ESCAPE ROOM
GAME MANUAL.

Escape rooms are fully immersive, live experiences where a small team is locked into a themed room and has to solve a chain of puzzles, uncover hidden clues and crack codes to escape before the clock runs out, usually within 60 minutes. They have become one of the most popular things to do in St Ives, and Cornwall more widely, because they offer something genuinely different from the beaches and galleries. They work brilliantly in any weather, suit almost any age and group size, and turn an ordinary afternoon into a shared adventure full of laughter and teamwork. Families, groups of friends, couples, stag and hen parties and corporate teams all love them, and because every booking is a private game, it is just your own group in the room together.

Yes, escape rooms are one of the very best rainy day activities in St Ives. The entire experience takes place indoors in a warm, fully immersive environment, so it makes no difference at all whether it is pouring outside or blowing a Cornish gale. When the beaches and the coast path are off the cards, a 60-minute escape game is the perfect way to keep everyone entertained, engaged and out of the weather. It suits families with children, groups of friends and couples alike, and because you book a specific time slot in advance, you can plan it around the forecast and the rest of your day. Many visitors tell us it ends up being the highlight of a wet day in St Ives.

We are on the First Floor of Cornerstone House, Park Avenue, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2DN, right in the centre of town. Look for the entrance on Park Avenue and head up to the first floor, where our reception will be waiting for you. Access is via stairs only, as there is no lift, so the venue is not currently suitable for wheelchair users, and we ask anyone with mobility requirements to call us before booking on 01736 887444. We are only a couple of minutes walk from the train and bus stations, and the Park Avenue and Station car parks are both close by, which are the easiest places to park as nearby street parking is limited and often restricted.

We are open Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 10pm, every day of the week. The last game of the day starts at 9pm, since each session runs for a full hour, so please book a slot that leaves enough time before closing. Being open from morning until late makes it easy to fit a game around a day on the beach, a meal out, or a corporate schedule. All games are booked online in advance, and we recommend booking ahead during the summer and school holidays, when our slots fill up quickly with families and visitors looking for things to do in St Ives.

Absolutely, escape rooms are a fantastic family activity in St Ives. Our Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow is a low intensity, family-friendly adventure designed for ages 8 and up, with no scares at all, so it is ideal for families, mixed-age groups and grandparents with grandchildren. The seasonal Festive Feast version runs from November to January and adds a festive twist for the holidays. Children love the hands-on puzzles and the sense of being inside a real story, while parents enjoy working together as a team away from screens. Under 16s simply need a participating adult in the room. If your children are a little younger or nervous, just call us on 01736 887444 and we will happily talk you through whether the game is right for them.

Every room is fully immersive, and intensity is the only thing that changes. Low intensity is Immersive Fun, designed for families, younger players and first timers, with no scares and a friendly pace. Medium intensity is Immersive and Atmospheric: the lights are lower, the tension is higher, and the puzzles get cleverer, which suits groups who want a spooky, exciting challenge without full horror. High intensity is Fully Immersive and Intense for the brave, adding stronger scares and a more aggressive atmosphere. Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow is always low intensity and family friendly. St Ives Slayer lets you choose medium or high intensity on site after booking, so your group can pick the level that suits you on the day. If you are unsure, our team will happily talk you through it on 01736 887444.

Pricing is per person and depends on your group size, so larger groups pay less each. For two players it is £30 per person, three players £28, four players £26, five players £24, six players £22, and seven players £20 per person. Groups of eight or more can also book online, and we just ask that you call us first on 01736 887444 to confirm availability and timing. Every booking includes the full 60-minute game, your briefing and debrief, and a Games Master looking after your team throughout. There are no hidden extras, and you only pay for the players who are actually taking part. You can book and pay securely online in advance, which guarantees your chosen room and time slot.

Escape rooms in St Ives are one of the most effective team building activities in Cornwall because they create real pressure, real puzzles and real teamwork, all in a single hour. Your team has to communicate clearly, delegate tasks, share information and make decisions under a ticking clock, which surfaces natural leaders and shows how people work together far better than any slideshow or trust exercise. It is hands-on, genuinely fun and completely screen-free, so everyone is engaged from start to finish. Unlike a standard away day, an escape room gives your team a shared goal and a shared story they will still be talking about back at the office. We can host competing teams across our rooms for larger groups, and we will build the day around your schedule.

Yes, we welcome corporate bookings of every size. Each room takes up to 8 players, and teams of up to 7 can book instantly through our standard online system, while groups of 8 or more simply call us first on 01736 887444 so we can confirm timings. For bigger groups we run several teams back to back across our rooms and can crown an overall winning team at the end, which adds a great competitive edge to the day. We are happy to invoice businesses directly and can help arrange local catering and venue partnerships for full away days. Whether you are planning a small team treat or a larger company day out in Cornwall, visit our corporate page or get in touch and we will build a package around you.

We currently have two fully bookable escape rooms, with more on the way. Lost Treasure of Pirate Kernow is a low intensity family adventure, suitable for ages 8 and up and available all year round. St Ives Slayer is our horror-themed thriller, where you choose medium or high intensity on the day, also available year round and best for ages 13 and over. From November to January, a seasonal version called Festive Feast takes over Pirate Kernow with a festive holiday twist, perfect for Christmas parties and family get-togethers. We are also building a third permanent room, Sound Sleuth, a 1970s murder mystery set in a recording studio, which is coming soon. Each game is a private booking, so it is always just your own group in the room.

St Ives Slayer is our horror-themed room, so it is deliberately darker and more intense than Pirate Kernow, and it is not for everyone. Every intensity level features darkness, atmospheric tension and one built-in jump scare, while high intensity adds a full kidnapping entrance, complete with a blindfold, plus extra scares throughout the game. For that reason we recommend it for ages 13 and up, with a PG-13 feel, and it is not suitable for young children or for anyone who is genuinely sensitive to intense horror, sustained tension or claustrophobia. You choose medium or high intensity when you arrive, so braver groups can crank it up while others keep it a little gentler. If you are unsure whether it is right for your group, call us on 01736 887444 and we will be honest with you.

No, Escape Time St Ives is a completely independent, locally owned limited company based right here in St Ives, Cornwall. We are not part of a national chain or a franchise, which means every decision, from the puzzles to the storylines to the welcome you receive, is made locally by our own team. Our rooms are designed and built in house and tailored specifically to St Ives and Cornish culture, rather than being bought in as an off-the-shelf kit, so you will not find these exact games anywhere else. Being independent also means we genuinely care about every booking and every review, because our reputation in the local community is everything to us. When you book with us, you are supporting a small Cornish business rather than a faceless corporation.

If you need to change or cancel a booking, please get in touch with us as soon as possible on 01736 887444 or by email, and we will do our best to help you find another slot. Because our games run on timed slots that are booked in advance, the easiest option is usually to reschedule to another available time when you let us know early. If you are running late on the day, please call us straight away, as a late arrival can shorten your playing time and we may not be able to hold the room. For full details of our current booking, rescheduling and refund terms, please see the terms shown when you book online, or contact us directly and we will be glad to explain.