Follow, share and talk to us >
+44 (0) 207 193 4401
We bet you have some questions! Please seek answers to them below before contacting us for more info.
London Street Games
- Q: Sounds exciting - what's it all about?
- A: It’s what it says on the tin – a chance to get out and have some fun in the enormous playground that is London. London Street Games aims to provide a number of interactive puzzle-based live-action games, each themed and structured differently, to give you and your friends hours of active leisure. Our games may feature immersive play, gadgets and apps, competition, treasure hunting and a variety of transport types. All are aimed at adults and some will be suitable for children to join in with too.
- Q: Who are you?
- A: We’re a small group of people who love London and love to invent games for people to play! London Street Games is managed by the same team who run Treasure Trails Greater London, the fun way to explore for people of all ages. We work with interesting partners to bring you exciting and original activities with a variety of themes, games mechanics and delivery.
- Q: Have you done this before?
- A: We have a wealth of experience, both in taking part and in organising all kinds of treasure hunt games - and writing bespoke ones for clients. The people behind London Street Games are the same people who created the Guinness World Record treasure hunt in June 2012, working with Team London Ambassadors and London & Partners for World Record London.
- Q: I have an idea for an interactive street game, could we work together?
- A: Get in touch! We're looking at offering a wide variety of formats via London Street Games and welcome contact from new contributors and partners.
- Q: Who is this for?
- A: It’s for grown-ups who like to get out on the streets of London and have fun with friends, enjoy solving puzzles and a bit of a competitive challenge.
- Q: What exactly will happen?
- A: Well, we could tell you… but that would spoil the surprise! Let’s just say there will be some clue-finding, some challenges, some interaction with performers and some tests!
- Q: Is it a race?
- A: It depends. In Bond Street, although speed will be recognised, it is the accumulation of points that counts. How you go about doing this is up to you. Sometimes that’s about speed, and at others it’s about strategy. In The Threadneedle Files then yes, the first prize is awarded to the first team to retrieve the files; but there is a reward for a runner up too.
- Q: Will there be prizes?
- A: Yes
- Q: Do I need to be clever?
- A: No rocket science is involved, but it helps if you enjoy solving puzzles. Some of the clues and challenges are admittedly rather testing; but you will be working in a team and different people have different strengths. There will be plenty to keep you busy.
- Q: Do I need to be fit?
- A: You’ll need to be ready to be on your feet walking and/or running around London for four hours. You could cover 5 to 6 miles or more in this time.
- Q: Where does it start?
- A: “Bond Street “ begins in the heart of Mayfair – full details are sent to you during the week before the event. Green Park and Bond Street would be good stations to use. “The Threadneedle Files” starts in the City of London close to Liverpool Street Station – again, full details will be sent out the week before the booked event.
- Q: Where does it end?
- A: That’s what you have to find out!
- Q: How long does it take?
- A: “Bond Street” takes almost 5 hours from arrival on site to departure from destination. “The Threadneedle Files” is a bit like a piece of string, or, er, thread – but is unlikely to take less than 4 hours.
- Q: Do you provide refreshments?
- A: For Bond Street:Yes – at the beginning of the activity drinks and bickies will be available. A refreshing drink is provided at the end (we regret, alcoholic drinks must be purchased by you).
For Threadneedle Files: Not at the beginning, but a drink will be provided at the end.
We don't start until at least 10.30 am so you are advised to have a good breakfast before you come. During the activity it’s up to you (and advised) to pace yourself and allow time for refuelling! We've built in enough time for you to take a short respite during your mission. You will be on the go for the best part of five hours. Please bring a portable lunch (especially in the City where cafés are not often open on a Saturday) or some change for buying snacks and expect to eat on the hoof. - Q: What if it rains?
- A: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing”. This is Britain. It rains. Sometimes it is foggy or a bit windy. Spies on Saturday will go on regardless, unless (in our opinion) it is just too inclement, dangerous or transport is disrupted. We do have disposable ponchos for sale and a few umbrellas to borrow.
- Q: What should I bring or wear?
- A: Comfortable shoes! Weather-appropriate clothing. An umbrella. Reading glasses. A bottle of water and your mobile phone so we can contact you if necessary. Other than that, bring as little as possible as we do not have facilities to look after left bags.
- Q: What about first aid?
- A: We really hope none will be needed! You are advised to bring your own plasters and requisites during the game. In case of an emergency, we will expect you to use your common sense, contact emergency services if necessary and remain in touch with the game organisers.
- Q: Do I need to bring a smartphone?
- A: If a smartphone is required for the game then we provide it. This may vary from title to title.
- Q: Why can’t my children play too?
- A: Three reasons. Safety, speed and .. .well, because this is the grown-ups’ turn to play.
- Q: Can I be in a team with my friends or colleagues?
- A: Definitely! We encourage teams of friends or work-mates to sign up. Just let us know when you book that there are people coming you want to be in a team with. We’ll work it all out…We do however ask for your flexibility as juggling teams can sometimes be tricky. We may ask you to accommodate people you do not know in your group.
- Q: How many can play?
- A: For “Bond Street” up to 30 in any one session in six teams. For "Threadneedle" up to twelve teams.
- Q: I don’t want to play on a Saturday…
- A: Spies on Saturday is currently only available on a Saturday. For Sunday activities check out the Five Ghosts Mystery, take a look at Treasure Trails or sign up for notification of new games as they come online.
- Q: What if I wanted to do this for a private party or team-building activity for work?
- A: Get in touch! There's loads we could do… We’ll sort something out.
- Q: OK, what's this?
- A: It's a guided tour with a difference. Or a treasure hunt puzzle with a difference, depending on how you want to look at it. Visit five City locations, following the narrative transcribed from an old notebook. Your City guide will enrich your journey with extra info about the cool places you visit or pass on the way. Your job is to hunt down and solve 20 clues spread across the 3 miles between Chancery Lane and the Tower of London. When you have assembled all your information, you will be taken to a final location to sit and ponder how it all fits together. If you cannot work it out in the time allowed, you may take the puzzle home to work it out in your own time in your armchair by the fire. You can complete the mystery Trail either on foot ("the walking mystery") or by vintage cycle, hosted by Tally Ho! London Cycle Tours ("the cycle mystery").
- Q: Who is the walking version for?
- A: The on-foot tour is for adults and families with children aged 8 or above. It's a 3-mile walk so we do not advise families with smaller children to attend. Please bear in mind that a group will be mixed and can only move along at the speed of the slowest participant. Wheelchair users are very welcome and may participate at no charge, provided space is avaialable. If accompanied by a carer then that person they will need to pay the usual adult price.
- Q: Who is the cycle version for?
- A: This is for adults and young people over 14 who enjoy cycling and exploring in London, and who like to solve mysteries!
- Q: I've heard of Tally Ho before…
- A: Yes, they’ve been offering highly-regarded guided vintage cycle tours of London for some time.
- Q: How does this differ from a Tally Ho! Cycle Tour?
- A: You will still ride vintage cycles and benefit from a guided tour of key City of London locations. However the Five Ghosts Cycle Mystery follows a specific route, it only takes place on Sundays and it includes your chance to solve a rather fiendish puzzle as you attempt to solve a crime from over a hundred years ago. And there could be a prize at the end!
- Q: There's a prize?
- A: Yes, a prize draw will be held every three months to select an overall winner from all those who have submitted correct solutions.
- Q: What if we cannot work out the answer to the puzzle?
- A: You will be given an hour or so to work out the answer to the puzzle before the end of the guided tour. If you cannot solve it in that time then you may take the puzzle away with you to ponder at home. There is no time limit to entering by email (within the life of the game) and prizes will be drawn from all correct entries received every three months.
- Q: Can we get the answer from you or from the guide if we give in?
- A: No answers to the final puzzle will be given out as this is a prize draw competition!
- Q: Will you be stopping for refreshments on the way?
- A: No, although we will be passing cafes and shops on the way where you could grab a drink or bite to eat to bring with you. We recommend you bring a bottle of water, whatever the weather. Clue-hunting is thirsty work! There will be time at The Tower of London for a drink or food while you mull over the solution to the puzzle.
- Q: What about loos?
- A: There are at least three sets of decent public loos on the route. The guide will be able to advise you.
- Q: Who is this for?
- A: Our Sherlock Game is for groups of people who want to play a mystery game in teams. It is not toooo challenging, and has been successfully tried and tested with younger student groups (including overseas students) with great reviews. We suggest it is well suited to groups of older children (under adult supervision), students, or any team-based group who wants to play a game in a park.
- Q: Is it a Trail?
- A: No, this is a scatter-based hunt for clues. Teams go off separately to find a number of clues in a set location.
- Q: Is it safe for children?
- A: The park is an enclosed space and a very safe environment, but there are of course always risks to consider. Adult supervision is always recommended for teams of children or teenagers. We can provide a full risk assessment for the activity for any organisers who wish to see one in advance of the trip.
- Q: Where does it start?
- A: It starts with a briefing at the Baker Street end of Regent's Park. The first hour's activity takes place in Queen Mary's Gardens.
- Q: Is this run at set times?
- A: No, this is a self-run event. We provide all the documents for the game including organiser's instructions, answers and score sheet. We post it out to you. HOWEVER, we do recommend you check with us for the date and time you intend to pay the game in case another group is playing at the same time. We will do our best to help you avoid clashes.
- Q: Where does it end?
- A: The one-hour activity pack stays in Queen Mary's Gardens. You select a meeting-up point at a convenient place an hour or so from the time your initial briefing ends. We suggest a few for you in the instructions.
The three-hour activity pack ends on Primrose Hill. We suggest the top of the hill as a final rendez-vous for all teams. - Q: What's the prize?
- A: That's up to you! It's a self-run event. A great idea is to get prizes in advance from the Sherlock Holmes Museum shop on Baker Street!
- Q: How can I keep in touch to hear about future games and offers?
- A: Just visit our ‘Contact’ page and sign up for news and notifications.
- Q: Do you do student discounts?
- A: Yes for Spies on Saturday - when booking, use the code SOSSTUDENT to get 20% off. You'll need to show us your student ID on arrival though, or stump up the rest of the list ticket price in order to play. For Five Ghosts see the student rate when you book.
- Q: What other promos and discounts are available?
- A: Please keep an eye on our News and Offers page for occasional deals!
- Q: I was hoping to get a place for me/for my friend at the last minute but you are fully booked *sadface*.
- A: Please get in touch by email or phone – we will do our best to accommodate you as spaces sometimes become available.
- Q: What if I need to alter my booking?
- A: Get in touch with us. If you need to reschedule we will do our best to reschedule you at any point up to 3 days prior to the event booked. After 7 days prior this will however be subject to a £10 administration fee per person.
- Q: What if I need to cancel my booking?
- A: Cancellations prior to 7 days before the booked date will receive a 100% refund. We can’t offer refunds after this but can try to reschedule subject to the fee mentioned above.
- Q: What happens if the event is cancelled?
- A: If for any reason we are unable to run the event booked we will attempt to reschedule if possible, or else will refund you 100%.
- Q: I have a different question...
- A: Please get in touch using the ‘Contact’ form; we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Spies on Saturday
The Five Ghosts Mystery
The Lost Case Book of Sherlock Holmes
Miscellaneous
For our Saturday Spies
Once you know your destination, plan how to get there!
