Tall tales: Give us a clue!

After living in this magnificent city for 25 years I like to think that I have explored its many nooks and crannies, and discovered all of its secret corners. So when the founder of a newly launched interactive game, Hidden City, assured me that it would show me a completely new side of the capital, I was sceptical to say the least. However, the challenge appealed to my competitive side, a surefire way to guarantee my cooperation, and so I set off, dragging my boyfriend behind me.

The game involves solving a series of clues sent to your mobile phone, which lead you on a route through the city. There are a number of trails to choose between, each one promising to show you a different area of London, leading you to obscure pubs, bars, shops and other undiscovered gems. We opted for 'Cupid's Conundrums', which purportedly has a romantic twist, thinking it could be good to recommend to friends for Valentine's Day - and maybe a little bit because the trail begins with a two-for-one offer in one of my favourite bars, Vinoteca in Marylebone.

After loitering in Vintoeca for longer than was strictly necessary, we quickly rattled through the first few clues which, while jolly, wouldn't stretch anyone armed with an A-Z or a passing knowledge of London. We charged from Speakers' Corner ('Head to a park corner where elocutionists converse') to the Joy of Life Fountain in Hyde Park ('A fountain where you will be full of life and overjoyed'), racing against the clock to text back the correct answer and be sent the next clue.

Then disaster struck outside the American embassy ('Home of Stars and Stripes'). In my haste to get home in record time I confused the statues of Eisenhower and Reagan - which I still say is an easy mistake to make - and my wrong answer led to a 20 minute time penalty. In a flash, our hopes of completing the challenge in record time melted away. Admitting defeat, we slowed down and began to actually enjoy the trail, taking the time to wander down winding alleys and explore the shops we passed. We spent a merry half hour going off trail, candle sniffing in Diptyque, and window shopped our way down Mount Street.

It was a perfectly pleasant afternoon (which ended not with a prize but a congratulatory text), mainly because it provided an excuse to stroll hand-in-hand through the city. But as dedicated Londoners, it failed to show us anything new or unfamiliar. My sleuthing sidekick accurately described it as 'a rather undercooked pub quiz'. Hidden City should be highly recommended to any tourist who wants to explore, but we locals can remain secure, and perhaps just a little smug, in the certainty that we still know best.
inthehiddencity.com