game, guests will arrive on the lower deck, which will have been converted into a party space with food and drink. All guests can then mingle and explore for as long as they like (within reason). Our sailors will be adding to the fun and answering any questions about the history of the ship.

Crews can then finish the game at their own leisure, or can stay on the party deck.

Use the contact form to get in touch and help us organise your Mutiny!

Will anyone else be on board?

Although you might see other people on the ship, they won't be part of your crew. So you will just be playing with yourselves, so to speak.

How long will it last?

For a group of up to six people the experience will last around 90 minutes, including a short briefing beforehand, and a chat about how it went afterwards.

Larger groups split into crews of six with staggered start times, fifteen minutes apart. So, allow an extra fifteen minutes for each crew of six.

How do I get there?

The Golden Hinde is in the centre of London, right next to London Bridge.

The Golden Hinde
St Mary Overie Dock
Cathedral Street
London, SE1 9DE

Tube:

We are an easy walk form London Bridge, Borough and Monument stations.

Train:

The nearest train stations are London Bridge, Cannon Street, Blackfriars and Waterloo.

Bus:

Any of these will be fine: 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381, 344, 521, RV1.

River:

London Bridge City Pier and Bankside Pier. Thames Clippers serves both piers.

Bicycle:

This is very easy. There are loads of nearby cycle parking spots.

Car:

If possible, please use public transport as parking in the local area is very restricted. The Golden Hinde is inside the congestion charge zone. Parking is available at Kipling Street, London Bridge. The nearest accessible Blue Badge Holder parking bays are in London Bridge station.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

You can add extra people, up to a maximum of six per timeslot. If you're not sure how many timeslots you've booked, just check your booking confirmation. To add people, just reply to your booking confirmation telling us how many you would like to add.

This is a live experience, so cancellation isn't possible. But we want to be as flexible as we can. If you want to change your booking, let us know by replying to your booking confirmation. We'll try our best to find another customer to take your spot. The more notice we have, the greater the chances! If we do find someone else, we would need to charge £10 for each change, to cover our admin costs. Sorry about that.

Do you have any other games?

Yes we do! Our original adventure, SECRET STUDIO, is London's top escape game on TripAdvisor. We'd love it if you visited us there, and you can get 25% off (see below for details).

You and your friends/family will be locked inside the headquarters of a (fictional) down-at-heel schlock movie production office that hasn't seen a lick of paint since 1979.

You have an hour to solve the puzzles inside the room and unlock the mystery to escape!

The retro technology will delight you along the way - a journey back in time for the younger players ('how did people used to manage in the old days?!') and a trip down memory lane for Mum and Dad (marvel at your teen's attempts at the dial phone!) You work together as a team to try and beat the clock.

There are also spooky scary bits and a few surprises in store... we don't want to say much about these because that would ruin the surprise thing but we can accommodate the jumpy ones among you.

You'll have fun! We can (practically) guarantee it! And that's all we can really tell you for now. That's why it's called SECRET Studio...

When you book Escape From The Golden Hinde, we'll send you a Secret Code that will give you a discount (currently 25%) at Secret Studio, provided you book that game within a month. Unfortunately this can't be combined with any other offer or discount - sorry about that!

Go to escapeintime.co.uk/secretstudiolondon to book.

Are there toilets?

Unfortunately, there are no toilets. In the 16th century people were known to stick their bottom over the side of the ship. But that would raise a few eyebrows in the centre of London. So please go before you arrive, if you see what we mean.

There are toilets nearby in Borough Market.

I've already played, can I come back?

Yes!

There are multiple versions of 'Escape from the Golden Hinde'. You can repeat the same game (which is still fun) or choose a different version. Although the location, theme and some structural elements are the same between these versions, the challenges and puzzles are very different.

What's more, returning players come for free. There just needs to be 4 or more paying players for each free one. Just tell us on the booking form how many returning players there are.

Also, don't forget to play our original adventure: Secret Studio. It's London's top escape game on TripAdvisor. We'd love it if you visited us there.

How accessible is it?

The Golden Hinde was designed in an age when accessibility was not given enough priority. There are steep stairs, low ceilings, cramped spaces and trip hazards, as well as low light levels in some areas.

Unfortunately the features of the ship make it inaccessible for wheelchair users.

To solve the mysteries at least one crew member needs reasonably good hearing and one or two members of each team will need to kneel or crouch a couple of times.

There is some mild physical activity, but this needn't stop you coming. You can always ask one of our GamesMasters to come into the room and help. As a guide: if two crew members can lift a medium-sized suitcase between them, then your crew will be fine on its own.

There is the odd surprise! Let us know when you arrive if you really don't like shocks, and we'll tailor the experience.

Unfortunately, there are no toilets. In the 16th century people were known to stick their bottom over the side of the ship. But that would raise a few eyebrows in the centre of London. So please go before you arrive, if you see what we mean.

There are toilets nearby in Borough Market.

If you would like further information on whether the ship is suitable for you to visit, please email The Golden Hinde directly: [email protected]

Do you do gift vouchers?

We certainly do.

Just send us an email telling us how many players, the name of the recipient and the address you'd like us to send it to (or if it's urgent, we can email you a PDF).

It also helps if you can tell us what the gift is for, so we can personalise the card a bit.

We'll then send you an invoice by email. You can pay this by credit card or bank transfer. Then we'll send a shiny gift-voucher card.

The cost is simply our normal price of £48 per person.

Oh and by the way, the voucher will have no expiry date; we know how annoying it is to finally get round to using that gift, only to discover it ran out last week!