Chasing Dickens: A Writer’s Journey Through London
4.6566 Reviews220 people have played this questYou came to London to write—but the words won’t come, and the nights grow longer. Then one evening, wandering through foggy streets in search of clarity, you see him: a man in a black top hat, with an intensity in his eyes that stops you cold. He looks just like Charles Dickens. You know it can’t be, but something about him feels real… important.
In this atmospheric walking quest, you’ll follow the figure through the streets that once inspired Dickens himself. Solve puzzles, uncover literary clues, and explore hidden corners of London’s Victorian past.
Perfect for curious minds, history lovers, and creative souls, this real-world adventure blends story, movement, and memory-making. Will this journey unlock the writer within—or lead you somewhere even more unexpected?
How many are playing?
Unlock · £8.49Staying a few days in London? All 15 London quests for £34.99 · pays for itself by quest #5. See the Exploration Pass →
Places you will visit
12
It will take you
48-78 mins
You will walk
4600 steps
Total distance
3.5 km
What you'll actually do
Download the Questo app and unlock the quest. Walk to Charles Dickens Museum whenever you like · no guide, no group, no time slot.
Solve 12 puzzles hidden in the streets around you. Each one you crack unlocks the next location.
Finish at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and see where you land on the London leaderboard.
Highlights
Learn about Dickens’s extraordinary life, from child labourer to celebrated writer.
Explore the once brutal and crime-ridden streets of Clerkenwell and the stately legal district of Holborn where Dickens studied and worked.
Discover the darkened bars and inns where lawyers once jostled with scoundrels and Dickens met the colourful characters that would crowd his novels.
Ratings and Reviews
66 ratings
Lorayne
Andrea
Lei
Phil Race
Alban
A note from Annemarie Lopez
“Annemarie Lopez is a writer, cultural journalist, digital storyteller and editor based in London.”
The mission: Your story in London
Since you have been here, you haven’t been able to write or sleep. You go for a walk to calm your mind and see an intense young man in a black top hat and coat.
He resembles Charles Dickens, the famous Victorian writer who first inspired you to write. You know Dickens is long dead, but you become convinced that this man holds the key to breaking your spell of writer’s block. You decide to follow him.
Beat the best: Top London explorers
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Kid friendly
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chasing Dickens quest self-guided?
Where does the Chasing Dickens quest start and finish?
How many tickets does our group need?
What languages is the Chasing Dickens quest available in?
Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours
Flexibility
Regular Guided Tours
Fixed schedules & no pausing
Questo
Start, pause, and resume anytime
Privacy
Regular Guided Tours
Crowds of up to 30 strangers
Questo
Private experience for your group only
Pricing
Regular Guided Tours
$30–$60 (€23–€50) per person
Questo
Transparent pricing shown before checkout
Availability
Regular Guided Tours
Requires advance booking
Questo
Instant access 24/7/365
Experience
Regular Guided Tours
Passive listening to a guide
Questo
Active gamification; you solve the mystery
| Feature | Regular Guided Tours | Questo |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Fixed schedules & no pausing | Start, pause, and resume anytime |
| Privacy | Crowds of up to 30 strangers | Private experience for your group only |
| Pricing | $30–$60 (€23–€50) per person | Transparent pricing shown before checkout |
| Availability | Requires advance booking | Instant access 24/7/365 |
| Experience | Passive listening to a guide | Active gamification; you solve the mystery |
Joined by 1,000,000+ explorers worldwide
Guided tour pricing: Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Guided Tour Pricing, EU and US markets, 2026. Standard 2–3 hour group walking tours.
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Literary London
Walk between Dickens’s home and Fleet Street
The route connects places associated with Dickens’s life and work, from his Doughty Street home to the inns and legal streets around Fleet Street. The aspiring-writer storyline is fictional; the London literary setting is real. Playable languages: English.
