Escape The Past
Escape The Past
5
About
Historical escape room centre in Edinburgh and home of ‘The Anatomist’. Set on the edge of Edinburgh's old surgical district, we dare you to descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you enter the study of a 19th century anatomist. A truly immersive experience set in a dark and intriguing period of Edinburgh's medical history.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Southside & Holyrood
Many of Edinburgh’s student hangouts gather around university buildings in Southside, the sort of neighbourhood that supports a long string of second-hand shops and eateries serving ethnic food for just a few pounds. In August the student population is replaced by vast numbers of boisterous visitors here for the Fringe, Edinburgh’s world-class comedy and arts festival which headquarters itself here. Flanking Southside are two great parks. The Meadows is a vast flat and sporty space where football, rugby, tennis, cricket, croquet, and golf often all take place side by side. Kids in its big playgrounds add to the joyful noise. Far bigger and much wilder, Holyrood Park extends to the east and provides a real hike up Arthur’s Seat, but the district is best known as the site of Scotland’s Parliament and its premier Royal Palace—and their steady stream of sightseers.
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,021 within 3 miles
Attractions
514 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Karen K1 contributionTeen Birthday FunI took my daughter and a group of friends to Escape the Past for her 15th birthday. For most of them this was the first time they’d done an escape room and they all had a great time. They were delighted to escape - even if it did require the extra 10 minutes that Edmund kindly gave us. Found it suitably challenging without being overly difficult, the non linear nature helped.Hi Karen, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a review. I’m really glad to hear your daughter and her friends had such a great time! If there’s anything else we could have done to earn that 5th star please drop us an email: info@escapethepast.co.uk - we’re a small business and always happy to hear what we could do better. :)Written 2 March 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 1 March 2023
- Sam J1 contributionGood padlock room for first time escapersNice escaperoom, but for this price I expected a bit more. For those who have played a lot of escaperooms (like myseld); this room is a bit simple and old-fashioned (lot of padlocks), but the story and setting is well done. I missed the creepy background music which usually plays in horror-themed rooms like this. Chilling story ending though. Nice room for first time escapers. Oran, our gamemaster played her role to perfection. All in all: nice room if you adjust your expectations: a good padlock room but not an immersive experience as they claim to be.Hi Sam, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad to hear you liked the story and the setting, and will be sure to pass on your kind comments to Oran. Sorry to hear that some aspects of the room failed to meet your expectations. We're a small independent operator and are always keen to take any feedback on board for the future.Written 3 July 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 June 2023
- Mags BEast Kilbride, United Kingdom795 contributionsImmersive Escape RoomA visit with my family of 5 (3 teenagers). Fabulous decor in line with the storyline and a non linear set up at times which is good for bigger parties like us as we were all kept busy. Puzzles were a good, mixed variety and Beth was a nice friendly host who kept us on the right track. Enjoyed our visit to Edinburgh and there was a car park right next door for easy access.Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we really appreciate it and are glad you and your family enjoyed your visit! We're a small independent business, so if you have any feedback for what you think would make the experience five stars, we'd be keen to hear it! You can contact us on our website, or directly at info@escapethepast.co.ukWritten 22 July 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 22 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
267 reviews
Excellent
264
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Pete1962
Jersey, Channel Islands45 contributions
Dec 2023 • Business
Brilliant event, cleverly structured to test your detective skills. Rooms were well designed with lots to do. Lots of opportunities for both team and individual puzzle solving. Great host “Julia”, excellent briefing and helpfully let us know when we had solved a clue.
Written 11 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucinda P
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
My third Escape room in Edinburgh - the Anatomist was extremely enjoyable and suitably challenging. High quality props and Beth our ‘host’ was an excellent 17th century housekeeper. Just the right amount of prompting when we were struggling. Although I remembered my glasses the lighting was dim to create atmosphere, which I occasionally struggled with. There was also a bit of crawling in a confined space for one of the team.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review! Glad you had your glasses, and we will be sure to pass this along to Beth!
Written 10 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Excursion08327477285
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
This was a great fun experience with a group of friends. Really well done and Beth was brilliant, setting the scene and creating an 18th century mystery to solve. Would highly recommend
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review! We will be sure to pass this along to Beth!
Written 9 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gordon P
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
Fantastic escape room with a brilliant games master. Very atmospheric and allowed you all to work on a range of different puzzles. Would definitely recommend!
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review, we are so glad you enjoyed your experience with us.
Written 5 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Avril l
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This by far is one of the best escape rooms I have done! As a fellow games master I wasn’t sure how I was going to do but we did it and it was amazing! The room is so well done and Sandy was ur games master was an incredible host, super friendly and chatty!
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review, fellow GM! We are so glad that you enjoyed your experience with Sandy !
Written 1 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carmen C
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
Great experience, we loved the historical reference in this escape room.
Our game master Oliver was also very friendly and the escape room was the perfect balance of challenging and satisfying !
Our game master Oliver was also very friendly and the escape room was the perfect balance of challenging and satisfying !
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review! We are so glad that you enjoyed the historical aspect of the room and your experience with Oliver !
Written 1 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fatima N
St. Andrews, UK1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
The Escape was very fun to do! we really enjoyed it….. Oliver was very friendly and easy to talk to! Thank you for the great experience!
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review! We are so glad that you enjoyed your experience with Oliver!
Written 1 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karla R
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was the first escape room we did and we really enjoyed it. The whole thing looked very authentic and was very well done. We can’t wait to do another and we totally recommend it.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review! We are so glad you enjoyed your first ever escape room experience with us.
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie W
Janesville, WI77 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Our group of four made it out with 8 minutes to spare. The puzzles were challenging but not impossible and Beth (the delightful game master) gently nudged us along as needed. We had a great time!
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review! We are so glad that you enjoyed your experience with Beth !
Written 19 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jessica S
Cincinnati, OH50 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Perfect escape room, location, in a basement! Beth, our gamemaster, was perfect! She provided guidance, but didn’t give us the answers! Great theme, love that it was not linear! Great for small and large groups! Thanks to Chris, the manager, for his assistance in scheduling!
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review! We are so pleased you enjoyed your experience with us today and will be sure to pass on your kind words to the team.
Written 17 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy191270
Morecambe, UK54 contributions
Is this place open, we are unable to book via the website
EscapeThePast
Edinburgh, UK2 contributions
Hi again! We’re now open for bookings via our website. 🙂
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Claim your listingESCAPE THE PAST: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Escape The Past
- Hotels near Escape The Past:
- (0.02 mi) Lady Nicolson Court
- (0.12 mi) Ten Hill Place Hotel
- (0.07 mi) Nicolson Apartments
- (0.12 mi) KM Apartments
- (0.12 mi) KM Hotel
- Restaurants near Escape The Past:
- (0.02 mi) Cheapshot Coffee
- (0.02 mi) Lian Pu Oriental Express Restaurant
- (0.02 mi) Beirut
- (0.02 mi) Shish Edinburgh
- (0.02 mi) Ransacked Loaded
- Attractions near Escape The Past:
- (0.01 mi) Edinburgh League of Gamers
- (0.01 mi) Nicolson Square Gardens
- (0.03 mi) Edinburgh Central Mosque
- (0.08 mi) Surgeons' Hall Museums
- (0.08 mi) Festival Theatre