For anyone who hasn’t been, it’s hard to describe exactly what Phantom Peak is.
The easiest way to put it is somewhere between an escape room, an immersive theatre show and a real-life video game.
Instead of a single locked room, you’re exploring an entire purpose-built town in Canada Water, filled with eccentric characters who hand out quests, hidden puzzles to solve, and storylines that unfold through your phone.
You can treat it like a one-off adventure or return again and again as the town evolves with each new season.
I’ve been several times now, but this year’s Halloween run genuinely felt like the best yet.
The town had been transformed with eerie decorations, ghostly goings-on and even a few fresh characters that kept everything feeling new.
It leaned into atmosphere and humour rather than outright scares, making it closer to Scooby-Doo mystery than haunted house horror, which means even people who don’t “do Halloween” can get stuck in and enjoy themselves.
We went as a trio, including one first-timer, and seeing his reaction reminded me of my own first visit.
He couldn’t quite believe that something like this even existed in London, and that sense of discovery is what makes Phantom Peak so exciting.
Wandering on the waterfront, stumbling across arcades and hidden corners, and chatting to townsfolk in character is as close to stepping into a video game as you’re likely to get.
The quests this time were stronger than ever.
We only managed two across the whole evening, but they were long, detailed and properly satisfying.
One had us tuning an old TV to reveal a mysterious advert, another involved twisting mirrors to align hidden shapes, and later we were ducking into the arcade to unlock codes.
There was also a Stranger Things-inspired gloop to investigate and a tongue-in-cheek Beetlejuice parody called “Beetlemilk” that was as funny as it was bizarre.
Everything felt well thought through and rewarding to complete.
The actors are what tie it all together.
They are sharp, witty and completely committed to their roles, but they’re also brilliant improvisers who bounce off whatever you throw at them.
You end up with favourite characters you look forward to seeing again – for me it’s Littlefield, the postmaster – and their humour is such a big part of what makes the town feel alive.
We stopped halfway for food and I ordered Halloway’s Coffin, a deluxe Halloween burger in a jet-black charcoal bun.
It came stacked with a beef patty, smoked bacon, Mexican cheddar, chipotle sauce, guacamole and rocket.
It looked theatrical but tasted genuinely delicious, and it’s the same story with the cocktails.
I went for the Midnight Engine, a dark blend of rum, Baileys, stout and coffee, while a friend picked the Ember Sting, tequila with chilli, honey, raspberries and ginger beer.
Even the drinks tie back to the story, themed around the mysterious Dr Furbish, which is a clever detail that adds to the immersion.
That’s what makes Phantom Peak so special – it works both as a one-off night out and as something worth revisiting.
Newcomers are blown away by the concept, while returning visitors spot the extra jokes, new quests and fresh layers of story.
This year’s Halloween also includes the Haunted Hunt, a town-wide puzzle trail for those who want to dive even deeper, while the plaza hosts constant mini-games and challenges to dip in and out of.
You can charge around chasing quests non-stop or slow it down, grab a drink and just enjoy the atmosphere.
By the time we left, pockets stuffed with keepsake quest cards, I was reminded why Phantom Peak is unlike anywhere else in London.
Funny, clever and drenched in atmosphere, it’s clearly made by people who love what they do, and if you’re looking for something different to do this Halloween, this is it.
