Join a team of TV investigators to explore the ominous woods where the mysterious Reading Witch is said to have resided. Unusual noises and ritualistic chanting has been heard nearby yet no-one has ever returned from the cabin. Can you debunk the rumours or will you fall foul to the witch yourselves?
Room No. 114 – ESCAPED in 1h31m
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
😱 “Fear Factor” Award
🤩 “Epic Moment” Award
Hosting
The Reading Witch at Deadlocked Escape Rooms is framed as a live TV investigation into a dark local legend. With expectations sky-high, we brought two friends along to tackle this two-hour-long horror experience. From the start, the hosting was fully in character. We were outfitted as TV presenters, briefed via a phone call, and swept into the fiction. The hosts and live actors were impressive and respectful throughout. Having said that, the clue timing didn’t always land. A few hints arrived too early or too late, which felt a tad clumsy, and the in-character approach made it tricky to set expectations or enjoy a proper debrief afterwards.
Theming
The theming is where The Reading Witch really shines. There were moments we were genuinely terrified! Each space feels distinct yet cohesive, with lighting and sound used to great effect. The tension builds steadily over the full two hours, leading to a finale that genuinely surprised and satisfied us. You can tell that a lot of care an attention has gone into the design of this room and even if you’re not an avid puzzler (like us!), you’re guaranteed to have a great time when playing this room.
Puzzling
The puzzles divided opinion slightly. There’s good variety and plenty of bespoke design, but nothing groundbreaking or novel. Nathan felt the theme outshone the puzzles, with a couple of clunky moments, and one of the puzzles wasn’t functioning, requiring an immersive-breaking intervention from the staff. One the other hand, Leanna found the puzzles consistently enjoyable and well supported by the atmosphere.
Either way, it’s an excellent room for players who value immersion and story, and we’d recommend a team of three to four. The Reading Witch absolutely earns its place among the UK’s very best. Whether or not it takes your personal number one spot, it’s an intense, memorable experience.
