London’s Secret Nocturnal Treasure Hunts: A Century of Thrills

London has a curious, long-running tradition of nocturnal treasure hunts, evolving over a century from public spectacles to secretive club events. These hunts typically involve teams, often in motor vehicles, racing across the city at night to solve cryptic clues leading to hidden “treasures” or subsequent riddles. The allure lies in the thrill of speed, ingenuity, and the unique experience of exploring London under moonlight.

One of the earliest and most notorious examples dates to 1924, pioneered by the “Bright Young Things” – wealthy socialites, film stars, and nobility like Lois Sturt and Lady Eleanor Smith. These glamorous, motorised events, sometimes involving large sums of money, saw participants in evening dress scrambling around landmarks like Nelson’s Column. However, they drew significant criticism for dangerous driving, with Lois Sturt famously arrested for speeding, and for being a public nuisance, disturbing residents and police with their high-jinx antics. MP Neil Maclean even called for an inquiry into this “smart-set imbecility,” although the Prince of Wales himself participated, lending an air of royal patronage.

An even earlier craze in 1904, initiated by the Weekly Dispatch, involved burying medallions for the public to find. This version attracted a broader demographic, including working-class individuals seeking instant wealth, but led to widespread vandalism as people dug up roads and damaged property. Decades later, a more organised and secretive tradition emerged: the Miglia Quadrato. From 1957 until its final run in 2019, this annual five-hour motorised treasure hunt saw around 100 teams, often in vintage cars, navigate the Square Mile with the cooperation of the City of London Police. Conceived as a fuel-efficient rally, it provided a stimulating challenge, but ultimately ceased due to mounting logistical difficulties.

While the specific forms of these treasure hunts have changed, the article highlights a persistent human urge to explore the city in a unique, puzzle-driven manner, with modern iterations like geocaching and foot-based “Midnight Madness” continuing the legacy.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/london-s-secret-midnight-treasure-hunts)