London Sherlock Holmes Game: Moriarty's Challenge in Marylebone

You're Hunting Moriarty Through London Streets, and He's Hunting You Back

You navigate Marylebone solving clues texted to your phone, making story choices that change how the game unfolds, and working through hands-on puzzles with your team. Optional breaks at pubs let you pause for food and drink. Winners get prizes and leaderboard placement. You can reschedule your time slot anytime.

Step-by-step itinerary

Immersive Sherlock Holmes city adventure

• Start in Marylebone, London
• Receive clue trail on phone
• Explore city solving puzzles
• Inspect poisons and unravel riddles
• Discover secret locations
• Pause for food and drinks
• Complete challenge in teams

The experience

What if you could spend an afternoon solving actual puzzles while walking through one of London's most atmospheric neighborhoods, and the story changed based on the choices you made? That's what Moriarty's Game does. You're not following a guide with a flag. You're receiving text messages and phone calls from characters in the story, getting clues sent straight to your phone, and deciding which way to go next. The whole thing takes 3 to 4 hours across Marylebone, and you play in teams of 2 to 6 people, which means you can bring friends or family and actually compete if you want to.

The game works like this: you get a clue, you move to a location, you solve something physical (a puzzle, a riddle, something you have to actually think through), and then the next piece arrives on your phone. Along the way you're making real choices that shift how the story unfolds. You might inspect poisons, decode messages, or unlock a safehouse. There are built-in breaks where you can stop at a pub or café and grab food or a drink without losing your place. The whole experience is flexible too. You book a time slot, but you can change it yourself whenever you want, no phone call needed.

You'll need a UK, US, or Canadian mobile number to play, since the game communicates with you by text and call. Groups larger than six split into separate teams so everyone gets their own puzzle-solving role instead of standing around watching. The Radio Times called it "a slam dunk," which probably matters less than the fact that you actually get a prize if your team solves it, plus your name goes on the leaderboard. It's the kind of thing that sounds like it could be gimmicky but works because the puzzles are real and the story actually responds to what you do.

What’s included

A 3-4 hour immersive experience across Marylebone with a trail of clues sent to your phone, hands-on physical puzzles to solve as a team, interactive text messages and phone calls from story characters, a narrative that shifts based on the choices you make, optional breaks at pubs and cafés where you can buy refreshments, prizes for every player on successful teams, placement on the leaderboard, and the ability to change your date or time slot yourself anytime.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (under 10): free

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by HiddenCity

Is this one for you?This works best if you want a structured activity that doesn't feel like a tour. You're solving real puzzles and making actual decisions, not following someone's script. The flexibility to reschedule and the built-in breaks mean you're not locked into a rigid schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 10): free.

How long does Moriarty's Game take?

The experience runs 3 to 4 hours across Marylebone. You control your own pace, so it depends partly on how quickly your team solves each puzzle.

Can I play alone or do I need a group?

Teams are 2 to 6 players. You can play with one other person or bring up to five friends. Groups larger than six are split into separate competing teams.

Do I need to know about Sherlock Holmes to play?

No. The game is set in the Sherlock Holmes world, but you don't need to have read the books or seen the shows. The story and puzzles work on their own.

What if I can't make my booked time?

Your ticket is fully flexible. You can change your date and time yourself anytime: no need to contact customer service.

Do I need a phone to play?

Yes. You need a UK, US, or Canadian mobile number because the game sends you clues and calls via text and phone.

What happens if my team doesn't solve all the puzzles?

You still complete the 3-4 hour experience. Prizes go to teams that solve the full challenge, and everyone gets placed on the leaderboard.

Are there breaks during the game?

Yes. There are built-in break points where you can stop at pubs and cafés to get food and drinks without losing your place in the game.