York Treasure Hunt: Solve 19 Riddles Through the City

Decode riddles to navigate York's hidden corners and legendary past

This self-guided treasure hunt sends cryptic clues to your phone via Telegram or WhatsApp as you walk around York solving riddles and unlocking the next leg of the trail. You work as a team to decipher each clue, search for the answer nearby, and move forward. The route covers about 5km and takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with optional breaks at cafes and pubs along the way. Hints and directions are available if you need them, and the game is timed so you can compete on the leaderboard.

The experience

Cryptic instructions arrive on your phone the moment you reach the start point. Each riddle is a puzzle to solve, and once you send the answer via the app, the next clue unlocks. You're not following a guide or a map. You're deciphering myth and history woven into the city itself. The trail weaves through 19 clues, each one pulling you toward a different corner of York and a different layer of the story: a Roman Emperor, a Norse monster, a Greek sea goddess. Along the way you pass stunning buildings, historic statues, and taverns that feel fit for Caesar himself.

The walk covers roughly 5km and usually takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending on how quickly your team solves each riddle. Three optional pub and cafe breaks sit roughly a third of the way around the trail, so you can pause, refuel, and keep going. If a clue stumps you, hints arrive on request. If you lose your way, directions are just a message away. The difficulty sits at 3 out of 5, and no local knowledge is required: the riddles themselves guide you.

All the clues come through Telegram or WhatsApp, whichever app you choose at checkout. Both are free to download, and everything runs on your smartphone. Since the game is timed and ranked on a leaderboard, you can challenge friends or just race against your own best time. The whole thing is built for teams, so gather whoever you're traveling with and see if you have what it takes to save the city.

What’s included

• A trail of 19 riddles sent to your phone via Telegram or WhatsApp.
• hint messages to nudge you if a clue stumps you.
• lost messages with directions if you need help finding your way.
• access to the leaderboard so you can time your solve and compare it with other teams.

Options for this experience

2 options

WhatsAppGuide in English · No fixed timeMessages are delivered through WhatsApp, which is free to download and install from all app stores.

Recommended: Telegram AppGuide in English · No fixed timeMessages are delivered through the Telegram app, which is free to download and install from all app stores.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by CityDays

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to explore York on foot but with a puzzle driving where you go, rather than following a fixed route or a guide's commentary. The self-guided format means you move at your own pace and can pause at any of the three cafes or pubs without falling behind anyone else.

Traveler reviews

4.33★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How does the treasure hunt actually work? Do I follow a guide or navigate on my own?

You navigate on your own. Cryptic clues arrive on your phone via Telegram or WhatsApp, and you solve each riddle to unlock the next one. Once you send your answer through the app, the next clue appears and tells you where to go next. Hints and directions are available if you get stuck.

What's the distance and how long does the whole thing take?

The trail covers about 5km and typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete. Three optional breaks at cafes and pubs are built into the route, roughly a third of the way around, so you can rest and grab food or a drink without losing your place.

Do I need to know York's history or mythology to solve the riddles?

No local knowledge is required. The riddles blend fact and fiction (you'll meet a Roman Emperor, a Norse monster, and a Greek sea goddess), but the clues themselves guide you through the story. The difficulty is rated 3 out of 5, so it's designed to be solvable by anyone.

Can I compete with other teams or just do this for fun?

All games are timed and ranked on a leaderboard, so you can challenge your friends or other teams if you want. You can also just solve the riddles at your own pace and enjoy the walk through the city without worrying about the clock.

What app do I need, and is there a cost to download it?

You'll use either Telegram or WhatsApp. Both are free on all app stores. Choose which one you prefer at checkout, and all the clues and hints will arrive through that app on your smartphone.