Training Level - Lara's Mansion

Fish, mused Lara, are nicer than people...

Lara has a beautiful house and after three visits we're getting to see much more of it. She has been buying stuff since last year (check out the large screen TV system!) and her decorating seems to be nicer than it was (she needed to repair the damage from the unpleasantness at the end of Tombraider 2!).

The assault course has been extended too and there's now the chance to use Jeeves as target practice, but if you've had a good look around and have tried everything out, why not do the little puzzle level?

Go to the library (through the TV room) and check out the bookshelves on the right of the entrance. You'll notice a book that is sticking out. Press [action] to get Lara to spin it around and the fire will go out. Climb up the inside of the fireplace to a secret room with a switch on a ledge. Don't flick the switch just yet - you've got some block moving to do first...

Pull the block at floor level once and then pull the block that's inside the dark passage off the ledge twice (moving the first block allows Lara the space to pull the second block out). Push the second block along the ledge so it's against the far wall and check out the room through the passage. If you've explored the house already you'll recognise the attic.

If you haven't already opened the attic door on the staircase landing, go down the attic stairs and do it from the inside. Then return to the switch in the secret room. Pull it to open the door in the right hand hallway under the grand staircase and then hightail it through the passage, through the attic, down the attic stairs and out onto the landing. Jump the banisters onto the grand staircase and jump over the banisters here to land in the hall. Run through the open door to find some flares and steps leading down into the basement.

Lara has converted the basement into a huge fish tank with a chaise long for relaxing. It may not be good feng shui, but she likes it... For some reason, though, the last time she was down here she dropped a key whilst swimming with fish. You can see it inside the tank near the chaise long. To retrieve it you need to pull the block in the outer room under the hole in the ceiling, climb up, go through the passageway and drop into the tank. The fish aren't dangerous...

With the key in your hand, head out of the basement towards the front door. Outside, cross the front lawns and head for the gate in the wall on the far side of the horse fountain. Open the gate and - wow! - a motocross racetrack with a quadbike is your reward. English Heritage probably aren't too amused though - Lara's demolished a maze to build the racetrack - bikes are more fun!

Having flattened the ancient maze and destroyed the original means of opening the treasure room, Lara has had to make more modifications inside the house. Head out through the gym to the swimming pool and check out the space behind the diving board. Oush the button that you find here and then retrace your steps to the entrance hall.

A secret panel to the right of the main door is now open, revealing a lever. Take a deep breath and pull the lever. Immediately roll and run (sprinting is required) across the hallway towards another secret entrance opposite. As you get close the door panel will begin to close, so you will have to launch into a diving roll in order to cover the remaining ground and land in the treasure room.

Have a good look around - not forgetting to see if the T-Rex's head is winking at you! To exit the room, hit the switch next to the doorway twice.


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