The Detective Rooms

Looking for something different to do in Durham? Welcome to The Detective Rooms, a unique immersive crime experience where you become the detective.

Located just minutes from Durham City and conveniently situated close to the A1, The Detective Rooms offers an exciting alternative to traditional escape rooms, combining realistic criminal investigations, forensic evidence, witness statements, intelligence files and immersive storytelling to create an unforgettable experience. Rather than simply solving puzzles to escape, visitors are tasked with investigating complex crimes, analysing evidence and uncovering the truth.This is not an escape room but the next generation of escape rooms.

Designed by professional investigators and crime specialists, each experience places you and your team at the heart of a major case. Working together, you will examine exhibits, review witness accounts, build timelines, identify suspects and present your conclusions as you attempt to solve the mystery. Every detail has been carefully crafted to deliver an authentic investigative experience that challenges your communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills - You and your team become the detectives!.

The venue features four highly themed investigation rooms, each offering a completely different case to solve.

Murder on the 1.30 from Plymouth transports visitors aboard a beautifully recreated 1930s train carriage where a decades-old murder remains unsolved. As members of the Cold Case Unit, teams must re-examine the evidence and uncover secrets that have remained hidden for generations.

The Odyssey takes investigators into the future. Set aboard a space station in orbit, teams must determine whether a crew member’s death was an accident, sabotage or murder while navigating a web of hidden agendas and digital evidence.

The COBRA Room places players at the centre of a national security crisis. Operating as government investigators, teams must identify a serial killer within the highest levels of power before sensitive intelligence triggers an international catastrophe.

Lord Clayton’s Study offers a richly atmospheric Bridgeton-inspired investigation filled with aristocratic intrigue, missing jewels, family secrets and murder. Set in a stately study, this case challenges detectives to unravel a mystery that spans generations.

Each investigation lasts two hours and is suitable for groups of friends, families, couples, tourists, students and corporate teams. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, planning a team-building event or simply looking for an engaging activity during your visit to County Durham, The Detective Rooms provides a memorable experience unlike anything else in the region. Three of the four rooms are on ground level and are fully accessible.

Beyond the investigations, visitors can enjoy the venue’s dedicated Crime Lounge, a stylish and flexible space used for networking events, workshops, private functions, training courses and detective-themed activities throughout the year. The venue also hosts specialist Detective Days, educational workshops and investigative training experiences designed for those with a passion for crime, forensics and problem-solving.

Perfect for visitors seeking something beyond the traditional tourist attractions, The Detective Rooms combines the excitement of live entertainment with the challenge of a real investigation. It is a place where every clue matters, every suspect has a motive, and every team has the opportunity to uncover the truth.

Gather your team, sharpen your investigative instincts and prepare to enter the crime scene. The case is waiting.