Imagine your first visit to an escape room is like a first date: nerve-wracking, mysterious, and you have absolutely no idea what to expect, except that the vague online reviews promise it's "totally thrilling" without giving even the slightest hint. Here are a few insider tips on how to prepare and put together the dream team par excellence.

Building a team may seem easier than herding a bag of fleas, but the crux of the matter is making sure everyone brings their own special superpower to the game without breaking down the walls. Big brain? Great, but not essential. A good laugh and a willingness to embrace the unknown will get you a lot further.

Get out the old school books: it's time to remember the glory days of maths. Roman numerals, the magical world of algebra - who would have thought this knowledge had any use outside the classroom? Geometry, logic, and yes, even a touch of geography and chemistry can speed up your breakout.

While some team members are racking their brains, the Sherlock Holmes in your team should spare no effort to inspect every square inch of the room. Forget logic - it's time to unleash your inner five-year-old curiosity and investigate everything that isn't nailed down. The crucial clues could be hiding right where you least expect it.

Sometimes it takes a small village to screw in a light bulb - or in this case, to solve puzzles that require more than one pair of hands. Prepare to bend, stretch and crawl, all without the need to set a new world record in limbo.

The variety and unpredictability of the games can amaze even the most hardened adventurer. So, grab your favourite companions, book a room and throw yourself into the fun of experiencing as many unique adventures as possible. And remember: if all else fails, there's always the panic button!