The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat by HiddenCity

London becomes your puzzle board. The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat turns a central London walk into an Alice in Wonderland-style chase, with clues sent to your phone and a route that carries you from The Coal Hole on the Strand toward Waterloo. I like the mix of city exploring and puzzle solving, and I also like that you can pause for food or drinks instead of racing from clue to clue.

This is a strong pick for families, couples, and friend groups who enjoy riddles, teamwork, and a little friendly competition. The route works especially well for groups of two to six, though large parties must split into teams. The main catch is that the game can feel harder and less clear than expected, with no obvious progress markers to show how close you are to the finish.

The experience costs $40.90 per person and takes about three to four hours. You play at your own pace, but you should still treat it as a walking activity rather than a quick sightseeing stop. A UK, US, or Canadian mobile number is required, and the game is offered in English.

Key points to know before you play

• Start at The Coal Hole on the Strand: Your game begins at 91-92 Strand, in central London, and finishes in the Waterloo area.
• Follow clues on your phone: The story arrives through mobile messages, including riddles, puzzles, and directions to the next place.
• Plan on three to four hours: Built-in break points let you stop for food and drinks, so the activity can fill much of an afternoon.
• Best with two to six people: Small teams can work together, while bigger groups can split up and compete.
• Expect plenty of walking: The route reveals parts of London you might otherwise pass by, but comfortable shoes matter.
• Bring the right phone number: Participation requires a UK, US, or Canadian mobile number.

A Cheshire Cat chase from the Strand to Waterloo

The story begins at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, a useful central London starting point. From there, your group receives clues by phone and begins following a trail through the city. The exact pleasure is not simply reaching the next address. You must notice details, interpret wording, and work out how each answer points you onward.

This gives the walk a clear purpose. Instead of moving from one major sight to another with a guide explaining everything, you pay attention to signs, streets, buildings, and small features around you. Several people who know London well have still found new corners along the way, which says something about the route’s ability to shift you away from the standard sightseeing circuit.

The Cheshire Cat theme adds a playful layer. You are not just solving a list of unrelated puzzles. You have a role in a continuing story, and the cat is a particularly sneaky target. The Alice in Wonderland setting should appeal to anyone who enjoys fiction with a touch of oddness, though the main attraction is the game itself rather than a theatrical stage show.

The route ends in Waterloo, London SE1. That start-to-finish spread is worth noting before booking. This is not a loop that returns you to The Coal Hole, so you should be comfortable ending your afternoon on the south side of the river.

How the phone clues shape the experience

The clues arrive on your phone, including through WhatsApp. That makes the game easy to follow without carrying a printed booklet or waiting for a guide. You can read the clue together, discuss possible answers, and then decide where to go next.

The phone format also supports a private experience. Only your group takes part, so you are not solving puzzles in front of strangers or trying to keep up with a larger party. That suits groups with different confidence levels. A quiet player can think for a while, while the more energetic members search for signs and suggest answers.

The downside is that the phone does not appear to provide clear checkpoints showing how much of the hunt remains. This can create needless uncertainty. You may wonder if you have completed half the game or are already close to the end, which matters if your group has arranged a meal, a train, or another booking.

If you want a relaxed afternoon, build in extra time. The activity is designed to be paused, and it can be continued on another day before the 28-day expiration period. Still, stopping and restarting means organizing the group again. I would avoid scheduling anything tight immediately afterward.

Puzzles that reward teamwork, not just speed

The riddles are meant to make you think, but they are not described as impossible brainteasers. The best moments come when several people notice different things. One person may spot a useful detail, another may interpret the wording, and someone else may connect the answer to the next location.

Some clues require out-of-the-box thinking. That can produce a satisfying burst of achievement when the answer finally makes sense. It also means the game may not suit a group that wants a simple, guided walk with facts delivered at every stop.

The challenge level seems to be one of the more important variables. Some groups have found the puzzles just right, while others found the route more demanding than expected and finished on a later day. You should choose this activity because you enjoy solving problems, not because you want the easiest way to see central London.

Large groups can add a competitive edge by splitting into teams of two to six. That works well for birthday gatherings or family celebrations. Four teams have tackled the game head to head, even in heavy rain, and the shared contest created plenty of laughs. Just remember that several teams may need more coordination at the start and finish.

A walking route with built-in food breaks

The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat is not a sit-down activity. You move through central London for several hours, following the clues from place to place. The walking is part of the design, and it helps the game reveal streets and corners you may not visit on a standard sightseeing route.

Families have found that even children who usually resist walking can stay engaged because each section has a purpose. Children aged nine to fourteen should be able to contribute well, while younger children may need help from adults. A four-year-old might not solve many clues, but can still enjoy the movement, story, and group excitement.

The route includes suggested or built-in points where you can stop for food and drinks. These pauses are important. They let your group reset, compare ideas, and avoid turning the afternoon into a nonstop march. They also make the $40.90 price easier to judge, since the activity can occupy most of an afternoon rather than just an hour.

The food and drink stops are not included in the stated price, so budget for them separately. Staff at the stopping points have been described as friendly and welcoming, which helps when several puzzle groups arrive with questions and damp coats.

Weather deserves attention. The game can continue in wet conditions, but London rain will make a long walking route less pleasant. Bring suitable clothing and shoes if the forecast looks poor. The activity is far more enjoyable when you can focus on clues instead of trying to protect your phone from the weather.

What you discover beyond the famous sights

A standard London walk often links the biggest landmarks in a straight line. This game takes a different approach. The clues lead you through parts of the city you might not have chosen on your own, and the route includes lesser-known places alongside major central London sights.

That is one of the experience’s strongest qualities. You are not simply being shown a list of landmarks. You are asked to look closely at the city and interact with it. The setting becomes part of the puzzle, and ordinary details gain new importance.

The experience can also create small moments of social interaction. You may need to pay attention to your surroundings or engage with people along the way, though the supplied details do not specify exactly how often this happens. The result is a more active form of sightseeing than listening to a guide while walking behind a flag.

Do not book it expecting a detailed history lecture. The game’s focus is play, discovery, and problem solving. If you want dates, architecture, and long explanations at every stop, a traditional guided tour will serve you better. If you want London to feel like a giant riddle, this format has more appeal.

Who will enjoy this London game most

I would recommend it most strongly to people who like puzzles and do not mind walking. Couples can treat it as a cooperative challenge, while families can divide tasks among adults and children. Friend groups get an added reason to compete, especially when several teams play at once.

It also works well for celebrations. Birthday groups have used the hunt for milestone occasions, including a 60th and a 70th birthday. The activity gives everyone something to do, which is often more useful than a long meal where conversation breaks into separate pockets.

The game is suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It operates near public transportation, which is helpful at both ends, though you should still check your route to The Coal Hole and your onward plans from Waterloo.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with limited walking ability, a very tight schedule, or little patience for ambiguous clues. The game’s flexibility helps, but it does not remove the need to move around central London and think through the puzzles.

Is $40.90 per person good value?

At $40.90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon in London. You are also paying separately for any food and drinks during the breaks. The value depends on how actively your group takes part.

For a group that would otherwise pay for a short attraction and then look for something else to do, the three to four hour duration is useful. You receive a private activity, a route through central London, a story, phone-based clues, and a reason to explore places outside your usual plans.

The price feels less attractive if only one or two people in the group enjoy puzzles. Everyone needs to contribute for the experience to work well. A reluctant participant may spend the afternoon waiting while others solve the clue.

I would also factor in the chance of needing a second session. The game can be continued on another day within 28 days, but that is a helpful backup rather than an ideal plan. Before you start, agree that the group will work at a steady pace and use the breaks sensibly.

The high overall rating and 99 percent recommendation suggest that the format works for most groups, but the individual experience will depend heavily on puzzle tolerance. The strongest praise centers on the laughter, city exploration, flexible pace, and feeling of achievement when a difficult clue clicks.

Practical details for a smoother hunt

Book at least a day ahead if you need flexibility, since free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The published operating hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m., for the listed booking period, so check your chosen date carefully.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. Make sure your phone is charged before arriving. Since the game depends on messages and clues, a dead battery would be a needless problem.

The activity is offered in English. A UK, US, or Canadian mobile phone number is required, so confirm that your group has an eligible number before paying.

The experience is private, with only your own group playing. Teams should contain two to six people. If you have more than six, split into separate teams and decide in advance whether you want a serious race or a relaxed group outing.

Wear comfortable shoes and allow time for stops. I would also keep the rest of the day open, especially if your group likes to pause, debate clues, or enjoy a meal along the route.

Should you book The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat?

Book it if you want a playful way to walk across central London, especially with friends, family, or a birthday group. The strongest reasons are the phone-based mystery, the chance to find unfamiliar parts of the city, and the freedom to pause when your group needs a break.

Skip it if you want a conventional guided tour, a short activity, or a clearly marked progress system. The puzzles can be tougher than expected, and the finale may feel less satisfying if your group has spent hours trying to judge how close it is to the end.

For most puzzle-loving groups, the price buys a lively afternoon with plenty of movement and conversation. Bring a charged phone, allow extra time, and treat the route as part sightseeing walk, part team challenge. That is the best way to catch the Cheshire Cat without letting the cat set the pace.

FAQ

How long does The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat take?

The experience takes approximately three to four hours. The stated itinerary also gives a three-hour estimate, so allow a full afternoon, especially if you use the built-in food and drink breaks.

Where does the experience start?

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

Where does the experience finish?

The route ends in Waterloo, London SE1, UK. It does not finish back at the starting point.

How many people can play together?

Teams contain two to six players. Larger groups can split into multiple teams and compete against one another.

Do I need a specific phone number?

Yes. A UK, US, or Canadian mobile phone number is required to take part.

Can I pause the game?

Yes. You can play at your own pace and pause the game whenever you like. Food and drink breaks are built into the route.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.