THE EXPERIENCE
What can I expect from Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience?
You’ll experience Martians invading the UK as if it’s really happening – all set to Jeff Wayne’s iconic music. This breathtaking 1hr 50 show features 24 interactive scenes with live action, multi-sensory effects and virtual reality. You can find out more about the experience
here.
Do I need to know the story?
No, not at all! We have designed the experience to be understood and enjoyed by those who don’t know anything about HG Wells’ The War of The Worlds.
What is an immersive experience?
Layered Reality™ are the leaders in immersive entertainment experiences - with powerful storytelling, cutting-edge technology and outstanding customer service. We combine live theatre (actors, movie-scale sets, and special effects) together with the latest digital technology (virtual reality, projection mapping and holograms) plus physical sensations (sight, sound, smell, touch and movement) to create a unique immersive experience that is truly memorable. The War of The Worlds Immersive Experience is set to Jeff Wayne’s award-winning musical Work adapted from HG Wells’ dark Victorian Tale.
Where is the experience located?
The event is located in the City of London at 56 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 2BJ.
How do I get there?
The venue is just a few minutes’ walk from several tube stations, train stations, boat piers and bus stops including Aldgate, Fenchurch Street, Bank, Monument, Liverpool Street, Tower Hill, Tower Gateway and Tower Millenium Pier.
Is there parking available?
The closest public car parks are NCP London - Whitechapel High St, London E1 6LP and Minories Car Park - 1 Shorter Street, London, E1 8LP.
Does the experience take place in an indoor or outdoor venue?
The experience takes place in an indoor venue.
How long does the experience last?
The whole experience takes around 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval in The Red Weed Bar. We also have our very own themed bar and restaurant - The Spirit of Man, where you can enjoy drinks and delicious meals before or after your experience.
What time should I get there?
It's best to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time (or earlier to enjoy a drink in our themed bar). This will give you plenty of time to check-in, sign the waivers, store your belongings in our cloakroom (storage of items is subject to a charge per guest), and get yourself relaxed and ready to take part. Sorry, but we can't accommodate latecomers, so be sure to be on time!
What happens if I arrive late?
If you happen to arrive late, your entry will be dependent on if there is space available. This may result in an undefined waiting period or entry not permitted to the experience.
What is the capacity of each performance?
Each performance is limited to 14 people.
How does the VIP experience work?
The VIP Experience includes entry to the experience + theatre programme + interval cocktail + meal & house drink + £10 merch voucher + souvenir photograph. Upon arrival at the venue, you will be given tokens to redeem these throughout your visit. If you wish to eat before the experience we would recommend arriving at least 1 hour prior to the start time. Alternatively you can wait until after the show has finished to eat and drink.
Is food & drink available at the venue?
Yes, we have The Spirit of Man bar & restaurant which has a full range of cocktails, beers, wines, spirits, pizzas, burgers, salads, snacks & more. This is open to the public and ticketed guests. There is also The Red Weed Bar in the interval which offers a selection of drinks & snacks and our signature Red Weed Cocktail. However, this bar is only available to ticketed guests attending the experience.
Do I need to reserve a table in the bar & restaurant?
No, table reservations are not required. We have plenty of space in our bar and restaurant.
I have booked a meal, do I eat before or after the experience?
If you wish to eat before the experience we would recommend arriving at least 1 hour prior to the start time. Alternatively you can wait until after the show has finished to eat and drink.
Are there vegan or gluten free options available?
Yes we have vegan & gluten free options available on our menu.
Can I bring my own food & drink?
Only food and drinks purchased within the venue can be consumed on the premises. Food, drinks or chewing gum are not permitted inside the experience. If you need to bring specific food or medicine due to a pre-existing medical condition then please supply the relevant supporting medical evidence.
How do I redeem the extras that I purchased with my tickets?
Upon arrival at the venue, you will be given tokens to redeem these throughout your visit.
Can I take my own photos?
Yes, you can take photos in the bars, where there are photo opportunities. You can share these with us on Social Media. There is no photography, videography or recording once inside the experience except for the interval Red Weed Bar. Professional photos will be taken during the experience and you will have the opportunity to purchase these afterwards.
Is there a gift shop?
Yes, we have a full range of themed merchandise available to purchase at the venue.
Are there chairs inside the experience?
This is a walk through immersive experience. There are some seats in selected scenes which allow you to sit and watch the performance.
Is there a cloakroom to store personal belongings?
Yes, there is. Personal belongings can be stored prior to entry to the show, storage of items is subject to a charge per guest. Guests are not permitted to carry bags through the show.
What should I wear?
As it’s an immersive experience, we suggest wearing comfortable clothing and flat shoes or trainers. Please avoid wearing high heels, boots, flip flops, or anything similar as they are not suitable. Our team reserves the right to refuse entry if they have any concerns about health and safety.
How much of the experience is in Virtual Reality (VR)?
Three scenes include the use of a VR headset and each of these parts of the experience last for up to ten minutes.
What are the sizes of the VR headsets?
The VR headsets are designed to be universal and adjust for different head sizes.
Is there a place for my family/friends to wait for me?
Your family/friends are welcome to wait in The Spirit of Man bar & restaurant whilst you’re inside the experience but remember, the experience lasts for around 2 hours and it’s much more fun for all involved if you are able to join them.
Is there a lost and found contact?
Please inform a member of our team at the venue and they will assist with retrieving your belongings.
ACCESS
Is this appropriate for children?
This experience is suitable for children 10+ and adult supervision is required. Children under 16 years old need parental or guardian consent through the waiver before admission, and they must be accompanied by an adult aged 18yrs or over at all times. If a child chooses to leave the experience for any reason, they must be accompanied by an adult.
Is there an age requirement?
The recommended minimum age to take part in the experience is 10 years old. There's no upper age limit, so anyone can join in on the fun! If your children are under 16 years old, they'll need to be accompanied by an adult at all times and you will need to sign a waiver on their behalf before they can take part.
Do I need to bring my glasses?
If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you wear them during the experience. The Virtual Reality headsets are fully adjustable to accommodate glasses. Simply turn the wheel on the back to the left to loosen the headset fully so you can fit it over your glasses more easily, then turn the wheel to the right to tighten again.
Will the headsets fit over my glasses?
Yes. The Virtual Reality headsets are designed to be worn comfortably with or without glasses. So if you normally wear glasses or contact lenses, feel free to wear them during the experience.
Is the experience scary?
Don’t worry, it’s a fun experience and most people don’t find it too scary. There are some surprises and moments of suspense but it is not frightening.
I have a medical condition. Is the experience suitable for me?
We want everyone to have a great time, but since this is an immersive experience, it may not be suitable for everyone. For more details, check out our full
Access Guide.
Is the experience accessible for all?
Since this is an immersive experience, it may not be suitable for everyone. You can find more information in our
Access Guide.
What language is the experience?
This experience is only available in English.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
No, the experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Are there any staircases inside the venue?
Yes, this is an experience spread across two floors so there are multiple staircases. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and flat trainers or shoes.
Is the experience accessible for deaf people?
Yes, this is a sensory immersive experience. Please let our team know if you require additional support when using the VR headsets.
Can I wear my hearing aids?
Of course! You can wear your hearing aids during the experience. If you need any additional support when using the VR headsets, please let our team know.
Will there be strobe lights?
Yes, the experience contains strobe lighting. If strobe lights affect you, please do let our team know upon arrival.
Are there any alternative routes inside the experience?
Yes, there are alternative routes for guests who do not wish to participate in certain physical activities. All of these routes include stairs.
Will I experience motion sickness?
If you're prone to motion sickness, some scenes that use virtual reality and synchronised motion may affect you. However, these parts of the experience last for ten minutes or less.To help prevent motion sickness, some people find that taking travel sickness tablets in advance or wearing a patch can make a difference. If you start feeling sick, closing your eyes often helps. You can also remove your headset, and one of our team members will assist you right away.
Can I participate if I'm pregnant?
Unfortunately, this experience is not recommended if you're pregnant. This is due to the following experience effects: darkness, motion simulators, uneven surfaces, steep staircases, confined spaces, loud noises and temperature changes.
Are there toilets available during the experience?
Yes, there are unisex toilets in The Spirit of Man bar & restaurant which can be used before and after the experience. There are also toilets available 50 minutes into your experience in the interval bar. If you require urgent use, a member of our team can support you with this. We have urgency cards on-site or please feel free to bring your own. For more information on access please take a look at our
Access Guide.
Are there any content or trigger warnings?
The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience contains themes of Martians, religion, violence and death.
This experience is suitable for children 10+ and adult supervision is required. Children under 16 years old need parental or guardian consent through the waiver before admission, and they must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The experience includes multi-sensory effects such as virtual reality, motion simulators, uneven surfaces, confined spaces, air blasts, scent, and temperature changes. These effects are designed to fully immerse guests in the experience and create an impact.
What are the prohibited items at the experience?
Photography, videography, alcohol, drugs, naked flames, full head masks, imitation/actual weaponry or anything which may disturb the other patrons.
Can I smoke or vape?
Smoking on the premises (including the use of e-cigarettes) is strictly prohibited.
- LONDON -
24 INTERACTIVE SCENES
CUTTING-EDGE TECH
JEFF WAYNE’S
Jeff Wayne at The Spirit of Man Bar and Restaurant
