Leeds Self-Guided Walking Tour: Riddles & Landmarks

Chase riddles through Leeds' Victorian theatres, cathedrals and public art.

This self-guided walking tour of Leeds uses an app and riddles to lead you through the city centre on foot, stopping at the Grand Theatre & Opera House, Leeds Cathedral, and the sculpture Winifred. You download the Explorial app, enter a game code, and solve clues at your own pace with no fixed start time or guide — around 2 hours of walking through a compact, walkable city.

The Experience

You start at Drapers House in the city centre, download the Explorial app to your smartphone, and enter a 6-digit game code sent by text and Viator message. The app opens a map with marked locations and your first riddle. Solve it and the app guides you to the Grand Theatre & Opera House, a Victorian auditorium built in 1878 with an ornate facade and gilded interior that has hosted opera, ballet and theatre for nearly 150 years. The riddles keep moving you through the city — next stop is Leeds Cathedral, a Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral tucked amid the commercial bustle of the centre, its carved stonework and soaring interior offering a quiet moment. From there the app leads you to Winifred, a public sculpture that has become one of Leeds' most talked-about recent additions.

The whole route takes around 2 hours on foot, but the timing is entirely yours. You walk whenever you're ready, pause for as long as you want at cafes scattered through the compact centre, and move at your own pace. The app keeps track of your location on the map so you always know where you are. Between riddles you'll answer trivia challenges and complete photo tasks, and the app scores your group so you can compete against each other or try to beat the city's high score. There's no pressure to finish — you can take breaks, explore side streets, or spend longer at any stop.

You'll need a fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection; disable any VPN and avoid city Wi-Fi, as these will cause the app to malfunction. The tour is available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Italian — you choose your language when you start the game. Service animals are allowed, and the walk suits all fitness levels. If bad weather or illness stops you from starting, you can reschedule for another day, switch to a different city, or request a refund.

What’s included

• Free download of the Explorial app for iOS or Android.
• interactive riddles, trivia challenges and photo tasks that guide you through the city.
• live location mapping so you always know where you are.
• points and scoring system to compete within your group or against the city's high score.
• learn about Leeds' stories, history and local legends as you walk.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Explorial

Is this one for you?This tour works for any group size and all fitness levels since you set the pace and take breaks whenever you want — ideal if you're traveling with people who move at different speeds or if you want to explore Leeds without following a fixed schedule or waiting for a guide.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens when I arrive at the starting point?

You meet at Drapers House, 10 York Place in Leeds city centre. Open the Explorial app on your smartphone, enter the 6-digit game code you received by text and Viator message, and the first riddle appears on your map — the app then guides you from landmark to landmark through the city.

Can I start the tour whenever I want, or is there a fixed time?

There is no fixed start time. You begin whenever you're ready, walk at your own pace, and take as many breaks as you want — the whole route takes around 2 hours, but you control the timing.

What is the Grand Theatre & Opera House like?

The Grand Theatre & Opera House is a Victorian auditorium built in 1878 with an ornate facade and gilded interior. It has hosted opera, ballet and theatre for nearly 150 years and remains at the heart of Leeds' cultural life — you'll see it as one of the riddle stops on the route.

Do I need to pay entrance fees to visit the landmarks on this tour?

No entrance fees are required. All the riddles and puzzles relate to public areas of the sights, so you can complete the tour without paying to enter any of the buildings.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a fully charged smartphone with an active mobile data connection and comfortable walking shoes. Disable any VPN before you start, and avoid connecting to city Wi-Fi, as these will cause the app to malfunction. Weather-appropriate clothing is recommended for around 2 hours of light walking.

Can I do this tour with a large group?

Groups can be any size up to 15 people per booking. For larger groups, you can make multiple bookings and have everyone play together, competing on the scoring system within the app.