Interactive Treasure Hunt London – City of London/Southwark

London’s old center turns into a giant puzzle on this three-hour walking hunt. You start near St. Paul’s and work south toward the Thames, solving clues about the figure who united England and Scotland, the inventor of dawn, a bridge marked by chewed-up artworks, and Medieval London’s old pleasure district. I like the mix of serious history and oddball details, and I like that you can pause at a market or pub instead of marching behind a guide. The catch: the route can involve a long walk, and a weak phone signal can make reaching a clue frustrating.

I also like the private format. Your group sets the pace, chooses Classic, Relaxed, or Spanish clues, and can change the clue set during the game. Still, this is not the best choice if you want a polished, guided narration with every clue perfectly matched to its location.

Key points at a glance

• Start at St. Paul’s: Begin at St. Paul’s Cheapside, then return to the same meeting point at the end.
• Cross into Southwark: Follow the trail toward riverside views, bridge artwork, sculptures, markets, and Medieval London stories.
• Play your way: Choose Classic, Relaxed, or Spanish clues, with the option to change formats during the game.
• Private and flexible: Only your group participates, and up to five people can play together.
• Plan for distance: The hunt lasts about three hours and requires a moderate level of fitness.
• Keep your phone ready: You need the app and a usable signal to follow the route and reach clue locations.

Starting beside St. Paul’s and Cheapside

The activity begins at St. Paul’s Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA. That puts you in the City of London, where modern offices sit on top of layers of Roman, medieval, and commercial London. You do not need to prepare a stack of books before arriving. The app provides the trail and the riddles, letting you learn as you walk.

That easy start is a real advantage. You can fit the hunt into a day of sightseeing without spending the morning researching the City. It also gives you a clear meeting point near public transportation, though the exact transport arrangements are not specified, so check your route before setting off.

The opening clues introduce the people and events that shape the route. You meet the unifier of England and Scotland and the inventor of dawn, unusual subjects that should make the walk feel less like a standard monument checklist. The wording is designed to make you think first and explain the answer afterward.

I like this approach for families, friends, or couples who enjoy a little competition. You are not simply being told that a building matters. You are asked to notice, reason, and connect the clue to the place in front of you.

Following the trail from the City toward the Thames

The route carries you from the City toward Southwark, crossing the river and moving through two districts with very different personalities. The City of London is tied to finance, churches, old lanes, and the machinery of the capital. Southwark brings markets, riverside walks, entertainment history, and stranger stories.

The exact order of every clue can depend on how you move through the app, so think of this as a puzzle route rather than a fixed guided march. You will follow directions, study your surroundings, and stop when a detail fits the question.

This format gives you room to slow down. If a view catches your eye, you can pause. If your group wants a snack or drink, the route includes places to recharge. The tradeoff is that the app does not provide the same human judgment as a guide. If you misunderstand a clue, you may spend time circling the wrong spot.

A key practical point is phone reception. One difficulty reported with the experience is that a clue can be hard to reach if your phone has no signal. Download the chosen app before you begin, charge your phone, and keep the route accessible. A portable battery would be sensible for a three-hour walk.

The bridge covered in chewed-up artwork

One of the route’s most distinctive stops involves a bridge covered in chewed-up artworks. The description refers to unusual artwork fixed to the bridge, and the clue trail uses this strange detail as part of the game.

This is exactly the kind of stop that makes a self-guided hunt worthwhile. You might walk across a bridge while looking only at the river and traffic. The puzzle asks you to inspect the structure itself and notice something you could easily miss.

The stop also changes the rhythm of the walk. After the denser streets of the City, the river gives you open views and a clearer sense of London’s scale. You can look across the Thames, watch the city move around you, and still have a task to solve.

Do not expect a long explanation at each point. The value comes from the combination of a short fact, a visual detail, and the satisfaction of reaching the right answer. If your group wants full background on every artwork, church, or bridge, you may need a separate guidebook or museum visit.

Southwark and Medieval London’s pleasure district

On the Southwark side, the hunt turns toward Medieval London’s pleasure district. This area carries stories of entertainment, public life, and behavior that polite history books often smooth over. The experience presents that past through riddles, so the tone should feel playful rather than academic.

You also encounter a sinister Bishop and learn about frozen fairs. Those subjects point to a London shaped by religious power, harsh winters, river conditions, and public spectacle. The clues give you a reason to connect these pieces as you walk instead of treating them as isolated facts.

This part should appeal to you if you prefer London’s stranger stories to a standard royal tour. It also gives older children and teenagers something active to do. They can search for details and solve problems instead of listening to a long speech.

The limitation is that puzzle wording can be subjective. A clue may seem obvious to one person and vague to another. Some directions may not appear to match the location perfectly, so use common sense and look around carefully before assuming your group has made a mistake.

Market time, riverside views, and sculpture stops

The trail includes a stop at one of London’s best markets, along with a chance to rest at a pub or another refreshment point. The name of the market is not specified, so you should not plan a particular food purchase around it. Treat the stop as a useful break built into a longer walk.

This is one of my favorite features in principle. A three-hour activity is easier to enjoy when you can pause, eat, or regroup. The break also makes the route feel connected to daily London rather than limited to grand monuments.

The riverside sections add another welcome change. You get open views, a chance to catch your breath, and a different angle on the City skyline. Several sculptures are included as part of the trail, giving you more visual points to examine while you work through the clues.

Because the route is self-guided, your break may be brief or quite long. That flexibility is useful if you are traveling with children or with people who walk at different speeds. It also means the total time can vary. The stated duration is about three hours, but your pace and stop length will shape the day.

A steampunk fantasy near historic London

The hunt ends its story with a steampunk fantasy. The exact attraction or object is not identified in the available details, so I would treat this as a thematic clue rather than expect a formal steampunk exhibition.

The contrast is part of the appeal. This route moves from monarchs and bishops to markets, sculpture, bridge art, and imaginative modern references. London can feel overfamiliar when you stick to the headline sights. A puzzle that links grand history with eccentric details gives you a fresher way to walk through the center.

You should also expect a fair amount of street navigation. This is not a seated game, and it is not a short loop around one square. The physical requirement is described as moderate, and the walking distance can feel long if you are already spending the day on foot.

Wear comfortable shoes and allow room in your schedule. If you have mobility concerns, check the route directly with CityDays before booking, since the supplied details do not describe step-free access, pavement conditions, or toilet locations.

How the app and clue choices affect the day

You download the chosen app and use it to follow the puzzle-filled trail. The clue options are Classic, Relaxed, and Spanish. That gives you a useful choice at the start, particularly if your group has different comfort levels with riddles or language.

The ability to change the clue format during the game is even more helpful. You do not have to commit to one setting for the entire walk. If Classic clues prove too demanding, you can switch. If Relaxed feels too easy, you can change direction.

Up to five people can play together. Since this is a private activity, you are not competing with strangers or waiting for another group to move ahead. That makes it a good fit for a family, a group of friends, or a couple that wants to take its time.

The private format also shifts responsibility to you. No guide is present to explain a confusing instruction, keep everyone together, or add local color between stops. You get freedom, but you also need to manage your own pace, phone battery, navigation, and breaks.

Is $24.07 per person good value?

At $24.07 per person, the value depends on what you want from a London walk. You are paying for a structured route, puzzle content, a private group format, and a way to connect lesser-known sights without doing the research yourself.

That is reasonable if your alternative is wandering without a plan or paying for a private guide. A guide would offer live answers and conversation, but it would normally cost more for a private group. This hunt gives you a lower-cost way to add shape to a day in the City and Southwark.

The value is weaker if you mainly want detailed historical commentary. The experience is built around riddles and movement, not long explanations. You will need to enjoy solving clues for the activity to feel worth the price.

It is also worth noting that the hunt is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 72 days. That may reflect advance planning for a London trip. If your dates are fixed, reserve early, but remember that the experience depends on good weather.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

That policy matters because this is an outdoor walking experience. London rain can turn a fun puzzle into a wet phone, slippery pavement, and a race between clues. Check the forecast before the final cancellation window closes.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and confirmation arrives when you book. The available details do not state whether the full route is wheelchair accessible or how many stairs it includes, so ask CityDays before paying if access is important to you.

For the smoothest start, arrive with:

• A charged phone and the app downloaded
• Weatherproof clothing and comfortable shoes
• Enough time to find St. Paul’s Cheapside
• A plan for food or a market stop
• A backup battery if your phone tends to lose power

Who will enjoy this London treasure hunt?

I would recommend it most to people who like exploring with a purpose. You get more from the walk if your group enjoys riddles, odd facts, visual details, and a little debate over the correct answer.

It works especially well for:

• Friends who want a private activity
• Families with older children or teenagers
• Couples who prefer an active date to a formal tour
• Repeat London visitors seeking a different route
• Spanish-speaking participants who want the Spanish clue option
• Independent planners who like controlling their own pace

I would be cautious if you dislike phone-based activities or want a guide with a clear voice and a fixed script. The route can also test your patience if your signal fails or a clue seems poorly matched to its location.

The published score is 3.6 out of 5 from five ratings, so the experience has not reached a broad enough sample for a firm verdict. The strongest appeal is clear: the walk is interesting, fun, and full of unusual subjects. The main warning is also clear: navigation and clue accuracy can occasionally get in the way.

Should you book All Gone South?

Book it if you want a private, playful walk through the City and Southwark, and if you are happy to use your phone as both map and game board. The route offers riverside views, market time, bridge art, sculptures, and stories about Medieval London that you might not find on a standard sightseeing walk.

Skip it if you need a fully guided experience, have limited walking ability, or do not want to depend on mobile reception. For everyone else, it is a fairly priced way to give a familiar part of London a sharper purpose. Go in with comfortable shoes, a charged phone, patience for the occasional unclear clue, and enough time to enjoy the places between answers.

FAQ

Where does the treasure hunt start?

It starts at St. Paul’s Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA, UK.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience take?

It lasts approximately three hours.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $24.07 per person.

How many people can play together?

You can add up to five people to play.

Is this a guided group tour?

No. It is a private, self-guided activity using a mobile app, and only your group participates.

Which clue formats are available?

You can choose Classic, Relaxed, or Spanish clues. You can also change the clue set during the game.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.