Escape Coalville: The Coal Mine

By | June 25, 2022

by Escape Coalville (website)

Coalville

2-6 players

Languages: EN

60 minutes

For many years Coalville has been a coal mining town until the closure of the final pit in 1983. Records document the town’s history and found that, at one point, there were 3 main collieries across the area.

This seemed to be correct until we unearthed what could be the entrance to a fourth location. Having worked with local historians, it has become apparent that there are some artefacts still undiscovered inside, 8 mining lanterns to be exact. It is your job to find as many of these as you can.

But, the mine has been locked away for some time. Due to its age, there is no light inside so it’ll require your sense of touch, hearing and smell alone. Meter readings also suggest a high level of Carbon Monoxide. It’s safe enough for you to stay inside for 60 minutes at most.

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Overall rating

Rated between 3.5 and 4.5 out of 5

based on ratings from 18 users

Your review

Player reviews

gfdubbs rated this:Rated between 1 and 1 out of 5
originaloverpriced
Anonymous rated this:Rated between 1 and 1 out of 5
Mrs G expert rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 7 Oct 2024 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalcleverquite difficult

A very unique concept, executed brilliantly. Very enjoyable game 

spbc expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 14 Aug 2022 Team size: 2 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalgreat hosting
Anonymous rated this:Rated between 2 and 2 out of 5
essentialatom experienced rated this:Rated between 5 and 5 out of 5
Played: 25 Feb 2024 Team size: 2 Time taken: 44:39 and all items obtained Outcome: Successful escape!
originalcleverimmersive
Easily one of our favourite rooms. This isn't a case of a badly lit room where you're annoyed that the torch isn't powerful enough and you have a bad time because there's no reason not to light it better. You really are in true, complete darkness in there, there's nothing to help you out, your eyes won't adjust, and the puzzles are cleverly designed with that in mind. More than 3 people would probably be hard to handle - there's not a vast amount of room in there and communication is so vital that I can imagine too many cooks spoiling the broth. 
Just a marvellous concept. I don't know why this kind of thing hasn't been done elsewhere (according to the GM it's the only pitch black room in the country). It's really immersive and hands-on, you have to think differently and buy into it and it's massive fun to do so. 
πŸ”SpontaneousIllusion expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Team size: 3 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalimmersiveintense
Steph Norchi experienced rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 18 Nov 2023 Team size: 4 Time taken: 37:28 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalimmersiveintensequite easy

We absolutely loved this room! Communication is one of our team's strengths so we found the puzzles in this room fairly easy, having found 5 lanterns in about 15 minutes and all 8 by the end. However, it's probably one of the most fun rooms we have done. It is really unique and makes you think in a very different way to your standard room. It's worth mentioning that this is not a scary room; there is nothing at all in this room that is meant to be even remotely creepy other than for anyone who would have a fear of the dark.

Anonymous rated this:Rated between 3 and 3 out of 5
Team size: 5 Time taken: 39:31 Outcome: Successful escape!
clever

We had a lot of niggles which almost ruined the experience for us. 
We had the brief, where the host unenthusiastically read from a crumpled A4 piece of paper.

We then entered the room and to start off with, the room WAS completely dark, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. But then over the hour, your eyes have time to adjust and you start noticing even the slightest bit of light, which kind of ruined the immersion slightly. 

During the brief, we were told not to touch the wooden panel on the wall, which is hard instruction to follow when the game consisted of feeling around in the dark. At one point during the game, he kept telling us off for touching it, but we still have no idea which one of us was touching it, so every time we were told, we just kind of all had to stop what we were doing. 

Then a little LED kept illuminating on the ceiling, which we thought we were making happen so we focused on it for a while until the host told us to ignore it because it was just the microphone or something. (How hard would it be to disconnect the LED). 

While trying to avoid spoilers, there was this 'type' of puzzle we've seen often enough, usually quite a pleasant and fun puzzle (and the perfect puzzle for a fully dark room), however, this version of the puzzle had us all gagging. It was not pleasant at all. 

The venue was easy to find, with free parking right beside it, which was very handy.

fraggle42 experienced rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 15 Jan 2023 Team size: 2 Time taken: 49.58 Outcome: Successful escape!
original
hourglassescapesltd expert rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Played: 6/11/22 Team size: 2 Time taken: 50:54 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalcleveruniquequite difficult

This is such a unique concept. It's not spoiler that this game is played in the complete darkness - and it really is darkness! Your eyes do not adjust at all. It heightens all your senses and forces you to visualise the room and remember where you have "felt" things previously etc. A very clever concept, not the easiest thing to do, not being able to see but absolutely acheiveable. You need to communicate and trust yourself and your team mates. I really enjoyed this challenge. 

escape_possum experienced rated this:Rated between 3.5 and 3.5 out of 5
Team size: 4 Outcome: Successful escape!
originalunique
🀘The Pick of Destiny expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Adam Bravery expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 25 Sep 2022 Team size: 2 Time taken: 47:09 Outcome: Successful escape!
original

Unique game with some interesting puzzles that worked very well, except some smells that were far too similar. Liked that it tied to history of Coalville, but otherwise the story was barely mentioned by our host or included in game. The end was also a bit underwhelming, perhaps a separate exit door would add to the experience.

I had a great time in here nonetheless (the gripes above are fairly minor in the scheme of things) and I'd definitely recommend playing!

Exotic Turtle experienced rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 21 Aug 2022 Team size: 3 Time taken: 55
originalstory-drivengreat hostingquite difficult😨creepy
Arjay Henshall expert rated this:Rated between 4 and 4 out of 5
Played: 21 Aug 2022 Team size: 3 Time taken: 55.24 8 LANTERNS Outcome: Successful escape!
originalimmersiveuniquequite difficult😨creepy

This truly is a one of a kind game. 

Utilising every sense in your body other than sight is a unique concept and one that was executed very well. Communication is the key to this game.

The puzzles were all perfectly logical, but the challenge comes when you can't see a single thing and you have to variegate your way around in the pitch black. I would highly recommend trying this experience

Anonymous expert rated this:Rated between 3 and 3 out of 5
Played: 18 Aug 2022 Team size: 2 Time taken: 45 Outcome: Successful escape!
original

Fun, new room. One or two teething issues, but a very cool concept and very disorientating.

jakea256 expert rated this:Rated between 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5
Played: 5 Aug 2022 Team size: 3 Time taken: 51:23 Outcome: Successful escape!
cleverimmersivegreat hosting

What an interesting experience! Not scary in any way and makes you rely on all the senses you don’t use as often in escape rooms. Also puts enthusiasts back on the same page as someone new to the hobby as you explore the space without being able to see your hand in front of your face! The puzzles are very varied and are adapted perfectly to the surroundings - physical, logical, search and themed brilliantly around Coalville’s mining history. Lots of fun!

Lists

This game is part of the following user-created game lists:
  • Midlands games to play by πŸ†Annagramma expert

    For those who want to get together for some games. Try and keep them north of Oxford and south of Manchester but outliers are ok if we all want to do them!

See also