The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat by HiddenCity

The Cheshire Cat leads you on a three to four-hour puzzle walk from The Coal Hole on the Strand to Waterloo. Clues arrive on your phone, sending you through central London to solve riddles, spot details, meet bits of roleplay, and find places you might otherwise pass by. I like the freedom to pause for food or a drink, and I like that large groups can split into teams for a friendly contest. The main caution is pacing: the game gives you little sense of how close you are to the finish, so some groups may feel unsure about stopping or carrying on.

This works best when you treat it as a day out rather than a quick attraction. Families, couples, and friend groups can play together, but the puzzles still need real thought. Bring a charged phone, wear sensible shoes, and remember that a UK, US, or Canadian mobile number is required.

Key points at a glance

• A phone-led trail across central London: Follow clues from The Coal Hole, 91-92 Strand, toward Waterloo.
• Teams of two to six: Larger parties can divide into several teams and play head to head.
• Built-in food and drink breaks: Pause the game when you need a rest, meal, or refreshment.
• A mix of riddles and city details: Look closely, think sideways, and expect some roleplay along the route.
• A long, flexible outing: Allow about three to four hours, with the option to pause and continue.
• A real phone requirement: You need a UK, US, or Canadian mobile number to take part.

Following the Cheshire Cat from The Coal Hole

Your starting point is The Coal Hole at 91-92 Strand, a useful central London launch point. From there, the game sends clues to your phone and turns the city itself into the puzzle board.

You are not simply walking behind a guide who points out monuments. You need to read the clue, discuss what it might mean, search your surroundings, and decide where to go next. That makes familiar parts of central London feel different. A street sign, doorway, plaque, or small detail can suddenly matter.

The trail finishes in Waterloo, London SE1. The route crosses a broad part of central London, so this is not a short circuit around one square. You should expect regular walking and a good deal of standing while your group works out the next answer.

The Alice in Wonderland theme gives the game its tone. The Cheshire Cat is not just a name attached to a walking route. The story gives your group a reason to chase clues and keeps the day playful, especially if you enjoy riddles, secret messages, and theatrical touches.

How the phone clues shape the game

The phone is your guide, clue book, and link to the story. The experience uses messages sent to your mobile, with WhatsApp mentioned as part of the clue system. That keeps the group moving without requiring a guide to stay beside you.

This format gives you control. If someone needs a drink, you can pause. If a clue takes longer than expected, you can stop in a safe spot and work it out. You are not holding up a larger public group, since the activity is private to your party.

The trade-off is that you need to manage the day yourself. There is no guide constantly explaining what comes next, and the game does not provide a clear progress meter or regular checkpoints. A group can finish one clue and still have no firm sense of how much remains.

That uncertainty matters if you have a fixed dinner booking or train to catch. I would leave the rest of the afternoon open. The stated time is roughly three to four hours, but breaks, wrong turns, and puzzle discussions can affect your pace.

Keep your phone charged and make sure the required number can receive messages. The mobile requirement is specific: participation calls for a UK, US, or Canadian phone number. This is worth checking before you pay, particularly if you are visiting London from elsewhere.

Puzzles that reward patient groups

The challenges are built around riddles, observation, and out of the box thinking. Some answers may come quickly. Others need your group to look at a clue from another angle instead of taking every word literally.

That mix is a strong part of the experience. Younger players can help spot things, while adults may take over when a riddle needs careful reasoning. A family group does not need every person to solve every clue. The fun comes from having several minds suggest different answers.

Still, do not expect a simple scavenger hunt. One family with children aged nine to fourteen found the game fast-paced and interactive, while another mixed group with children aged four to eleven found the youngest child needed more help. The game can suit children, but the youngest players may enjoy the chase and activity more than the actual puzzle solving.

For puzzle-loving couples, the route offers a shared problem to solve rather than a standard guided walk. You can debate the meaning of a clue, test an idea, and enjoy the small victory when it works. If your partner dislikes riddles or gets frustrated when an answer is not obvious, the day may feel more like work than play.

What you see between the clues

The route is one of the best reasons to book this rather than sit indoors with a puzzle book. It takes you through central London and includes places that even long-time residents may not know well.

You will still pass through areas with major London sights, but the game also directs you toward less familiar corners. The value is not a formal history lesson. Instead, the city becomes active scenery. You notice entrances, details, and small places because the next clue may depend on them.

Several groups used the stop points to eat and drink along the way. The breaks are built into the experience, so you can make this a relaxed afternoon rather than a nonstop march. Staff at the stopping places were described as friendly and welcoming, which helps when several puzzle groups arrive during the day.

Food and drink are not included in the $40.90 price, so budget separately for those pauses. The stops also affect your timing. A quick drink keeps the game moving, while a full meal can turn the hunt into an all-day outing.

The route ends in Waterloo, rather than returning you to The Coal Hole. Keep that in mind when arranging transport or your next booking. The end point is in London SE1, and the activity information gives no return transfer.

Playing as a family or a team of friends

The standard team size is two to six people. That is a useful range. Two people can make every decision together, while a group of four to six can divide tasks and keep the conversation lively.

Large celebrations can split into multiple teams and play head to head. This has worked well for birthday groups, including a 60th birthday and a 70th birthday. Competition adds energy, but it can also make the day feel rushed. If you have children or mixed abilities, I would keep the contest light and let everyone contribute.

For a family, assign simple jobs. One person can read the clue, another can watch for details, and someone else can track the route on the phone. This gives younger children a role even when the final riddle is beyond them.

For adults, the game can support a stronger competitive mood. Several teams can compare progress and meet at breaks. Just remember that the lack of clear checkpoints makes it hard to know when a slower team is nearly finished. Give everyone enough time rather than forcing a final sprint.

The activity is private, so only your group takes part. That is a plus for birthdays, reunions, and friends who prefer not to solve puzzles in front of strangers. It also means your group controls the tone, speed, and number of breaks.

The three-to-four-hour time commitment

Plan this as a substantial part of your London day. The advertised length is three to four hours, and the walking route, puzzles, food stops, and group discussion all contribute to that time.

The game can be paused, which is helpful if you want lunch, need a rest, or have a child who needs a break. One group stopped for food and drinks and took the whole day at an easy pace. Another had to continue on a second day after ending early, then completed the game within a 28-day period.

That second-day option may be useful, but you should not assume it will solve every timing problem. The clearest advice is to avoid placing a tight appointment immediately afterward. If you want to finish in one go, start with plenty of time and keep the breaks sensible.

You will also want comfortable shoes. The route involves a fair amount of walking, and one group described it as a good way to get exercise. London weather can change quickly, so a waterproof layer is sensible. A very wet day did not stop one birthday group from finishing, but it did leave them soaked.

Is $40.90 good value?

At $40.90 per person, this costs more than a self-guided walk, but you are paying for a prepared story, phone-based clues, puzzle design, and a route built around group play. You are also getting several hours of activity rather than a short photo stop.

The value is strongest when four to six people play together and make a full afternoon of it. The per-person cost buys an experience that combines sightseeing, walking, problem solving, and time together. It can also replace the cost of another paid activity, especially if you use the built-in stops for a meal and do not add a separate attraction.

The value is weaker if you dislike puzzles, have limited walking time, or want a traditional guide to explain London as you go. The experience is designed around solving clues, not a steady stream of historical commentary.

There is no separate admission charge to a major attraction included in the information provided. You should think of the price as payment for the game and its route, then budget for your own food and drinks.

The finale and the missing progress markers

Most of the pleasure comes from the middle of the route: getting a clue, spotting what it refers to, walking to the next place, and sharing the answer. The roleplay and attempts to distract you from the right path add extra character.

The final stage may not satisfy every group. One account found the ending less impressive than the rest of the day. That does not cancel the fun of the hunt, but it is a useful expectation to set. The main reward is the process of solving and exploring, not necessarily a grand theatrical finish.

The bigger practical issue is progress tracking. There are no clear checkpoints showing how many clues remain. A group can become stressed because it does not know if it is halfway through or close to the end. If you need to pause, save the messages and note exactly where you stopped.

HiddenCity customer help was praised as responsive when a group had questions. That support is useful, but I would still plan carefully from the start. Keep your group together, read each clue twice, and agree on a time limit for a puzzle before asking for help or moving on.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking. It is listed for Monday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. for the stated operating period, July 4, 2022, through November 25, 2026.

The activity is private, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the amount of walking and the puzzle format should guide your decision.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows London local time.

Should you book The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat?

Book it if you want a social London activity that makes you walk, think, and notice details. It is especially well suited to families with older children, puzzle-loving couples, birthday groups, and friends who enjoy a little competition.

Think twice if you want a relaxed sightseeing tour with a guide, have a strict schedule, or dislike uncertainty about how much remains. The route is long, the puzzles can be harder than expected, and the ending may feel modest compared with the buildup.

For the best day, form a team of two to six, charge your phone, wear comfortable shoes, keep the afternoon open, and treat the food stops as part of the experience. At $40.90 per person, it is a fair buy when your group commits to the full three-to-four-hour outing and enjoys solving its way across London.

FAQ

Where does The Hunt for the Cheshire Cat start?

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

Where does the experience finish?

The activity finishes in Waterloo, London SE1.

How long does the game take?

Plan for approximately three to four hours. Breaks for food and drinks can make the outing longer.

How many people can play on one team?

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

Do I need a mobile phone number?

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

Is the experience guided?

The clues are sent to your phone, and your group follows the route and solves the puzzles at its own pace. The activity is private to your group.

Can I pause the game?

Yes. You can pause for food, drinks, or a rest, then continue afterward.

What language is it offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.