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 Crosbie
- 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.
St Martin-in-the-Fields actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century, making it the perfect location for the event. As "Outlander" fans know, season seven takes place around 1776, so I immediately felt like a lot of thought had been put into making the event feel authentic.
The church is also located less than a minute's walk away from Charing Cross tube station, making it easy to find for those traveling to London specifically for the event — which I soon learned that many had.
One woman I spoke to told me she had come down from Edinburgh, while another couple said they had traveled from York to make it to the event, which was free for attendees and organized by the show's UK broadcaster, Lionsgate+.
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.
I give the actors extra props as they were wearing what looked like pretty heavy and thick costumes even though London was experiencing an unexpected heatwave on the day of the event.
However, it wasn't just the actors dressed up for the event, as I saw several fans had also come in costume too. Many had donned tartan for the event, and some had even recreated Claire's outfits from the show.
It wasn't at all surprising that many attendees were women, given the audience for the time-travel romance drama does skew that way.
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.
On offer were croissants, cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, and vegan chocolate babka, as well as freshly ground coffee.
A chance to try out your ax-throwing skills seemed quite apt for "Outlander," which features many battle scenes.
Unfortunately, it wasn't quite my forte.
I failed to get the ax to actually hit the board on my first handful of attempts, which was quite frustrating. Although the instructor leading the event didn't rush me at all, I felt like I had perhaps spent a little too much time there when I glanced at the queue forming behind me.
So, when I finally landed a throw on the board, I decided to call it a day so that I could at least end on a high.
As someone who has never tried ax-throwing before, the fact that I got to test out whether I liked it — and was any good at it — without having to spend any money was a blessing in disguise.
It's safe to say I haven't found my next hobby.
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.
Plastered on walls around the whole event were wanted posters for Claire Fraser, the show's protagonist who ended last season charged with murder.
Other posters recreated real artwork from the time period, most famously the "Join or Die" political cartoon that is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. He drew the now-famous disjointed snake as a way to convey to fragmented colonies that if they didn't join the fight, they would perish.
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.
However, this area quickly filled up making it difficult to get a clean shot.
There was an area made to look like Wilmington marketplace, a locale the characters often visit in the show.
We were encouraged to make our way through the stalls of produce and dried goods before our next activity.
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.
After a bit of bantering back and forth, in which we said if he threw in a squash we would consider it, our friend relented and decided to keep his onion.
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.
I thought you might be able to mix together your own blend using a few different oils, but it was actually a case of just picking your blend based on three they had available: "The Fraser Time Travel Remedy," "Claire's Calming Remedy," and "Jamie's Focus Remedy."
Still, all attendees got to walk away with a small vial of their preferred blend.
After speaking to the friendly assistant, I was recommended "Claire's Calming Remedy," which was made up of sandalwood and, according to its description, "invites an overwhelming sense of peace" as "its unique aroma brings a sense of tranquility that supports a safe space for calm reflection."
While I was told the best place to apply it for maximum efficacy is the sole of my feet and neck, I rolled it on my wrist to test its scent, which I loved. I've used it several times since before bedtime.
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.
We were handed thick paper made to look like parchment and a feather quill pen (sadly, not a real one) to pen our missives. They were collected in a big bronze tub and promised to be passed on to the cast at some point.
While my boyfriend took the opportunity to write a funny message to the characters of the show, warning them about the outcome of the Revolutionary War, I decided to write a brief note to Caitríona Balfe to tell her how much I love her portrayal of Claire.
At this point, I couldn't help but feel the absence of those involved directly in the show, be it the creators or cast.
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.
There was quite a queue for this experience, likely because it was the very last thing attendees were directed to take part in.
With the help of an assistant, we were shown how the camera moves around you ahead of hitting record to film our video.
It was by far the part of the day that I could see genuine excitement among those queuing up, likely because it was a recreating one of the show's most iconic locations: the pivotal place where Claire's Highland adventures begin.
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.
The event only ran for two days, which seems like a shame given how much effort had been put into it.
I couldn't help but think about the "Bridgerton" event my colleague Ayomikun Adekaiyero attended, which ran for three months in London before touring across several US locations. I hope other fans around the world get to experience this pop-up, or at least something similar, because it is perfect for anyone who loves the show.
If there is another event, I'll be back before you can say sassenach.
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