Weekender: Great escape makeover for landmark building
South Lodge, the Grade II Georgian gatehouse that sits in the middle of a roundabout under the A1 at junction 45 just south of Wetherby, is now home to Yorkshire’s newest escape rooms and a team development centre.
Escape Rooms is a growing worldwide phenomenon where teams have just one hour to unearth clues, solve puzzles and overcome challenges and escape.
Kanyu Escape brought in movie set designers and builders to create the fictional world of Sir Henry Cunningham, a 19th century explorer whose discoveries form ‘The Secrets of South Lodge’ that players must uncover.
“Thanks to the involvement of professionals who have helped create sets for both film and TV including Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Lara Croft and Victoria, we believe we have developed some of the most immersive rooms in the country,” said Kanyu director Bob Schofield.
“Many of the puzzles are also unique, created with the help of AV and animatronics specialists whose other clients include the British Museum and Chelsea FC’s visitor centre.
“Whilst escape rooms are an increasingly popular leisure activity for families and groups of friends or colleagues, we will also be using the facility to put corporate teams through their paces to help businesses understand how they can develop and improve their teams,” added Schofield.
Teams as few as two and up to eight can try to unearth The Secrets of South Lodge in Kanyu’s two rooms, and the company plans to open further rooms later this year.
“Everyone who has visited is curious about the building having driven by it so many times and we’re delighted to have been able to give it a new lease of life,” said Schofield.
