London, but make it a mystery walk.

I like the way this self-led adventure turns ordinary street time into a small quest, with your phone sending you 15 clues across the Square Mile. You start near St Paul’s Cheapside (EC2V 6AA) and follow the route East at your own pace, which feels more flexible than a standard guided march.

What I really enjoy is the mix of time periods packed into a compact route. One stage brings you to a Roman Amphitheatre, and later you’ll work through a Victorian market before heading toward atmospheric ruins. Those shifts make the walking feel fresh, not repetitive, and the two optional pub breaks give you an easy built-in rhythm for water and rest.

My only caution: this can be more challenging than you expect, and it may take longer than the average time. A few people noted it went past 2.5 hours for them, and one downside to keep in mind is that street closures for construction can make a phone-guided route feel a bit trickier.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• Phone-based riddles that move you stop to stop, step by step
• 15 clues over about 4.7 km, built for a 2 to 2.5 hour walking block
• Roman, Victorian, and ruins-era stops in a single Eastward loop
• Two optional pub breaks to refresh without turning this into a bar crawl
• Timed progress and a leaderboard, if you like a friendly rivalry
• Help on demand if you get turned around, using Lost or hint messages

Starting Point at St Paul’s Cheapside, Then East Into London’s Old Core

You begin right in the heavy-historic heart of the city, near St Paul’s, at St Paul’s Cheapside. That’s a smart location because it gets you thinking about layers of London early. Within minutes of starting, the trail approach makes you look up at facades, scan street corners, and notice details you would normally speed past.

The route is designed as an Eastward walk through the Square Mile, London’s original Roman settlement area. Even if you do not consider yourself a history person, the phone clues keep you actively engaged, and that matters. You are not just reading plaques, you are hunting for answers that force you to slow down.

You are also walking a manageable distance for this kind of activity. Expect about 4.7 km, and plan for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours once you factor in solving time. If you like to chat while you hunt, or if you prefer extra breaks, you will naturally run a little longer.

The 15 Clues on Your Phone, and Why This Feels Different From a Tour

This is a private, self-led treasure hunt. Your group sets the pace, and each clue is sent to your mobile phone so you can move from one location to the next. When you reach a stop, you solve the clue and search for the answer, then send the correct response to move forward.

The experience works in two modes for messaging: Telegram (recommended) or standard text messages (SMS). If you are the type who hates fiddling, Telegram can feel smoother, but SMS will still do the job. Either way, you will want decent signal, because the flow depends on getting the clue messages when you are ready to move.

There’s also a competitive streak option baked in. Your progress is timed and ranked on a leaderboard, so the puzzle part is not purely for fun, it is for speed too. For groups, this often turns into a playful divide-and-conquer thing: one person reads, one person looks, and one person double-checks the answer before you send it.

One practical note: this relies on you having a mobile phone with some data or text capability. Bring a phone you can keep charged. If your battery tends to die early while using maps, consider a small power bank.

Roman Amphitheatre Stage: Where the Clues Make You Look Closely

One of the best parts is when the trail takes you to a Roman Amphitheatre. This is where the experience earns its keep. Instead of learning about Roman London in an abstract way, you have a reason to stop, orient yourself, and notice the atmosphere around you.

At this point, you are roughly around the halfway mark. The clue sequence is meant to guide you there in a way that feels like discovery rather than a checklist. You might find yourself doing the thing that good walking tours do well: you start comparing what you see now with what the city must have looked like centuries ago.

The trail also sets up a mid-walk breather, because it explicitly builds in a chance to warm up and refresh. That timing matters. When you reach the Roman stop and the next segment, you are more likely to have the energy to pay attention, solve carefully, and not rush the answers.

Also, expect some satisfaction from the way the inn stop is described. You will encounter a cosy Inn built from older materials, and the clue chain is designed so you can spot the story yourself. The best part here is that the history is not dumped on you in one long explanation. You figure it out, then you move on.

Victorian Market Leg: A Different Kind of City Texture

After the amphitheatre stage, the trail keeps moving through a Victorian market. This part is valuable for a simple reason: it shows London as a working city, not just a collection of landmarks. Markets create texture. Even if you arrive when it is quiet, the streets and storefront shapes tend to feel older and more lived-in than the bigger tourist corridors.

The clues keep you active as you pass through this section. Instead of treating it like a background scene, you are hunting for an answer connected to what you see around you. That helps you connect the physical place to the time period, and it makes the walk feel more like a story you are reading with your feet.

One small drawback to plan for: markets can be busy and narrow at peak times, and a clue hunt adds a bit of stopping and scanning. If your group is slow at reading instructions or you tend to get impatient, this could feel like a lot. But if you enjoy teamwork and looking around, this is often where the mood clicks.

Descending Toward Ruins: Atmosphere and Focus

Later, you will reach a section that takes you toward ruins. The wording suggests a more magical, atmospheric feel, and in practice, this is the kind of spot where your attention level spikes. Ruins naturally change the way a street scene looks, and the trail is set up to meet you with another clue sequence so you are not just standing there wondering what to notice.

This is also a good segment to slow down. If you start rushing here, you might miss details that make the clue answer easier. Since the process is solve, reply, proceed, one wrong step can cost time and force you to request help or backtrack.

If you get stuck, you can ask for a hand. You can send a message that includes hint if you think you are in the right area but cannot find the clue answer. That system is a nice safety net because it keeps the adventure moving without turning it into a total stop-and-start.

Two Optional Pub Breaks: Rest Stops Without Losing the Thread

The trail includes two optional pub breaks. They are not automatic, so you choose whether to pause. That flexibility is a real plus because it lets you match the break to your group. If you are with kids or older folks, you might appreciate a planned reset. If you are a brisk walker, you can skip straight to the next stage.

Keep expectations realistic: the pubs are places to get refresments, but alcohol and food are not included in the activity price. You will be paying for anything you order, and you can also use these pauses for plain water or a snack if that is what you need.

I like that the pub breaks are framed as optional, not mandatory. You still get the history, the puzzle, and the walking, while having two chances to regroup. It also keeps the hunt from becoming one long, uninterrupted brain workout.

Near the end, you finish the trail to uncover another top-notch pub where you can kick back and relax. Even if you do not drink, finishing with a place that feels social can make the whole experience land better, like a reward rather than an abrupt end.

Getting Lost, Getting Unstuck, and Handling Real City Disruptions

This is not a guided walk with someone physically present. If you get lost, you can message Lost for a detailed route to the next clue. If you are close but stuck, you can message hint if you are in the right location but cannot find the clue answer.

That support system matters more than you might think, especially in a dense city. London streets are full of tiny turns, and a self-led hunt depends on being in the correct spot when you look for the answer. The help prompts make it easier to keep going without turning the day into a frustrating scavenger search.

Now the honest part. One major consideration is that street routes can get messy due to construction or closed streets. A fellow Londoner-like experience is still possible, but if you hit closures, you may need to adjust with the help system. If you tend to dislike last-minute route changes, you might want to treat this as an adventure, not a perfectly scripted walk.

Timing can also shift. Some people finished faster, some finished slower. If you want a quick 2-hour plan, you may feel rushed. If you enjoy taking your time and solving properly, the longer finish time will feel fine.

Distance, Pace, and Timing: Plan for an Afternoon, Not a Sprint

The activity is listed around 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.), with typical completion about 2 to 2.5 hours. In practice, the difference usually comes from puzzle pace. If your group enjoys teamwork and you double-check answers, you will likely take the full time.

The trail covers 4.7 km. That is not a huge distance, but it is enough to feel like you walked, especially if you pause at each stop. Wear shoes you trust. Think about the weather too. London weather changes fast, and clue hunts mean you stay outside while you read and search.

If you are prone to map fatigue, remember that this is not a nonstop walking route. Your phone clues should tell you where to go next, so you spend less time figuring out the “where” and more time enjoying the “what am I looking for.” Still, charge your phone and keep it accessible.

Price and Value: $41.11 Per Group for a Phone-Led Adventure

At $41.11 per group, up to 2 people, the pricing is easiest to evaluate as a shared cost. If you go as a pair, the experience can work out to around $20 per person, which is decent for a 2 to 2.5 hour activity that includes everything you need for the trail: the mobile ticket and the riddle sequence.

You are not paying for an in-person guide, so the value comes from what you get while walking. Here, that means the puzzle design, the structured stops, and the built-in moments to pause at pubs. If you enjoy interactive city time, this is usually a good bargain. If you prefer classic, fully narrated sightseeing, you might miss having a person to ask spontaneous questions.

Also consider what is not included. Drinks and food at the pub breaks are on you. That is normal for walking activities, but it means your budget should include whatever refreshment you plan to buy. The good news is you can skip the pub breaks if you want, and the base hunt still works.

The fact that this gets booked about 23 days in advance suggests it stays popular, which is often a sign it is easy to fit into schedules. Just do not treat it like a last-minute activity, especially if you have a tight itinerary.

Who This London Hunt Fits Best

I think this is a strong choice for you if you want a different London day than museum plus bus plus photo stop. The treasure hunt format rewards curiosity and teamwork. It is ideal for friends, couples, and small groups who like solving clues together while walking through real streets.

It is also great if you like history but do not want to sit through long lectures. Roman Amphitheatre, a Victorian market, and ruins give you a time-spanning storyline. The clues are the bridge that turns those settings into something you actively notice.

It can be less ideal if your group hates puzzles, hates walking, or wants a fully guided experience with someone steering you the whole way. Also, if you know you move slowly through written tasks, factor in the possibility it may take longer than average.

On the positive logistics side, it is offered in English, works for most people, and includes service animals allowed. That last point is always worth noting when you are planning.

Should You Book CityDays City of London Secrets?

Book it if you want a fun, self-led way to explore London’s Square Mile without feeling trapped in a rigid tour schedule. You get a satisfying mix of Roman and Victorian-era sights, plus two optional pub breaks that keep the day comfortable.

Skip or think twice if you need an easy, low-effort activity. This can be harder than expected, and you may finish later than the average time. Also, if you are sensitive to route interruptions from street closures, be ready to use the Lost and hint support system.

If your goal is a walk that makes you look harder and think a bit, this one is a solid pick.

FAQ

Do I need a mobile phone for this treasure hunt?

Yes. The trail clues are sent to your mobile phone, and you will need some data or text-message capability to receive them.

How long does the City of London secrets hunt take?

The average duration is about 2 to 2.5 hours, with an estimated total time of roughly 2 hours 30 minutes.

How far will I walk?

Plan for about 4.7 km of walking during the hunt.

Where does the hunt start and where does it end?

It starts near St Paul’s Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many clues are there?

You’ll solve 15 clues during the trail.

Are there pub stops included?

There are two optional pub breaks on the trail, plus a final pub at the end. Alcoholic drinks, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I use Telegram or SMS?

Yes. You can choose either the Telegram App (recommended) or standard Text Messages (SMS) for receiving the clues.

What happens if I get lost or need help with a clue?

If you get lost, you can message Lost for a detailed route to the next clue. If you are in the right area but cannot find the answer, you can message hint.