Nottingham Treasure Hunt: Solve Clues at Your Own Pace

Follow maps and solve clues sent straight to your phone as you wander Nottingham's streets.

A self-guided treasure hunt through Nottingham where you solve clues and follow maps on your phone at your own pace. You'll spot overlooked corners of the city, learn facts and stories along the way, and get a full overview of what to explore next. The game works like WhatsApp (no download, no printing, no permissions needed), and you can start whenever you want.

The Experience

You're free for an afternoon or you've just arrived and want to get your bearings without a fixed schedule. This treasure hunt sends clues and maps to your phone, and you solve them as you move through Nottingham. There's no rush: if something catches your eye in a shop window or you want to stop for a drink, you pause the game and pick it up again. The whole thing runs on your phone like a messaging app, so there's nothing to download or print.

Captain Bess invites you and your group to join, then sends a series of treasure maps and clues as you go. You search the city for the answers, and if you get stuck, hints are there. Along the way you'll learn interesting facts and stories about the places you're spotting: things other people walk past every day. By the end of around three hours, you'll have walked a beautiful route and know which parts of Nottingham you want to come back to.

Everything happens outdoors, so you can keep your distance from others if you want. The route is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces work for mobility aids. You need to be at least 13 to play, and you'll want a moderate level of fitness to walk the route comfortably.

What’s included

• A shareable link to the game for your whole group.
• clues and treasure maps sent to your phone.
• hints if you get stuck.
• interesting facts and stories about the places you visit.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Treasure Hunt Nottingham

Is this one for you?The game is delivered entirely through text and clues on your phone, so anyone who can read English and solve simple puzzles can follow it. You move at your own pace, which means you can take breaks, explore side streets, or stop for a meal without falling behind: ideal if you want flexibility rather than a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can I do this treasure hunt with a group of friends?

Yes. You share a link to the game with everyone in your group, and you all play together. There's no limit on group size mentioned, so you can invite as many people as you want to join the hunt.

What happens if I can't figure out one of the clues?

Captain Bess sends hints if you get stuck, so you can ask for help and keep moving. The game is designed to be fun rather than frustrating, and hints keep the hunt flowing.

Do I need to download an app or print anything?

No. The treasure hunt works through a link sent to your phone, like WhatsApp. It doesn't need any app download, printing, or special permissions on your phone.

How long does the whole treasure hunt take?

The hunt is designed to take around three hours, but because you set your own pace, you can stretch it out or move faster depending on what you want to do. If you want to turn it into a pub crawl or spend longer at a particular spot, that's up to you.

What's the route like, will I see the main sights of Nottingham?

The treasure hunt takes you on a beautiful route through the city and sends you to places most people overlook. By the end, you'll have a good overview of Nottingham and know what you'd like to explore more deeply next.