THE CHISWICK TREASURE HUNT

Imagine a sylvan landscape where twittering birds sing in the branches of centuries old trees that lean out across a picturesque lake. Picture a riverside mall lined with stately homes that belong to every age. Think of an old churchyard where two famous artists and two daughters of Oliver Cromwell lie buried. Well, these are just some of the attractions awaiting those who choose to participate in one of our most picturesque treasure hunts that wends its way through the alleyways, woodlands and riverside walkways of Chiswick.

A varied mix of old and new London awaits you. One moment you're eagerly waiting to cross one of the capital's busiest roads, the next you've stepped through a tiny gateway and it's as if you've been spirited away to the countryside. Ian Hislop and Lord Burlington have somehow found their way into our Chiswick challenge, although neither of them are aware of the fact! They just serve to demonstrate what an eclectic mix of ancient and modern this fascinating area holds. Streets that begin with 20th century office blocks but end with what could easily be rural dwellings abound. Soaring churches and glorious greenery lie concealed around the route. One section even takes you through thick woodland so sensible shoes are advised. There's even the surprise of walking along a narrow alleyway and suddenly emerging into a sprawling graveyard where a few famous figures sleep an eternal sleep.

The Chiswick Treasure Hunt covers more distance than many of our other treasure hunts and as a consequence can take slightly longer. And since part of it takes place in the lovely grounds of Chiswick House, you might wish to bring along a picnic and take a well earned break enjoying some of the capitals loveliest parkland.

As with all our treasure hunts, the Chiswick package consists of a set of cryptic clues that you will need to solve in order to find your way around the route. Each of the clues is a visual clue that refers to things you should be able to see from the spot where you are standing and reading the clue. No knowledge of the area nor of the history of the area is required, just reasonable powers of observation should suffice. By reading what each clue says and concentrating on what it is telling you to do you should find it reasonably easy to pick your way around the route and solve the clues. In addition your pack will also contain a sheet of observation questions and a sheet of photo challenges. These are what score the points, and each correct answer is worth 100 points. They relate to items you will pass as you make your way around the Spitalfields Treasure Hunt route. The answers to these observation questions and photo challenges might be on blue plaques, on information boards, or even on tomb stones! Some of them are a little way off the route, some are hidden down tucked away alleyways, so locating them might pose something of a challenge. But with a keen peeled and a natural curiosity locating the answers shouldn't be too difficult. How you find the answers is completely up to you. As we say, there is no such thing as cheating on the Spitalfields Treasure Hunt there is only initiative! So, by fair means or foul, it should be possible to find the answer to each question and thus increase your teams score.

So, whether you are looking for a team building activity, an evening event that will get yourself, your friends and work colleagues out into the fresh air, or even an enjoyable Saturday morning or afternoon for a social gathering, hen party or birthday party, the rich mix of old houses, riverside strolling and glorious parkland of this enchanting place will provide you with some wonderful surprises and ensure that your interest never wanes from start to finish.  Great fun, lots to look at and lovely surroundings combined with the possibility that you might bump into a celebrity or two out walking their dogs make this an exciting and challenging quest which will leave you tired but happy that you took the trouble chance your luck in Chiswick!