A few years ago, we were on a break away in Prague and visited a museum of illusions. It was great fun, and at the time, I thought: London needs something like this. Well, now it has it - Paradox Museum in Knightsbridge.
It recently celebrated its first birthday, and for summer it's had a tropical paradise makeover. I popped along with my sons, Odhran, 10, and Reuben, 7, as we love any opportunity to take silly photos! Here's what we thought...
Through an enticing tunnel of neon lights, we entered the venue from street level. Once inside, we were able to stow my bag into a locker. The boys picked it up a little passport book at reception - visitors can follow the clues and embark on a hunt through the exhibit. Once they've found all the items and filled in the answers to all the clues to reveal a password, they can take their passport to the gift shop, where they'll be able to select a small item from the prize bucket.
Paradox Museum has more than 50 optical illusions, mind-bending exhibitions and fun photo opportunities to enjoy, with surprises round every corner. A highlight for the boys was the Zero Gravity Room. Reuben kept saying 'it defies the laws of physics!' They had great fun, climbing and throwing themselves off the walls, and imagining they were astronauts floating round in space.
Peeking through the kaleidoscope, I saw dozens of smiling Reuben's starting back at me. He also loved having a Spiderman moment in the Reversed Room, where he could pretend to crawl across the ceiling of a Tube station. My favourite part of the attraction was a room where you took a picture of your shadow so you could then interact with it in silly and imaginative ways. It felt very Peter Pan.
Paradox Museum also offers a new Dragon's Nest party space, if you're keen to host your child's birthday party here. It's a castle themed room with a smoke breathing dragon, and you can choose tasty fish and chips provided by nearby Mayfair Chippy. For the adults, Paradox Museum also hosts private and corporate events. There's a balcony looking out over Harrods, and I enjoyed stepping out here for a breath of fresh air and a view of the street below.
How long will you spend at Paradox Museum?
This depends on how long you want to spend interacting with the different parts of the immersive attraction. I kept trying to scan the QR codes to learn more about how to interact with each part of the experience to get the best photo, but Odhran was too excited and kept dashing ahead to the next part of the experience. A visit typically takes 90 minutes, but we spent more than two hours at the museum. Though we visited during July, when there was additional free entertainment such as face-painting, balloon modelling, and a magician.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from £21.50 for children and £29 for adults.
Where is it located?
It's located in Knightsbridge, opposite Harrods. Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly Line is the nearest Tube stop and it's about a five minute walk from there. Address: 90 Brompton Road, SW3 1JJ
What age is it most suitable for?
All ages are welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a fee paying adult. We found this to be an experience suitable for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents! Everyone will have fun here.
Verdict
It's expensive. But in London, high prices for immersive experiences is to be expected. We really enjoyed our time at Paradox Museum. We had lots of laughs, and it's an opportunity to explore science and creativity and encourage curiosity. Both kids and adults will have a fun time here. I'd suggest maybe booking an early slot to try and avoid the crowds. We'd rate Paradox Museum a 3.8 out of 5.