Follow the Cheshire Cat through London on your phone.

HiddenCity’s The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat turns a normal sightseeing walk into a puzzle-driven story. You solve riddles and activities that pop up on your mobile as you move across central London, and you can pause the game when you need a breather.

I especially like that it’s not a fixed “one-size route.” You control your pace, and the game includes built-in breaks for food and drinks, so it feels more like a fun day plan than a nonstop endurance test. One thing to consider though: the experience does not give clear progress checkpoints, so some groups can feel confused or stressed about how close they are to the end.

That said, it’s set up for teams of 2 to 6, with head-to-head play possible for larger groups. Expect a lively mix of logic puzzles, quick thinking, and city exploring that works well for families and friend groups.

Key things to know before you start

• Phone clue trail across central London that guides you from Strand to Waterloo
• Team play for 2 to 6 players, with options to split bigger groups into multiple teams
• Built-in food and drink breaks, so you can recharge without derailing the story
• Pause-and-resume gameplay, which helps when kids need a moment or adults need time to think
• Mobile number required (UK, US, or CA), not optional
• Roleplay moments at stops, adding humor and energy beyond just walking and scanning clues

A story-led London walk, without the tour-group feeling

This isn’t a sit-and-listen guided tour. The experience is structured like a citywide mystery hunt, with you acting as part of the story while you move between points in central London. Your phone becomes the control panel, where clues, riddles, and tasks show up as you go.

What I like most is the balance between direction and freedom. You are guided city to city in a clear sequence, but you can still slow down or speed up based on how fast your team solves the clues. One small detail that matters a lot for real life, you can pause the game whenever you like, so you are not forced to keep sprinting just because other teams are quick.

The vibe feels friendly and game-like, not intimidating. Reviews describe it as great for mixed groups too, including parents with kids and older friends celebrating birthdays. If your group enjoys mysteries, wordplay, and “wait, I think I know what that means” moments, you’ll probably have a good time.

The route: from The Coal Hole on the Strand to Waterloo

The official start is at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, London WC2R 0DW, UK. The game ends in Waterloo, London SE1.

That end-to-end setup is useful for planning. You start in an area that’s easy to reach within central London, then you finish at a major transport hub. Even if you are not mapping every step, you still get the comfort of knowing the adventure is not taking you off into far-flung corners.

The timing also helps. The session runs about 3 to 4 hours, which is long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, but short enough that you can still add a meal or another stop after. The opening hours listed are Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, across a long seasonal range, so you have flexibility when building your London itinerary.

How the phone puzzle hunt works in practice

You solve a trail of clues that you receive on your mobile. The flow is “look at clue, interpret it, move to the next location,” and along the way there are riddles and activities you have to complete.

A practical note that trips people up: to take part, you need a UK, US, or CA mobile phone number. If your phone plan or number situation is complicated, sort this out before you arrive. Without the right number, you cannot really start the game properly.

Clue delivery is phone-based, and at least one group noted receiving clues via WhatsApp during their run. So if your group regularly uses messaging apps for coordination, you may find the experience feels natural. Still, the key point is that you must have a working phone connection and a number that fits the game’s requirements.

There are also built-in break points for food and drinks. That matters because London walking + puzzle time can make people hungry faster than they expect. The breaks help you avoid the common problem where your group is forced to stop randomly, because everyone is tired at the same moment.

Team play: 2 to 6 players and optional head-to-head

The experience is designed for teams of 2 to 6 players. If you have a larger group, you can split into multiple teams and play head to head.

This is one of the biggest reasons it works well with families and friend groups. In a team of 2 to 6, you naturally spread roles: one person reads clues carefully, one person scouts a location, another person tests an idea. It keeps the pace moving and reduces the chance that one person becomes bored or stuck.

If you’re traveling with kids, this format can be a win. One family run included children ages 4 to 11, and the group reported that even the youngest got pulled into the moment. A good team dynamic is usually what makes that happen, because younger kids often shine with “try this, what if” energy.

If your group hates competition, you can still keep it cooperative by playing in a single team. The head-to-head option is there, but your group can decide how spicy you want the rivalry to be.

Break points for food and drinks, plus the walking reality

The route includes built-in moments to pause for food and drinks. Reviews also describe the day as including food and drink stops that helped them cover a lot of the city while still staying comfortable.

That said, you should still treat it like an active half-day. The hunt includes walking across central London, and one reviewer described it as taking all day when factoring in stops. So even if the game clock says 3 to 4 hours, build in wiggle room for bathroom breaks, snack choices, and the occasional “wait, check that clue again.”

Weather can also matter. One group did the hunt on a rainy day, and they still finished, but they were soggy and satisfied. Bring a light rain layer and shoes you trust. If you know your group gets cranky when it’s wet, plan for that.

Puzzle challenge level: fun brain work, but not always easy

The best part of the hunt for most people is the puzzle element. Reviews call out clue-solving that takes real thinking and sometimes requires out-of-the-box ideas. That sense of achievement is a big driver of the high rating.

But there is a caution you should take seriously. At least one group found the experience more challenging than expected, and another issue popped up for some teams: the finale did not fully deliver for them, even though they still enjoyed finishing the game.

The biggest practical drawback is progress awareness. One review describes the lack of checkpoints as a problem. Without clear signals for how much remains, some groups felt confused and stressed, and ended earlier than planned. That also affected timing for a group that returned to continue later.

If you want to reduce stress, do this before you start:

• Set the expectation that the game may feel “longer than it looks” if your team gets stuck
• Assign one person as the clue reader who never panics, and one person as the navigator
• Decide in advance what you’ll do if you get stuck for 10 minutes, like moving on carefully or asking for help if allowed at pit stops

Also, if your group is racing against a hard dinner reservation, choose a start time that gives you buffer. The time window is there Monday to Friday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, but your actual completion time will depend on how your team solves.

Pit stops and roleplay that keep it from feeling like homework

A key detail that shows up in reviews is the energy at the stops. People mention staff roleplay and friendly staff at pit stops who welcomed random groups, without acting annoyed about interruptions.

That matters because it turns “puzzle points” into experiences. Instead of feeling like your group is just walking to a place and reading a sign, you’re interacting with a story element at multiple moments along the way.

Reviews also mention attempts to derail the hunt, which adds playfulness. It makes the experience feel like a game with mischievous momentum rather than a quiet scavenger march.

Price and value: $40.90 for a half-day game across London

The price is $40.90 per person, for about 3 to 4 hours. That might sound like a lot until you compare what you’re getting: a guided, structured city walk where the “guide” is the phone clue system, plus breaks, plus puzzles, plus team coordination.

In value terms, you’re paying for two things that are hard to recreate on your own:

1. The clue design and story flow, which keeps you from wandering aimlessly
2. The built-in breaks and pit stop moments, which reduce random stopping and confusion

Also, the listing notes admission ticket free, which suggests you are not paying separate entry fees to do the experience. You still need to buy your own food and drink during the built-in breaks, but you can budget that like a normal London meal instead of adding museum admissions.

If you are traveling with a group, this can work out well because you’ll be busy the whole time. You’re not paying for seats on a bus, and you’re not paying for one person to “do the work” while others follow along.

Who should book this Cheshire Cat hunt

This is a strong fit if your group enjoys:

• Puzzles and riddles that keep you actively thinking
• Walking through central London while still having a plan
• Team coordination, with a shared goal

It also tends to work well for mixed ages. One family with kids ages 4 to 11 reported the youngest stayed engaged. Another group with teenagers described everyone enjoying it, and a couples group with puzzle lovers called it a fun challenge.

It may be less ideal if:

• Your group hates walking or gets tired quickly
• You need highly clear progress markers, because checkpoints are not provided
• You want a classic, calm guided tour with minimal problem-solving

If your group includes someone who gets anxious when they cannot measure progress, I’d treat this as a “talk about it first” activity. Decide together that part of the fun is the uncertainty.

Should you book the Hunt for the Cheshire Cat?

Book it if you want a London activity that feels like a game, not just a route. At $40.90 per person, it’s best when your group will actually use the team format and enjoy solving clues together. The built-in breaks and pause feature make it more realistic than it looks on paper.

Skip or rethink if your group needs clear remaining-time guidance, because some teams felt stressed by the lack of checkpoints. Also, if puzzle challenges are not your thing, you might find it more demanding than you expected, even though the overall tone stays playful.

If you do book, plan smart. Give yourself enough time to finish without rushing, bring a phone with the right regional number requirement handled, and show up ready to think with your team. When it clicks, this is exactly the kind of London day that leaves you talking about clues, laughs, and “how did we miss that?” moments long after you reach Waterloo.

FAQ

How long is The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat?

It lasts about 3 to 4 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $40.90 per person.

Where does it start and where does it end?

It starts at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, London WC2R 0DW, UK. It ends in Waterloo, London SE1.

What are the meeting times?

The listed opening hours are Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

What do we need to participate on our phones?

You need a UK, US, or CA mobile phone number to take part.

Is there a team size limit?

Yes. You play in teams of 2 to 6 players. Larger groups can be split into multiple teams.

Does it include breaks for food and drinks?

Yes. There are built-in break points for food and drinks during the experience.

Is it private for our group?

Yes. It is a private tour or activity, so only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.