The Cromwell Estate – Trespassing Into Terror

I am stranded on the side of road; my car broken down. I notice a house at the end of an old dirt path and decide to see if anyone’s home—if there’s a phone I can use. I arrive to an ominous door and knock. No answer. My only option is to break in. What I don’t know is this is the home of a local hunter, Isaac Cromwell. He is tired of hunting normal game and has set a trap for those brave enough to enter his domain. Tonight, I am the prey.

The front door is oddly beautiful: ivy coats the wall and ceiling. Yet, it elicits a sense of creeping claustrophobia. I search around, find a key, and unlock the door. It creaks open, revealing old photographs framed along both walls, and a feeling of sickness fills my stomach. I don’t belong here; I regret opening the door. But I can’t stop. I move into the next room and I know I should turn back. But I don’t. Then I hear it: the front door slams shut—and locks. I am no longer alone.

The Cromwell Estate

The Cromwell Estate’s first room The Den differentiates itself by having us break into a room—rather than escape out of one. Intentionally excluding the word “escape” from their name, this room is not your typical escape room. It excels in creating a sense of dread—having you feel like you are in a place you don’t belong. This is expertly accomplished via a strong narrative that is fleshed out as you explore Isaac’s estate. Each puzzle ties into the storyline and reveals a little more about the house you are in, and the man who lives there. You find his family pictures, his personal belongings, and more—which all add to this feeling of trespassing.

It’s this danger of trespassing in someone else’s house that makes this escape room scary. The Cromwell Estate knows how to use scares to their advantage. While “The Den” isn’t terrifying, there were a few moments in which our group screamed out loud. While I won’t spoil these moments, just know that the second half of the room gets much darker than the first. But in the first half, the house feels real and lived in. This adds to the immersion and creates a feeling of foreboding that I’ve rarely felt in other escape rooms. Further, the house contains a real sense of mystery. I never quite knew what was coming next—and that was one of the most entertaining parts. The tone constantly shifts as I moved through the house—and I felt different emotions: wonder, awe, fear, terror, and urgency.

A Labor of Love

Owners Julie Lam and Evan Gregory started The Cromwell Estate with a true love of horror and a passion for the industry. From the beginning, this business has been a true labor of love for both. They starting by collecting change from their couch and it evolved into a small crowd funded campaign.  As horror fans, they never had a second thought on the genre their room would fit into.

“We really like the old school haunted house type of feeling with the outside noises that catch you off guard.”

Customer Service

Customer service is their primary concern. Lam came out before the game started and explained the rules, even providing detailed hints that would help any first timer. These weren’t hints for their room; rather, they were general hints on how to succeed in an escape room—and they really helped the newcomers in our group. Lam and Gregory created a business that caters to everyone, and is a fun and safe environment for people to come and explore.

A Look into The Future

The Den left us eager to see how Isaac’s story continues—and luckily, Lam and Gregory are already in preparation for the second chapter of their ongoing story. This sequel takes played out of the house and into The Rockfield Cemetery, which is hinted at in The Den. In Chapter 2, they will simulate an outdoor environment and a large mausoleum will provide sanctuary in case Isaac is in pursuit. Further, The Cromwell Estate has a small five-minute escape experience known as The Shed, which provides more insight into the story. Catch this at upcoming conventions or when it’s incorporated into their permanent location

Conclusions

The Cromwell Estate provides a unique interactive horror experience in an original fashion, with surprises that any horror or haunt fan would love. With some of my favorite visuals to date and a classic haunted house feel, this experience is not to be missed. The Den is currently open for anyone brave enough to attempt to break in.

Book your experience now. Make sure you follow The Cromwell Estate Facebook and The Cromwell Estate Instagram for updates on future events.