The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat by HiddenCity

London becomes your puzzle box. The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat turns a walk from the Strand to Waterloo into a story-led game, with clues sent to your phone and riddles tucked into the city itself. I like the freedom to play at your own pace and the way the route reveals parts of central London you might otherwise miss. I also like that teams of two to six can make the game social without turning it into a crowded group tour. The main catch is that the game can feel harder than expected, and there are no clear progress markers to show how close you are to the finish.

This is a good pick for families with older children, couples who enjoy puzzles, and groups celebrating a birthday. You should expect plenty of walking, some head-scratching, and a few stops for food or drinks. The experience costs $40.90 per person, so its value depends on how much you enjoy solving clues and exploring on foot rather than simply being shown the sights.

Key points at a glance

• Start at The Coal Hole on the Strand: The game begins at 91-92 Strand and leads you across central London toward Waterloo.
• Follow clues on your phone: The story unfolds through messages, including WhatsApp clues, riddles, puzzles, and activities.
• Plan for three to four hours: Built-in break points let you stop for food or drinks instead of rushing from clue to clue.
• Play in small teams: Groups of two to six work well, while larger parties can split into teams and compete.
• Expect a real walking challenge: The route includes key city sights along with less familiar streets and places.
• Bring the right phone number: A UK, US, or Canadian mobile number is required to take part.

Starting at The Coal Hole on the Strand

Your Cheshire Cat hunt begins at The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand. This is a useful starting point because the Strand sits in the middle of London’s sightseeing zone, close to major transport links and well placed for a walk toward Waterloo.

The opening location also sets the tone. You are not joining a guide with a flag or standing around while someone gives a long speech. Instead, your phone sends you into the story. You take on a role, receive the first instruction, and begin working out what to do next.

That format suits independent-minded people. I like being able to stop, reread a clue, discuss ideas, and move on only when the group is ready. It also means you need to pay attention at the start. If your group rushes through the first message, you may miss an important detail.

The experience is private to your party. That matters for a family or a group of friends because you do not need to solve clues in front of strangers. It also gives you room to set your own mood. You can treat the challenge as a serious competition, or keep it relaxed and make the route an unusual sightseeing walk.

Following the Cheshire Cat across central London

The route runs across central London and ends in Waterloo, London SE1. You are not simply walking from one attraction to the next. The clues send you through a trail of locations, asking you to look at your surroundings in a different way.

Some tasks call for observation. Others rely on wordplay, lateral thinking, or finding a detail that is easy to miss. The best moments come when a clue suddenly makes sense and the next location becomes clear. You get a small reward from each solution, then the city itself becomes the next puzzle.

The Alice in Wonderland theme gives the hunt a playful shape. It is not just a list of directions. You follow a character, uncover parts of a story, and face attempts to throw you off course. That roleplay element adds energy for children and gives adults something to laugh about when a simple-looking clue refuses to cooperate.

You will also see London from a practical walking distance rather than from a sightseeing bus. The route includes well-known parts of the city, but it can also take you into streets and corners you may not have planned to visit. One of the strongest reasons to book is this mix of familiar central London and less expected stops.

Do not expect a quiet stroll. The route covers a broad area, and the activity can take three to four hours. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your group together when you are focused on a puzzle. London is full of distractions, traffic, crowds, and tempting cafés. Those are part of the setting, but they can also slow you down.

Phone clues, WhatsApp messages, and hands-on puzzles

The game is built around a mobile phone. A UK, US, or Canadian number is required, so check this before booking if you are visiting from another country. The ticket is mobile, and the clues are sent to your phone, with WhatsApp used as part of the communication.

This setup keeps the game moving. You do not need to carry a printed booklet or wait for a guide to arrive at each stop. Your group can read the clue together, work out the answer, and continue when ready.

The downside is that the phone becomes an important part of the experience. Keep it charged, and make sure the person receiving the clues can share them easily with the rest of the group. If everyone crowds around one small screen, the game may feel less comfortable.

The puzzles are meant to be challenging but solvable. Families with children aged nine to fourteen have found the format a good fit, while a group with children from four to eleven managed the route by keeping the competition relaxed. A four-year-old may not understand every clue, but younger children can still enjoy the movement, story, and excitement around them.

For adults, the challenge is not childish. Some clues call for out-of-the-box thinking, and a group can lose time by assuming the answer is more obvious than it really is. I would choose teammates with different strengths. One person may spot visual details, another may enjoy word puzzles, and someone else may keep the group moving when discussion goes in circles.

Built-in breaks make the long route manageable

A major practical strength is the chance to pause. Food and drink stops are built into the hunt, so you can take a break without abandoning the story. This is especially helpful for a birthday group, a family, or anyone who does not want four straight hours of walking and puzzle solving.

The stops also make the experience feel connected to ordinary London life. You are not sealed inside a game room. You can pause, eat, have a drink, and watch the city go by before tackling the next clue.

Still, pacing depends on your group. A fast team may finish sooner, while a group that studies every clue and takes proper breaks may use the full afternoon. One group that stopped for food and drinks found the activity lasted most of the day. That is not a problem if you plan for it, but it can interfere with another timed booking.

If you are arranging this for a birthday, allow extra space in your schedule. Do not place a formal dinner or theatre ticket too close to the expected finish. The stated duration is about three to four hours, but the walk and breaks give you reasons to take your time.

How difficult is the Cheshire Cat hunt?

Difficulty is the most important thing to consider before you book. The game is designed to make you think, and some groups have found it more demanding than expected. The lack of checkpoints can add to that uncertainty.

You may not know how many stages remain or how close you are to the final answer. That can make a group feel stressed, especially if you are trying to keep several people involved. A team might spend a long time wondering if it is halfway through or nearly finished.

The game can also be continued on another day before its 28-day expiration. That gives you a useful safety valve if your group runs out of time or energy. However, I would not rely on this as your main plan. Splitting the experience across two days can be awkward, and the original group may not all be available for the return visit.

The ending may also feel less satisfying than the hunt itself. The strongest part is the process of finding locations, cracking clues, and discovering the route. If you expect a dramatic final scene, keep your expectations modest.

This is a better choice for people who enjoy the hunt than for people who need a clear score, a visible progress bar, or a tightly managed schedule. If your group gets frustrated when a clue does not yield quickly, choose a more straightforward sightseeing activity.

Playing with two people, six people, or several teams

Teams of two to six players are recommended. Two people can move quickly and make decisions without much debate. Six people bring more ideas, but they can also create a committee meeting on a pavement.

For a large celebration, split the party into several teams and play head to head. This works well for birthdays and family events. A 70th birthday gathering used four competing teams, and a 60th birthday group enjoyed the challenge alongside plenty of laughs.

Competition changes the feel of the experience. A friendly race can keep everyone focused, but it may also cause a team to rush past the city around them. I would agree on the mood before starting. Decide if the goal is to win, solve everything together, or simply enjoy an unusual day in London.

The private format is useful here. Your team does not need to match the pace of another booking, and you can make the game as competitive or casual as you like. For very large groups, remember that splitting into teams means each team needs the required phone setup and enough people to solve the clues.

What you discover between the puzzles

The city walk is more than transport between challenges. The route has helped long-time London residents find places they had never noticed, which says something about the design of the experience. Even people who have lived in or near London for decades can see a familiar city from a new angle.

That is where the $40.90 price needs to be judged. You are paying for a self-guided game, a planned route, a story, and several hours of entertainment. You are not paying for a traditional guide who explains every monument or provides a detailed lesson in London history.

If your main goal is historical interpretation, this is not the best use of your money. A walking tour with a live guide will give you more context about buildings and events. If you want an active outing that combines sightseeing with a shared challenge, the price is easier to justify.

A group of four or five can spread the cost of the experience across a full afternoon. Add in food or drinks at the planned stops, and this becomes a complete outing rather than a quick attraction. I would compare it with the cost of an escape room, especially if your group wants puzzles but also wants to spend time outdoors and move through the city.

Weather, walking, and practical comfort

The hunt runs outdoors, so London weather matters. One group completed it on an extremely wet day and still finished satisfied, but you should bring waterproof clothing and shoes if rain is possible. A wet phone screen and soggy clue-solving are not ideal companions.

The route is near public transportation, which helps if someone needs to leave early or if your group wants to reach the starting point without a long walk. The ending is in Waterloo, giving you a useful transport area after the game.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility description, so contact HiddenCity before booking if your group needs specific support with walking distance, surfaces, seating, or phone use.

Because the activity lasts several hours, bring water and plan clothing for changing conditions. Keep your phone charged. These sound like small matters, but they can decide if the hunt feels fun or like hard work.

Who will enjoy this London puzzle walk?

I would recommend The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat to:

• Families with children old enough to discuss clues and walk for several hours
• Couples who enjoy riddles and want a playful alternative to a standard tour
• Friend groups looking for a shared activity with plenty of conversation
• Birthday parties and family celebrations
• London residents who want to explore familiar areas in a new way
• Fans of Alice in Wonderland and story-based challenges

I would be more cautious if you dislike walking, need a fixed finish time, or prefer a guide to explain every place you see. It is also not ideal for a group that becomes tense when puzzles take longer than expected.

The experience is offered in English, and the language of the clues matters. Make sure everyone on the team is comfortable reading and discussing English instructions.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The experience is commonly booked about 22 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early for a weekend, school holiday, or special birthday. The listed operating hours are Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., with availability shown through November 25, 2026.

You receive confirmation at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses London local time.

Check the start time carefully. A three to four hour activity beginning in the afternoon may finish in the evening, especially if you stop for food or need extra time on a difficult clue.

Final verdict: book it for the challenge, not a lecture

The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat is a clever way to see central London while keeping your group active and involved. I especially like the flexible pace, the small-team format, the phone-based story, and the chance to find unfamiliar parts of the city. The built-in food and drink breaks make the long route easier to manage.

Book it if you want puzzles, walking, jokes, and a shared mission. Skip it if you want a polished historical tour, a clear progress system, or a guaranteed finish time. For a family celebration or a group of friends who enjoy solving problems together, it offers good value and a memorable way to spend an afternoon in London.

FAQ

Where does The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat begin?

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

Where does the experience finish?

The route ends in Waterloo, London SE1, UK.

How long does the hunt take?

The experience takes approximately three to four hours. Stops for food and drinks can make the outing last longer.

How many people can play together?

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

Do I need a mobile phone number?

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

In what language is the experience offered?

It is offered in English.

Can I pause the game?

Yes. You can play at your own pace and pause at built-in break points for food or drinks.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not eligible for a refund.