Top London activities
Top London landmarks
Beyond London
London trip ideas

London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London

6 Reviews 4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | London, England

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

1 hour (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

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

  • One device works for up to 3 players; buy extra tickets for the full multiplayer experience
  • Flexible scheduling, start anytime, best experienced during the day
  • Follow a mysterious Dickens lookalike from Clerkenwell to Fleet Street
  • Live tour guide (self-guided via the Questo app)
See 3 moreSee 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

47 Doughty Street
London WC1N 2LW, UK

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

145 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2BU, UK

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Charles Dickens Museum (pass by)

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.
Read more

Vine Hill (pass by)

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.
Read more

The One Tun Pub & Rooms (pass by)

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.
Read more

Staple Inn (pass by)

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.
Read more

Lincoln's Inn Fields (pass by)

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.
Read more

Maughan Library (pass by)

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.
Read more

Dr. Johnson's House (pass by)

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.
Read more

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (pass by)

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.
Read more

Saint Peter's Italian Church (pass by)

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.
Read more

Royal College of Surgeons of England (pass by)

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.
Read more

Parohia Sf. Gheorghe Londra (pass by)

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.
Read more
Show 10 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Operated by a business

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the London Quest: Chasing Dickens Through Victorian London?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-107194P103

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.83
6 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
5
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

London History, Myth and Dragons Walking Tour

Embark on an extraordinary journey through the London's ancient and hidden in plain site mystical realm. Highlights: • Experience sacred sites like Roman temples and...

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation
2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation
2 to 3 hours • Free Cancellation
4.8 (41)
from
$35.90

Royal Windsor, Oxford & Blenheim Palace Private Tour

Tour Highlights – An opportunity to explore three historical sites in one day. A private tour that will take you first to Royal Windsor and...

12 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
12 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
12 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$654.17

Bath and Stonehenge From London - Private Luxury Day Tour

Visit these two amazing World Heritage sites in one day for a trip to remember. Your dedicated guide will collect you from your hotel in...

10 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
10 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
10 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (10)
from
$1,345.81

Private Guided Tour of London Landmarks - English or Italian
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Forget about big groups of strangers or running after a guide with a tight schedule leading a big group. Treat your family, your friends, your...

3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (26)
from
$247.60

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

London by Night Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour with Live Guide

Remarkable London by Night Tour! This London by Night tour will reveal the floodlit splendour of London’s landmarks as dusk falls. When twilight descends upon...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.7 (982)
from
$41.42

Historic Pub Walking Tour of London
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

This historic London pub tour gives you the chance to enjoy some of the best pubs in London including those dating back over 800 years!...

4 hoursFree Cancellation
4 hoursFree Cancellation
4 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (576)
from
$21.01

Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Chelsea Football Club's most popular product! Take the tour that has been enjoyed by millions of sports fans from all around the world! Chelsea FC's...

60 to 90 minutesFree Cancellation
60 to 90 minutesFree Cancellation
60 to 90 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,876)
$48.21
$47.21

London Eye Fast-Track Ticket
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Fast Track for a perfect London Eye experience! With fast track entry for your flight in a shared capsule, you get to skip the majority...

30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.6 (2,853)
$35.98
$34.98

What's Included

Activity name

  • One device works for up to 3 players; buy extra tickets for the full multiplayer experience
  • 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
  • Self-guided Dickens literary quest through London
  • Live tour guide (self-guided via the Questo app)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Questo

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.