The Orphanage
Escape game 12+

The Orphanage

4.8
2 - 6 people60 minutesAverage
St Josephine’s Orphanage, a once grand Victorian property, is up for auction. Explore its potential for a state-of-the-art urban-living complex. Will you dare to walk its eerie halls?
BeginnersWith childrenBeginnersBeginnersLarge company

Average
Not scary
Without actorsActors
EnglishGame language
Escape room awards
Nominee (2022)TERPECA
About the escape room

St Josephine’s Orphanage for Girls was once the finest educational facility in the North West. Today, the grand Victorian property stands empty, derelict and abandoned. Until now as the property stands up for auction by a local firm. You and your colleagues have been invited to enter the grade II listed site and evaluate its potential for developing it into a new, state of the art urban-living apartment complex. Tread carefully though, you wouldn’t be the first to walk its eerie halls and perhaps decide for yourselves that some doors are better left closed.

AI
Brief assessment
from Navigator AI
Go if you want a moody, old-school orphanage vibe with just enough chills to keep your pulse up. The puzzles are varied and fair, the hosting is on point, and there’s a neat split moment that ups the tension without going overboard.

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Location

Paid Parking
Wifi
Wardrobe

Overview of artificial intelligence

AIPlayers consistently praise the atmosphere and theme, calling it creepy but approachable. The puzzle mix leans lock-and-interaction with a mostly linear flow, and clues are delivered helpfully when things get fuzzy. A few note mild ambiguity and references that might stump younger players, yet most still had fun. Duos can beat it with experience, though three is recommended.
WeaknessesA couple of puzzles read a bit ambiguous, especially if you miss the intended logic. Some references may sail over younger players’ heads. It’s not wildly innovative, but it’s solid and enjoyable.
StrengthsStrong Victorian setting and storytelling pull you in right away. Good variety of puzzles with satisfying progress and supportive hosting. The split sequence adds a memorable jolt without derailing the game.
SecurityIt’s dim in places and there’s a brief forced split, but lighting is adequate to play and staff keep an eye on things. No safety issues reported; standard briefing and hints keep you moving safely.
Level of fearSpooky rather than extreme, with a few jumpy moments. Suitable for families and teens; horror fans get flavor without full-on terror.
Actors' gameReviews mention a great host and responsive hinting but no live actors. Interaction is mainly through puzzles and occasional guidance over the hint system.
Quality of riddlesMix of classic locks and tactile, interactive tasks that generally feel fair. Mostly linear, so teams can stay on the same track, with clues nudging you when needed. A couple puzzles are slightly vague or rely on older references.
PlotYou’re assessing the abandoned St Josephine’s Orphanage for redevelopment, only to find its past doesn’t rest quietly. The story unfolds as you push deeper, hinting that some doors are better left closed.
Difficulty levelA comfortable mid-tier challenge. Experienced pairs can clear it, while newer groups may prefer three players and a nudge or two.

Reviews

title
Nina P.
Beginner
4
Creepy setting and enjoyable puzzles throughout. It’s dim but playable, mostly linear, and while a couple of tasks felt a bit unclear, the hints nudged us just enough. The forced split was a standout atmospheric beat, and overall it’s more fun than shocking.
12.01.2025
title
Chris T.
Beginner
4
Excellent room with a few well-timed scares and a solid story arc. The mix of traditional locks and interactive elements hits a sweet spot, and while it recommends three, our experienced duo managed fine. Probably our favorite game at the Manchester site so far.
18.03.2025
title
alex_89
Beginner
4
We played as two experienced escapers and found it very doable. Nice mix of locks and hands-on bits, and the narrative ties it together well.
12.02.2025
title
Mia R.
Beginner
3
Enjoyed the room but a couple puzzles felt a touch ambiguous and we needed a nudge. Still a fun, creepy hour with decent payoffs.
19.10.2025
title
Ava M.
Beginner
5
Visited as a horror-loving family and had a great time. The setting is spot-on and the host was fantastic, keeping things smooth and engaging.
22.12.2025

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