The moment I left Canada Water and walked through the gates, I was instantly hit with the atmosphere of a Wild West town that could’ve been pulled straight out of Red Dead Redemption.
The buildings, the streets, the general vibe—it was all there, and I immediately felt like a part of this immersive, interactive experience.
As soon as we arrived, the transformation was immediate.
Actors in character greeted us, quickly making us feel like we were no longer in London but in a quirky Western town full of mystery and adventure.
The first major interaction came when Mayor Pocket performed a welcoming ceremony that swayed everyone in the crowd.
(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) His charisma and enthusiasm set the tone for the day, getting us excited for the quests and activities ahead.
The first quest kicked off with a bang.
We were tasked with stealing the infamous green diamond, which was hidden somewhere in the town.
Phantom Peak had cleverly integrated technology into the experience, using a website that allowed us to find clues and discover locations around the town.
It was like being in a real-life treasure hunt, and the best part was the characters who were always on hand to guide us and, often, make us laugh.
I quickly became known around the town by the residents as “Hugo Boss,” thanks to the shirt I was wearing that day.
That nickname stuck, which was a hilarious and somewhat embarrassing part of the adventure.
I also had a funny (and slightly mortifying) moment when the app instructed me to say something specific to a character named Copper.
Unfortunately, I messed it up by saying the wrong name, which ruined the swagger I was trying to convince them of, but Copper took it in stride, adding to the charm of the experience.
One of the puzzles in our first quest involved changing TV channels—without a remote.
Instead, we had to physically adjust the knobs and dials on the television sets scattered around town, which added a unique, retro touch to the experience.
Amy accidentally handed the green diamond to Datchery, who was to become the upcoming First Lady of the town, and she threw it straight into a pond.
It was a disappointing setback – of which I blame Amy entirely – but it only made the rest of the day more exciting, as we quickly regrouped for our next challenge.
After our failure in the first quest, we decided to take a breather and grab some food.
The atmosphere reminded me of those big outdoor events, like Tulleys Farm or Winter Wonderland, where you’re surrounded by people and food stalls.
Amy opted for a burger, while I decided to try the Cajun fries.
There’s something about being outdoors in a setting like this that makes food taste even better, especially when you’re cosy and warm in a place like Phantom Peak.
Refuelled and ready to go, we set out for the next quest: a murder mystery.
The bizarre obsession with platypuses in the town was one of the funniest parts of this quest.
It made me realize just how little I actually knew about platypuses, aside from the fact that they’re semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammals (thanks, Phineas and Ferb).
The quest itself was full of twists and turns, but the real standout was the character of Dr. Winter.
His no-nonsense, highly critical, and pessimistic Victorian accent was a highlight for me.
Dr. Winter’s constant attacks on me were hilarious, but the real cherry on top came when Amy failed the lie detector test, adding to the drama of the day.
As the day came to a close, we found ourselves at the Mayor’s wedding to Datchery.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
There was a dramatic objection to the wedding, and, in the end, Datchery walked out of the ceremony, free from the union.
It was a perfect, chaotic end to the day, leaving everyone in high spirits and with a few laughs at the absurdity of it all.
As we left Phantom Peak, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad.
It was such an immersive experience that I almost forgot we were in the heart of London.
The town felt real, the characters were engaging, and the interactive puzzles kept me hooked.
The only downside? Stepping back into the regular London scene after having spent the day in such a lively, imaginative world.
Overall, my experience at Phantom Peak during JonaCon was one I’ll never forget.
From the immersive storytelling to the hilarious characters and clever puzzles, it’s an adventure I highly recommend.
The only regret? That it’s not a real town I can visit again whenever I want.
