A Christmas-themed escape room will be bringing festive characters to life at The Watermill this December.  

Dickens' book ‘A Christmas Carol’ will be the theme of the escape room - where teams will be a part of a half-escape room and half-immersive theatre experience. 

From Friday, December 2, until Wednesday, January 4, participants will be able to meet the famous ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and get to explore the 18th-century working watermill, completing challenges and puzzles to drive the story onwards in search of the true meaning of Christmas. 

The experience has been created by a new escape room company, Welwyn Escape Rooms, based in Welwyn Garden City. The theme, 'A Christmas Carol at The Watermill', will be their first event, which is being run with Pier Pressure and the Welwyn Hatfield Museum Service. 

Attendees will take on roles such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and other characters, with actors playing the three ghosts that will guide them through the classic tale.  

The experience is said to be an "exciting, immersive" experience where teams of players work together to beat challenges, complete tasks, and solve mysteries in a themed setting. 

With a mix of crystal maze-style trials, immersive sets, props, and colourful characters, there will also be live-action games where players must race against the clock to succeed. 

Welwyn Escape Rooms was established this year by WGC residents Camden Ford and Louise Carey, along with Louise’s brother, Ben Carey. The trio of escape room enthusiasts are excited to bring escape room challenges and experiences to the garden city. 

Louise Carey, the director of Welwyn Escape Rooms, said: “We're thrilled to be working with award-winning escape room company Pier Pressure to bring their brilliant Christmas Carol event to Hatfield.  

“This heart-warming escape room experience is a real treat for the whole family, and we couldn't have asked for a better setting than Hatfield's beautiful 18th-century restored working watermill. We hope guests in Welwyn Hatfield and beyond will love this event as much as we do!"

Cllr Terry Mitchinson, executive member, leisure and community, at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: "This is an exciting new offering for residents across the borough and beyond. Escape Rooms make great nights out, alternative birthday parties, and fun team-building experiences, so come along and give it a go. We're delighted that we have this coming to Mill Green!" 

You can find more information and book tickets to the event at https://welwyn.pierpressure.co.uk/escape-room/a-christmas-carol/