What better way to spend a bank holiday than to play a local escape room? Here’s our review of The Ward escape room at Keylock Games in Wickford.
The Ward Escape Room
Your search into your family history uncovers a chilling mystery: your great-aunt Tabitha vanished after visiting her husband at the infamous Lockwood Asylum. With no records or explanation, you arrive at the still-standing, eerily silent hospital to uncover the truth.
As you explore, dark secrets begin to surface, revealing that Tabitha was never allowed to leave. Now, as the truth closes in, you must decide – escape while you can, or risk everything to set her free… because The Ward may not let you leave at all…
What did we think of The Ward escape room in Wickford?
Predictably, this game begins in a hospital ward complete with bed and black-and-white tiled floor. But then things becomes progressively weirder… The first room is surprisingly large, with several challenges to get the brain juices flowing. Most are padlock based, but the puzzles behind them are quite inventive.
The Ward is a multi-room game, and the riddles get steadily harder as your time ticks away. Every time you think you’ve reached the end, another playing area opens, each becoming weirder than the last. Almost as if you are journeying into Aunt Tabitha’s madness.
But as the puzzles get harder, time gets shorter, so the final few challenges may become a little “fraught”. The final conundrum is very well done – and extremely difficult. You definitely need two people working very carefully together to solve it.
There are some really well thought out challenges with great theming. The game flows well between each of the playing areas and all of the fixtures, fittings and props are well maintained.
The Ward is very padlock-heavy, but the puzzles are suitably absorbing and novel. This is also the first time we have encountered a “date” padlock, so that was interesting. And I managed to solve the ‘listening’ puzzle which was especially sweet as I am supposed to be the one who is “hard of hearing”.
Although this appears to be a horror themed room, there’s little gore or genuine terror. The horror is almost entirely psychological, so even young and impressionable minds should be ok playing The Ward escape room.
We did solve all the puzzles and managed to escape – but we also ran out of time. Our 60 minute game took 71.
Our game stats:
Number of players: 2 (aged 47 – 61)
Time taken: 71 minutes
Did we escape? Sort of…
Did we have fun? Yes
Live actors? No
Fear factor: 2 out of 5
Price: £56.00 (£28 per player)*
Would we recommend? Yes, absolutely
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Linda’s comment
I loved the teeth.
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Criticisms? Quirks?
The date padlock was quite cool. The few instances of ‘technology related’ puzzles were subtle and all worked properly. In our experience, screen/computer based puzzles are very hit-and-miss, so kudos to Keylock Games for making their’s work well.
According to games master Adam, Keylock’s games are difficult because of the sheer amount of puzzles involved. The Ward has been given a 4 out 5 difficulty rating because it has slightly fewer puzzles than Madam Castello’s (ranked 5 out of 5 difficulty); however Adam concedes that The Ward’s may actually be harder.
There’s nothing at all to criticise about these Wickford escape rooms – the team have done a great job. We had a brilliant time and look forward to seeing what Adam and his team produce next.
The Ward escape room – conclusion
All 71 minutes flew by – the hallmark of a great game. Yes, we got out, but it was a little annoying we overran. Big thanks to Keylock Games proprietor Adam who let us play through to the end. That was really generous of him.
The Keylock Escapes team are very much escape room fanatics, and it was great to talk with Adam before and after the game. He even invited us to play his retro arcade machine before starting the escape room which was fun – and surprisingly difficult. We both failed.
Adam has a bunch of ideas for new rooms and limited space in which to realise them. We will watch with interest as to what comes next for these outstanding escape rooms in Wickford.
We had a superb time and have already begun recommending Keylock Escapes to our friends and family. You can book your escape here: Keylock Escapes.
Where is Keylock Escapes in Wickford?
Keylock Escapes is situated in a standalone building just off The Broadway as you first enter Wickford travelling from the direction of Chelmsford. If you get to the railway bridge, you’ve already gone too far.
Address: 14-16 The Broadway, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7AA
Phone: +44 (0)7852 333665
email: [email protected]
Facebook: Keylock Games
Instagram: KeylockGames.co.uk
Wickford railway station is a very short walk away and the area is well served by buses.
Can you park at Keylock Escapes in Wickford?
Yes. There are two very tight spaces you can use right outside the escape rooms. You may also be able to park in some of the surrounding streets if visiting in the evening – just check restrictions before you leave your car.
Accessibility info
Although there is a ramp leading to the property entrance, all the escape rooms are located upstairs. Once on the second floor, The Ward is played across a single, step free level.
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