Treasure Hunt Chester
Turn your day into a family adventure
Have fun and discover Chester with the kids
Find hidden historical treasures and see new stuff, even if you've lived here your whole life. It's something a bit different and fun for you and the family.
Follow treasure maps and solve clues that'll even keep your teenagers engaged! They're tricky enough for the adults to make it exciting, but just on the right side of challenging for younger ones to get involved.
Solve cryptic clues and follow treasure maps.
Take a carefully designed route around Chester. You'll get great views of the cathedral from the Roman walls. You'll wander through the beautiful Grosvenor park and the riverside.
See the main attractions like the Rows and the Amphitheatre. Spot things other people don't notice like the medieval mystery set into the wall of St John's ruins.
Hear interesting stories like how a Roman soldier left graffitti boasting about his boss.
Go at your own pace. Pop into tea shops or taverns you spot along the route. No rush.
Play in your own group. It's private and self-guided so you can avoid crowds of people.
Treasure Hunt Chester will keep you and your family entertained, leading you on a beautiful walk and giving you quality time together.
A fantastic way to see the sights of Chester”
Kept our 2 children’s (13 & 10) attention throughout. Clues are pitched at the right level with good hints when needed.
Great fun, outdoor activity”
We loved puzzling out the clues and each one of us was able to contribute something to solve the puzzles. This activity was a great way to explore the city and we spent four hours on the treasure hunt, with leisurely stops for lunch, coffee and ice cream.
It works like WhatsApp,
so it’s easy to use
You don’t need to download or print anything and it doesn’t need any permissions.
Plus, you get to start when you want.
1. Follow maps 🧭
Bess sends you a series of treasure maps, leading you around the city.
The clues and maps are a lot of fun.
This is a great way to see the city!”
Captain Bess
2. Search for answers 🔎
Bess sends you a series of clues and you have to search the city for answers.
Good banter from Captain Bess who sends you the clues!”
Captain Bess
Black Beard Beth
Captain Bess
Long Joe Silver
Captain Bess
3. Learn some facts 🎓
Along the way, Bess will tell you a few interesting facts and stories about the things you're spotting!”
We learnt new things and actually appreciated the beautiful scenery as we went around the city.
Captain Bess
4. Play together 👨👩👦
Captain Bess will invite you all to join the hunt!
We had such a laugh and a great day out!
Captain Bess
Buccaneer Beth
Captain Bess
Lianne Pinkbeard joined the game.
Parrot Pete 🦜 joined the game.
Parrot Pete
Lianne Pinkbeard
... for FREE!
A different way to see Chester
A treasure hunt is more like a game than a traditional tour. You have to follow treasure maps, solve cryptic clues and keep your eyes peeled to find the answers.
You’ll have some banter with our friendly pirate Captain Bess. She’ll put you in your place if you get too many answers wrong!
Take your time, go at your own pace
You can start when you like, there’s no fixed start time. You can even finish the next day if you get stuck in a nice pub!
Fancy a picnic in Grosvenor park? Go ahead. Take it at your own pace. Enjoy the quaint pubs and cafes along the route.
Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.
A lovely way to explore Chester”
I liked that we could go at our own pace and stop for coffee or lunch whether we saw a nice spot. We took a buggy with our baby daughter and we appreciated that the route was accessible for us with dropped kerbs and no steps.
Start playing in 60 seconds
It’s all on your phones, there’s nothing to print or collect.
Book online and you’ll get a link to start your game straight away.
You can rearrange or cancel
We’re flexible. If you change your mind, or if you can't make it to Chester, play another day or cancel for free.
Fun or your money back
We think you're going love Treasure Hunt Chester!
If you don't have fun, we promise to give your money back. We'll ask for a quick chat on the phone to understand what went wrong.
You'll see the best of Chester 🧭
No spoilers! You'll see the main sites like the Roman walls, the Rows and the river, but the real fun is finding the clues and uncovering a few hidden gems.
Chester Cathedral - an ancient abbey situated in the heart of the historic city.
The City Walls - the oldest, longest and most complete city walls in Britain. Full of history with stunning views.
Eastgate Clock - it is said to be the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben!
The Roman Amphitheatre - dating from the 1st century it was used for entertainment and military training and was the largest in Britain.
The Roman Gardens - an elegant garden featuring fragments of excavated Roman fortresses and buildings.
Grosvenor Park - a fine Victorian park and with tree lined avenues and sweeping lawns surrounded by ornamental beds.
The River Dee - a beautiful river with the ’Groves’ on the bank, a vibrant promenade with bandstand, cafés and pubs.
Autumn By The Dee by Tim Dutton
Storyhouse - an award-winning theatre, cinema and library housed in a remodelled 1936 cinema.
The Rows - a series of half-timbered buildings with raised walkways dating back to medieval times.
By the end, you'll have seen the best parts of the city, and have some ideas about where to go next.
What if it rains?
If it's patchy rain, you can pop into a riverside cafe or a medieval pub along the route: the treasure hunt is flexible.
If it's really bad and you fancy playing the next day, that's fine. Or you can split it over two days if you like.
If it's really chucking it down and you don't fancy a swim in the Dee, we’ll give your money back, even if you've started the game.
Coronavirus: Staying safe
Treasure Hunt Chester is all outdoors in public spaces. The route is designed so you can avoid other people and everyone can play on their own phones.
Read our full guidance for playing.
Will it be too difficult?
Don't worry! The treasure hunt has some tricky clues, but if you get stuck you can ask for a hint.
We make sure you don't get completely stuck wandering around the Roman amphitheatre...
Will I have fun if I'm from Chester?
Yes! You already know the city, but we bet you'll notice things you've walked past a hundred times before.
We've worked hard to find the less-obvious stuff - beyond the typical blue plaques - and some interesting stories and anecdotes. You're going to have a great time!
Suitable for ages 8+
The game is designed for adults and curious kids aged 8 and up.
Younger ones are welcome though you may have to help by interpreting the clues and Captain Bess' pirate speak.
The whole route is pushchair friendly, avoiding steps or showing step-free alternative routes.
We’re a family of four with a 13 year old and a 11 year old. Mum was map reader, dad reminded kids about clues, and kids were hunting for clues.”
A fantastic way to see the sights of Chester”
Kept our 2 children’s (13 & 10) attention throughout. Clues are pitched at the right level with good hints when needed.
Will it be too physical?
It's 2½ miles walking but there are lots of places to rest, like excellent pubs, cafes on the river and the lovely Grosvenor park.
Ready for a different way to see Chester?
- Just £9.99 per person and 15 and under go free!
- 2-3½ hours of quality outdoor family fun.
- Enjoy a pushchair friendly, beautiful route.
- See the best of Chester!
