The urban treasure hunters

Every few minutes they pause, consult a map, and compare notes before continuing on their mission.

This is a scene from an urban treasure hunt, a craze that's been taking off around the capital.

There was Search Party, a city adventure organised last month by Sing London, where 3,000 participants crept around London's East End, picking up clues that would take them to a secret party. Nearly 2,500 entrants found it.

Hot on its tail and announced on Facebook was a week-long treasure hunt for a series of cash-filled golden envelopes hidden by London magician Drummond Money-Coutts in the Natural History Museum. Why? "It's the reason I do what I do - simply to create a little buzz," says Money-Coutts.

Indeed, why not? With the success of events like this, others are aiming to capture the same spirit of adventure elsewhere in the capital.

Gwyn Morfey, 30, is a daytime web developer who, at weekends, runs Fire Hazard, which organises real-world games for its 3,000 subscribers.

"It started as a hobby. Then it got popular - and then it got really popular," laughs Morfey, whose latest idea is City Dash (City Dash Hackney, August 21, £10, Fire-hazard.net) where up to 100 competitors sign up online then race around specific areas of London in one hour earning points and avoiding the beady eyes of guards who can deduct them.

"Stuff like this works here. City Dash is about speed, stealth and strategy. It's not just about a prize, it's more about the game. People come back with great stories," he says.

According to two keen treasure hunters at branding agency Moving Brands, this trend is often adopted by young people seeking a change from the pub.

"The easy codes of conduct established on social networking sites are translating into a greater openness to try new things and meet new people in the real world," says one, who argues that by bringing Londoners together like this, they can discover the city in a new way. "They can share their perspectives and make new, shared stories," agrees another.

Beck's beer is keen to get us seeing more of the city, too. Together with a group of emerging artists and advertising agency Mother London, they developed the Green Box project (becks.com), planting various green boxes around east London and filling them with art.

But there is a catch. First, adventurers must find them. Second, to view their content (much of it is virtual or computer-generated), they must hover their smartphone over the box before the piece of art appears on screen.

For London foragers, the new Mad Hatter's Tea service at the Sanderson Hotel is available to those who are prepared to find it - by biking through London's parks. To get their hands on an Eat Me, Queen of Hearts mousse, and a Drink Me portion of apple pie, lemon curd and English toffee, they must hire a bike and seek it out (£35, sandersonlondon.com).

Finally, in Shoreditch, a diamond has been stolen - or at least that's the story of the latest Punch Drunk and Stella Artois Black collaboration, The Black Diamond, where accomplices must win tickets (by emailing enquiries@stellaartoisblack.com), then show up at Old Street Tube station and await instructions.

So whether you're hungry, ready to party or just plain adventurous, now is the time to join London's treasure hunters.