Last Updated on 22/02/2026 by Ting Dalton
If you’ve ever wanted to tumble through Far Far Away on a 4D flying bus with Donkey at the wheel, argue with a magic mirror, or creep through a genuinely smelly swamp, Shrek’s Adventure London delivers exactly that kind of gleefully ridiculous fun. I first took Monkey here when he was quite young – probably a touch too young, as it turned out – but it’s one of those London attractions that gets better the older your children are.
Here’s what you actually need to know before you book.
What is Shrek’s Adventure London?
Shrek’s Adventure is an interactive walkthrough experience at County Hall on the South Bank, run by Merlin Entertainments. The whole thing is built around a new storyline developed specifically for the attraction – so it’s not just a retread of the films. You and your group need to track down a magic portal to get back home before Rumpelstiltskin captures you, collecting ingredients from various DreamWorks characters along the way.
The experience includes around 10 fairy-tale themed live shows, a 4D flying bus ride, a mirror maze, a smelly swamp (yes, really), Lord Farquaad’s dungeon, the Poison Apple Pub, and DreamWorks Play Stations at the end where the kids can explore characters from Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Madagascar. The whole thing takes around an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.
Quick facts
- Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
- Nearest station: Waterloo (5-minute walk); also close to Lambeth North
- Duration: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
- Best age: 6 and above (more on this below)
- Under 2s: Free
- Ticket prices: From around £21 online (prices vary by date and demand – always check the official site)
- Opening hours: Check the official website as hours change seasonally
- Photography: Not permitted during the experience, but allowed with characters at the end
What’s it actually like inside?
It starts with Princess Fiona setting up the mission, and from there you’re guided through a series of themed rooms and live shows, each staffed by actors who fully commit to their characters. The actors are genuinely brilliant – funny, sharp, and good at reading the room when you’ve got a nervous six-year-old in the group.
The 4D flying bus is the centrepiece of the whole thing. You board an old London double-decker, put on your 4D glasses, and the bus “takes off” – the seats move, the screen wraps around you, and you’re suddenly flying over Far Far Away with Hiccup and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon alongside you. It’s genuinely impressive. One note: the glasses are adult-sized, so smaller children may struggle with them. Worth knowing in advance.
The Mirror Maze is a highlight – disorienting and fun for kids and adults alike. Lord Farquaad’s Dungeon has some real atmosphere, and the Muffin Man’s Bakery involves a spell-casting activity that younger children in particular seem to love.
At the end, the DreamWorks Play Stations give kids a chance to decompress and interact with characters from the wider DreamWorks universe – especially good if your children are fans of more than just Shrek.
The swamp genuinely smells like a swamp, by the way. Worth flagging if you’re sensitive to theatrical scent effects.
Is it worth it for families?
Honestly, yes – but with caveats.
When I first visited with Monkey, he was quite small and found parts of it overwhelming: the darkness, the loud music, and the intensity of the 4D ride. A boy in our group had a complete meltdown on the bus and had to be let off. If you have children under 5 or 6, or kids who are easily frightened by dark spaces and sudden loud sounds, think carefully before booking. This is not a gentle soft play experience – it’s closer in feel to The London Dungeon, just with considerably more jokes about ogres and far less fake blood.
For children aged 6 and above, particularly those who know the Shrek films, it hits the mark. There’s enough audience participation – pressing buzzers in the Pinocchio game show, shouting answers at the magic mirror – to keep older children engaged throughout.
The adult humour from the films is very much present. Which means you won’t be bored, but it also means some of the jokes will sail straight over small children’s heads.
What’s changed since the attraction opened?
The experience has been refined over the years. The duration is now around an hour to an hour and 15 minutes – more generous than earlier visits. The DreamWorks Play Stations at the end have expanded beyond Shrek, giving families time to explore other characters before heading out.
There are also multi-attraction bundles now worth looking at if you’re planning a wider South Bank day out.
Ticket prices and how to save money
Always book online in advance. The door price is consistently higher than the online price, and booking ahead guarantees your timed entry slot.
Prices vary by date and demand, so checking the official site directly is the most reliable way to see what you’ll pay. At the time of writing, tickets start from around £21 per person online, with under 2s going free.
Money-saving options worth considering:
- Multi-attraction tickets: You can bundle Shrek’s Adventure with the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds for significantly less than buying them separately. If you’re planning a full London day out, this is worth calculating – five top London attractions can work out at less than £12 per attraction.
- Merlin Annual Pass: If you visit multiple Merlin attractions throughout the year, an annual pass pays for itself quickly.
- 90-day validity on bundles: Multi-attraction tickets give you 90 days to use them, so you don’t have to fit everything into one day.
Need to know before you go
For younger children: The experience is loud, dark, and moves at pace. If your child is nervous around sudden sounds or enclosed spaces, it may be too much. Best suited to ages 6 and above.
Photography: Strictly not permitted during the main experience – DreamWorks copyright is taken seriously. You can take photos at the character meet-and-greet section at the very end, and there are professional shots available to buy.
Timed entry: All tickets are allocated a time slot. You don’t need to set aside a full day – build it into a wider South Bank itinerary rather than treating it as an all-day affair.
The glasses situation: The 4D glasses are adult-sized. Smaller children may find it difficult to keep on, which does affect how much they get from the bus ride. Nothing ruins the day, but worth knowing.
Cloakroom and buggy park: Both available on site.
Getting there: A five-minute walk from Waterloo Station. The South Bank location sits naturally alongside the London Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and the BFI if you’re making a day of it.
What’s nearby
County Hall sits right in the thick of the South Bank, which is one of the most family-friendly stretches of London. The London Eye is immediately next door. SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a short walk. The London Dungeon is close by if you have older children (or brave younger ones). The South Bank riverside walk itself is great for letting children run around after being cooped up inside Far Far Away.
For food, the South Bank has plenty of options – from the stalls along the riverside to the restaurants inside County Hall itself.
The verdict
Shrek’s Adventure London is a good London attraction – not a life-changing one, but a genuinely fun, well-executed experience that DreamWorks fans will enjoy. The live actors carry it, the 4D bus is impressive, and the Mirror Maze alone is worth the entry for kids of a certain age.
The honest caveat is the same one it’s always been: it’s a compact experience. Around 75 minutes is not a huge amount of time for the ticket price. If you go in expecting a half-day attraction rather than a theme park, you won’t be disappointed.
Worth it? Yes – particularly if you combine it with another South Bank attraction or multi-attraction bundle. Book online, go with realistic expectations, and keep it for children who are at least 6.
FAQs for Shrek’s Adventure London
How long does Shrek’s Adventure London last? Around one hour to one hour and 15 minutes from start to finish.
What age is Shrek’s Adventure London suitable for? Officially, there’s no age limit, and under 2s go free. In practice, it’s best suited to children aged 6 and above. It’s dark, loud, and intense in places – younger or more sensitive children can find it overwhelming.
How much does Shrek’s Adventure London cost? Prices start from around £21 per person when booked online in advance. Prices vary by date and demand, so check the official website for current rates. Under 2s are free.
Can you take photos at Shrek’s Adventure London? Photography is not allowed during the main experience. You can take your own photos at the character section at the end, and there are official photos available to purchase.
Is there parking at Shrek’s Adventure London? There’s no dedicated parking. The South Bank is easily reached by public transport – Waterloo station is a five-minute walk.
Can I book Shrek’s Adventure with other London attractions? Yes. Multi-attraction bundles with the London Eye, SEA LIFE, and Madame Tussauds are available and offer significant savings. Tickets are valid for 90 days from the date of first use.
Is Shrek’s Adventure London worth it for adults? It’s primarily designed for families, but the adult humour from the Shrek films runs throughout. Most adults enjoy the 4D bus ride and the Mirror Maze. It’s a fun hour out rather than a standalone adult day trip.
Other London attractions you might like
London Transport Museum review – plus guide
Science Museum London and what to expect
Where to stay in London for all types of travellers
Fun at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
*We were given complimentary entry for our original visit. All opinions are our own.
Comments are closed.