Paradox Place in Brighton – if you’re looking for a really different experience…
Sometimes you can feel like you’ve seen it all. Been there, done that. If you want something different, Paradox Place in Brighton should be on your radar. Carly took Louis along to lose themselves in the wonkiness…
Looking for something different to do? Paradox Place is a house of fun in Brighton’s infamous North Laine area. And it’s here to entertain you. Largely centred around optical illusions and mind-bending fun, this is a must-visit for anyone who loves all things weird and wonderful.
What is it?
This venue is described as a ‘House of Illusions and Wonders’ – and it lives up to expectations. It’s a veritable Alice in Wonderland type of experience – you’ll go from one space to another in the venue, stepping into interactive spaces and experiences. I don’t want to tell you a huge amount about it and spoil your fun. But if you feel like being a kid in a world of pure imagination (thanks Willy Wonka) for a while, this is for you.
How has this happened?
This excellent house of wonder has been brought to life by Pod Experiences, the team behind award-winning escape rooms Pier Pressure.
The exhibitions are spread across four floors, and there is literally something for everyone.It’s good for kids, big kids, adults who believe in magic, and anyone who would like to duck out of reality for a while.
The staff – called Experience Makers – are just brilliant. They were always on hand to explain something but also let you experience the illusions for yourself. There was also always someone available to take pictures of you, which was great as they knew which angles got the best results!
What makes it unique?
I have to admit, I was a bit sceptical at first about visiting something based around illusions. I was excited, of course, because who doesn’t love weird tricks? But I just felt like I’d seen it all before, so I sort of went in expecting to know it all. Fortunately, I could not have been more wrong.
The viewer became the participant in a variety of set-ups
There was loads of really fun experiences to enjoy, from modern twists on classic illusions, to fully-immersive artwork. I felt like a big kid giggling from one room to another as I became first a ghost and then a giant.
Louis had a broader perspective view than me: “The viewer became the participant in a variety of set-ups,” he said, “which made it completely different from anything I’ve seen before. You usually see paradoxes and brain tricks online, so you don’t feel a part of what you’re seeing. But at Paradox Place, a wall is broken between observing and experiencing.”
What was the best bit?!
I enjoyed every exhibit so much. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but I think the best part about it for for me wasn’t a single illusion, but the whole as a concept. I absolutely loved the Brightonian twist they put on everything, particularly having a floor dedicated to Brighton-specific illusions. It felt weird seeing the city from a different perspective but also reminded us why we love it here.
Louis said his favourite exhibit was the skydiving illusion. “It was so intricate and well-made, and looked so realistic for something that was so far removed from reality.”
Would we go again?
Absolutely! It’s a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, and you can get totally lost in all the magic of the place. Although we took some amazing pictures, it would be great to get some more in even funnier poses, and you can never get too much stuff from the gift shop.
Fancy a glimpse at what’s on offer?
You can find Paradox Place at 94 Gloucester Road, BN1 4AP
You can buy tickets on their website, and the pricing is as followed:
Adult: £8.50
Concession: £7.50
Child: £6.50
Under 5s: Free
