Unlocking London: One Clue at a Time 5 Great London Exploration Games
- alanjohnjeffery
- Oct 8
- 7 min read
London isn’t just a city—it’s a puzzle waiting to be solved. Sure, you could explore it the traditional way: hop on a red double-decker, follow a guide with a flag, or scroll endlessly through travel blogs. But where’s the thrill in that? One of my favourite ways to discover the capital is by diving headfirst into a discovery adventure hunt—a game where the streets are your playing field, the clues are your compass, and the rewards are often found in the form of a perfectly poured pint or a hidden courtyard café.
These adventure games are part sightseeing tour, part treasure hunt, and part pub crawl (if you play your cards right). They lead you through London’s most iconic landmarks—think Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and St Paul’s Cathedral - but also down winding alleys and secret passages that even lifelong Londoners might miss. You’ll find yourself solving riddles in front of Shakespeare’s Globe, decoding clues near Banksy murals, and maybe even racing your friends to the next stop at a historic pub with a story older than the United States.
Whether you're a tourist looking to spice up your itinerary, a local wanting to see your city through fresh eyes, or just someone who enjoys a good challenge with a side of chips, these games offer a brilliant blend of culture, curiosity, and competition. And the best part? You don’t need to be a history buff or a seasoned sleuth—just bring your sense of adventure and maybe a fully charged phone.
So, lace up your walking shoes, grab your team (or go solo if you're feeling bold), and get ready to unlock London one clue at a time. The city’s secrets are out there—are you game?
Before setting off on our city adventures, my wife and I faced a familiar dilemma: what to do with our rucksacks. As much as we love them, they’re not exactly ideal for navigating narrow streets, popping into quirky shops, or enjoying a spontaneous rooftop cocktail.
That’s when we discovered Stasher.
A simple, genius solution for storing your bags securely while you explore hands-free. With a few clicks, we found a nearby spot, dropped off our gear, and instantly felt lighter (physically and emotionally). No more dragging backpacks through bustling crowds or awkwardly squeezing into cafés like overpacked turtles.
Thanks to Stasher, https://stasher.com/?ref=nwqxm2n we could roam freely, soak up the city, and focus on the fun—not the luggage.
5 Unmissable Adventures to Kickstart Your Journey
Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation –
A Puzzle-Laced Stroll Through London’s Dark Side
Forget everything you know about sightseeing. This isn’t a walking tour—it’s a cerebral showdown with London’s most infamous criminal mastermind. Moriarty’s Game, brought to life by Hidden City, invites you to step into the shadowy world of Sherlock Holmes’ arch-nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, and prove your worth through a series of cryptic clues, real-world encounters, and devilishly clever puzzles.
Set across the elegant streets of Marylebone and the West End, this 3 - 4-hour immersive experience transforms London into a living, breathing mystery novel. Guided by text messages and phone calls from characters in the story, you’ll be led to hidden corners, historic landmarks, and—thankfully—cosy pubs where you can pause to ponder your next move over a pint.
But this isn’t just about solving riddles. It’s about choices. Moriarty’s challenge is laced with moral dilemmas and narrative twists. Will you play the hero, or lean into the villainy? Your decisions shape the story, and your team’s fate. Along the way, you’ll encounter physical puzzles, interact with real people woven into the plot, and maybe even earn a prize or a spot on the leader board—if you survive the Professor’s mind games.
Perfect for puzzle lovers, Holmes aficionados, and anyone who thinks sightseeing should come with suspense, Moriarty’s Game is a brilliant blend of literature, logic, and London lore. It’s sightseeing with a sinister twist—and a whole lot of fun.
So, are you ready to accept the Professor’s invitation? Just remember in this game, London is your playground… and Moriarty is always one step ahead.
A Rift in Time:
Where Victorian London Meets Modern Mischief
Ever fancied solving a mystery while sipping a pint in a Dickensian alleyway? Welcome to A Rift in Time, the CityDays exploration game that turns London into your personal playground - and time machine.
This isn’t your average walking tour. It’s part escape room, part treasure hunt, and part immersive theatre, all wrapped up in a riddle-filled romp through Soho, Mayfair, and Covent Garden. You’ll follow cryptic clues sent straight to your phone, chase a ghostly stranger from another era, and decide whether to help or hinder him. (No pressure, but your choices shape the story—and possibly the fate of Victorian London.)
Expect to stumble upon secret courtyards, historic arcades, and pubs so charming they practically beg you to take a break. Along the way, you’ll decode puzzles, uncover hidden gems, and maybe even channel your inner Sherlock or Pip. It’s a game where the streets whisper secrets, the architecture hides riddles, and every corner could be the start of a new twist.
Whether you're a curious local, a history-loving tourist, or just someone who thinks time travel should come with snacks and sarcasm, A Rift in Time offers a brilliant blend of storytelling, sightseeing, and sleuthing. So grab your team, charge your phone, and prepare to step into a London that’s equal parts past and present—with a dash of mystery and a splash of ale.
Ready to rift?
The Great Coin Heist:
A priceless coin. A vanishing act. And a trail of clues scattered across the city.
It was supposed to be the crown jewel of the museum’s new exhibit—a centuries-old coin, once lost to history, now recovered and ready to shine. But just hours before the grand unveiling at the Bank of England Museum, it vanished without a trace. No alarms. No witnesses. Just a single calling card left behind: “Catch me if you can.”
Now, the city is in uproar. The press is spinning wild theories. And you? You’ve just been recruited by an elite (and slightly underfunded) investigative unit to crack the case.
Your mission: follow the thief’s trail through the heart of London, from the shadowy corners of Leadenhall Market to the secrets hidden beneath St. Paul’s Cathedral. Decode cryptic messages in Postman’s Park, uncover hidden symbols near The Monument, and keep your eyes peeled in Guildhall Yard, where history and mystery collide.
But beware—this isn’t just a stroll through the city. The thief is clever, the clues are cunning, and time is running out. You’ll need sharp minds, quick feet, and maybe a strong coffee from Bow Lane to keep you going.
This is part treasure hunt, part detective thriller, and 100% immersive adventure. You're not just solving a mystery - you’re chasing a legend.
So gather your crew, charge your phones, and prepare to outsmart the city’s most elusive criminal. Will you recover the coin before it disappears forever? Or will you be the one left holding the bag?
The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat:
A curious case of vanishing cats, cryptic clues, and a city turned upside down.
Something strange is afoot in the city. The Cheshire Cat—yes, that Cheshire Cat—has slipped through the cracks of Wonderland and into our world. One moment he was grinning in a tree, the next he was gone, leaving behind only a trail of riddles, a few paw prints, and a very flustered White Rabbit.
Now, it’s up to you and your team of curious minds to track him down. But be warned: this is no ordinary game of hide and seek. The Cat is a master of mischief, a connoisseur of confusion, and a certified expert in vanishing acts. He’s turned the city into his playground, scattering clues across rooftops, alleyways, and teapots (probably).
Your mission? Follow the trail of puzzles, decipher the nonsense, and navigate a world where logic takes a tea break and imagination runs the show. Along the way, you’ll encounter riddling ravens, cryptic queens, and perhaps even a hatter or two who’s had one cup too many.
This is part treasure hunt, part theatrical fantasy, and entirely unlike anything you’ve done before. It’s a walking adventure where the city becomes your storybook, and every turn of the corner might just lead you deeper into the rabbit hole.
So, gather your fellow adventurers, charge your phones, and prepare to chase a cat who doesn’t want to be caught.
Will you outwit the whiskers? Or will the Cat have the last laugh?Either way, expect the unexpected—and don’t forget to smile. After all, he always is.
Urban Missions: Bomb Disposal
Welcome to the most explosive walking tour you’ll ever take.
This isn’t a sightseeing stroll. This is a high-stakes, code-cracking, clue-chasing urban adventure where you are the hero. Somewhere in the city, a rogue agent has planted a device. The authorities are baffled. The clock is ticking. And the only people standing between London and total chaos… are you and your team.
Armed with nothing but your wits, your phone, and a suspiciously detailed mission briefing, you’ll navigate the streets, uncover hidden messages, and solve fiendish puzzles left behind by a criminal mastermind. Every clue brings you closer to the bomb—and closer to the truth.
But beware: this saboteur is no amateur. They’ve woven their trail through alleyways, landmarks, and red herrings. You’ll need sharp eyes, quick thinking, and nerves of steel. And maybe a decent pair of walking shoes.
This is part escape room, part spy thriller, and 100% adrenaline-fueled fun. You’re not just exploring the city - you’re saving it.
So, agent…Are you ready to defuse the situation?
Don’t miss out on your next great adventure!
Whether you're planning your first trip or your fiftieth, the best experiences start with the right insider tips.
Visit the AL’s Guide to London main website right now to unlock even more unforgettable journeys, hidden gems, and expert advice to make your time in London truly legendary.
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To help fund this site and keep the content free, some of the links on AL’s Guide to London are affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences, services, and products I genuinely believe will enhance your time in London. Thanks for your support!
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