With the warning of sailors long since departed to Davy Jones’ Locker echoing in your ear, you traverse the treacherous decks of The Golden Hinde, the ship’s floorboards creaking beneath your feet. The lantern light casts glowing shapes on the wall of the hull as you scour your surroundings for clues. Past and present meld before your eyes as you unravel the secrets of the high seas. Adventure is before you. All you have to do is seize it.
On Feb. 4, TripAdvisor’s No. 1 London escape game, Secret Studio, launched its’ newest venture, Escape from The Golden Hinde. This nautical mystery aboard the 16th century reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s sailing vessel transports guests to another world where history comes alive.
The Golden Hinde today is a reconstruction built in the 1970s, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Sir Francis Drake’s voyages. From San Francisco, the Caribbean, Japan and Vancouver, The Golden Hinde has seen many ports around the world, but has made a home on the Thames, docked by the London Bridge.
The beauty of the escape game comes from the passion the crew has for the history of the ship. Every puzzle, clue, and second of the game is meticulously designed with The Golden Hinde in mind. It wouldn’t work on just any ship.
One of the game’s designers, Oscar Balfour, explained that Secret Studio wanted to accentuate the character of the ship, and The Golden Hinde’s long history ensured that the team had boatloads of story to work with.
“We’re immersing visitors in all the history and atmosphere of Drake’s ship, combined with the tension, challenges and team-building of a modern escape game,” Balfour said.
Escape from The Golden Hinde allows visitors to interact with the ship’s past as players have 60 minutes to unravel the mystery and save the ship from sinking. Ghosts from the ship’s two journeys, both the 1570s and the 1970s, haunt the vessel. The collision of these two worlds has the power to capsize the ship, and drown not just the spirits, but your crew as well.
With a perplexing mystery, engaging game, and swashbuckling setting, Escape from The Golden Hinde offers visitors a thrilling experience that is unexpected, unforgettable, and just pure fun. For more information, visit https://www.escapeintime.co.uk/goldenhinde/.