There are many exciting ways to enjoy the magic of London, and a treasure hunt is among the most unique. Treasure hunts typically involve solving clues sent to your phone to progress through the puzzle and are a fantastic way to enjoy this vibrant place.
Whether you live in London or are heading there for a holiday, a treasure hunt is a fun and immersive way to spend time with friends or family. You’ll discover the city’s hidden gems while putting your minds to the test to complete a challenge together.
Here, you can check out our top ten treasure hunts, selected for their challenging clues, excellent reviews and originality.
Tour for Muggles
Tickets from £17.00: Tour for Muggles
Tour for Muggles is a chance to enjoy the magic of Harry Potter on a guided tour of key locations from the movies.
Led by a knowledgeable Harry Potter enthusiast, each group of wizarding fans will get to explore the real-life locations that inspired the fictional fun!
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are priced at £17.00 for adults and £15.00 for children. Kids under two go free.
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 4,138 reviews on Viator.
Positive reviews often describe this tour as excellent, with knowledgeable, entertaining, and friendly tour guides. Negative reviewers point out that Platform 9¾ is surprisingly not included in the tour.
What’s included in Tour for Muggles
Tour for Muggles starts at Leadenhall Market in the heart of the Square Mile, EC3V 1LT and ends at Borough Market in Southwark, SE1 9AL.
Tours start from 10:30 am and take approximately two hours, with different time slots available depending on the day.
Where to book Tour for Muggles
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Tour for Muggles.
The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat
Tickets from £25.00: The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat is a surreal adventure through central London.
By solving clues and riddles on your phone, you’ll be taken to new locations to interact with real-life characters and enjoy refreshments.
Ages: 12 years+
Prices: Tickets are £25.00 per person.
Reviews: 4.9/5 stars from 317 reviews on Google.
Positive reviews of this treasure hunt say it’s the perfect blend of real-world and virtual interactions. Negative reviews share that the experience can take up to five hours, which might be too long for some.
What’s included in The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat
The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat begins at The Coal Hole along the Strand, WC2R 0DW and ends in Waterloo, SE1. The experience will typically take three to four hours.
The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat is available to play every day. You can start the game between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays and 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sundays.
Teams containing children under 18 must complete the game by 7:30 pm due to licensing restrictions on some venues.
Where to book The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat.
Mystery Picnic
Tickets from £39.00: Mystery Picnic
This self-guided foodie tour is a delicious way to enjoy Greenwich as you’re rewarded with gourmet treats for solving clues sent to your phone.
Once you’ve solved all the clues and collected your edible rewards, the mystery picnic location will be revealed, and you can enjoy your feast!
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are £39.00 per adult, with a minimum of two adults required, and £12.00 for children.
Reviews: 4.8/5 stars from 42 reviews on Google.
Positive reviews share that this experience is a great gift idea and a wonderful way to sample local vendors. Negative reviews suggest that a wider variety of food would make it more appealing.
What’s included in the Mystery Picnic
Mystery Picnic takes place around Greenwich, full location details are revealed upon booking.
The whole experience will last around three hours, including your picnic time at the end. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.
Where to book the Mystery Picnic
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Mystery Picnic.
Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt
Tickets from £44.99: Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt
Described as a cross between an escape room and a food walking tour, this Gourmaze treasure hunt is perfect for adventurous foodies.
By solving riddles via WhatsApp, you’ll make your way around Soho to discover three carefully selected dessert delights.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are £44.99 per person.
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 431 reviews on Tripadvisor.
Positive reviews frequently mention the food is delicious and the clues are challenging but good fun. Negative reviews suggest the portion sizes are moderate, and drinks are not included.
What’s included in Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt
This tour takes place around Soho. Exact location details will be revealed once your booking is confirmed, and the experience will take two to three hours.
Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt is available from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Where to book Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Gourmaze: A Dessert Treasure Hunt.
Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity
Tickets from £25.00: Moriarty’s Game The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity
This treasure-hunt-style immersive experience will take you on a thrilling adventure around Marylebone.
Guided by clues sent to your phone, you’ll enjoy hands-on puzzles and interact with real-life characters in an attempt to reveal Professor Moriarty’s secrets.
Ages: 10 years+
Prices: Tickets are £25.00 per person. Children under 18 go free.
Reviews: 4.9/5 stars from 368 reviews on Google.
Positive reviews suggest the clues are challenging but fun and a great way to explore London. Negative reviews say it’s difficult to contact customer service if there’s an issue.
What’s included in Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity
The game begins at The Marylebone, W1U 4RD and ends at a mystery location nearby. This immersive experience takes three to four hours.
Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity is available daily. You can start between 10:30 am and 7:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10:30 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where to book Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Moriarty’s Game: The Professor’s Invitation by HiddenCity.
London City of Wizards Quest Experience
Tickets from £10.37: London City of Wizards Quest Experience
The London City of Wizards Quest Experience is a Harry-Potter-themed treasure hunt.
Through an app on your phone, you’ll solve riddles and clues. Every correct answer will direct you to a new destination, with an exciting story to unlock at each stop.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Adult tickets start from £10.37, with the cost of each ticket decreasing as the size of your group increases. Kids go free.
Reviews: 4/5 stars from 23 reviews on Viator.
Positive reviews frequently mention that this treasure hunt is a great way to discover new parts of London. Negative reviews say that it is only loosely based on Harry Potter.
What’s included in the London City of Wizards Quest Experience
The quest begins at Westminster Underground Station, SW1A 2JR. It typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and you’ll finish exactly where you started.
The London City of Wizards Quest Experience is available from 7:00 am – 10:30 pm, Monday to Sunday.
Where to book the London City of Wizards Quest Experience
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: London City of Wizards Quest Experience.
City of London’s Secrets
Tickets from £15.00: City of London’s Secrets
City of London’s Secrets combines sightseeing with a family-friendly activity adventure. Clues sent to your phone will take you on a journey around the city to discover hidden treasures away from the usual tourist path.
This immersive adventure is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are £15.00 per person, and a minimum of two players are required.
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars from 38 reviews on Viator.
Positive reviews call this a well-organised experience, with challenging clues and fun historical facts. Negative reviews point out it can take upwards of three hours.
What’s included in City of London’s Secrets
The treasure hunt begins at St Paul’s Underground Station, EC2V 6AA. It will usually take 2 – 2.5 hours to complete and will end where you started.
City of London’s Secrets is available from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Sunday.
Where to book City of London’s Secrets
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: City of London’s Secrets.
Secrets of the Squares
Tickets from £15.00: Secrets of the Squares
Taking on the Secrets of the Squares is a fantastic way to enjoy the sights of London. Solving cryptic clues sent to your phone will unlock a path to some of the most iconic central London hotspots and lesser-known gems.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are £15.00 per person.
Reviews: 4.2/5 stars from 36 reviews on Evendo.
Positive reviews frequently state this is a great team-building activity and enjoyable for all ages. Negative reviews suggest some of the clues are quite difficult.
What’s included in Secrets of the Squares
The treasure hunt begins at Piccadilly Circus, W1J 9HL and ends in Soho, W1. This puzzle-filled tour usually takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Secrets of the Squares is available 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday.
Where to book Secrets of the Squares
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Secrets of the Squares.
Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience
Tickets from £8.64: Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience
In this exploration game, you become the detective on a mission to track down Arthur Conan Doyle. You’ll solve riddles and crack clues through an app on your phone, as you travel around London in pursuit of the famous author.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Ticket prices start from £8.64, with the cost of each ticket decreasing as the size of your group increases.
Reviews: 3.5 stars from six reviews on Viator.
Positive reviews of the Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience mention it’s a great way to explore London, and the clues are thought-provoking. Negative reviews point out some inaccuracies in the clues.
What’s included in Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience
The experience begins outside BBC headquarters in Fitzrovia, W1A 1AA and ends at The Sherlock Holmes Museum in Westminster, NW1 6XE. It will usually take between 50 and 80 minutes to complete the game.
Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience is available from 12:00 am to 11:30 pm, Monday to Sunday.
Where to book Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience
Visit official tour providers to book tickets: Sherlock Holmes Quest Experience
London Bermondsey – Exploration Game
Tickets from £8.99: Bermondsey Exploration Game
This challenge begins with a cryptic cry for help from a stranger and requires you to uncover past secrets in Bermondsey.
By following clues sent to your phone, you’ll solve puzzles on a captivating historical journey around this vibrant area of London.
Ages: Suitable for all ages.
Prices: Tickets are £8.99 per person.
Reviews: 4.35/5 stars from 104 reviews on Questo.
Positive reviews say this is a fantastic way to learn historical facts about London and enjoy the sights of Bermondsey. Negative reviews suggest some of the instructions are misleading.
What’s included in the Bermondsey Exploration Game
This exploration game begins in front of the John Keats and Henry Stephens Blue Plaque on Thomas Street, SE1 9BF and ends nearby on Tooley Street, SE1 2QF. It typically takes two hours to complete this quest.
London Bermondsey – Exploration Game is available 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday.
Where to book the Bermondsey Exploration Game
Visit official tour providers to book tickets to London Bermondsey Exploration Game.
Going on a Treasure Hunt in London
As you can see, embarking on a treasure hunt in London is not just a day out; it’s an immersive experience combining the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Whether you’re a local looking to see the city through a new lens or a visitor eager to delve deeper into London’s fascinating past, these hunts offer something for everyone.
So, for your next adventure in London, step off the beaten path and let the city reveal its treasures to you, one clue at a time!