Cambridge Famous Alumni Quest: Phone Game Tour

Clues, colleges and a story that unfolds as you walk

The Cambridge Famous Alumni Quest is a self-guided exploration game played on your phone that takes you through the university's most important sites (the University Library, Queens College, Pembroke College and others), while you solve challenges tied to the story of an Uncanny Zoologist and the creatures he studied. The game unlocks directions to the next stop as you solve each clue, and you move at your own pace. No tour guide or attraction tickets are needed to complete it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cambridge via clue-solving game

• Begin at The Guildhall
• Solve challenge at The Gargoyle Tower
• Study clue at The Eagle pub
• Solve next challenge
• Look up next clue
• Solve challenge at Pembroke College
• Receive next clue and explore
• Enjoy view and continue exploring
• Admire buildings while exploring
• Solve challenge at The University Library
• See Garret Hostel Bridge and get clue
• Enjoy view and continue exploring
• Finish at Market Square

The experience

You start at The Guildhall with your first clue loaded on your phone. Each challenge you solve unlocks the next part of the story and gives you directions to the next location. The route takes you through lesser-known college courtyards, past the Garret Hostel Bridge, into The Eagle pub, a famous spot in Cambridge's history, and ends at Market Square. The whole thing plays out over 2.5 to 3 hours, though you set the pace. There's no schedule to keep and no guide waiting for you.

The game itself is the hybrid: part outdoor escape room, part treasure hunt, part walking tour. You're not just visiting these places. You're solving puzzles that tie them to the story of who unraveled the shape of DNA and the strange creatures this zoologist encountered. The clues guide you to specific spots (the Gargoyle Tower, Pembroke College, the University Library) where you stop, work through the challenge, and then move on. You can linger as long as you want at any point. The game waits for you.

After you book, you'll get an email with instructions to download the game on your phone. The operator recommends one ticket per person for the best experience, though several people can share a single phone if needed. You can play anytime after booking: no rescheduling, no fixed departure time. If your group is larger than fifteen, just make multiple bookings.

What’s included

• Self-guided game on your phone.
• access to the story of the Uncanny Zoologist and the clues that unlock it.
• directions to each stop as you solve challenges.
• the route through the University Library, Queens College, Pembroke College, The Eagle pub, the Gargoyle Tower, Garret Hostel Bridge and Market Square.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Questo

Is this one for you?This works best for small groups or solo travelers who like to set their own pace and don't mind solving puzzles as part of the experience. The self-guided format means you're not tied to a group departure or a guide's schedule, so it fits easily into a day where you want flexibility.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How do I get the game on my phone before I start?

After booking, you'll receive an email with download instructions. Install the game, and you're ready to begin at The Guildhall whenever you choose.

Do I need to buy tickets to enter the colleges and museums along the route?

No tickets are required to complete the game. You'll see the exteriors and courtyards of Queens College, Pembroke College and other sites, but entry to the buildings themselves is not part of this experience.

Can I play this with a group, or do I need my own phone?

Several people can share one phone, though the operator recommends one ticket per person for the best experience. Groups larger than fifteen should make multiple bookings.

What happens if I get stuck on a clue?

The game is designed to guide you through each challenge. If you're stuck, the app will help you progress so the story and directions continue to unfold.

Can I start the game whenever I want, or is there a set time?

You can play anytime after booking. There's no fixed departure or schedule: download the game and start whenever suits your day in Cambridge.