Review of Paradox Museum

Everything appears normal on a sunny afternoon on London’s Brompton Road. Shoppers and photo opportunists alike bustle around Harrods, taking photos of the impressive building. A few yards away, a small doorway offers a stairway to an experience that's a little more out of the ordinary. A chance to boggle your mind, stretch your perspectives, and take away some great photos to boot.

Paradox museum is a fun, interactive family experience which is packed full of head scratching rooms and experiences designed to challenge your senses. Think optical illusions, infinity mirrors, and innovative ways to put a smile on your and your family’s faces. To really test out how engaging it is, we took our toddler who is a tough crowd when it comes to attention span. Themed for the summer season, the reception area is "tropical beach" themed, with beach Barbie displays lining the staircase and a faux beach which introduces you to the first family photo opportunity. We leave our pushchair in the bay provided and proceed around the route, following an eager 2 year old as he points and runs from room to room, eyes wide open. Perhaps a little young for many of the exhibits, but that’s OK as there’s plenty to make Mum and Dad feel like giddy children.

We giggle, camouflaging ourselves with patterned cloaks that pattern-match the wall behind, and appearing the same height as our toddler in the skewed-perspective room. We appear to float, legs akimbo, whilst standing on a raised platform with half our body visible next to a floor-to-ceiling mirror. `

We marvel as we appear to walk up walls in the zero-gravity room, or lean to a 45° angle in a slanted room. Our boy crawls across the ceiling of a London underground station, and is slightly concerned to see mummy’s torso separated from her legs (actually daddy’s legs) on a paradox sofa. Feeling brave? Don't miss out on the mirrored tube that appears to descend and ascend in perpetuity, and the mirrored maze. I may have skipped the mirrored tube, that deffo got my stomach in knots...

This only scratches the surface of all the befuddling and sense defying experiences that the paradox museum has to offer, and a fun afternoon was had by the three of us. A unique birthday party experience Birthday party packages are on offer at the Paradox Museum, with or without catering, which would make for an alternative fun experience. Packages include:

• Standard package - Full museum access and celebration space, not catering

• Mayfair Chippy Package, which includes hot food by Mayfair Chippy, cake, soft drinks, and full tableware

• VIP Package, includes sandwiches, cake, soft drinks, and tableware.

Whether it’s a special celebration, a fun family day out, or even a date with a difference, the Paradox museum is a great way to inject a spot of joy into your day, and have some wacky photos for your memory books.

For full details and pricing, click here.

Written by Rick Hartley

Photography courtesy of Paradox museum