What to Expect From Shrek’s Adventure! London

If you and your family are taking a trip to Shrek’s Adventure! London, you can expect a journey packed full of fun and laughter with some of your favourite characters from the films, including Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Gingy, Cinderella and, of course, the big green onion-loving ogre himself, Shrek.

As part of this original story, you’ll spend your trip enjoying guided family activities and interactive exhibits, all whilst trying to find Shrek. You’ll even get to see some of your favourite characters from other parts of the DreamWorks family, including How To Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and many more.

Located in the Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB (a one-minute walk away from the London Dungeon), this is a fantastic day out for kids of all ages. However, we recommend that your adventurers be at least six years old because there are some parts which might be a little scary for anyone younger.

What to Expect From Shrek’s Adventure! London

• What is Shrek’s Adventure! London?
• Who can you meet at Shrek’s Adventure! London?
• Take a trip on Donkey’s Magic Flying Bus.
• Step into Shrek’s Swamp!
• Ride in Rumpelstiltskin’s Carriage.
• Visit the Poison Apple Pub.
• Enter Farquaad’s Dungeon.
• Explore the Mirror Maze of Insanity.
• Visit the Bakery.
• Escape the Prison.
• Meet and greet with Shrek!
• Book your visit today!
• Shrek’s Adventure FAQs.

What is Shrek’s Adventure! London?

Shrek’s Adventure! London is a fun, interactive guided walkthrough that lets you and your family become the stars of your very own Shrek adventure. A collaboration between Merlin Entertainments and DreamWorks Animation, you and your little adventurers will spend the day trying to find Shrek and escape Rumpelstiltskin’s witches, whilst enjoying an array of immersive exhibits. You’ll be predominately walking (except for a brief ride in an elevator at the beginning of the tour) as our colourful cast of actors lead you on an indoor tour of Far Far Away. Be ready to dance, jump and sing for your life!

Who can you meet at Shrek’s Adventure! London?

During your time at Shrek’s Adventure! in London, you and your family will get the chance to meet and greet Shrek (and take a picture with him). You’ll also get to see a variety of other characters from the kingdom of Far Far Away, including Princess Fiona, Donkey, Gingy, Puss in Boots, Pinocchio, Rumpelstiltskin, Thelonious (Farquaad’s Torturer) and more.

You’ll even meet some of Shrek’s DreamWorks friends, including the Penguins of Madagascar, Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and Po from Kung Fu Panda, wow!). On the tour itself, we have live actors playing the roles of some of Far Far Away’s familiar faces, including Princess Fiona (in her human form), Cinderella, The Fortune Teller, Doris, Thelonious, Sleeping Beauty and the Muffin Man.

Spoiler Alert: What you’ll find inside Shrek’s Adventure! London

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. We don’t want to spoil your adventure, but know that with little ones in tow, you might want to check what to expect at Shrek’s Adventure! London before you visit. We’ve tried not to give everything away, but some spoilers are unavoidable.

Take a trip on Donkey’s Magic Flying Bus

Whoever said that donkeys can’t drive buses? On Donkey’s 4D Magic Flying Bus ride, you and your family will help Fiona and Donkey start the (big red London) magic bus with some singing and dancing. You’ll then put on your 3D glasses and take a mind-blowing ride to Far Far Away. You’ll see the Valley of Peace & Berk, where you’ll get a little bit of help from the penguins of Madagascar and Toothless the Dragon.

Whilst you’re on the ‘scenic route’, you can play a game of spot the lunchboxes (belonging to the Three Little Pigs). Psst, we’ll give you a little hint: one is made from straw, one from sticks and one from bricks. The ride is not suitable for people with epilepsy, motion sickness, a heart condition or those with a pacemaker, asthma, or any other chronic illnesses. The ride is available for wheelchair users who are able to transfer up one step, into the seat and have the ability to sit upright. For more information, check out our Accessibility Guide and our Sensory Journey Guide.

Step into Shrek’s Swamp!

After crash landing onto the witch Griselda (nice work Donkey, that was Rumpelstiltskin’s future wife), you and your family will arrive in Shrek’s home, his swamp! There, you’ll meet Cinderella, who will help you find out where Shrek’s hiding his gold (it’s hidden in a really smelly place). Unfortunately, Rumpelstiltskin (after hearing what Donkey did) has decided to send the witches after you (thanks again, Donkey). Maybe the local Fortune Teller will be able to help you with your new witch problem, for a price.

Ride in Rumpelstiltskin’s Carriage

Inside Rumpelstiltskin’s Carriage, you’ll meet the magical Fortune Teller, who wants to help you escape from the witches that Rumpelstiltskin sent after you. Through the magic of dance, you’ll activate her crystal ball and try to contact Shrek to see what to do next. But wait, what’s that? Rumpelstiltskin, the ‘Curly-Toed Weirdo’ who tried to enslave Shrek and take over the kingdom of Far Far Away (twice), has found out where you are. Quick, you’ll have to get to the Poison Apple pub for shelter.

Visit the Poison Apple Pub

Welcome to the Poison Apple Pub, known far and wide across the kingdom (even King Harold once came here to find a hitman for Shrek). This will be the perfect place to have a good time, make a potion or two, do some karaoke (with Doris) and hide from those nasty witches. Maybe Puss in Boots will be able to offer you some words of advice too? Hang on, one of the witches has arrived at the pub, but she hasn’t seen you yet. Looks like you’ll be on the move again.

Enter Farquaad’s Dungeon

Since the untimely end of the evil Lord Farquaad (he was the one eaten by a dragon), his dungeon has been taken over by Thelonious (the not-so-brightest bulb in the room, who only appeared in one movie, but maybe that was a waste?) and he’s holding our friend Pinocchio captive. In Farquaad’s Dungeon, you and your family will have to set Pinocchio free by answering three questions, but you’ll have to watch out for the Magic Mirror because he’s counting down the seconds and waiting for you to deliver.

Explore the Mirror Maze of Insanity

Get lost and pull some crazy faces in Magic Mirror’s Mirror Maze of Insanity (that was quite a mouthful to say). Through all the confusing twists and turns, you’ll find Sleeping Beauty. Perhaps she can help you find Shrek? If she can stay awake for long enough. Stay close to your friends and family, and watch out for you own reflection (bumping into it hurts more than you think).

Visit the Bakery

As you’ve been collecting ingredients during each of your adventures, it’s time to give them over to the Muffin Man and let him cook up a tasty magic spell (perhaps something to help you escape those witches?). Enjoy the smell of gingerbread, magic and some essence of an ogre…maybe not that last one.

Escape the Prison

Uh oh, it looks like you’ve fallen in the hands of evil-doer Rumpelstiltskin, and now you’re trapped in the Prison! But never fear! Princess Fiona will be ready to save you and your family from a life of torture. With all your courage and strength, you’ll be able to smash the prison wall down yourself and escape those evil witches once and for all. This part of the tour might be a little scary for some of the younger kids.

Meet and greet with Shrek!

Congratulations, you’ve done it! You’ve completed Shrek’s Adventure! London and found Shrek! Shrek’s ready for some photos with you so you can all remember your adventure. Shrek doesn’t often leave his swamp, if he can help it, so he’s keen to take a photo with you in front of Big Ben and the ‘ogreground’.

From here, you and your family will have the chance to see and enjoy an array of different DreamWorks Animation exhibits, life size statues and interactive games, including playing in the hall of Trolls, lifting Madagascar’s own Gloria, and even striking a karate pose with Po and the gang from Kung Fu Panda. Apart from some fantastic opportunities for fun and photos, there is also the gift shop, which is always full to the brim with all kinds of gifts and goodies for you and your family to take home with you.

Book your visit today!

With so much to do and see at Shrek’s Adventure! London, we recommend booking your visit now to beat the queues. Shrek’s Adventure! takes between forty-five minutes and an hour to complete on foot. There are areas to store baggage and baby buggies. All children under three years of age have free entry. Photography is not permitted during the main tour.

Shrek’s Adventure! London FAQs

What is the recommended age range for Shrek’s Adventure! London?

The recommended age range for Shrek’s Adventure! London is from six years old up to twelve years old. However, all ages are welcome, and any little adventurer under the age of three gets in for free (just remember that there are few points on the tour where things may get a bit scary).

How long does Shrek’s Adventure! London last?

Shrek’s Adventure! tour in London lasts approximately 1 hour, not including queuing. Queue times vary at different times of the day. At the end of the tour, there is an interactive area where you can meet your friends from other DreamWorks worlds and play for as long as you like.

How long are the queues for Shrek’s Adventure! London?

The queuing time ranges from 10 minutes to 35 minutes. The time marked on your family’s ticket is the time that you are allowed to enter the building and begin queuing. All guests, including Merlin Passholders and those with promotional vouchers, must pre-book online before arrival.

Is Shrek’s Adventure! London suitable for children with disabilities or sensory processing issues?

Shrek’s Adventure! London is suitable for children with disabilities or sensory processing issues. The main tour is wheelchair accessible (however, we may not be able to accommodate all guests on the Magic Bus ride). We welcome assistance dogs and carers, or essential companions, to enter for free.

Is there a lot of walking involved in Shrek’s Adventure! London?

The main walkthrough tour of Shrek’s Adventure! London is designed to take between 45 minutes and 1 hour. During the tour, you will be standing, except for during the Magic Bus ride. At the end of the tour, there is an interactive area where you can have fun for as long as you like. Those with mobility issues may prefer to enjoy the adventure with a wheelchair or other mobility aid.

Is it necessary to pre-book Shrek’s Adventure! London tickets, or can they be purchased on the day?

Shrek’s Adventure! London tickets can often be purchased on the day, but the only way to guarantee entry is to book them in advance. All tickets, including Merlin Passholders and guests with promotional vouchers, can pre-book online before arrival. However, you can reschedule up to 1 hour prior to arrival, and you even get a discount for being organised.

Is photography allowed inside Shrek’s Adventure! London?

Photography is not permitted during the main tour of Shrek’s Adventure! London. We do this in order to save the magic of Far Far Away for other guests who haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet. We have official photo points during the tour. You can purchase these photos at the end of the tour.

Are there any restaurants or food options nearby Shrek’s Adventure! London?

There are a number of restaurants and food options near Shrek’s Adventure! London, including Pizza Express on Belvedere Road and Giraffe. Behind the Royal Festival Hall, WAHACA in the Southbank Centre, Planet Hollywood in St Albans House and the famous Jungle Cave (formerly known as the Rainforest Café) on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Are there any height or weight restrictions for Shrek’s Adventure! London? 

There are no height or weight restrictions for Shrek’s Adventure! London. The main tour is fully wheelchair accessible. On the Magic Bus ride, small children can sit on the laps of adults when required, and wheelchair users are permitted if they can transfer up one step, into the seat and have the ability to sit upright.

What is the best time of day to visit Shrek’s Adventure! London to avoid crowds?

The best time of day to visit Shrek’s Adventure! London to avoid crowds is near first admissions at 10:00 am or nearer last admissions at 14:45 pm. The queuing times usually range from 10 minutes to 35 minutes. The time marked on your family’s ticket is the time that you are allowed to enter and begin queuing.