
Chasing Dickens: A Writer’s Journey Through London
🔒 Instant Access: Book now and start immediately. No need to wait for a guide.
⏱️ Total Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume whenever you want.
🧩 Gamified Discovery: Solve 12 location-based puzzles to unlock hidden stories and secret spots.
📍 Starting Point: Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty St, Holborn, London WC1N 2LX, UK
🛡️ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before your planned start for a full refund.
🌐 Available In: 🇬🇧 English
Single Mission
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Places you will visit
12
It will take you
48-78 mins
You will walk
4600 steps
Total distance
3.5 km
Route you will explore
Starting point Charles Dickens Museum
48-49 Doughty St, Holborn, London WC1N 2LX, UKFinish point Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BU, UKAbout this quest
You 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?
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.
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.
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Kid friendly
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
Tips & Recommendations
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be walking throughout the city, so comfortable footwear is essential for enjoying the experience.
Charge Your Phone
Make sure your smartphone is at least 60% charged. The quest runs through the Questo app, and you will be using it throughout.
Check the Weather
This is an outdoor activity. Bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the forecast.
Bring a Camera
You will discover photogenic locations and hidden gems perfect for capturing memories.
Stay Hydrated
Bring water, especially during warmer months or longer quests.
Play with Friends
While you can play solo, quests are more fun with friends or family. One ticket works for a group.
Ratings and Reviews
59 ratings
Michael Kuder
Beat the best: Top London explorers
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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-$40 per person
Questo
Affordable per-group pricing
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-$40 per person | Affordable per-group pricing |
| Availability | Requires advance booking | Instant access 24/7/365 |
| Experience | Passive listening to a guide | Active gamification; you solve the mystery |