Leicester Mystery Guide: Self-Guided Treasure Hunt

Crack the case and find the hidden diary

Leicester Mystery Guide is a self-guided treasure hunt through Leicester where you follow clues in a physical book to locate a secret diary linked to King Richard III. No technology, app or pre-booking required. You work through the puzzle at your own pace, combining skills to unravel the story and discover the city's hidden corners along the way.

The Experience

The hunt starts the moment you open your Mystery Guide book. You're searching for a secret diary supposedly written by King Richard III and hidden somewhere in Leicester. A puzzle nobody has solved until now. The book contains clues, riddles and a cipher you'll need to crack. Each one points you toward a real location in the city where the next piece of the story waits. There's no app, no GPS, no tech at all. Just you, the book and the streets of Leicester.

You move through the city on foot, stopping at landmarks and hidden gems as the clues direct you. The route is yours to shape: pause for coffee, duck into a historic pub, take a selfie at a spot that catches your eye. The three-hour adventure unfolds at whatever pace suits your group. Along the way you'll uncover Leicester's history and discover places locals know but visitors often miss. The real payoff comes when you crack the final clue and locate the treasure: the moment the epic tale resolves and you've solved what legend left unsolved.

This is a live guide experience in English, though you're navigating independently using only the book. The activity is wheelchair accessible, and prams or strollers work fine if you're traveling with infants. Public transport stops are nearby if you need a break or want to skip ahead, and all areas you'll visit are accessible.

What’s included

• Leicester Mystery Guide book.
• self-guided treasure hunt with clues and cipher.
• access to all locations mentioned in the hunt.
• live guide experience in English.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mystery Guides

Is this one for you?Best for small groups and families who enjoy solving puzzles together and want to explore Leicester at their own pace without a fixed schedule or app. The self-guided format means you move when you're ready and linger where you choose, making it ideal for mixed ages or anyone who prefers independence over a set itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can I do the Leicester Mystery Guide on my own, or do I need a group?

You can tackle it solo or with others: the book works for any group size. Families, friends and individuals all work through the clues together or separately. The adventure adapts to however many people you bring.

What happens if I get stuck on one of the clues?

The Mystery Guide is designed so you can work through each clue at your own pace. If you're truly stuck, you can skip ahead to the next location and come back to it, or work through the cipher differently. The book gives you the tools to solve it your way.

Do I need to book in advance, or can I just start whenever I want?

No pre-booking is needed. You pick up or receive your Mystery Guide and start the hunt whenever suits you. The adventure is entirely self-paced, so you control when you begin and how long you spend on each section.

What is King Richard III's connection to Leicester?

King Richard III's remains were discovered in Leicester in 2012 during an archaeological dig beneath a car park. The Mystery Guide weaves this real historical event into a fictional treasure hunt, sending you to actual locations around the city as you search for the imagined secret diary.

Is this activity suitable for children?

The treasure hunt works well for families and children who enjoy puzzles and reading. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and the pace is flexible enough for mixed ages. The clues and cipher are designed to be solved by combining skills across your group.