Potions Experience FAQs
These questions relate to our Family Cauldron Experience held in our magical apothecary in York's Shambles.
Q What is the Family Cauldron Experience?
Our Secret Potions Room is a fully seated, interactive family friendly experience with interactive elements. It's most suited to children over five years of age.
Q How do I book a Family Cauldron Experience?
You can book your Family Cauldron Experience on our website: www.potions.orderfrom.co.uk. If you have a special request, please email york@thepotionscauldron.com for further information.
Q Does everyone need a ticket?
Our Secret Potions Room has a limited number of spaces, and if you are intending to stay you must pay for a ticket. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by someone 16 and over, and may be left alone in a room with other paying guests.
Q How long will it take?
The Family Cauldron Experience will last around around 25 minutes. Our Adult Cauldron Experience lasts 50 minutes.
Q Can children attend unaccompanied?
Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied in their group by someone over 16. Please note that we do mix groups and they may be alone with other people. You need to decide if this is appropriate for your children. The interactive elements of the experience may be a little scary for young children, especially those under six.
Q Can we just turn up?
It's always best to pre-book and you can do that at any time, but if capacity allows you can just turn up. We may also have less slots available on the day, as we may change our staffing based on demand, so booking is always the best way to avoid disappointment.
Q Is there disabled access?
Due to the age of the building we are limited, and only accessible via a cobbled street. We can get one standard wheelchair (700mm width doorway) into our Secret Potions Room, so please let us know when booking so we can ensure we accommodate you in the best possible way.
Q Is there any storage for bags or shopping?
Unfortunately, as we are in a small listed building, we don't have any storage facilities.
Q What happens if we miss our booked slot?
Please try and arrive at least five minutes before your booking. You have an allocated pre-booked slot. If you are running late we will do our best to accommodate you, but if you miss the time of your slot and we are fully booked and we are unable to help, there are no refunds. Once the Family Cauldron Experience has begun, we cannot allow any late entries as this will affect the experience for others. While you will miss the interactive experience in the Secret Potion Room, you will still be entitled to enjoy a potion drink mixed in our apothecary shop for each person booked.
Q Do I need to wear a face covering?
Face coverings are optional for guests and our Wizards.
Q Do you offer any discounts?
We already offer magical value, so unfortunately, we don’t offer discounts.
Q Do you do birthday parties?
Yes we do! We offer a 25-minute experience from £5.99 per child. Everyone gets to mix a potion while enjoying the magical surprises of our fully interactive experience - and for just £12.99 per person everyone gets to takeaway a potion box of four magical bottled drinks (worth £10). Maximum occupancy 12 people, including any adults. Please book by emailing york@thepotionscauldron.com.
Q Will there be a refund if we are asked to leave?
No, if you are asked to leave for anti-social behaviour or not respecting our venue there will be no refund available and the duty manager's decision is final.
Q How many guests in each Family Cauldron Experience?
The maximum numbers of Wizards per experience is 12, so you may share the magical experience with other guests.
Q What if I need to move or cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking for a full refund or move your booking up to five days before your booking. You can move your booking up to 48 hours before. There are no refunds within five days of your booking. To change a booking please email york@thepotionscauldron.com. You can only move your booking once so please make sure you get the right date you wish to move to. Once the booking has been moved, no refunds will be given.
BOOKINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED BY PHONE.
Q COVID-19 & Bookings
If you have to delay your booking because of COVID-19, we are happy to book you in for another day. If notified less than 48 hours before your booking, we will do our best to move your booking but this depends on availability and nothing is guaranteed.
The refunds and cancellations policy applies to bookings affected by COVID-19.
Q Do you sell gift cards?
You can purchase gift cards from www.thepotionscauldron.com/gift-cards. These can be used at The Potions Cauldron and The Hole In Wand.
Q Do you allow dogs into the Secret Potions Room?
We only allow well-behaved dogs and service dogs into the room. We also ask that they're kept on a lead. If there are any fellow guests in the room who are allergic, or do not want the dog there, we kindly ask that the dog waits outside. This does not apply to service dogs.
Q I have left something at the Potions Cauldron.
If you have think you have left an item, please call us on 01904 692192 or email york@thepotionscauldron.com and we will get the Wizards to search the venue.
Q You haven’t answered my question!
Any other queries please get in touch york@thepotionscauldron.com
