A Cheshire Cat hunt turns London into your puzzle. HiddenCity’s The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat is a phone-clue treasure hunt that guides you through central streets while you solve riddles and hunt for story-linked locations. It’s built for you to move at your own pace, with built-in stops to reset and grab food.

I especially like the way the challenge is delivered through your phone, so you can keep the momentum without waiting around for a lecturer or a scripted route. I also like that it works for teams of 2-6, so couples, friend groups, and families can actually play together instead of just follow behind.

One thing to consider: it can feel more challenging than you expect, and there’s not much built-in feedback about how much is left, which can make planning your pace a bit stressful if you’re trying to finish in one go.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Phone-guided clues send the story to your device as you walk.
• Team play (2-6) keeps it social, with friendly head-to-head options for bigger groups.
• Pause and play your pace when you need a break or want to slow down.
• Central London walking route connects lots of sights without feeling like a bus tour.
• Break points are built in for food and drinks along the way.
• Some puzzles run tougher than expected, so bring a good attitude (and backup teamwork).

A Mystery Walk Through Central London (3-4 Hours)

This is a story-style walking game across central London. You’re not just sightseeing with trivia stuck on top. You’re solving puzzles and riddles in sequence, using clue prompts from your phone to move from one set of locations to the next.

The time window is about 3 to 4 hours, which is long enough to feel like an outing, but short enough that you can still plan dinner afterward. If you like the idea of moving through London in “chapters” rather than a rigid schedule, this format fits well.

You also get a clear sense of where it ends: the experience finishes at Waterloo. That matters because Waterloo is a practical end point for getting back to your hotel, grabbing a meal, or continuing your day.

How the Cheshire Cat Clues Land on Your Phone

The hunt is run through a mobile ticket and phone-based clue delivery. To take part, you need a UK, US, or CA mobile phone number, and your phone is how you receive the next instructions as you go.

In plain terms, you’ll be outdoors, moving spot to spot, then checking your phone for what’s next—usually in the form of riddles, puzzles, or instructions to find a specific secret-y location. One useful detail: the clues have been shared using WhatsApp, which can be handy because it feels familiar and easy to access while walking (as long as you keep battery and signal in mind).

Because this is clue-driven, you should come prepared to walk and think at the same time. If you’re the type who hates pauses to interpret directions, it can feel like you spend more time working than admiring. But if you like puzzles, it’s a nice change of pace from line-watching.

Team Play: 2-6 Players, Split Up for a Bigger Group

HiddenCity runs this as a group activity where you play as a team. The sweet spot is teams of 2-6 players—small enough to talk through clues, large enough that you don’t get stuck when one person is having an off moment.

For bigger groups, the activity can split you into multiple teams so you can go head to head. That’s a big value add if you’re traveling with a mixed bunch—say, older kids plus adults. Everyone still feels included, and you get the natural energy of competition without needing special tech or extra rules.

This format also helps when you have different pacing styles in the group. You can assign clue-reading and puzzle-solving roles, rotate who searches, and keep the walking steady so nobody feels left behind.

Pacing, Break Stops, and the Reality of Finishing

One of the best perks is that you can pause the game whenever you like. That’s not just convenient; it’s practical London logic. You may hit a crowded crosswalk, want to duck into a café, or need a breather after a steep or long stretch.

The hunt also includes built-in break points for food and drinks. That’s a big deal for families and long-walk days, because you’re not guessing when you’ll get a chance to sit. It also makes the experience easier to schedule into a normal travel day.

Now for the drawback: there isn’t much built-in clarity about how much remains (no obvious checkpoints). One group issue that popped up was stress from not knowing whether they were close to the end, which affected how they timed their finish. If you’re trying to finish in a single trip, I’d plan with flexibility and agree on a “stop rule” early.

A separate note from real play: there’s a 28-day expiration window, and at least one group needed to stop mid-way and continue later. That’s workable, but it’s still an extra planning layer—so if you’re only in London for a short visit, aim to stay on track from the start.

Start at The Coal Hole, Finish in Waterloo

You meet at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, London WC2R 0DW. It’s a straightforward start area in a busy part of central London, which helps if you’re coming by public transport. The activity ends at Waterloo, which is useful because it reduces the “where do we go next?” stress.

The duration lines up with a central-city stroll, so expect a fair amount of walking. You’ll move across different blocks and streets as the clues chain together. If your group is bringing kids, I’d treat it like a “walk with tasks” rather than a casual stroll.

Because the finish is Waterloo, it’s easier to build your day around this. You can do it earlier and still have time for an evening plan, or do it as your main London outing and let dinner be the reward.

Family Fun, Couples, and Friends: Who This Fits Best

This is one of those activities that works across ages, as long as everyone’s willing to walk and play along. It’s been used by families with kids as young as 4, and it also works for teen and adult groups. The playful, mystery-solving vibe keeps it from turning into a purely adult puzzle night.

For families, the main question is puzzle tolerance. Some kids will sprint through clues; others may need extra encouragement. If you’ve got a younger child, keep the tone light and let them feel useful—like hunting for a visual detail or checking something on the phone.

For couples and small friend groups, it can be a great “brains + legs” pairing. You get a shared goal and the game nudges you to explore parts of London you’d likely skip on a normal route.

For bigger friend groups and birthdays, the head-to-head team structure adds energy. It can turn a rainy day into a laugh-fest, because the game keeps you moving and talking instead of just waiting out the weather.

Price and Value: Is $40.90 Worth It?

At $40.90 per person, you’re paying for a structured walking game, phone-based clue delivery, and the planning that turns London streets into a puzzle path. It’s not cheap in the way a free walking tour is cheap. But it’s also not just “pay for a map.”

The value depends on how you travel:

• If you like puzzle-solving, you’ll feel like you got time and attention tailored to your group.
• If you’re a family or friend group, the cost spreads out nicely because everyone participates instead of watching.
• If you prefer strict itineraries with constant landmarks and explanations, you might find the thinking part takes more energy than expected.

One more value angle: the hunt includes food-and-drink break points. Even if you spend your own money on snacks, the game gives you permission to stop without derailing the whole day. That’s part of why people recommend it so strongly.

Practical Tips Before You Start

First, bring a charged phone and a plan for battery. Since clues arrive on your mobile, you don’t want to burn power searching for signal or using GPS constantly.

Second, agree on how you’ll handle tough puzzles. If someone gets frustrated, switch roles. Let one person read, another person search nearby, and someone else handle the “try again” logic.

Third, wear shoes for real walking. This isn’t a sit-down activity. You’ll cover distance across central London, and the game expects you to keep moving from clue to clue.

Lastly, set expectations about difficulty. Some groups find it more challenging than they expected, so treat it as a fun test of teamwork, not a guarantee of an easy win.

Should You Book The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat?

I’d book it if you want something different from the usual London routine: a walk that feels like a game, with puzzle challenge, phone clues, and planned break points. It’s especially good for groups that enjoy solving problems together and don’t mind walking through the city to earn the next step.

I’d think twice if your group hates puzzles, gets stressed without clear progress indicators, or needs guaranteed “light and easy” entertainment. The experience can run tough, and there’s not much built-in reassurance about how close you are to finishing.

If you’re traveling with at least two people who love a mystery, this is the kind of activity that turns London streets into part of the story—long enough to feel like an outing, short enough to fit your day.

FAQ

How long does the Cheshire Cat hunt take?

It runs for about 3 to 4 hours.

Do I need a specific type of phone number?

Yes. A UK, US, or CA mobile phone number is required to take part, since the experience uses a phone for the clues.

What team size can we play as?

You play in teams of 2 to 6 players. If you have a larger group, it can split into multiple teams.

Where do we start and where does it end?

You start at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, London WC2R 0DW, UK, and you end in Waterloo, London SE1.

When is it offered?

It runs Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, during the listed operating dates.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount is not refunded.