by CTRL ALT ESC (website)
202 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2QU
2-8 players
Languages: EN
Race through the aisles in this high-energy, shopping-themed escape room! Solve clever puzzles, find all the items on your list, and beat the clock. With twists and surprises at every corner, can your team shop smart and escape in time?
Overall rating
based on ratings from 29 users
combined with 2 pro reviews
Your review
Player reviews
We had a first trip to here this weekend and played Kwik E Mart and it did not disappoint. A little different to the usual escape room, padlock and key lovers would be a bit lost In this room until they discovered how much fun trying to dash around the aisles grabbing items is. A very clever fun experience.
Our host Toby was everything a host should be and we had a great experience. See you soon for another room!
Super interesting idea for an escape room 💯 the staff are chill and the room's quick time events kept it very entertaining. Would recommend if you're in the area 💯💯💯💯💪
Im closing out on my challenge to do an escape room everyday, this is number 294 and by far the best. It combines smart thinking with efficiency. The host really makes you forget its an escape room and you begin to live in the experience. Ive been to escape rooms all over the world and who would have thought my favourite would be right here in Margate. Absolutely a top escape room for me.
Irresistibly original concept for a room, really fun and loads to do for 2 people. Ok, it has dated and could do with some maintenance really, several bits of tech were broken, but this was all mitigated very well by our host Onyx who made sure it didn’t affect our enjoyment at all. Some nice puzzles. If you don’t turn up expecting a glossy movie set type experience you’ll enjoy it. Really fun vibe from the whole place (even the toilets!), these people are clearly puzzle enthusiasts and we would definitely return to try their other rooms next time we’re in the area.
Really fun room hosted by Toby today (elvis parsley!) - we had a great time and a really successful attempt. Mixture of puzzles and challenges- some running involved too which was fun!
Anyone who would enjoy supermarket sweep would definitely enjoy!
Such a fun game!
Kind of a supermarket sweep vibe, the host was really funny and made the game! It had us laughing while we were playing.
This game was such a good laugh! Some clever puzzles and a very different feel from the normal escape room experience!
Reviews by escape room review sites
When all was said and done, this was certainly one of the most fun and innovate rooms I’ve ever played. From the over the top retro theming, the cleverly inserted puzzles, the cracking clue system and the all round fun and entertainment value, this is certainly not one to miss. Brilliantly hosted, all in character, superb setting, and something very different from what you’d expect to see in many escape rooms.
Lists
[Last Update: January 2026] I’ve visited the United Kingdom several times and played a total of 173 escape games from 61 different providers. As always, I’ve asked also other enthusiasts and bloggers for their opinions. The final table combines the individual rankings of 63 enthusiasts...