Travel

The UK's best immersive experiences

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If you're looking for something a little more exciting than a standard film or exhibition for your next day out, there are plenty of other options. Immersive experiences will transport you into an array of magical worlds, from the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the golden age of rock 'n' roll. Here are some of our top picks.

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition

Enter into the world of the Egyptian king with this immersive experience (pictured above) that will combine "ancient Egyptian artefacts with cutting-edge technology" from 28 March, said London's The Standard. Opening at the Excel London Waterfront in Docklands for a 14-week run, its centrepiece will be an "eight-metre high 360-degree 'video-mapping' projection room with 1,200 sq m of screens showing a 30-minute movie that tells the story of the famous boy pharaoh". You'll also be able to take an "augmented reality walk inside Howard Carter's tent" to relive the moment the British archaeologist discovered the body in the Valley of Kings in 1922. Keep an eye out for the two "treasure rooms" that contain original artefacts dating from as long ago as 4000BC. tutankhamunexperience.com/london Visitors to The Lowry arts centre in Salford will have the opportunity to "walk inside a giant recreation" of one of L.S. Lowry's most "iconic" works this May, said the Manchester Evening News. The English artist is known for his striking urban landscapes of Greater Manchester, dotted with human figures often referred to as "matchstick men". To mark the venue's 25th anniversary, the arts centre is hosting "one of their most ambitious projects" yet, allowing guests to step inside Lowry's 1953 "Going to the Match" painting. The free exhibition is accompanied by a soundtrack from creative studio Layers of Reality complete with factory whistles and the chatter of the crowd. Afterwards, stop by to see the original painting inside the Salford Quays gallery. thelowry.com If your kids love Mr Tumble more than they love you, this 55-minute CBeebies "theatre adventure" at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush from March 28 will bring a "touch of magic", said Time Out. The premise is that the colour has been drained from CBeebies land and you and your children (of any age up to six) must "join forces" with a friendly "Rainbow Gardener" to "bring the colour back via the medium of gentle play". You'll stop off in Mr Tumble’s legendary living room, "cook" in JoJo & Gran Gran's kitchen, and even get to play in Bluey's Bedroom. cbeebiesrainbowadventure.com Exhibition Centre Liverpool is set to host two "mesmerising" immersive experiences from July, said the Liverpool Echo. The works of both Manet and Van Gogh will be brought to life through a series of enormous projections, allowing guests to walk through the artists' dazzling masterpieces. The venue will also be running a series of "exciting" events, including yoga, Pilates and meditation sessions surrounded by the art in the exhibition space. Other highlights include the two-and-a-half-hour "Paint and Sip" class that gives guests the chance to take part in a "special" painting class inside the immersive experience, while enjoying a drink. exhibitioncentreliverpool.com If the hit BBC reality series has you hooked on adventure and travel, this immersive version means you can unlock "hidden secrets of the city in an unforgettable race to the finish line” – but a little closer to home, said Secret London. Teams will be set a target destination that's four to five kilometres from their starting point in the city, and given a budget and some clues to help navigate. And if you're really stuck, you can pay to get further hints. The winner will be decided based on both time and remaining budget. raceacrosstheworldexperience.com Visitors will be all shook up at the "world's first immersive experience dedicated to the 'king of rock 'n' roll'" when it launches in May at the Immerse LDN site at the London Excel Waterfront in Docklands, said London's The Standard. A holographic Elvis will "perform" in a "multi-sensory" 110-minute show, and visitors will be able to stay on afterwards at the All Shook Up After-Party with live music and DJs. Plus you'll be able to really get into the swing by eating beforehand in the "1960s-style American diner". elvisevolution.com Spend your summer nights in London's Battersea Park, where immersive experience company Secret Cinema is putting on "Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical" from August. The two-and-a-half-hour show promises to "bring the classic movie musical to life, featuring a cast of 30 performing amid giant multi-screen platforms," said West End Theatre, with "every corner of the venue" transformed into an "immersive and unforgettable cinematic theatrical experience" that allows you to "live the film from start to finish". greasetheimmersivemoviemusical.com Traitor or Faithful? You'll get the chance to find out which you are in the live experience of the hit BBC show. Due to open in London's Covent Garden in July, it will stage a "number of recreations of the actual television show, including a round table," said The Guardian. Players will also take part in a "blindfolded selection process" to decide who will play the traitors, then they'll "plot the murder of their fellow gamers" and take on missions. If "general skulduggery" is your idea of fun, you'll fit right in. thetraitorslive.co.uk Get your kids off their screens by making their favourite video-game reality – almost. The "bestselling-of-all-time" video game is "set to come to life" from 4 April, said ShortList, with a live-action 45-minute immersive experience at London's Canada Water. It will "mix real-world sets with augmented reality tech" to transport you into the Minecraft universe. Participants will help rescue villagers who have come under attack from zombies. An "orb of interaction", aka a "handheld cube" that "changes colour and vibrates", will help as you attack the baddies, gather resources and build those all-important structures. minecraftexperience.com