Autoplanners in London

Wednesday 13th – Thursday 14th May
10–12 people Joe can't do Thursday evening

Wednesday 13th — Welcome Dinner, Shoreditch

19:00

Dinner — Bike Shed Moto Co

Old Street. Burgers and mains in leather booths surrounded by custom motorcycles. Relaxed, not too loud — good for tired arrivals. Booking under Ellie King — confirm by phone.

~£30–35food + drinks
James H entertainment
21:00

Early night

Drift to hotels. Full day tomorrow.

Free

Thursday 14th — Office Q&A, then Clerkenwell & Exmouth Market

10:00

Ocado Shoreditch Office — Q&A with James & Sam

The Black & White Building, Shoreditch. James has another meeting at 11:00 — wrap up promptly.

Free
11:00

Pizza lunch — Pizza Pilgrims

Pizza in the office from Pizza Pilgrims. Neapolitan sourdough pizzas ordered in.

~£12–15James H entertainment
13:30
Travel

Travel to Farringdon

Head together — Elizabeth line from Liverpool Street or Overground. About 30 minutes door to door.

~£2–3Travel subsistence
14:00

St John's Priory Cloister Garden

Hidden medieval garden with a 200-year-old olive tree. Secret feel, beautiful in May.

🌧 If wet — go inside

Museum of the Order of St John

You're already at the gatehouse — the free museum inside tells the full Knights Hospitaller history from crusader Jerusalem to St John Ambulance. Open Wed–Sat 9:30–5pm.

Free
14:30
Walk

Walk to Charterhouse Square

Through the heart of Clerkenwell — about 10 minutes.

14:40

Charterhouse Square

Historic green space — also a Black Death burial site. Coffee and a catch-up on the benches.

~£4Coffee
15:00

Clerkenwell Cryptic Scavenger Hunt

Teams of 2–3 racing around the neighbourhood. Starts and ends at Exmouth Market.

Free
17:00

Culpeper Community Garden

Hidden community garden behind high walls near Angel. Peaceful and lovely in May.

Free
18:30
Optional

Dinner — Lebanon Grill ✓ Booked

Outstanding Lebanese on St John's Street. Complimentary soup, generous portions, exceptional value. Booked under Ellie King. Call to confirm on the day: 020 3624 5805. Joe leaves after dinner.

~£15Travel subsistence / self pay
20:30
Optional

Evening drinks — The Clerkenwell Tavern ✓ Booked

Booked under Ellie King, 10 people. Ref: DMN-16949924083. Drinks Party, 8:30pm. Snug requested — awaiting confirmation it fits 10.

~£10–15Travel subsistence / self pay

Budget Summary

ItemPer personPaid by
Wednesday
Bike Shed dinner (food + drinks)~£35–45James H entertainment
Wednesday total — Ocado~£35–45
Thursday
Travel (Oyster/contactless)~£5–8Self pay / Travel subsistence
Pizza lunch (in office)~£12–15James H entertainment
Afternoon coffee~£4Self pay / Travel subsistence
Dinner — Lebanon Grill~£15Self pay / Travel subsistence
Evening drinks~£10–15Self pay / Travel subsistence
Thursday total~£44–54Self pay / Travel subsistence
💡 Both evening venues are now booked — The Clerkenwell Tavern is confirmed, Lebanon Grill needs a call to confirm on the day.
⚠️ Expenses eligibility: If your regular place of work is London, all Thursday costs are self pay. If you are travelling from overseas, all Thursday costs can be claimed as travel subsistence.

Scavenger Hunt

Clerkenwell Cryptic Scavenger Hunt

Runs approximately 15:00–17:00. Teams of 2–3 solve 6 clues (plus a bonus) hidden across Clerkenwell, with photo evidence required for each. Teams return to Exmouth Market at 17:00 for scores.

Getting There — Wednesday Evening (Shoreditch)

From HeathrowElizabeth line to Liverpool Street (~45 mins), short walk to Old Street / Bike Shed
From GatwickThameslink to Farringdon, then Overground to Shoreditch High Street (~55 mins)
From St PancrasShort taxi (~15 mins) or Overground via Highbury & Islington
From OxfordTrain to Paddington, Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street, walk or one stop Overground to Shoreditch High Street
Nearest stationsShoreditch High Street (Overground) or Old Street (Northern line)

Getting There — Thursday (Office then Farringdon)

MorningHead to The Black & White Building, Shoreditch for 10:00. Same area as Wednesday dinner.
After officeTravel together to Farringdon at 11:30 — Elizabeth line from Liverpool Street or Overground. ~30 mins door to door.
Farringdon stationElizabeth line, Thameslink, Circle/Metropolitan line

Practical Info

Oyster / contactless

Tap in and out at every station — works with any contactless card or phone. No cash needed.

Weather forecast

Wed 13th: ~14–15°C, showers possible, breezy. Thu 14th: ~13–15°C, similar unsettled pattern. Bring a packable waterproof and a warm layer. Met Office, checked 6 May — update closer to the date.

Scavenger hunt

Runs outdoors — fun in light rain. Gardens may be muddy. Waterproof footwear recommended.

All venues

Accept card. No cash required anywhere on the itinerary.

Have a brilliant two days.

Rules

  1. Each clue leads to a specific location in Clerkenwell. Find the location and take a photo as proof.
  2. Photo must clearly show the named feature — a landmark, plaque, or object described in the clue.
  3. All team members must appear in at least two photos.
  4. Return to Exmouth Market by 17:00. Every 5 minutes late deducts 1 point. You have 2 hours — use them wisely.
  5. Clues can be solved in any order — but the bonus clue can only be attempted after completing at least four others.
  6. No GPS navigation allowed — maps and local knowledge only.
1

Clue 1

"Crusaders who tended the sick passed beneath this stone arch for two centuries. It still stands — one of the few Tudor gatehouse survivors in London. Find the coat of arms above the arch."

Area: St John's Lane, EC1M  ·  Points: 2

Evidence required Photo of the coat of arms above the arch, with at least one team member visible.
2

Clue 2

"He never lived in London — but in a small upstairs room on this green, he wrote words that shook the world. The building still bears his name. Find the plaque and note the colour it's painted."

Area: Clerkenwell Green, EC1R  ·  Points: 2

Evidence required Photo of the building façade and plaque. Write the colour here:
3

Clue 3

"London buried its plague dead here in such numbers they say the ground still rises. Later, monks built their home above them — then courtiers, then pensioners. Find the square, and the gateway to the institution that still stands."

Area: EC1M  ·  Points: 2

Evidence required Photo of the gateway with the institution's name visible.
4

Clue 4

"A saddle-maker dug a well here in 1683 and found the water tasted medicinal. Londoners came in their thousands to take the waters. Today they come in their thousands still — but for something else entirely. Find the building and name what it's famous for now."

Area: Rosebery Avenue, EC1R  ·  Points: 2

Evidence required Photo of the building's main entrance sign.
5

Clue 5

"Two men who would change history are said to have met for the first time in the snug of this pub in 1902 — one an exile from Russia, one already infamous. The pub still stands on the corner. Find it and photograph the sign."

Area: Clerkenwell, EC1  ·  Points: 3 — harder to find

Evidence required Photo of the pub sign. Write the pub's name:
6

Clue 6

"Every letter posted in London for over a century passed through tunnels beneath your feet. Above ground, the story is told — find the museum, and photograph whatever is parked outside its entrance."

Area: Phoenix Place, WC1X  ·  Points: 2

Evidence required Photo of what's parked or displayed outside the entrance.

Bonus clue — attempt after 4 others

"Hidden behind high walls that give nothing away from the street, this garden is one of Clerkenwell's best secrets. Find the entrance — it doesn't advertise itself — and bring back a photograph of something growing that surprises you."

Area: Near Angel, N1  ·  Points: 3 — navigation challenge

Evidence required Photo of something unexpected growing in the garden. Write what it is:
Scoring
Clues 1–4 (each)2 pts
Clue 5 — The pub3 pts
Clue 6 — The postal museum2 pts
Bonus clue ★3 pts
Both team members in 2+ photos+1 pt
Late return penalty−1 pt / 5 mins
Maximum possible20 pts
Return to Exmouth Market by 17:00 Share your photos with the group and hand this sheet to Ellie for scoring. Results announced at Culpeper Community Garden.