An “immersive” West London tourist attraction promising “an unforgettable journey through the natural world” narrated by David Attenborough has shut after less than a year.
The Earls Court based BBC Earth Experience, which was produced and operated under licence from BBC Studios, shut on February 1, according to a statement on its website.
It is the second major London tourist destination to disappear in recent weeks following the children’s interactive role play venue KidZania at Westfield London in Shepherds Bush which closed in January.
The statement said: “Moon Eye Productions have taken the decision not to extend the BBC Earth Experience London beyond February 1st 2024. The event is produced and operated under license from BBC Studios.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have had the opportunity to experience the event while in London and the 360° audio-visual journey will continue at its new destination on the other side of the globe, in Melbourne, Australia.
“Anyone who purchased a ticket from 1st February 2024 will automatically be issued with a full refund and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The BBC Earth Experience opened in the purpose built Daikin Centre in the site of the demolished Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre in March last year and had been due to continue its run until at least August.
However, it had been criticised for the high cost of its tickets, which ranged from £19 to £29 for an adult.
The hour long experience showed footage from the BBC television series Seven Worlds, One Planet, “projected on multiple multi-angle screens using the very latest digital screen technology.”
Visitors were told to “lose yourself in a forest full of fireflies, discover a colourful carpet of starfish and find yourself witness to a four-tonne elephant seal fight.”
Tourism consultant Katie Blake said the closure was “unfortunately a sign of the times with the cost of living crisis continuing to bite as households continue to prioritise low cost and free things to do over high cost tickets paid for experiences.”
