Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein opens in Bath | Planet Attractions
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Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein opens in Bath
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein has opened its doors to the public a stone's throw away from where the famous author first dreamt up the legendary monster
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Jul 2021
An 8ft animatronic Frankenstein is the attraction’s centrepiece
A world-first attraction has opened its doors in Bath with the brand-new House of Frankenstein looking at the life of author Mary Shelley while exploring the cultural impact of her iconic monster.
Much of Frankenstein was written by Shelley in the city in 1816, with the new attraction located a short walk away from where her home once stood.
Opened to the public on July 19, the immersive museum and visitor experience is set inside a traditional Bath townhouse, with the venue transformed to live and breathe Frankenstein.
Blurring the lines of a museum and storytelling experience, the attraction tells the full story behind the genesis of Frankenstein, celebrating the legacy of Mary Shelley's work across four differently themed floors.
An entire floor has been dedicated to the complex past of Shelley, with the experience retracing the tragic life events and radical scientific thinking that led to her creation of Frankenstein.
Visitors can also experience all things Frankenstein in popular culture, with a floor filled with vintage memorabilia, props, posters and collector’s items. A screening room pumping in the smell of fresh popcorn is also featured.
The centrepiece of the attraction is an 8ft tall, breathing animatronic of the creature created by Dr Frankenstein as Shelley had imagined in her novel.
In the basement of the house, guests will find a walk-through experience, with a maze, crawl space and even a Frankenstein-Esque creation at the conclusion of this deep dive into the horror aspect of the attraction.
Opening soon on the top floor will be an escape room. Called Victor’s Lair, players will have one hour to unravel the ramblings of the deranged mind of Victor Frankenstein to find their way to freedom.
Expansion plans
While the £700,000 (US$963,000, €816,000) development has only just opened its doors, its creators already have ambitious plans for the future.
“We want to add eight more assets onto the attraction,” said Jonathan Willis, House of Frankenstein co-founder, speaking to Planet Attractions at a press event ahead of the official opening.
Among these additions will be a ‘Monster Ball’, which will be held every year at Halloween. Plans are also in the works for a horror bus tour travelling through Bath and Bristol. Within the attraction will be ‘ScareBNB’ sleepovers as well as Bride of Frankenstein hen party events. A nearby horror-themed café is also being looked at, though the plans go well beyond the city of Bath.
“The big plan is to take the attraction and the assets we’re developing and replicate those in locations around the world such as Las Vegas, Amsterdam and Berlin,” said Willis. “This would be in a similar fashion to the way Merlin has replicated their London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds attractions.
“Frankenstein is universal and is such a well-known brand. We want to keep a tight focus on Frankenstein and Mary Shelley and take that worldwide.”
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein opens in Bath | Planet Attractions
video
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein opens in Bath
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein has opened its doors to the public a stone's throw away from where the famous author first dreamt up the legendary monster Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Jul 2021
An 8ft animatronic Frankenstein is the attraction’s centrepiece
A world-first attraction has opened its doors in Bath with the brand-new House of Frankenstein looking at the life of author Mary Shelley while exploring the cultural impact of her iconic monster.
Much of Frankenstein was written by Shelley in the city in 1816, with the new attraction located a short walk away from where her home once stood.
Opened to the public on July 19, the immersive museum and visitor experience is set inside a traditional Bath townhouse, with the venue transformed to live and breathe Frankenstein.
Blurring the lines of a museum and storytelling experience, the attraction tells the full story behind the genesis of Frankenstein, celebrating the legacy of Mary Shelley's work across four differently themed floors.
An entire floor has been dedicated to the complex past of Shelley, with the experience retracing the tragic life events and radical scientific thinking that led to her creation of Frankenstein.
Visitors can also experience all things Frankenstein in popular culture, with a floor filled with vintage memorabilia, props, posters and collector’s items. A screening room pumping in the smell of fresh popcorn is also featured.
The centrepiece of the attraction is an 8ft tall, breathing animatronic of the creature created by Dr Frankenstein as Shelley had imagined in her novel.
In the basement of the house, guests will find a walk-through experience, with a maze, crawl space and even a Frankenstein-Esque creation at the conclusion of this deep dive into the horror aspect of the attraction.
Opening soon on the top floor will be an escape room. Called Victor’s Lair, players will have one hour to unravel the ramblings of the deranged mind of Victor Frankenstein to find their way to freedom.
Expansion plans
While the £700,000 (US$963,000, €816,000) development has only just opened its doors, its creators already have ambitious plans for the future.
“We want to add eight more assets onto the attraction,” said Jonathan Willis, House of Frankenstein co-founder, speaking to Planet Attractions at a press event ahead of the official opening.
Among these additions will be a ‘Monster Ball’, which will be held every year at Halloween. Plans are also in the works for a horror bus tour travelling through Bath and Bristol. Within the attraction will be ‘ScareBNB’ sleepovers as well as Bride of Frankenstein hen party events. A nearby horror-themed café is also being looked at, though the plans go well beyond the city of Bath.
“The big plan is to take the attraction and the assets we’re developing and replicate those in locations around the world such as Las Vegas, Amsterdam and Berlin,” said Willis. “This would be in a similar fashion to the way Merlin has replicated their London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds attractions.
“Frankenstein is universal and is such a well-known brand. We want to keep a tight focus on Frankenstein and Mary Shelley and take that worldwide.”
