Robin Hood Quest in Nottingham: Self-Guided Puzzle Walk

Solve puzzles through medieval Nottingham and rescue Robin Hood yourself

A self-guided puzzle walk through Nottingham where you play Maid Marian searching for Robin Hood across 13 landmarks, using the Questo app to decode clues at medieval sites, historic pubs, and the castle. You control the pace, pause whenever you like, and follow the app's interactive map and instructions through the city where the outlaw legend began. Download the app and create an account before you start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Self-guided Robin Hood puzzle walk

• Start at the Weekday Cross market area
• Pass by the National Justice Museum
• Visit St. Mary's Church and decode puzzles
• Stop at the Bell Inn pub
• Pass by the Council House
• Visit St. Nicholas' Church
• Pass by Ye Olde Salutation Inn pub
• Explore Mortimer's Hole at Nottingham Castle
• Stop at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub
• Visit the Robin Hood Statue
• Pass by the Castle Gatehouse
• Experience the Robin Hood Experience interactive exhibits

The Experience

You're hunting Robin Hood through the streets where the legend was born. The Questo app guides you from the Medieval marketplace where Robin entered in disguise, past the courthouse where hangings once drew crowds, and into three historic pubs each claiming to be England's oldest. At each stop: the Weekday Cross, St. Mary's Church (mentioned in the earliest Robin Hood ballad from around 1450), the Bell Inn, Ye Olde Salutation Inn, and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. You decode a puzzle that moves the story forward. The clues are woven into real medieval history, so solving them means learning what actually happened at these sites.

The walk takes you down Mortimer's Hole, a secret cave beneath the castle, and through Old Market Square where you outwit the Sheriff before storming the castle to complete the rescue. You're not following a guide's pace or a fixed schedule. You move through the city at your own speed, pause for as long as you want at any landmark, and pick up where you left off whenever you're ready. The whole quest runs around 80 minutes if you move straight through, but you control that entirely. All you need is a charged phone with the Questo app already downloaded and an account created using the email address from your booking.

Nottingham Castle, the Robin Hood statue, and the castle gatehouse are all part of the route, so you're standing in front of the actual places where the legend took shape. The puzzle structure means you're solving the mystery as you go, not just walking past landmarks. Each stop has a reason to be there beyond the history alone.

What’s included

• Play as Maid Marian in an original Medieval rescue storyline.
• self-guided puzzle walk through 13 Nottingham landmarks using the Questo app.
• clues and an interactive map you follow on your phone.
• visits to three historic pubs each claiming to be England's oldest.
• access to Mortimer's Hole, the secret caves beneath the castle.
• the Robin Hood statue, Nottingham Castle grounds, and Old Market Square.
• real medieval history woven into every puzzle and stop.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Questo

Is this one for you?Around 80 minutes of walking and puzzle-solving leaves room for a meal or another activity in your afternoon, and you can split the quest across two visits if you prefer. The self-guided format means you're not tied to a group's schedule or a guide's pace, so you fit it around the rest of your day in Nottingham.

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Top questions

Can I do this quest with young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the self-guided format means you set the pace to match their needs. You pause and resume whenever you want, so there's no pressure to keep moving.

What happens if I get stuck on a puzzle?

The Questo app provides clues and an interactive map to guide you through each challenge. You can take as much time as you need at any stop, and the app is designed to help you find the answer without leaving you stranded.

Do I need to enter Nottingham Castle or the museums to finish the quest?

No. The quest takes you to these landmarks and their surroundings, but you don't need to pay for entry to any museum or attraction to complete the puzzles and story. Entry is optional if you want to explore inside.

What's the difference between this and a guided Robin Hood tour?

This is entirely self-guided using the app. You move at your own pace, pause whenever you want, and follow the interactive map and clues on your phone. There's no guide, no fixed schedule, and no group to keep up with. You're solving the mystery yourself rather than listening to someone else tell it.

How do I start the quest?

Download the Questo app and create an account using the same email you used for your booking before you arrive. Open the app, and it will guide you to the first landmark and give you the opening instructions for the Maid Marian story.

Is this walk accessible if I have mobility concerns?

The quest is suitable for all physical fitness levels and takes you through city streets and landmarks that are generally accessible. You set your own pace and can stop as often as you need, so you control how much walking you do at any one time.