Miglia Quadrato
The Miglia Quadrato is a motoring event. It takes the form of a treasure hunt which takes entrants to various parts of
the City of London, where they are challenged to find the answers to questions. These clues are not cryptic but may be
observationally challenging. For some the event is a social activity and leads entrants on a historical and educational
tour (combined with a "quiz") of some of the less visible “features” of the City. For others, it is highly competitive: an
attempt to answer as many clues as possible in a limited time. The event takes place at night, for five hours between
midnight and five in the morning (Saturday/Sunday). There is absolutely no route. Competitors are provide with a sheet
having sixty references that may be plotted on a 1:10000 map pin-pointing a “search” area of 10 metres square.
There are no cryptic clues – each question may be answered from permanent features of the City. For
example, Blue Plaques, architect stones, inscriptions on monuments, etc.
The sheet is handed to competitors at midnight and they will spend twenty minutes or more plotting these on
the map. They then decide their own path between locations. The clues are categorised as easy,
medium, or difficult and this will affect how each team chooses their order of tackling the clues.
The event takes place entirely on the streets, footpaths, and public spaces of the City of London. The
organisers take every care to avoid inhabited areas and sensitive areas (such as the hospital) and to ensure
residents and other users of the City are not disturbed or affected. Only publicly accessible areas are used.
It is noteworthy that the event was originally created in 1957/1958 in the wake of the Suez crisis and fuel
rationing. This had brought all motor competition to a halt and the Miglia was conceived as a way to enable
a form of motoring event while minimising fuel usage. Indeed, the mileage is such that even a Lamborghini
would be unlikely to use a gallon of petrol! The format of the event is unique and has earned a
reputation for providing a challenging and enjoyable night, so much so that teams travel from all
over the United Kingdom (and even further afield) to compete. The reputation of the event is
spread by word of mouth – our regular competitors are notable for their enthusiasm. The
nature of the City means the numbers involved must be limited and ideally the event
would see an entry of around a hundred teams. The family car is ideally suited to he
event as no benefit accrues from performance. Of particular satisfaction is the entry
of a few vintage or veteran vehicles (such as those from the Royal College of
Science/Royal School of Mines). These certainly symbolise the spirit of the
event. Recently, more such entries have boosted the numbers resulting in much
admiration at the start.
It is worth quoting the Motor Sports Association definition of a Treasure Hunt: An event involving the
solving of certain problems in which the use of a car is merely incidental as a means of transport and the
skill or experience of a driver plays no part. The skill element of the event is in map reading and
accurately identifying the clue locations at which answers may be found – easy ones will be obvious to all,
but the difficult ones may escape those who do not peruse the area with sufficient care! Selection of clues
takes into account traffic and parking regulations/restrictions and the safety of contestants is paramount.
Indeed, the key to success is in accurate plotting. Some of the clues (notably those classified as
difficult) will tax the crews’ observational skills. But the clues are straightforward, there are no
catches. Many simply require completion of quoted text or finding an inscribed date (or similar).
There is no ambiguity – when an answer has been found it will be obvious that it is the required
one. Local knowledge has little bearing – indeed, some who felt they knew the City fare no better
than other novices. Of course, selection of a route and navigation between the chosen points is a challenge (especially
given one way streets, turn prohibitions, etc.) but is part of the event that both frustrates and gives it its unique
character. Running at night, there is the fun of searching by torchlight. The beam of a torch may linger on an
inscription or pass close by. There is a thrill at finding an answer, especially so if other teams are nearby and you are
able to slip away without revealing what you found! Clues range from the blatantly obvious, such as blue plaques (you
still need to have plotted carefully) to sometimes obscured and faded foundation stones. Statues may bear a discreet
name of the sculptor or founder, often tucked away in some nook or cranny. The time can flash by and then you are
headed to the finish, where after a short wait, provisional results will show how you fared against others. There are
rivalries between teams from the same club or company that are equal to the battle at the head of the field. For those
of a braver disposition there is a category for teams of just two (not recommended for your first outing). Should you
wish to learn more about the techniques of plotting and clue finding please download our Newcomers’ Guide here.
Details and regulations for the next event can be found elsewhere on the site.
Our other annual event (the Londinium Pedo) has run since 1972. Neither could continue without the approval of both
the City authorities and the City of London Police – to both
of
whom, we are most grateful. The present organisers
have been running both events since 1971 and this
continuity ensures there is no impact upon other
City users. We enjoy a very good relationship with the
City of London Police who have offered advice
over the years. We have run this event for over
fifty
years and are proud that the Police have
always considered it a well-organised
event.
Miglia Quadrato
The Miglia Quadrato is a motoring event. It takes
the form of a treasure hunt which takes entrants
to various parts of the City of London, where they
are challenged to find the answers to questions.
These clues are not cryptic but may be
observationally challenging. For some the event is
a social activity and leads entrants on a historical
and educational tour (combined with a "quiz") of
some of the less visible “features” of the City. For
others, it is highly competitive: an attempt to
answer as many clues as possible in a limited
time. The event takes place at night, for five
hours between midnight and five in the morning
(Saturday/Sunday). There is absolutely no route.
Competitors are provide with a sheet having sixty
references that may be plotted on a 1:10000 map
pin-pointing a “search” area of 10 metres square.
There are no cryptic clues – each question may be
answered from permanent features of the City.
For example, Blue Plaques, architect
stones, inscriptions on monuments, etc.
The sheet is handed to competitors at
midnight and they will spend twenty
minutes or more plotting these on the
map. They then decide their own path
between locations. The clues are
categorised as easy, medium, or difficult
and this will affect how each team chooses
their order of tackling the clues.
The event takes place entirely on the
streets, footpaths, and public spaces
of the City of London. The
organisers take every care to
avoid inhabited areas
and sensitive areas
(such as the hospital) and to ensure
residents and other users of the City
are not disturbed or affected.
Only publicly accessible areas are
used.
It is noteworthy that the event was
originally created in 1957/1958 in the
wake of the Suez crisis and fuel
rationing. This had brought all motor
competition to a halt and the Miglia
was conceived as a way to enable
a form of motoring event while
minimising fuel usage. Indeed,
the mileage is such that even a
Lamborghini would be unlikely to use a gallon of
petrol! The format of the event is unique and has
earned a reputation for providing a challenging
and enjoyable night, so much so that teams travel
from all over the United Kingdom (and even
further afield) to compete. The reputation of the
event is spread by word of mouth – our regular
competitors are notable for their enthusiasm. The
nature of the City means the numbers involved
must be limited and ideally the event would see
an entry of around a hundred teams. The family
car is ideally suited to he event as no benefit
accrues from performance. Of particular
satisfaction is the entry of a few vintage or
veteran vehicles (such as those from the Royal
College of Science/Royal School of Mines). These
certainly symbolise the spirit of the event.
Recently, more such entries have boosted the
numbers resulting in much admiration at the start.
It is worth quoting the Motor Sports Association
definition of a Treasure Hunt: An event involving
the solving of certain problems in which the use
of a car is merely incidental as a means of
transport and the skill or experience of a driver
plays no part. The skill element of the event is in
map reading and accurately identifying the clue
locations at which answers may be found – easy
ones will be obvious to all, but the difficult ones
may escape those who do not peruse the area
with sufficient care! Selection of clues takes into
account traffic and parking
regulations/restrictions and the safety of
contestants is paramount. Indeed, the key to
success is in accurate plotting. Some of the clues
(notably those classified as difficult) will tax the
crews’ observational skills. But the clues are
straightforward, there are no catches. Many
simply require completion of quoted text or
finding an inscribed date (or similar). There is no
ambiguity – when an answer has been found it will
be obvious that it is the required one. Local
knowledge has little bearing – indeed, some who
felt they knew the City fare no better than other
novices. Of course, selection of a route and
navigation between the chosen points is a
challenge (especially given one way streets, turn
prohibitions, etc.) but is part of the event that
both frustrates and gives it its unique character.
Running at night, there is the fun of searching by
torchlight. The beam of a torch may linger on an
inscription or pass close by. There is a thrill at
finding an answer, especially so if other teams are
nearby and you are able to slip away without
revealing what you found! Clues range from the
blatantly obvious, such as blue plaques (you still
need to have plotted carefully) to sometimes
obscured and faded foundation stones. Statues
may bear a discreet name of the sculptor or
founder, often tucked away in some nook or
cranny. The time can flash by and then you are
headed to the finish, where after a short wait,
provisional results will show how you fared
against others. There are rivalries between teams
from the same club or company that are equal to
the battle at the head of the field. For those of a
braver disposition there is a category for teams of
just two (not recommended for your first outing).
Should you wish to learn more about the
techniques of plotting and clue finding please
download our Newcomers’ Guide here. Details and
regulations for the next event can be found
elsewhere on the site.
Our other annual event (the Londinium Pedo) has
run since 1972. Neither could continue without
the approval of both the City authorities and the
City of London Police – to both of whom, we are
most grateful. The present organisers have been
running both events since 1971 and this
continuity ensures there is no impact upon other
City users. We enjoy a very good relationship with
the City of London Police who have offered advice
over the years. We have run this event for over
fifty years and are proud that the Police have
always considered it a
well-organised event.