“I've always found words and puzzles quite interesting,” says The Void, a cryptic crossword setter based in South-West England.

His cryptics have been published in various publications, and he also produces a podcast tangentially related to cryptic crosswords.

The Void first started doing cryptics in the early 2010s with friends, before having a go at setting puzzles himself around seven years ago.

By his own admission, he wasn’t very good at the start.

“The great thing about the internet is you can get feedback, and if you're prepared to listen to feedback and learn from it, you can get a lot better,” he says.

The number of online platforms available for setters and solvers alike has grown exponentially since The Void started out.

He says: “When I was starting getting into solving, there were really only a couple of places where I could put up a puzzle and say, ‘What do you think of this? Any tips?’”

Now, there are dozens.

Tutorial apps and video solvers are racking up millions of views and subscribers, creating a growing community where they share tips, tricks, and walkthroughs.

The Void has some personal favourites.

He mentions mycrossword.co.uk as a website where lots of amateur and even semi-pro setters can upload and get lots of feedback from their fellow members, with some graduating to setting for newspapers.

Newbie corner, found on fifteensquared.net, is also mentioned as a great forum for new solvers, where there are plenty of seasoned veterans happy to assist. 

“If anyone is stuck on a crossword clue, go along there, ask for a hint, and someone will help you out,” says The Void.

“If you have already found a crossword in one of the major newspapers that you are trying to solve, there will be out there a website that blogs it and explains all the clues,” he adds.

Also staying sharp are the participants in the Cryptic Crossword Club at the University of the Third Age, North London.

The U3A runs a wide variety of around 130 classes, providing opportunities for older people to learn, share their interests, and enjoy social interaction.

For an hour every Wednesday afternoon a group run by Martin Andresier meet to solve a new puzzle.

“It’s what the U3A is all about,” says Martin. 

“Quite frankly some people here are quite lonely. One lady I understand comes here nearly every day of the week.”

I joined the group for a session on a sunny June afternoon, and we happily solved a puzzle set for us by Martin while enjoying a natter.

It’s clear, though, that it’s the puzzles that keep them coming.

There is joy and laughter whenever someone proudly shouts to the group that they’ve solved a clue.

I can’t help myself, and am beaming while announcing that I’ve solved 21 across.

Martin says: “It’s just pure enjoyment, something for people to do that stimulates the old brain cells. It can’t be bad!”

“The thing about cryptics is, if you don't know anything about them, it's pretty hard to get going,” says The Void.

“But if someone just tells you, here's the few basic rules you need to know, and then here's a few more examples of how they work, then you can start to hack away at the coalface.” 

The growing popularity of the cryptic shows no signs of stopping.

They are breaking into popular culture too, being heavily featured in British TV shows such as Inside Number 9 and Ludwig in the past few years.

As well as cryptics, other puzzling sites are booming, with Wordle's acquisition by the New York Times resulting in over 10 million daily users on the site in 2024.

The Covid lockdowns may also have contributed, suggests The Void.

“It's something that people could do online when they were locked down on their own in a manner that's still sociable, because they can talk to their friends,” he says. 

The Void also co-hosts a podcast called Off-Grid, the not-really-about-Crosswords Crosswords podcast.

He and his co-hosts each pick out words from that episode’s featured crossword, going off on tangents on a variety of topics.

“It's fun to bounce ideas off people,” he says.

“Cryptics are great on your own, but they're even more fun when you're solving with friends.”