Metrocentre: Upside Down House Entry Ticket

One look at the teal exterior and you know this is not normal. At the Metrocentre in Gateshead, the Upside Down House flips your sense of up and down into a walk-through built for instant funny photos and big smiles. I like that it is all about hands-on rooms (not waiting around), and I also like the themed stops like the music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room. The main drawback to plan around is simple: it is a compact experience, so if you expect a long day, the ticket can feel pricey for the time inside.

Here is the good part. The design is made for your camera roll, with furniture and objects hanging from the ceiling so you can stage shots that look impossible. Kids tend to love it because the rules are straightforward and the surprises are visual, not complicated. Adults tend to love it because it is quick, quirky, and easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.

One consideration before you go: the house is not set up like a smooth, flat attraction. You need to mind your head, watch the uneven flooring, and be careful on the narrow staircase. If you have vertigo, motion sickness, or mobility limits, this is probably not the right stop for you.

Key things to know before you visit

• Perfect for photos, because the upside-down design creates instant visual jokes
• Two themed highlights to look for, the music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room
• Small-footprint layout, with limited room count, so the visit wraps up sooner than you might expect
• Safety and headroom matter, furniture is on the ceiling and the floors are not level
• Strict no-go items, including no food or drink, no strollers, and no weapons or sharp objects

Upside Down House at Metrocentre, Gateshead: Why it works

This is one of those attractions that hits fast. You walk in expecting the gimmick, then you realize the gimmick is the entire point. In the Upside Down House at the Metrocentre, your brain keeps trying to correct the scene, so you end up laughing more than you expect. That matters, because the experience is built around reactions, not performances.

The other thing I like is that it is genuinely designed for all ages. The rooms are interactive in the simple sense that you can move around, point your phone, and pose. There is no complicated ticket booth checklist inside beyond your own common sense, like watching your step.

And yes, it is photo-first. The teal exterior is the kind of landmark you spot from the shopping centre flow. Once you are inside, the furniture-on-the-ceiling design makes even a basic standing pose look like a movie set. That is why the attraction earns strong marks for getting people smiling and snapping photos without stress.

Getting there and finding the ticket office at the Yellow Mall entrance

Location is one of the big practical wins here. The Upside Down House is at the Yellow Mall Entrance on the north west side of the Metrocentre Shopping Centre. If you are arriving by train, the Metrocentre Rail Station is the nearest station. If you are driving, the Yellow Mall Car Park is the closest option.

When you arrive, do not drift around hoping someone will wave you in. The instruction is clear: wait at the ticket office to be checked in before you enter the house. The ticket office is on the left side of the building.

This matters because it keeps your timing clean. If you have kids, or you are meeting another group, you want that check-in step to be predictable. It also helps you avoid the frustration of showing up at a busy time with a phone full of excuses and no ticket scanned.

What the experience looks like inside, teal exterior to upside-down rooms

The house itself is designed by the Upside Down House Creative Team, with areas exclusive to the Metrocentre. That means it is not just a copied set dressing from somewhere else, at least in the sense that you should expect some local touches and themed rooms shaped around the North East.

You walk into rooms where the perspective is flipped so thoroughly that it becomes hard to think normally. Furniture and details are placed overhead, not below. That creates the core challenge of the visit: you need to switch your mental model from up is up, down is down, to up is the floor, and down is the ceiling.

In terms of flow, plan for a short walk-through. Even with several themed moments, the layout is compact. One key consideration from past visits is that it is essentially one main room downstairs and one upstairs, which keeps the experience from lasting all day. If you are hoping to burn an hour and a half of energy, you might be surprised by how fast you finish.

The music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room

Two rooms are consistently worth building your plan around: the music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room.

The music zone is fun because it adds a theme on top of the upside-down design. Instead of only playing with impossible gravity, you get a more specific mood. That is the kind of difference that makes photos feel less repetitive. You can also talk about it while you are walking through, which is useful when you are with kids who need a reason to keep moving.

The Sir Ridley Scott movie room is the other big anchor. A themed movie room gives you an instant story to photograph, and it breaks up the plain “everything is upside down” effect. If you are the kind of person who likes variety in a short attraction, these rooms are the reason you will feel like you got your money’s worth even if the house is not long.

Based on how people describe the visit, the best approach is to take your time in these themed stops and stop trying to rush the whole house. Spend a little extra time where the theme gives you more chances to pose.

Photo tips for mind-bending upside-down shots at eye level

This attraction is basically a giant photo booth, but with real constraints. The constraints are the fun part if you use them.

Bring a charged smartphone. A charged phone is key because the lighting and photo angles are part of the trick. If your battery is low, you will end up guessing settings and missing shots.

A camera also helps, especially if you prefer not to rely on your phone’s quick mode. GoPro-style setups are not mentioned, but if you have a camera option you like, you are good to go. Just remember: professional filming equipment is not allowed unless the corporate team has provided prior written consent.

Here is what to do inside:

• Slow down where furniture is most clearly “above you,” because those moments create the most convincing impossible look.
• Use your phone’s burst mode. The house has uneven flooring and narrow areas, so people tend to move mid-shot. Burst gives you a keeper.
• Take one photo standing and one photo “trying to reach” something overhead. The second one usually looks funnier.
• Watch your framing. With furniture on the ceiling, you can accidentally crop the best prop if you are too zoomed in.

If you want the best results with the least hassle, do your themed-room photos first. Then do your general upside-down room shots after.

The narrow staircase, uneven floors, and why headroom rules matter

The Upside Down House does not hide its physical quirks. You should know what to expect before you step inside:

• Mind your head, because furniture is on the ceiling.
• Be mindful of uneven flooring.
• Watch the narrow staircase to avoid trips or slips.

This is not the kind of attraction where you should expect a “walk straight through” experience. You will often need to adjust your stance. That adjustment is normal, but it means you should dress for safety and comfort.

The attraction is also not set up for everyone. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, vertigo, or severe motion sickness. It is also not advised for pregnant visitors. Those restrictions are not just legal padding. They match what the house does to your sense of body orientation.

One more practical note: unaccompanied minors are not allowed. If you are taking kids, plan for supervision and have an adult ready to stay in control of movement on the stairs and tight spaces.

Rules on what you can bring, what you cannot, and what to plan around

The rules are strict enough that they affect your day, especially if you are traveling with family.

What to bring:

• A camera or a charged smartphone

What is not allowed:

• Weapons or sharp objects
• Baby strollers
• Smoking
• Food and drinks
• Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
• Intoxication, alcohol and drugs
• Vaping, food, and drinks (listed clearly as not permitted)
• Bikes
• Unaccompanied minors
• Climbing
• Nudity
• Bare feet

The “no food and drinks” rule is the one that catches people off guard. If your group tends to snack constantly, plan that out before you arrive at the Metrocentre. You do not want to spend your pre-entry energy negotiating snacks inside a tight attraction.

Also, if you are a parent, the no-stroller rule means you should think ahead about where the stroller will stay while you go in. The attraction itself has narrow areas and a staircase, so keeping it simple can reduce stress.

Price and value at $9 per person, plus the reality check

The listed price is $9 per person for an entry ticket, and the experience is valid for one day based on starting times. That sounds like a low-risk add-on to a day in Gateshead.

Still, value is about match, not math. Some visitors have found the ticket expensive relative to the amount of space and the limited number of rooms. The layout is compact, and the experience can feel short once you see it is mainly a couple of main areas across two levels.

So here is the fair way to judge it:

• If you want a quick, laugh-heavy photo attraction, it is easy to justify.
• If you want a long, slow, “spend the day” activity, you might feel let down.
• If your group has kids who enjoy themed rooms and photos, you may get more satisfaction per minute because they usually go with the flow.

My take: at this price, it makes sense as a planned stop. If you are paying as a group, the decision depends on whether the upside-down premise is actually your kind of fun.

Best time to go and how to pair it with nearby Gateshead sights

You do not need much time, so you can pair this with other nearby sights. The Metrocentre location is handy because it sits minutes from major landmarks like The Angel of the North and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

If you are doing a day built around those icons, think of the Upside Down House as your “break the day” activity. It can help reset energy, especially for families who start to get tired of walking outdoors. The house itself is a controlled indoor environment, which makes it a good plan when the weather is not friendly.

For best pacing, schedule it around your natural breaks. If your group is likely to get fidgety, do the house earlier rather than later. If you are visiting in a peak period, having a ticket time helps you avoid a long idle wait.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This is best for:

• Families looking for a short indoor activity
• People who love fun photo ops
• Groups who want something quirky without a long commitment
• Anyone who can handle a bit of physical attention to footing and headroom

It is not a good fit for:

• People with vertigo
• People with severe motion sickness
• Pregnant visitors (not advised)
• Wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments (not suitable)

Also keep an eye on the rules about supervision. If children are under 12, they must be supervised by an adult or guardian over 18. And unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

Should you book Upside Down House Metrocentre?

Book it if you want a short, funny, photo-led attraction in Gateshead with themed rooms like the music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room. The price is reasonable for what you get, especially if your group loves snapping pictures and trying poses in silly settings.

Think twice if you are the kind of person who hates uneven flooring, tight spaces, or sudden changes in your sense of body orientation. Also reconsider if your priority is a long activity with lots of separate rooms. The experience is compact, so you will likely finish sooner than you planned.

If you can handle headroom and stairs safely, this is a worthwhile add-on near the Metrocentre, with easy access from both rail and car parking.

FAQ

Where is the Upside Down House at Metrocentre located?

It is located at the Yellow Mall Entrance on the north west side of the Metrocentre Shopping Centre.

What is the meeting point?

You should wait at the ticket office to be checked in before entering the house. The ticket office is on the left side of the house.

How long is the experience?

The experience is listed as lasting 1 day.

What is included with the ticket?

Your entry ticket includes access to the Upside Down House Metrocentre interior design inspired by the North East, including the music zone and the Sir Ridley Scott movie room.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera and/or a charged smartphone.

Can I bring a stroller, food, or drinks?

No. Baby strollers are not allowed, and food and drinks are not allowed.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed, but assistance dogs are allowed.

Is it suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users?

No. It is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users.

Is it advised for pregnant visitors?

It is not advised to take part in this experience if you are pregnant.

What is the language of the host or greeter?

The host or greeter is English.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.