Inside the 'Outlander' season 7 immersive pop-up experience in London, complete with a recreation of Wilmington, and a real-life Craigh Na Dun

Eve CrosbieJun 27, 2023, 21:10 IST

The "Outlander: The Experience" event was held in London.Insider/Eve Crosbie, Starz

A church in London was transformed into an "Outlander"-themed immersive experience for two days.
It featured a real-life Craigh Na Dun — but it didn't take us back in time.

As a fan of "Outlander," I was delighted to discover that ahead of the release of the new season, a free immersive fan event was being held in London.

The historical drama is based on a series of best-selling books by author Diana Gabaldon and follows Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe), a former World War II military nurse who, while on a trip to Scotland in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to the 18th century.

While there, Claire meets and falls in love with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a dashing Highland warrior. Together the two find themselves swept up in many historical events, from the Jacobite rising to the American Revolutionary War.

As of its seventh season, which debuted on June 16, Jamie and Claire have made a new home for themselves in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1776 — which is exactly the setting I was transported to in "Outlander: The Experience."

When the experience was announced at the end of May, many international fans of the show expressed their disappointment that the event was only going to be held in London.

As some pointed out, an event in Scotland, where the show continues to be filmed to this day, would've perhaps been more appropriate. Others argued that the show has a much larger fanbase in North America, leading them to question why the UK had been picked to host the event.

For those who weren't able to make it for the two-day experience in London: dinnae fash! Insider has you covered with a detailed look inside "Outlander: The Experience" — so read on for all the photos and juicy tidbits.

The experience was located in St Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church close to the London landmark Trafalgar Square. Canvas tents, faded American flags, and actors in period-appropriate clothing made it feel all the more authentic.

Insider's entertainment reporter Eve Crosbie at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

The experience was located in St Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church close to the London landmark Trafalgar Square. Canvas tents, faded American flags, and actors in period-appropriate clothing made it feel all the more authentic.

Although there was no sign of Jamie and Claire when I arrived, I was immediately greeted by actors in costumes. They interacted with the audience members, but also played out scenes between themselves.

The actors at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

Although there was no sign of Jamie and Claire when I arrived, I was immediately greeted by actors in costumes. They interacted with the audience members, but also played out scenes between themselves.

Ahead of ax-throwing, the first activity on the agenda, I was directed to a table where you could pick up complimentary coffees and pastries.

The food at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

A chance to try out your ax-throwing skills seemed quite apt for "Outlander," which features many battle scenes.

Throwing axes at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

Next, I was directed to make my way down to the crypt where more "Outlander"-themed experiences awaited me. I loved how every corner had been decorated with little nods to the show's storylines.

Some of the decor at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

Next, I was directed to make my way down to the crypt where more "Outlander"-themed experiences awaited me. I loved how every corner had been decorated with little nods to the show's storylines.

Once inside the church's crypt, there was a huge room to explore. The photo board is where I saw a lot of fans take the opportunity to grab some snaps.

"Outlander: The Experience."Lionsgate

There was an area made to look like Wilmington marketplace, a locale the characters often visit in the show.

The decor at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

While looking around the marketplace we had even more interactions with the actors. My boyfriend found himself propositioned to trade his clean white "tunic," as the actor called it, for a fresh onion from a stall.

One of the actors at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

While looking around the marketplace we had even more interactions with the actors. My boyfriend found himself propositioned to trade his clean white "tunic," as the actor called it, for a fresh onion from a stall.

In a nod to Claire's background as a healer, there was an apothecary stall where it was advertised that you could make your own essential oils blend. However, you actually just got to pick one of the premade blends available.

The apothecary at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

In a nod to Claire's background as a healer, there was an apothecary stall where it was advertised that you could make your own essential oils blend. However, you actually just got to pick one of the premade blends available.

Still, all attendees got to walk away with a small vial of their preferred blend.

The apothecary at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

For those inclined, there was also the opportunity to write fan mail to the cast. "Tell your favorite 'Outlander' cast member what this show means to you," a sign read.

Letter writing at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

Wrapping up the experience was the chance to get a 360-degree photo at the Craigh Na Dun stones, a part of "Outlander" lore that every fan knows.

The 360-degree photo opportunity at the "Outlander: The Experience" event.Eve Crosbie/Insider

The whole experience made me excited for season seven — and I can see why fans around the world wish they had a chance to visit at a venue closer to them.

At the entrance of "Outlander: The Experience" in London.Eve Crosbie/Insider

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Inside the 'Outlander' season 7 immersive pop-up experience in London, complete with a recreation of Wilmington, and a real-life Craigh Na Dun

The experience was located in St Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church close to the London landmark Trafalgar Square. Canvas tents, faded American flags, and actors in period-appropriate clothing made it feel all the more authentic.

Although there was no sign of Jamie and Claire when I arrived, I was immediately greeted by actors in costumes. They interacted with the audience members, but also played out scenes between themselves.

Ahead of ax-throwing, the first activity on the agenda, I was directed to a table where you could pick up complimentary coffees and pastries.

A chance to try out your ax-throwing skills seemed quite apt for "Outlander," which features many battle scenes.

Next, I was directed to make my way down to the crypt where more "Outlander"-themed experiences awaited me. I loved how every corner had been decorated with little nods to the show's storylines.

Once inside the church's crypt, there was a huge room to explore. The photo board is where I saw a lot of fans take the opportunity to grab some snaps.

There was an area made to look like Wilmington marketplace, a locale the characters often visit in the show.

While looking around the marketplace we had even more interactions with the actors. My boyfriend found himself propositioned to trade his clean white "tunic," as the actor called it, for a fresh onion from a stall.

In a nod to Claire's background as a healer, there was an apothecary stall where it was advertised that you could make your own essential oils blend. However, you actually just got to pick one of the premade blends available.

Still, all attendees got to walk away with a small vial of their preferred blend.

For those inclined, there was also the opportunity to write fan mail to the cast. "Tell your favorite 'Outlander' cast member what this show means to you," a sign read.

Wrapping up the experience was the chance to get a 360-degree photo at the Craigh Na Dun stones, a part of "Outlander" lore that every fan knows.

The whole experience made me excited for season seven — and I can see why fans around the world wish they had a chance to visit at a venue closer to them.