Escape room 10+

The Deacon's Cabinet

Name: The Deacon's Cabinet
Brand: Escape the Past
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.94 (14 reviews)

Verified

4.94

2 - 6 people60 minutesDifficult

In October 1788, while Edinburgh gathers for a notorious thief's execution, you seize the chance to infiltrate Deacon Brodie's workshop. As a master craftsman and secretive criminal, his fortune is hidden within. Can you outwit the authorities and unveil the secrets inside the infamous cabinet?

For prosWith childrenLarge groups

Company Escape the Past

Difficult

Not scary

Without actorsActors

EnglishGame language

About the escape room

It's October 1788, and as the city assembles to witness the hanging of a thief, you have other ideas… For Deacon Brodie is no common criminal - master craftsman and pillar of the establishment - his crimes and double life are only now beginning to emerge. Unfazed, you use the grim spectacle as cover to sneak into the Deacon’s workshop in search of an ill-gotten fortune. What treasures must lie within his infamous cabinet? The authorities failed to unlock its secrets… can you? This historical heist escape room will challenge your team to uncover the enthralling tale of Edinburgh’s favourite villain and the real-life inspiration for Jekyll & Hyde.

Important information and features of the escape room

Due to the macabre themes, 'The Deacon's Cabinet' is not recommended for those under 10 years. Each group must contain at least one adult over the age of 18 who must be physically present in the room. You will never be physically locked in. Disabled access can usually be arranged given prior notice; the venue is in a basement with a 72cm wide doorway. Please arrive 10 minutes before your game is due to begin. All bookings are private. The room involves themes of execution by hanging, gambling and firearms. Toilet on site; please use in advance if possible. Comfortable clothing and supportive shoes recommended. Stag & Hen do's allowed but no alcohol influence.

Brief assessment

Navigator AI

A tight historical heist with a showpiece cabinet, sharp puzzles, and hosts who drop you straight into 1788 Edinburgh. Go if you want tactile, story-rich problem solving and a steady stream of wow moments without horror.

4.94

14 reviews

5.0

13 reviews on Google

Location

Basement of the Church, on the edge of Edinburgh's old surgical district.

Services are provided by Escape the Past LTD

Paid Parking

Wifi

Wardrobe

AI Overview

AIReviews consistently rave about the in-character GMs and the richly crafted workshop setting. The titular cabinet steals the show—tactile, layered, and full of satisfying reveals—while the experience is single-room, linear, and puzzle-dense. Difficulty runs high and a couple of steps feel a bit subjective to some, though flow remains engaging. A rare prop hiccup was fixed fast in character, and many rank it among their top rooms.

WeaknessesThe single-room scope and linear flow may underwhelm thrill-seekers who want multiple spaces or parallel tracks. Challenge spikes can bottleneck teams, and one or two puzzles feel subjective. A minor malfunction has been noted, though it was resolved quickly.

StrengthsAtmosphere is superb, from lighting and sound to that musty old-workshop vibe. Puzzles are varied, clever, and grounded in the history, keeping teams busy from start to finish. Hosting is top-notch, with hints delivered gracefully.

SecurityBriefings are clear, the GM is attentive, and the space is compact with low physical demand. Lighting and sound support mood without being overwhelming, and staff act quickly if anything misbehaves.

Level of fearNot a horror experience—more intrigue than fear—so it suits teens and cautious players. Expect drama and tension, not jump scares.

Actors' gamePlayers praise GMs for theatrical intros, staying in character, and giving gentle nudges that protect the aha. Interaction feels warm, attentive, and immersive without taking over.

Quality of riddlesThis is a puzzle-forward, mostly linear game with strong observation, listening, jigsaw, and mechanical interactions. The cabinet works like a giant puzzle box with logical steps and delightful surprises. A couple of tasks can read as subjective, but the overall logic tracks well.

PlotYou slip into Deacon Brodie’s workshop amid public spectacle to crack his infamous cabinet and uncover his secrets. The story unfolds through the solves and ties neatly into the real history that inspired Jekyll & Hyde.

Difficulty levelChallenging and more demanding than The Anatomist, ideal for groups who enjoy dense, linear puzzle chains. Confident duos can manage with timely hints, though three or four may feel just right.

Reviews

Tom H. (maker)

Beginner

I’d heard this was the weaker sibling to The Anatomist, but it absolutely floored me. The GM’s theatrical intro hooked us, the theming is immaculate, and the cabinet is a masterwork—practical, artisanal, and a joy to play. Yes, it’s a single room, yet six of us were busy almost the whole hour. A couple of steps flirted with subjectivity, but teamwork carried us, and one reveal made me shout with d

07.10.2025

Eleanor R.

Beginner

Charlotte slipped into character and, with moody lighting and that old-workshop scent, whisked us back in time. The cabinet acts like a giant puzzle box and the gameplay is largely linear, with some quick wins and some real stumpers. It’s their toughest room, but still packed with secrets despite being a single space. A prop misbehaved near the end and Charlotte fixed it instantly without breaking

17.12.2025

Megan S.

Beginner

We came for The Anatomist and stayed for this, which we liked even more. The cabinet is a star turn and the opening lands with proper drama. It’s puzzle-heavy and trickier, but our GM guided just enough to keep us moving, and we squeaked out a finish under an hour. Smart use of a small space and puzzles that feel rooted in the history. Massive thanks to Beth, who elevated an already great game.

10.12.2025

Oliver G.

Beginner

Julia set the tone beautifully with light, sound, and a strong sense of place. For puzzle lovers, this is candy: varied, mostly linear challenges that kept the two of us engaged throughout. Everything begs to be handled and explored. We’d happily step back in and do it again, and we’re eyeing their other room next.

18.06.2025

alex_89

Beginner

Loved the in-character intro, the smell of sawdust, and that glorious cabinet—hands-down the star. Dense, fair puzzles with a couple of mic-drop reveals. Single room but never felt small.

16.01.2025

Grace T.

Beginner

Took my teen and it was epic without being scary. Story-forward heist vibes, lots to fiddle with, and some beautiful payoffs.

04.09.2025

Ian from Leith

Beginner

Super atmospheric and very Edinburgh. Our GM paced hints perfectly, and the mix of tactile locks, a crafty jigsaw, and audio cues kept us busy the whole time. Left buzzing.

03.09.2025

Nadia L.

Beginner

A dream of a room with multiple wow moments and some cheeky bits of magic. Puzzles are on the trickier side but never unfair, and our GM nailed the scene-setting and support. One of my favorites this year.

15.08.2025

Kieran D.

Beginner

Innovative design that revolves around the cabinet, with clever, on-theme puzzles in a well-dressed space. Hefty on the puzzles and supported by a friendly, enthusiastic GM. Left very satisfied.

13.08.2025

Maya P.

Beginner

We didn’t make it out and a linear step held us up longer than it should have, but wow, the craftsmanship. The cabinet is brilliant and the history thread makes everything click. Would happily replay.

02.05.2025

Jess K.

Beginner

Beautifully themed from top to bottom, with a host who radiates enthusiasm. Fresh, novel puzzles kept us on our toes the whole time. A blast.

12.02.2025

Rob B.

Beginner

It’s a single room crammed with puzzles, and the vibe feels very Edinburgh in the best way. The cabinet is a delight, but we didn’t escape, which probably colored the frustration we felt. Still, impressive design.

10.03.2025

Sam T.

Beginner

So much fun, packed with surprises and laugh-out-loud moments, and we actually applauded at the end. A treat from start to finish.

30.04.2025

PuzzleSmith

Beginner

As a builder, I was smitten with the cabinet—practical, elegant, and fun. There was one moment that made me yelp with joy. Straight into my personal top tier.

02.01.2025