London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London worth booking?
London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London is a 1-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $8 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (8)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $8 per person
You came to London to write, but the words won't come. Then on a foggy evening walk, you spot him: a man in a black top hat who looks impossibly like Charles Dickens. Dead for over 150 years, but real enough to follow. You set off after him. This self-guided literary quest takes you on a walk through the Victorian heart of London. Using the Questo app on your smartphone, you follow the figure at 12 stops through Clerkenwell, Holborn, and Fleet Street: from the Charles Dickens Museum on Doughty Street and the buried Fleet River to Fagin's haunt on Saffron Hill, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, where Dickens drank with fellow writers. Decode hidden messages, solve literary puzzles, and piece together the story of Victorian London's most famous writer. Start whenever you like and explore 3.5 kilometres of London's most storied streets at your own pace. Best experienced during the day. Perfect for history lovers, literature fans, and curious explorers. No knowledge of Dickens required.
What you get
About this experience
You came to London to write, but the words won't come. Then on a foggy evening walk, you spot him: a man in a black top hat who looks impossibly like Charles Dickens. Dead for over 150 years, but real enough to follow. You set off after him. This self-guided literary quest takes you on a walk through the Victorian heart of London. Using the Questo app on your smartphone, you follow the figure at 12 stops through Clerkenwell, Holborn, and Fleet Street: from the Charles Dickens Museum on Doughty Street and the buried Fleet River to Fagin's haunt on Saffron Hill, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, where Dickens drank with fellow writers. Decode hidden messages, solve literary puzzles, and piece together the story of Victorian London's most famous writer. Start whenever you like and explore 3.5 kilometres of London's most storied streets at your own pace. Best experienced during the day. Perfect for history lovers, literature fans, and curious explorers. No knowledge of Dickens required.
What's included
Included
- One device works for up to 3 players; buy extra tickets for the full multiplayer experience
- Self-guided Dickens literary quest through London
- Flexible scheduling, start anytime, best experienced during the day
- Follow a mysterious Dickens lookalike from Clerkenwell to Fleet Street
- Visit the Charles Dickens Museum, Fagin's Saffron Hill, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
- Decode hidden messages and literary puzzles inspired by Oliver Twist
Not included
- Live tour guide (self-guided via the Questo app)
What you'll see and do
Charles Dickens Museum
The Charles Dickens Museum is an author's house museum at 48 Doughty Street in Holborn, London Borough of Camden. It occupies a typical Georgian terraced house which was Charles Dickens's home from 25 March 1837 (a year after his marriage) to December 1839. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
It was laid out around 1686 and originally ran further, along what is now the Man in the Moon Passage. John Rocque's Map of London, 1746 shows Vine Street extending from Piccadilly northeast to Warwick Street. In 1720, the main properties on the street were a brewery and a carpenter's yard. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
This stylish inn dates to 1759, but its moment of fame came in 1838, when Charles Dickens changed its name to the Three Cripples and made it Bill Sykes' watering hole of choice in Oliver Twist. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Staple Inn
Staple Inn dates from 1585. The building was once the wool staple, where wool was weighed and taxed. It survived the Great Fire of London, was extensively damaged by a Nazi German Luftwaffe aerial bomb in 1944 but was subsequently restored. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Lincoln's Inn Fields
The Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre was located in the Fields from 1661 to 1848, when it was demolished. This, originally called the Duke's Theatre, was created by converting Lisle's Tennis Court in 1695. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Maughan Library
Following a £35m renovation designed by Gaunt Francis Architects, the Maughan is the largest new university library in the United Kingdom since World War II. Designed by Sir James Pennethorne and constructed in 1851, with further extensions made between 1868 and 1900, it is a Grade II* listed building. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Dr. Johnson's House
The house now known as Dr Johnson's House was probably originally built for a City merchant. Its most famous resident, and one of the most distinguished figures in English literary history, Samuel Johnson (1709-84), rented it from 1748 to 1759. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Originally, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was built in the 1530's, although the original pub was lost in The Great Fire of London in 1666. The current pub dates from 1667 – having been one of the first London buildings reconstructed after the Great Fire. Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.
Pass by without stopping
Saint Peter's Italian Church
It was consecrated on 16 April 1863 as "The Church of St Peter of all Nations". At the time of consecration, it was the only basilica-style church in the UK. Its organ was built in 1886 by Belgian Anneesen. During World War II, when Italian immigrants were interned, Irish Pallottines made use of the church.
Pass by without stopping
The Royal College of Surgeons has a long history. Its earliest origins lie in the 1540s when the Company of Barbers and the Fellowship of Surgeons joined together to form the Company of Barber-Surgeons. In the 1700s medicine became an academic discipline and surgeons demanded more recognition for their expertise.
Pass by without stopping
Romanian Orthodox chapel St Dunstan-in-the-West is one of the churches in England to share its building with the Romanian Orthodox community (St. George church). The chapel to the left of the main altar is closed off by an iconostasis, formerly from Antim Monastery in Bucharest, dedicated in 1966.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Please use Google Maps or other map services to arrive at this location. When you arrive, please follow the instructions inside the Questo app closely.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Questo
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Dickens walking tour
Takes a few hours but I learned lots about Dickens and his life in London. I also got to see and appreciate bits of London that I wouldn't have experienced outside of the tour. The quest itself was fun and the challenges drew my attention to information that I hadn't paid attention to.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for playing and for the wonderful review! I'm thrilled to hear you learned so much about Dickens and discovered hidden corners of London that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Hope you'll explore another destination with Questo soon!
via Viator
Charles Dickinson Experience
I paid for two tickets for this experience and was not able to access the Questo app without first paying $9.99. I did reach out to your chat for assistance but was only provided the link to the app and no explanation on how to apply the payment made to Viator. The experience was good after gaining access
Response from the operator: am very sorry for the frustration with unlocking the game and the double charge, though I'm glad you enjoyed the Victorian London experience once you gained access. We have processed a full refund for that extra payment. We want to learn more about what made the unlock steps confusing so we can fix this, so please reach out to us at explore@questoapp.com and we'll gladly offer you a free quest for your next adventure.
via Viator
A great way to learn about the history of London and the influence that Charles Dickens had
What a wonderful experience meandering the Backstreets of London. I really enjoyed the challenges within the quest and the puzzles to be solved. The only reason I got four stars is two of the 12 locations on the quest in order to solve the puzzles you needed the places to be open in two places out of 12 or closed on Sunday. I would not recommend trying to do this on a Sunday.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We’re delighted that you enjoyed exploring the backstreets of London and uncovering Charles Dickens’ world through our puzzles. Your feedback about Sunday openings is very valuable, and we’ll make sure to clarify this better so future players know what to expect. We’re glad the rest of the quest made for a memorable journey, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon.
via Tripadvisor
a wonderful way to learn more about Charles Dickens's life in London
What a wonderful way to spend a sunny fall afternoon in London. Although I've watched some of these streets, I never really appreciated the history that this quest shared. I really enjoyed the puzzles and the challenges that were presented as part of the quest. My only suggestion is for this quest let people know that several of the clues aren't accessible on Sunday because the businesses associated with them are closed
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring Dickens’s London in such a fun and puzzle-filled way. It’s wonderful that the quest added a new layer of history to streets you already knew. We also really appreciate your helpful feedback about Sunday access—we’ll make sure to highlight this more clearly so future players can plan accordingly. We hope to see you on another adventure soon, whether in London or beyond!
via Tripadvisor
Great Dickens experience !
Really great way to see London . Lots of info learned and gives you the opportunity to pause and stop for a pint or bite to eat...we all loved it!
Response from the operator: Great to see that you enjoyed exploring London with Questo. Thank you for sharing your review. Hope to see you explore more games with us.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $8 to $9
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Questo, who run 335 experiences we rank across 154 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.8.
See everything Questo runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London cost?
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Prices start at $8 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Included: One device works for up to 3 players; buy extra tickets for the full multiplayer experienc; Self-guided Dickens literary quest through London; Flexible scheduling, start anytime, best experienced during the day; Follow a mysterious Dickens lookalike from Clerkenwell to Fleet Street; and Visit the Charles Dickens Museum, Fagin's Saffron Hill, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Not included: Live tour guide (self-guided via the Questo app). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Please use Google Maps or other map services to arrive at this location. When you arrive, please follow the instructions inside the Questo app closely. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?
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Across 8 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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