South Kensington - Hyde Park & Gardens

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around South Kensington, Hyde Park and Gardens, with Agents sent around Kensington to decode the scattered intel and stop Dr Terry Dactile and Dr Seymour Sparks from shrinking the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum.

The operation covers approximately 3 miles and should take around 3 hours to complete. You'll begin at South Kensington Station, work through quiet mews, museum-lined streets and garden areas, head into Hyde Park, investigate around the Royal Albert Hall, then loop back towards the starting area.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. Agents using wheelchairs may use the ramp and exit the Gardens at Queen's Gate.

Take great care crossing roads and paths, including in parks where cyclists and skaters can move at speed. Use marked crossings whenever possible, and keep your team close in the section where the pavement and road are not clearly marked.

Getting There

By car: Your operation begins at South Kensington Station, at street level on Thurloe Street (SW7 2LT). Once your team has assembled there, you're ready to start decoding the scattered intel.

By public transport: Reach the start via the London Underground on either the Circle or District line, then head to street level on Thurloe Street at South Kensington Station to begin the mission.

Need the Loo?

There are public toilets near Clue 12, plus public toilets next to the cafe in Hyde Park by the Diana Memorial Fountain - useful comfort-stop intel for a 3-hour operation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If tracker dogs are joining your squad, keep them closely supervised throughout. 🐾

The route includes quiet mews, parks, roads to cross and paths where cyclists and skaters can move at speed. Take particular care around traffic, in the parks and where the pavement and road are not clearly marked.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-breaking is hungry work, and there are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on supplies, particularly at the start, end and around Clue 12.

You can also pack a picnic to enjoy within the safe zones in the parks, giving your Agents time to refuel before chasing down the next piece of intel.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Natural History Museum

The mission passes the museum area on Cromwell Road, where several clues are set. With exhibitions and dinosaurs woven into the story itself, it's a natural extra for Agents who want to inspect the scene of Dr Terry Dactile and Dr Seymour Sparks' suspicious shrinking plans.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The route goes opposite and then alongside the V&A on Cromwell Road, with clues placed in this area. It also returns to the museum's story near the end, where the damaged walls and the 2017 gates become part of the Trail's intel.

Hyde Park

Your operation enters Hyde Park and uses its paths, including a safe zone by the Diana Memorial Fountain. Look out for the park map at Rotten Row and the boathouses near an island, while staying alert for cyclists and skaters moving at speed.

Royal Albert Hall

The route goes around the Royal Albert Hall, with clues on and near the building. Queen Victoria opened the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences in 1871, while Edward, the Prince of Wales, declared it open on her behalf because she was too overcome to speak.

Brompton Oratory Catholic Church

The Trail passes in front of Brompton Oratory Catholic Church, with clues around the railings and church building, before continuing along the higher path with the church on the left. It's a striking South Kensington stop to admire once your Agents are no longer interrogating every detail for secret codes.