A fun one to put on your London list: a moon trip without leaving Earth. The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks turns the story of the Apollo missions into a 50-minute audio-visual show using powerful projection and audio, narrated by Tom Hanks. I also loved the original score by Anne Nikitin, because it gives the science-and-history material an emotional kick.

Here’s the main thing to weigh: with a runtime that’s basically one short screening, the ticket can feel pricey if you’re expecting a longer, multi-stop experience. If you’re price-sensitive, you’ll want to be honest about whether 50 minutes of film and interviews is your kind of value.

Key things to know before you go

• Tom Hanks provides the narration, giving Apollo stories extra personality
• The show covers Apollo missions and the Artemis programme, including interviews with Artemis astronauts
• Anne Nikitin’s original score helps turn space history into a full-on audio experience
• The venue uses powerful projection and audio technology for a high-impact presentation
• It’s a small group (limited to 9 participants), so the room won’t feel like a cattle call

The Moonwalkers at Lightroom: what this show really is

This isn’t a museum you wander through. It’s a focused, seated audio-visual experience at Lightroom in London, built to tell one story end to end. You’ll plan your time around the show, because the heart of the experience is the on-screen narration plus the room’s projection and sound.

The pitch is simple: Tom Hanks narrates an epic account of humankind’s trips to the moon, then looks ahead to what’s coming next with Artemis. In practice, that means you get more than a list of mission facts. You get a through-line: why we went, what we learned, and what “returning” might mean for the people involved now.

Tom Hanks narration and why it matters

When a production has a recognizable voice, it can feel like marketing. Here, it actually helps the storytelling work. Tom Hanks co-wrote The Moonwalkers with Christopher Riley, who has a track record in space-focused storytelling for major broadcasters. That collaboration shows up in the rhythm of the script: it’s aimed at people who want big ideas, not a cold briefing.

What you can expect is a narrative that keeps explaining the stakes in human terms. The show connects the Apollo missions to the future by using interviews between Hanks and Artemis astronauts. If you like space history that includes present-day voices, this is a key reason the experience feels current rather than stuck in the past.

Apollo and Artemis, told in one emotional arc

The show tells the stories of the Apollo missions at spectacular scale, but it doesn’t stop at reenactments. It also gives you an insight into the impending return of crewed surface missions through a behind-the-scenes look at the Artemis programme.

That matters because it changes the feel. Instead of treating Apollo like a finished chapter, you’re encouraged to see it as part of an ongoing project. You’ll likely leave thinking about the continuity of engineering, training, and risk, not just dates and landing sites.

The visuals and sound: where Lightroom earns its ticket price

Lightroom’s setup is built for impact: powerful projection and audio technology that turns the room into a kind of vehicle for the voyage. Even if you’ve seen space documentaries before, the presentation style is designed to make you feel like you’re inside the moment rather than watching facts on a screen.

The strongest part is how the audio and visuals work together. The show has an original score by Anne Nikitin, and music like this does two jobs at once: it guides your attention and it sets the emotional temperature. When the story shifts from past missions to future plans, the sound helps you feel the change, not just understand it.

If you care about presentation quality, this is where your money goes. If you mainly want a quiet, informational lecture, you might find it louder and more cinematic than you expected.

What the experience feels like minute to minute

Your time on site centers on a 50-minute audio visual experience (with an overall time slot listed as about 1 hour). That puts a ceiling on how much content you’ll get, which is good if you like a tight show, and less good if you want deep explanation.

A reasonable mental model:

• You’ll settle in, then the show carries you through the Apollo mission stories.
• As it builds, the production uses projection and sound to make the scale feel immediate.
• Then it pivots to Artemis, including interviews connected to crewed surface missions.

There aren’t multiple “stops” like a walking tour. The experience is its own destination. So if you like to break up your day with transitions, you’ll want something else on your schedule before or after, because the show is the whole event.

Seated comfort and the “short screening” reality check

The experience is generally well-liked, but comfort and value are the two practical points worth thinking about.

First, seating. One issue some people highlight is that they’d prefer backrests. You can’t know exactly how the chairs feel until you’re there, so if seating comfort matters a lot to you, consider arriving early and settling quickly once you’re assigned your spot.

Second, length versus cost. Because it’s essentially a 50-minute screening, the ticket can feel steep if you were expecting a longer event or additional content like a post-show talk or extended gallery time. If you enjoy narrative-driven science storytelling and you trust the production value, you’ll probably feel better about it. If you mainly want exhaustive detail, you may wish it were longer.

Who this show is best for

This is a strong fit if you like:

• Apollo and Artemis as concepts, not just trivia
• cinematic storytelling that uses sound and projection to carry emotion
• science or space topics, but told in an approachable, narrative way
• a small group atmosphere (up to 9 participants), which often feels calmer than a big auditorium crush

It’s also a good option for a date night or a “one-ticket London experience” when you want something different from standard sightseeing.

If you’re the type who likes to spend hours in a museum unpacking details at your own pace, you might find this too short and too “show-focused.” In that case, pair it with another astronomy-related activity elsewhere so your day still feels full.

Practical tips that can improve your experience

• Go in ready to watch and listen. This is an audio-visual show, not a hands-on exhibit.
• Skip flash. Flash photography isn’t allowed, so plan on phone photos without flash if you’re permitted to use your device (the show is primarily about watching).
• Arrive early enough to get settled. Since you’re in a small group, getting your seat and comfortable position quickly helps you enjoy the show instead of fussing mid-way.
• Pair it with nearby plans. With a show that’s about 50 minutes, give yourself time buffer for getting there and grabbing a meal afterward, since food and drinks aren’t included.

Should you book The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks?

I’d book this if you want a polished, story-first space experience with Tom Hanks narrating, backed by strong production elements: Anne Nikitin’s music and Lightroom’s projection-and-audio setup. The Artemis interviews are a nice touch if you want the future thread, not only Apollo nostalgia.

I’d think twice if you’re chasing value through length or if you’re sensitive to ticket cost for shorter experiences. If 50 minutes of film-like storytelling doesn’t feel like your best use of money, it’s okay to pass and spend that time on something with more runtime or more to explore on your own.

FAQ

How long is The Moonwalkers experience?

The ticket includes a 50-minute audio visual experience, and the overall duration is listed as about 1 hour (check available starting times for the exact schedule).

Where does The Moonwalkers take place?

It takes place at Lightroom in Greater London, United Kingdom.

Is Tom Hanks involved in the show?

Yes. Tom Hanks provides the voiceover and co-wrote The Moonwalkers with Christopher Riley.

Who created the music for The Moonwalkers?

The show features an original score by Anne Nikitin.

Does the show cover Apollo and Artemis?

Yes. You’ll hear stories of the Apollo missions and you’ll also get behind-the-scenes insight into the Artemis programme, including interviews involving Artemis astronauts.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is flash photography allowed?

No. Flash photography is not allowed.

What is included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes entry to The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks at Lightroom and the 50-minute audio visual experience. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It also offers reserve now & pay later, so you can book without paying today.

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