'I travelled back in time to Ancient Egypt from Birmingham'

Today, (Friday, June 19), Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition officially opens at Birmingham’s NEC. I’ve had an exclusive preview from last night’s press event - and I’m here to tell you all that you can expect from this award-winning exhibition that’s now in Brum.

As soon as you walk into Hall 11 at the NEC, you’ll see that it has been completely converted into a twisting maze filled with treasure rooms, artefact replicas, a large 360-degree cinema, virtual reality and metaverse experiences, as well as picture ops.

Any fans of Ancient Egypt can get stuck right in, especially if you want to really feel as though you’re sailing down the River Nile more than 3000 years ago.

I was glad to see that there was lots of massive billboard sized posters with lots of information explaining the history behind Tutankhamun.

For me, the experience was more enjoyable than a typical museum experience, as I could get involved and really feel like I was stepping back to a time that’s completely alien to now.

The Tutankhamun story is definitely an enduring tale, and has been in this country ever since his extravagant tomb was found intact by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922.

• Read more: Major Tutankhamun exhibition heads to Birmingham and visitors are invited to travel back in time

The standout parts of this exhibition that really jumped out was the 360 degree cinema room and the VR headset experiences.

Though, to get to those parts.

I had to wade through the artefacts associated with King Tut first.

One of the artefacts that stood out the most was a replica of Tutankhamun’s funerary mask that Howard Carter uncovered. It was one I had seen countless times in photos, but to see a real-life version was a delight.

The mask was made from almost eleven kilos of gold. The best part was that I didn’t have to travel to Egypt to appreciate the weight and size of this mask.

There were plenty of other treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb that are featured in the exhibition. As Howard Carter famously said “everywhere the glint of gold”, and it is true.

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Undoubtedly, the biggest part of the Tutankhamun experience and where I got the most enthralling experience was the VR parts.

Personally, I really enjoyed it, but if anyone has any sort of sensory issues - it may not be one for you as you do lose sight of where you are.

The 360-degree cinema room is the first immersive experience I encountered. I had no idea that sitting on a stool could make you feel as though you're sailing through the River Nile.

My favourite VR experience by far was the metaverse experience at the end where you are walking around in a room exploring Howard Carter's base camp and go into a virtual replica of the tomb.

I thought I was going to sit on a chair at one point, but then I realised there wasn't one! Nonetheless, it was nice to imagine what it would be like to by a 1920s Egyptologist, uncovering gems.

At the end of the experience, every visitor will be able to capture a memento of their day with a photograph in the AI photobooth where you’re transformed into an ancient Egyptian.

Tickets for Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition start from £22 for adults (16+) and £15.50 for children aged 4 to 15, with family bundles (4/6 tickets) available from £16.50 per ticket and the Pharaoh Package from £47. Children under 3 enter free (no ticket required), and schools can apply for special group rates through the website.

This Tutankhamun Experience runs for limited 12-week-run until September, 13 2026.