Review: The Last Days Of Pompeii - The Immersive Experience (Immerse LDN)

Review by Daz Gale

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There’s a new destination for immersive experiences in London. Immerse LDN is located at the ExCel centre in Custom House and currently boasts Elvis Evolution, The Friends Experience and the previously reviewed Squid Game: The Experience. For the latest addition to this roster, Madrid Artes Digitales and FKP Scorpio Entertainment are bringing a blast from the past with The Last Days Of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition, making its London debut after wowing audiences across the world. From the same people that brought the incredible The Legend Of The Titanic, still playing in Canada Water, a couple of tube stops away, would this match their impeccable standards, or would it fail to explode?

The Last Days Of Pompeii is part exhibition, part exhibition. Spanning over 2000 square metres, you are transported back to 79AD to relive the story of the doomed Roman city. Journeying through rooms with multisensory experiences, there are artefacts and replicas to discover in a beautiful feat of design throughout, creating an atmospheric setting.

This isn’t just any exhibition, however, and it is in the multisensory aspect that sets The Last Days Of Pompeii apart from a standard one, in the same way The Legend Of The Titanic did. Amongst the artefacts, you’ll find things to touch, bringing more of an immersive element to the experience as they come alive, revealing facts, videos and responding to your touch. Whether it’s looking for objects buried beneath the surface, or recreating the doomed city one building at a time, there is plenty to mix up the activities so that no two rooms end up being the same.

There are three key rooms that dominate the experience, making full use of their impressive technological capabilities and simultaneously transporting you into the future and the past. The first of which requires a VR headset and headphones as you witness a Gladiator fight. The second room uses impressive 360-degree video to create a digital experience like no other, as you watch as much of a 26 minute video as you like, somehow moving to different places while never leaving the comfort of your own seat. Such is the capability of the video design and sound, it really did feel like the floor and walls were moving around me. It may prove slightly disorienting for some, but the staff there are ready to jump in if that is the case.

The jewel in the crown of this production is their metaverse. With another headset, you are encouraged to explore the legendary Villa of Mysteries. The detail and complexities of this section wowed me as much as the Titanic one did. It isn’t just the technology that impresses - it’s the execution. With countless people walking around one room in reality together yet discovering an entire other world. The metaverse comes at the end of the experience and for good reason as it is impossible to be topped. A truly mind-blowing part of the adventure, and the main reason I can’t recommend a visit to this experience enough.

Though the events of Pompeii happened thousands of years ago, the nature of this experience makes it feel as if you are really there, bringing a sense of emotion to the mix as it proves impossible not to form a connection - though the original score playing throughout also helps to penetrate your soul as you walk through and discover all the riches this wonderful experience jas to offer. There are also a couple of photo ops to be found at the start and end of the experience, with an AI rendering transforming you into ancient patricians.

There may have been a couple of technical hiccups on the night, but for an experience as intricate as this one, I can’t hold that against them. The Last Days Of Pompeii is a feast for the senses, showcasing the very best in technical capabilities and how to create an unrivalled immersive experience while bringing a bit of history and education to the mix and making the whole thing a lot of fun. There is plenty here for people of all ages to enjoy, , making it near impossible not to erupt with excitement. A great experience in itself, the fact that this is only in London for a limited 16-week season means it might just be the hottest ticket in town.

The Last Days Of Pompeii: The Immersive Experience plays at Immerse LDN until 15th March 2026. Tickets from https://pompeii-experience.com/london/