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.
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*We were given complimentary entry for our original visit. All opinions are our own.
My son is desperate to do this – good to know the pros and cons in advance. Just a shame it lasts only an hour.
Oh, I think he’d really enjoy it. It is over so quickly though but I am sure he would get a lot more out of it than Monkey, who was far to little.
Hm, if I were there, I am sure I would love to take as many pictures as possible..that’s a bit disappointing part 🙁
Fun police!
I’ve seen some mixed reviews for this attraction so I’m quite glad my kids have grown past the Shrek stage. Glad there were some good parts to enjoy though and it wasn’t a waste of a trip!
It wasn’t but it’s so expensive for what you get. A family of four would be paying nearly £100. Ouch!
Hmm…Not all thumbs-up then. Too bad your monkey was too little. Luckily you had free tickets. My 3 are probably old enough (7,9 and 11) but getting to London might be hard! 🙂
Yes, too right. We were lucky. I would have been really annoyed otherwise. Ha ha, maybe it’ll come to your neck of the woods soon 🙂
I would do that! But it’s a bit disappointing that you can’t take photos inside. 🙁
We almost bought tickets for this when we spotted it being advertised at the London Eye but I thought that Eli would be a bit too young to fully ‘get’ it, sounds from your review like I might have been right! It looks good but I think you are right, perhaps it is for slightly older children 🙂
So interesting to read this as I worked on this attraction when it was at the concept stage before I left work to have Mini ATWWAH.
It is definitely pitched at older kids. Master ATWWAH is 4 and I am pretty sure he wouldn’t like it yet. I’ve yet to visit it.
#MondayEscapes
Oh wow, that’s so interesting to hear. I imagine it would be really interesting for you to go and take a look!
Hey Ting, I was very interested to read this… I experienced some of the Shrek adventure as part of a press trip and thought it was excellent but did think my little girl would get scared by the 4D bus tour. Glad to hear Monkey didn’t cry or anything. I think I’d probably skip that part with Mrs T. Was really impressed with what I saw though. I think it is geared to older children. #mondayescapes
He didn’t cry, luckily! But he wasn’t overly impressed with the whole thing… but that’s because he just didn’t understand it.
Looks like another great family fun adventure in London. My son would love to see the Shrek characters.
It’s definitely proving popular
I think I would have been scared of the far as well and had a meltdown. Maybe for when I’m a bit older 😉 great review, not so sure it was worth it for the money unless you are a massive Shrek fan xx
I totally agree… x
Can I ask a question? Would you have happily paid £72.80 to have visited had you not had free tickets? Maybe I have been in France too long where attractions are generally less highly priced but for us to have gone with 2 boys it would have cost over £90 and I don’t think that 50 minutes should not cost a family of 4 that much money.
TBH Rosie, no. I would have felt massively ripped-off if I had paid that money for a whole family. It’s very expensive and unless you’re a massive Shrek fan… there are other, much more reasonable attractions to go to.
I am glad it is not just me then who thought that was vastly overpriced 🙂
Oh what a shame that you were not allowed to take photos inside 🙁 #MondayEscapes
Silly isn’t it?
What a shame about the 4D glasses – I agree it’s pricy for the time you get. Does sound like it’ll be better for older kids/big Shrek fans. I think I’d have been the parent facing meltdown! #MondayEscapes
Minnie wouldn’t like it… yet! I also think you have to be quite a big Shrek fan to make it worth the money
I didn’t even know a place like this existed, that’s amazing! I would love to visit some day. Too bad it isn’t very long though. I’m glad your little man was able to enjoy a lot of the experience though! I’m sure it’s an event he won’t be forgetting any time soon 😉
Thanks for the really honest review. This seems like a lot of money for a very short experience – not to mention an experience that doesn’t always consider younger kids (the too-big glasses) and that some children might find frightening. We’re a family of five so that would be a huge outlay for one hour’s entertainment. We’ll probably give it a miss!
It is a lot of money. It’s hard striking a balance with an honest review and not putting people off!
This is a really balanced review Ting, great to read. I think mine would be too young for this and scared of some of the same things, so thanks for pointing them out.
Thanks Karen, it’s hard knowing how honest to be in these things but you have to tell the truth though don’t you?
I loved the Shrek films but I’m not sure I’d pay that much for an hour adventure… The 4D bus ride sounds fun though! Thanks for an honest review 🙂
It is pricey.. you have to be a big fan if you want to go
Great review and I am sure it will be another popular attraction but I am wincing at the prices for such a short amount of time in there. Great picture with Shrek though x
It’s expensive, especially for a family of four. I think you’d have to be a big fan to go… x
Ive looked at this several times and haven’t done it – my Monkey’s only 3 and by the sounds of things a little too young maybe one for the future. Thank you for the honest review :). xx #mondayescapes
It was definitely too scary. Worth it if you’re a fan x
I can see we would have been in zone for a meltdown. Mine are definitely too young for this. If they were old enough I might have talked them out of it because of the price/length of visit #MondayEscapes
Yep, it’s pricey… but there were plenty of people loving it! x
Aahh, do I have to be a kid or have to have kids to go?! 😉 I didn’t even know this existed; if I ever make it out to London I’m DEFINITELY checking it out! #MondayEscapes
No adults can go too!
I think my boys may be a little too young for this too. Thanks for a great review Ting. #MondayEscapes
Thanks Lisa, yes need to be much older. It is a little loud and scary.
My kids and I would love this! 1 hour seems so short though, very useful review for other families who are thinking of going, especially with younger kids
Thank you, it is very short, which is disappointing!
Very good to know, thanks for sharing all the practical info. I think my kids would find it a bit overwhelming and, at that price, I wouldn’t chance it! I’m not familiar with London prices but it does sound like a lot – I’d consider pay that for a full day out (maybe) but not something that left me looking for other ways of filling the afternoon….#MondayEscapes
No, exactly don’t chance it at those prices
4D attractions are so much fun! I wonder if they will be the norm in a decade or so. As a fan of Shrek, I think I’d really enjoy this, though it does seem like a short experience.
Yes you would. Definitely worth is for fans 🙂
We love Shrek in the Christie household so would love this, I am surprised at how short the experience is but like you suggest I would plan it alongside other activities x
I can just see the Christie household there! x
It’s good to hear honest reviews about places like this. My little boy is too small, but I’m already dreading the day when we have to start paying for attractions. At least with good reviews we can make an informed choice! #mondayescapes
Thank you, I appreciate that… it can be hard to write an honest review without upsetting pr!
Interesting to read more about this, I loved Shrek but can’t see me going along 🙂 #mondayescapes
Ha ha! Me neither 🙂
I remember taking our then Miss 2 to the 4D cinema at Universal Studios. She loved it so we painfully waited in the queue afterwards for a photo with Donkey – then she saw Shrek too and completely flipped out! Moral of the story things on screen can be ok but the “real thing” quite a lot more terrifying for the younger set!! (We took her to the 4D movie again this year age 5 and she cried the whole way through it…)
It’s a shame it was all a bit rushed but it does look like fun. I think my two would enjoy it #MondayEscapes
Interesting review, that’s too bad the glasses were too large, if it is actually meant for children, then should have child sized glasses!
Exactly! My thoughts too!
It’s too bad that they didn’t have 4D glasses for children and that you couldn’t take pictures. However, for anyone who loves Shrek, it would be a cool experience.
Definitely one for fans
I would have loved this, hahaha. It’s so annoying when you can’t take photos inside though 🙁
Isn’t it?!