REVIEW · LONDON
London (Covent Garden) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Explorial · Bookable on Viator
London turns into a mystery game. This self-guided walking hunt in the Covent Garden area turns sightseeing into a clue-solving adventure using the Explorial-App, with a map to steer you and hints to point you in the right direction. You’ll also answer questions tied to what you see, plus do creative photo tasks for points.
I especially like the way the challenges force you to look closely, not just glide past famous landmarks. The Explorial-App keeps things fun with sightseeing prompts, question hunts based on signs and pictures, and photo challenges that reward creativity. One drawback to consider: the tour averages about 1–2 hours, so if you start late, you may not finish the full hunt.
In This Review
- Key Points You’ll Care About
- Covent Garden With a Game Plan: How the Hunt Works
- Starting at Swiss Court: Getting Ready Without Stress
- The Walk Between Cecil Court, Trafalgar Square, and Cleopatra’s Needle
- Cecil Court: Look for the details the clue wants
- Trafalgar Square: Use the space, not just the postcard view
- Cleopatra’s Needle: Pause and work the clues
- The Challenge Types: Questions, Signs, Pictures, and Photo Tasks
- Find the sight, then earn the next clue
- Solve questions based on what’s in front of you
- Photo tasks that reward creativity
- Why the Tour Feels Private and Actually Flexible
- Time, Pace, and the Real-World “If I’m Late” Problem
- Price and Value: What $13.29 Gets You
- Who This Covent Garden Hunt Is Best For
- A Quick Checklist Before You Start
- Should You Book This London Covent Garden Hunt?
Key Points You’ll Care About

- Clues + questions + photos: this is more than trivia, it’s a mix of observation and play.
- App map with hints helps you move from stop to stop on foot without waiting on anyone.
- Question prompts use what’s in front of you (signs, pictures, and details you might miss).
- Photo tasks earn points and make the walk feel like a real game.
- Private for your group so you can pause, talk, and go at your pace.
Covent Garden With a Game Plan: How the Hunt Works
This is a self-guided scavenger hunt in London’s Covent Garden area that blends sightseeing with mini-missions. You walk, you solve, and you earn points as you go. Instead of following a group through stations, you follow the app’s instructions and your own rhythm.
The game flow is simple. First, you find the next sight using hints and the app map. Then you answer questions tied to what you see there, with answers often hidden in signs, pictures, or other details at the location.
You also get photo tasks. These aren’t just “take a selfie here.” They’re creative challenges designed to add variety when the walk starts to feel repetitive. If you enjoy puzzles, riddles, or “spot what the clue is asking for,” this kind of format fits your brain.
And because the experience is private, you’re not coordinating with a big crowd. That matters in central London, where foot traffic can feel like a moving wall.
You can also read our reviews of more guided tours in London
Starting at Swiss Court: Getting Ready Without Stress

The hunt starts at Swiss Court (Swiss Ct), London, UK. Your tour ends back at the same starting point, so you can think of it as a loop you complete when you’re done with the game. The schedule window is wide (daily, with opening hours listed from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM during the listed validity dates), which makes it easier to slot into a busy day.
After you purchase, you’ll receive an access code. You use that code inside the app after downloading the Explorial-App. This is important for your planning: don’t assume you can just wander and play on the spot. You’ll want the app installed and ready before you arrive, and your phone charged.
The experience is designed to be playable at your pace and includes breaks. That’s a big plus if London weather changes your plans or if you like to stop for a coffee or a quick photo before continuing.
The Walk Between Cecil Court, Trafalgar Square, and Cleopatra’s Needle

The hunt routes you through a stack of central London sights. You’ll reach places like Cecil Court, Trafalgar Square, Cleopatra’s Needle, and more along the way. The app doesn’t just list names. It uses those locations as “answer points,” where you’ll be prompted to look for clues and solve questions.
Here’s why this kind of routing feels more satisfying than a typical sightseeing checklist. Major landmarks can blur together when you’re rushing. But in a scavenger hunt, each place has a job. You’re not only there to admire. You’re there to observe with a purpose.
Cecil Court: Look for the details the clue wants
Cecil Court is one of the first stops mentioned, and it’s the type of place where small visual cues can really matter. With this hunt, you’ll likely be scanning signs or images that the questions connect to the location. Even if you’ve walked near areas like this before, the prompt format encourages you to slow down and notice what’s in plain view.
Trafalgar Square: Use the space, not just the postcard view
Trafalgar Square is another named stop. The fun here is that squares can be visually overwhelming. In a normal visit, you look, you take a photo, and you move on. In this game, the experience asks you to focus your attention so you can answer questions tied to what you see around you.
A few more London tours and experiences worth a look
Cleopatra’s Needle: Pause and work the clues
With Cleopatra’s Needle on the route, you’ll likely need to find specific visual details that match the questions. The app’s hints and the question format help you do that without guesswork. It turns a landmark photo moment into a mini challenge that makes the stop last longer in a good way.
The Challenge Types: Questions, Signs, Pictures, and Photo Tasks

One reason this hunt scores well is the variety of task types. It’s not just walking and reading. It’s a series of quick rounds that keep you engaged.
Find the sight, then earn the next clue
You start by locating the next stop. The app offers hints and a map function to get you there. That’s practical. London can be confusing at street level if you’re not a regular commuter, and a guided map inside a self-guided game is a strong combo.
Solve questions based on what’s in front of you
Once you arrive, the app asks questions about the sight. The answers are usually hidden in signs, pictures, and other visible elements. This setup does something subtle: it trains your eyes. Instead of treating signage and displays as background noise, you start actively searching for the exact detail the question needs.
That’s also why the hunt can feel educational without turning into a lecture. You’re learning because you must, to answer correctly and move forward.
Photo tasks that reward creativity
The hunt also includes photo missions. These are meant to push you beyond trivia and into doing something playful. If you enjoy turning sightseeing into mini projects, this is a big win.
The points system adds pressure in the best way. It gives a reason to try harder, not just take any photo. You’ll also get the sense that the game is designed to keep you exploring instead of stopping at the first pretty view.
Why the Tour Feels Private and Actually Flexible

This is listed as private, meaning only your group participates. That matters more than it sounds. In crowded central London, big group tours can force everyone to stick together. Here, you can keep a more personal pace.
The experience also isn’t limited in time. The average duration is about 1–2 hours, but the structure is built for you to take breaks and keep going. That’s ideal if you plan to stop for a snack midway or if you want to spend extra time at one location because a clue makes you curious.
There’s another practical benefit. When something slows you down—construction, a detour, a long bathroom stop—you’re not “falling behind” a live guide. You’re playing at your pace, and the app helps you keep your bearings.
Time, Pace, and the Real-World “If I’m Late” Problem

Even though the hunt isn’t limited by a strict time cap, the experience still averages around 1–2 hours. That means your personal starting time matters. If you arrive late or start after you’ve already burned energy walking around, you may end up completing only part of the hunt.
One clear lesson from people who’ve done it: starting promptly is the easiest way to get the full value. If you’re the type who likes long stops for photos, build in buffer time. If you like brisk movement and fast puzzle solving, you’ll probably finish comfortably.
Also, think about your phone logistics. You’ll be using the app map and tasks while walking. A dead battery or low signal can turn a fun hunt into a frustrating delay. Bring a charger if you can, or at least keep a power plan in mind.
Price and Value: What $13.29 Gets You

At $13.29 per person, this hunt is one of those “small price, big change of pace” activities. You’re paying for structure: the route, the clue prompts, the question mechanic, and the points system, all delivered through the app. In other words, you’re buying an experience that turns normal sightseeing into an interactive challenge.
Is it cheaper than a guided walking tour? Usually, yes. The tradeoff is you’re not getting a live guide to fill in context between stops. Instead, you get tasks that make you notice details and learn in a more hands-on way.
I think that’s a fair value calculation for many people. If you enjoy trivia, mysteries, photo challenges, or simply “doing something” instead of just “seeing things,” the cost-to-fun ratio looks strong.
If you want lots of verbal history and expert commentary at every stop, you might feel like something is missing. This is built for self-direction, not lectures.
Who This Covent Garden Hunt Is Best For

This fits best if you enjoy problem-solving and you like walking at your own speed. It’s also a good match for groups who want a shared activity that doesn’t feel like homework.
You’ll likely enjoy it if you’re:
- the kind of person who reads signs closely once in a while
- traveling with friends or family who enjoy games
- visiting London for the first time and want a fun way to get your bearings
- trying to see major sights without committing to a tight guided schedule
It may be less ideal if you:
- strongly dislike smartphone-based activities
- prefer guided commentary over independent discovery
- want a very short, ultra-efficient “hit every landmark in 30 minutes” plan
A Quick Checklist Before You Start
A few practical tweaks make a big difference with any app-based walking game.
- Download the Explorial-App and be ready with your access code before you begin.
- Plan for roughly 1–2 hours of walking and puzzle time.
- Wear shoes you can move in for central London streets.
- Keep your phone charged enough to finish the hunt.
- Bring curiosity. The questions work best when you look at details, not just wide views.
If you’re traveling with multiple people, agree on a simple strategy early: who reads clues aloud, who spots details, and when you take photos for points.
Should You Book This London Covent Garden Hunt?
I’d book it if you want a fun, low-pressure way to explore central London while staying in control of your pace. The mix of location-finding, question solving, and creative photo tasks makes it more engaging than a standard self-guided walk. And at $13.29, it’s a reasonable way to add energy to a sightseeing day without spending tour-buster money.
Skip it if you’re expecting a traditional guided tour with lots of narration and deep background at every stop. This experience is about you interacting with the sights through the game. If that sounds like your kind of travel, you’ll probably have a great time.
If you’re on the fence, here’s the simple deciding question: do you enjoy turning famous places into puzzles? If yes, this hunt is an easy match for your itinerary.

































