Thousands of people will have walked past it without even realising that through a basement door on a historic Georgian street in Truro lies a hidden world of wonder.

Trudge down the stone steps opposite the Plaza Cinema and you’re met by an inconsequential door. Knock on it and you will enter another world – a world of intrigue, murder, time travel and, best of all, fun.

For buried in the bowels of 18 Lemon Street is Eureka Escape, one of the growing number of escape rooms in Cornwall.

After taking part in a number of challenges at Cornwall’s Great Escape Rooms in Newlyn in recent years, my youngest daughter has become obsessed with the puzzle rooms and once she found out there was one hiding in plain sight in Truro, well … 12th birthday party planned.

Are you clever enough to reach the end?

The goal is simple but challenging. You have 60 minutes to escape using only your mind, logic and teamwork.

Every clue, key and code is inside the room – you just have to find them.

After a debriefing, we were led to the room and as the door was locked behind us I hid my fear that six children would discover I have no logic whatsoever.

We were advised that for a younger crowd, A Matter of Thyme was the best “game” to play.

You are a team of architects, brought in to redesign the basement of the property on Lemon Street. The last date of documented use was in the mid-1950s.

On entering the back door of the property, you inadvertently cross paths with a woman. She hurriedly introduces herself as Hilda the Housekeeper before disappearing out of sight. It’s only a matter of thyme before you discover a different reality and a twist that you would never have foreseen in a million years.

What appears to be a mid-20th century kitchen – the level of detail is impressive – soon reveals its secrets as you try to work out what the hell you’re supposed to be doing.

Go back in time at Eureka Escape in Truro and Penzance

It takes in recipes, picture puzzles, searches for keys and games of pure logic which I obviously don’t have.

More than that I can’t tell you as you should have a go as it’s great fun – brilliant for a party, stag do with a difference or family afternoon out.

My eldest – a typically morose 15-year-old – went along begrudgingly but ended up loving it. In this age of social media communication and online gaming, escape rooms like this one are brilliant for re-engaging the generations. You know, actually doing things. Together.

We did manage to unlock two more rooms (I’ve already said enough) which may take you through time (way too much now) but didn’t quite manage to make it out. Next time ….

Eureka Escape has been open in Penzance for two-and-a-half years and 18 months in Truro.

Kate Eaves, of the company, said: “We started the business after doing an escape room on holiday in Switzerland and becoming instantly fascinated and intrigued by the whole thing. Back then (about five years ago now) there were about 10 in the UK, last August's figures showed 1,139 different rooms, 288 companies with 415 distinct venues.

“There are now six companies in Cornwall that I know of. Our rooms are all set locally and make use of the history of the buildings or other local entities, like the train room in Penzance.”

She added: “What we find is that we have an almost 100% enjoyment rate, with even the most sceptical on arrival being converted by the end of their game. It's also a great multi-generational activity. We all know how hard it is to find something, even a movie, that suits all ages.”

Escape into the bowels of Cornish history

Here are the games you can play at Eureka Escape in Truro and Penzance, which is based at The Old Telephone Exchange, New Street:

Truro

A Matter of Thyme (2-8 people): See above.

Death by Prescription (2-7 people): It’s September 1942. There have been several mysterious disappearances in the Truro area lately.

Nobody knows who to trust but surely Dr Sebastian Herbert of the Lemon Street Practice is beyond reproach? You’ve a nasty cough that won’t shift and have an appointment at his evening surgery with the hope that he’ll give you a prescription that helps.

Penzance

Cabin Fever (2-6 people): Accidentally forgotten at the end of the cold war, no one really knows whether Doris Decker is still in the secret communications room in the basement of the Exchange. You have been sent to Penzance by the Home Office to find out.

Thinking that the enemy has finally arrived, a deranged Doris rushes out, switching off the generators that power the ventilation system. You are locked in this escape room with only 60 minutes of oxygen.

A clue could be hidden in this typewriter

Murder on the Night Riviera (2-4 people): Cosily seated in the First Class dining car and on your way to London for a conference, you and your colleagues are approached by a flustered train manager who is worried about the goings on in one of the sleeper cabins. Knowing of your professional skills, he asks you to investigate discretely and shows you the way to the carriage concerned.

You find yourselves trapped in a crime scene. With the next station stop just 60 minutes away, you have limited time to uncover the truth in this escape room and alert the authorities.

For more details and how to book see Eureka Escape’s website.