[Ad-gifted] If you’ve ever been fascinated by Ancient Egypt, wondered what it would have been like to witness the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, or simply enjoy family days out that combine education with entertainment, then Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham deserves a place on your summer bucket list.
Unlike a traditional museum exhibition where you simply admire displays from a distance, this immersive journey surrounds you with breathtaking 360-degree projections reaching 8 metres high across more than 1,200 square metres of projection space, alongside virtual reality and augmented reality metaverse experiences that transport you straight into Ancient Egypt.
If you’re looking for something different to do with teenagers then this exhibition strikes the perfect balance between education and entertainment. As you’ll learn about the life of the young pharaoh, the remarkable discovery of his tomb by Howard Carter in 1922, ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, and the treasures that have fascinated the world for over a century.
Alongside the impressive digital experiences, visitors can admire a fascinating collection of original ancient Egyptian artefacts dating back as far as 4000 BC. Highlights include shabtis, a funerary shabti from Howard Carter’s private collection, statuettes and vases from the reigns of Tutankhamun and Ramses II and III, as well as beautifully crafted replicas and facsimiles displayed within an expertly curated treasure room.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable family day out, this exhibition offers something for all ages. Read on to discover what our family thought of the experience and whether it lived up to the hype.
What We Thought of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition
Visiting with four teenagers meant we received plenty of honest opinions!
One thing everyone agreed on was just how visually impressive the exhibition is. The enormous projection room is a real standout moment, with vibrant visuals covering the walls while a narrated story unfolds around you. Rather than simply reading information from display boards, you genuinely feel immersed in Egyptian history.
The VR experience was another family favourite. It added a completely different dimension to the visit and really helped bring the ancient world to life. Even those who usually aren’t particularly interested in history found themselves talking about what they’d seen afterwards.
The first VR experience was a sitting one while the second VR experience was a standing one, with so many other people in the room, but we were taught how to locate them and not knock into anyone.
There was also a drawing/colouring section where you had the opportunity to write your name in hieroglyphs or get creative/draw as well as an AI photobooth for you to imagine how you would look like if you were an Eygptian prince or princess. I took some photos and really found this amusing! You could also download the photos if you wanted.
In my opinion, the museum galleries strike a good balance between informative and accessible. There are enough artefacts, replicas and displays to satisfy visitors wanting historical context without becoming overwhelming. The information is presented in bite-sized sections, making it easy for teenagers to stay engaged.
At the end of our visit, we also spotted a gift shop where we could purchase some photos as well as purchase souvenirs to take hone.
For our teenagers, it wasn’t just about learning facts, they enjoyed discussing Egyptian myths, the famous treasures and imagining what discovering the tomb must have felt like over 100 years ago.
We also appreciated that the exhibition did not feel rushed. Although we entered the venue according to a timed entry slot, we could move through each section at our own pace, stopping to read more where something captured our interest and stay as long as we wanted to. The recommended time is around 85 minutes, but we spent nearly two hours at the exhibition as we made the most of our time there and watched quite a bit of the 360-degree projection.
Highlights for us include the museum-style galleries featuring replicas and artefacts, huge immersive projection rooms, the seated virtual reality experience and the digital metaverse walk through the Valley of the Kings, which allowed us to experience Ancient Egypt in an entirely new way. Finally, we also enjoyed looking at the “Howard Carter Tent” as it brought us back to Egypt as we imagine how he would have lived during the excavation period.
Highlights
🤩 A fully immersive exploration of ancient Egypt, the land of pharaohs, mystical tombs and golden treasure rooms
📹 The exhibition features 8-metre-high 360º projections, making it home to one of Europe’s largest immersive video mapping rooms
🥽 A seated 360º VR experience plus a free-roaming metaverse walk-through of the Valley of the Kings
🪙 High-quality replicas and a curated selection of original ancient Egyptian artefacts, including shabtis, statuettes & vases, and more
📷 An AI photo booth where visitors can take photographs as citizens of ancient Egypt
🎁 Gift memories to someone special! Purchase a gift card for Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition here
While younger children will undoubtedly enjoy the visual effects, we think the exhibition is particularly suited to families with older children and teenagers. Many attractions aimed at families can sometimes feel geared towards younger audiences, but this experience manages to entertain adults and teens equally well. The combination of technology, history and immersive storytelling keeps everyone engaged. It’s also ideal for home-educating families or anyone studying Ancient Egypt at school, as it provides plenty of educational value without feeling like a lesson.
What to Expect at the Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition
Visitors begin by exploring museum-style displays introducing Ancient Egyptian civilisation and Tutankhamun’s story before moving into increasingly immersive spaces.
Expect dramatic lighting, atmospheric music, fascinating historical information, impressive replicas, interactive exhibits and plenty of opportunities to take photographs throughout your visit.
The VR and metaverse experiences add something completely different from a standard museum visit, while the large-scale digital projections create some genuinely memorable moments.
Comfortable footwear is recommended, as you’ll spend much of the visit walking between sections, although there are opportunities to sit during parts of the immersive experience.
The venue is fully accessible, with timed entry slots helping to manage visitor numbers and create a more enjoyable experience.
How long is the Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition Running For?
The exhibtion takes place at the NEC Birmingham until 13th September 2026, it’s well worth adding to your list before it disappears. Opening hours are from Mon-Sunday from 10am. Entry can be booked in 15-minute slots. You determine the duration of your visit yourself, but it is recommended to allow approximately 85 minutes+ for your visit. Please try to arrive on time, max. 5 minutes before the start of your booked slot!
How much are the tickets?
All ages are welcome. 0-3 years go free (no ticket purchase necessary). Anyone 15 years and under must be accompanied by at least one ticket purchaser who is 18+ to enter the exhibition. We recommend the Metaverse and VR experiences for children aged 5+.
Family Bundle ticket for 4 (maximum 2 adults) is priced at £88, Child ticket (Age 4-15) £19. General ticket (16+) £30. Senior Citizen & Student Rate £28
Where is the NEC?
The National Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre located in Marston Green in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, near the city of Birmingham. It is near junction 6 of the M42 motorway, and is adjacent to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station.
Pendigo Way
Marston Green
Birmingham
B40 1NT
FAQ
- Mobility Equipment – Wheelchairs are available to hire for £5 for all visitors. The number of wheelchairs we have available is limited, so if you’ve got your own, please bring it with you. Scooters are available for £20 per hire for all visitors. Pre-booked equipment will be held until 13:00 on the day of the booking, unless otherwise advised.
- Dogs – Yes, assistance dogs are welcome, including those from ADUK, accredited training companies, and owner-trained dogs. Proof of training is required. Please be aware that if the dog’s behaviour does not meet the required standards, entry may be denied.
- VR Headsets – We recommend the Metaverse and VR experience for children aged five and above.
- Do note they are a Cashless site
- No food and drink is allowed to be consumed inside the exhibition.
- Language – The audio and written content for the exhibition is available in English only.
- Handheld cameras (including DSLR) can be brought into the exhibition, and guests are welcome to take photos and share them. When taking photos, please make sure not to disturb other visitors. Tripods and professional accessories are not permitted.
- Bags – Backpacks and bags larger than A4 in size will not be allowed inside the exhibition. The NEC provides cloakrooms, which can be found adjacent to each hall. Items are charged at £2 per coat and £3 per bag (cloakrooms are open 30 minutes prior an event opening and close when the event closes). Please note, in the interests of safety and security, overnight storage is not possible.
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* We were provided with tickets to the exhibition in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own. Some of the photos have been provided to us.
