A truly unique immersive experience, The Peninsula London’s Children’s Adventure Quest is a fun day out that no one will ever forget.
It’s hard to find things to do with children that are genuinely one-off, magical experiences so memorable that all the family is sure to talk about them for years, but the Children’s Adventure Quest is one such rare opportunity. The brainchild of the clever team at one of London’s best hotels and children’s entertainers Sharky & George, it’s an action-packed mission that will take you to some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks on a most unusual and thrilling outing to enthral kids and grown-ups alike. Citizen Enfants checked in for a day to remember.
What is the Children’s Adventure Quest?
Part of The Peninsula London’s new Academy Programme that launched in the summer of 2024, the Children’s Adventure Quest is a truly fantastic immersive experience for kids. Taking sightseeing to a much more exciting level, during the Quest young guests (and their grown-ups) act as secret agents for the day, going undercover around some of London’s most famous landmarks to undertake a highly classified important mission.
When you arrive there will be a special mission request form in your room with a cryptic message telling kids to meet two ‘MI6 operatives’ – agents ‘Wensleydale’ and ‘Stilton’ – in the lobby of the hotel at a set time the next day. Crucially they must have a cheese joke ready to tell the two men, who will be wearing dark glasses and sporting a white rose to identify themselves. Once said agents are sure they are in the company of fellow good guys, it’s time to set off on one of the most entertaining excursions you could ever imagine. As you’ll discover, two rather questionable looking French spies (think stripy tops and berets) have stolen Chef Terry Wong’s special spice mix from The Peninsula’s kitchen and it’s imperative that you retrieve it. But where could it be? It’s a compelling mystery to solve – and along the way you’ll use everything from coded maps (some with invisible ink), dictaphone recordings and even a cryptex to track the two somewhat shady spies who keep appearing then vanishing as you follow the clues that lead you through Green Park, past Buckingham Palace, and to Downing Street and Trafalgar Square.
The Quest comes to a dramatic climax when you manage to track down the perpetrators (in a park near Bank tube station) and rescue the spice mix. This is where your new-found MI6 friends will bid you farewell as they take the culprits off to face justice. You return to the hotel, safe in the knowledge that all is well again in the world – thanks to you! One of The Peninsula’s luxurious liveried fleet of cars is waiting nearby to whisk you back to the Peninsula where the Quest will conclude with a well-deserved traditional Afternoon Tea in The Lobby.
What makes it so special?
This awesome immersive day out has been created in partnership with the children’s entertainment company Sharky & George, so you’re in for a treat. Famed for their out-of-this-world kids’ parties and events, the team is utterly dedicated to ensuring kids have the best time when in their care. It’s the planning and attention to detail from Sharky & George that makes the Adventure Quest a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Agents ‘Wensleydale’ and ‘Stilton’ (you’ll never know their real names) are first-class children’s entertainers who remain in character the entire time. Dressed casually (so as not to attract attention from other spies) there is the air of cool, older, 20-something-year-old cousins about them. Not only are they excellent actors who play the roles so well – think slightly eccentric, very proper, wannabe James Bonds – they ad-lib marvellously, with extremely smart off-the-cuff humour that might occasionally be slightly lost on their fellow little spies, but that grown-ups will find highly amusing. With clever, quick-witted answers to all the questions kids throw at them – how long have you worked at MI6? Are those dark classes secretly a weapon? Have you ever protected The King? – nothing is going to catch these highly trained operatives off guard.
Who is it for?
There is definitely a sweet spot for kids’ ages when taking part in an activity such as this. Too young and they won’t understand it, be confused by the clues and tasks and start to flag after the first 20 mins. The whole thing takes about three hours and is pretty much all on foot (you get a lift back to the hotel at the end) so it’s not for very little legs. Very young children might also be a bit intimidated and scared by the adventure, the ‘secret agents’ and the general hubbub of central London. On the other end of the scale, however, older kids and young teens might not fully buy into the experience, firstly by simply not believing it to be real, but also as they could feel self conscious hiding behind trees in broad daylight. Reading, listening and basic problem solving are all required, but the agents are on hand to help, and prompt kids if it all gets a bit difficult or overwhelming – it’s hard work being thrown into the undercover spy network after all!
With all this in mind, The Peninsula team state that it’s best suited to those aged between six and twelve who will most likely enjoy every exhilarating minute. If your child is really not the type to get into character or to take part in an interactive session with relative (but incredibly nice and friendly) strangers, then it might not be for them. What you don’t need is any interest in acting or previous experience. Adults are also encouraged to participate and play along and can really add to the fun by helping out. If grown ups don’t want to (or can’t) take part, they can leave their little ones in the very capable hands of the Sharky & George team who are DBS-checked, trained in paediatric first aid and have child-safety training.
The Highlights
Apart from the sheer excitement of taking part in something so special and unique, the Quest offers guests the chance to see some of London’s most recognisable locations – all moments from The Peninsula. You’ll start in Green Park (do you know why it’s called ‘Green’ Park? Ask the agents for the answer!). They have an extensive knowledge of the landmarks you will pass, offering a highly entertaining, child-friendly mini tour as you go. Then it’s off to Buckingham Palace and onwards to Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square, taking in the sights and picking up clues as you go. There’s time to stop as you wander, and the very act of looking for clues makes kids really notice their surroundings. You can marvel at iconic statues like Nelson’s Column and check if the flag is flying at the Royal residence. Whether London is your home or you are visiting for the first time, this Quest will help you get to know the city like never before.
Need to know
The Quest is only available to hotel guests; stay in one of their stunning rooms for at least one night to enjoy it. If you’re looking for a really special treat – maybe to celebrate a birthday – the Quest is ideal as it’s suitable for up to eight people, four of who can be children. Despite being one of London’s most prestigious luxury properties, the hotel could not be more welcoming of young guests: expect to find delicious chocolate teddy bears waiting in your room along with children’s books, bath robes and a bellboy teddy to take home. Children can swim in the hotel’s pool and the restaurant has a great kids’ menu too – nothing is too much trouble. Parents will love the palatial suites and enormous bathrooms, as well as the state-of-the-art spa.
Where is it?
The Adventure Quest starts at The Peninsula Hotel in London.
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