England · TREASURE HUNTS AND CITY GAMES

The 15 Best Treasure Hunts & City Games in England

38 tours  ·  from $9

A self-guided hunt is the cheapest way to see a city centre with children and the only tour that lets you start when you like. These 15 compare cities, puzzle difficulty and how long each one really takes.

London Soho Food Tour with 7+ Tastings of Delicious Hidden Gems - Carnaby Street and the style of 1960s Soho
Food, Food & Drink, London Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Treasure Hunts and City Games, Treasure Hunts and City Games in London

London Soho Food Tour with 7+ Tastings of Delicious Hidden Gems

1.London Soho Food Tour with 7+ Tastings of Delicious Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149Our pick

Spend three and a half hours walking through Soho and Chinatown with guides such as Paul, Gary, Anita, Anna, Tom, and Theo. You’ll sample Spanish, Italian, Indonesian, Chinese, and Malaysian-inspired food, plus historic gins, vermouth, and a secret dish. The group is limited to 10 people.

“Paul, our guide was great. I appreciated how he connected the foods we ate on the tour with his own worldly travels. The food and drinks were great too. I left full!”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Manchester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - St Peter’s Square sets the tone
Manchester Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Manchester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

2.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Manchester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Start at Manchester Piccadilly and follow Captain Bess through St Peter’s Square, Castlefield, St John’s Gardens, John Rylands Library, and Chinatown. Ian and Paul’s smartphone hunt mixes maps, clues, city facts, hints, and freedom to pause. Allow about 2.5 hours, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a backup map.

“Nice to see some areas that we wouldn’t have usually seen on a normal trip to Manchester, fun day out!”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around York with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Museum Gardens and Bootham Bar: an easy start to the route
Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games, Treasure Hunts and City Games in York, York Tours

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around York with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

3.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around York with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 248 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess guides you by smartphone through York’s Museum Gardens, Minster, Shambles, and lesser-seen lanes. Solve cryptic clues, request hints when needed, pause for food or drinks, and finish with a useful overview of the city. No app download, paper, or group guide is required.

“We really enjoyed the whole experience , it got you to parts you wouldn’t normally go and finding the clues to get answers , some of which were quite tricky ,only added to our enjoyment.”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bath with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - From Parade Gardens to the River Avon
Bath Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bath with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

4.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bath with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 208 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess guides your private group through Bath by smartphone, sending maps, clues, hints, facts, and stories. Start at Abbey Churchyard, pause for shops or a drink, and follow a roughly 2.5-hour route to eight major sights without printing or downloading anything.

“Fun way to see the sights, understand the history and fill a couple of hours. Group of girls determined to succeed and find the answers!”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Oxford with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Starting at Oxford Castle and Prison
Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Oxford with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

5.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Oxford with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Follow Captain Bess through Oxford on a self-guided treasure hunt linking Oxford Castle, Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, and more. Solve clues, request hints, pause for shops or pubs, and learn stories along the way. The route takes about two and a half hours and ends where it begins.

“Really clever way to see Oxford. The treasure hunt was great fun, the maps were very clear and the clues were really clever. Best part was you can do it at your leisure. Fancy a drink or bite to eat? Want to explore the sites or visit that boutique shop you just walked past? Go ahead, the treasure hunt waits until you're ready to join in again. Highly recommended.”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Birmingham with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Starting at Birmingham School of Art
Birmingham Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Birmingham with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

6.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Birmingham with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess leads your private group through Birmingham by phone, using maps, clues, and playful facts. Walk about 2½ miles from Birmingham School of Art to five city stops, including the Town Hall, Library, Jewellery Quarter, and St. Paul’s Church. Ask for hints whenever a clue stalls you.

“We spent a thoroughly enjoyable day exploring Birmingham while doing this treasure hunt. A great way to see the city and parts of it that we would otherwise have missed. This is about the 5th one of these types of hunts that we've done and there will be more! Highly recommended!”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Chester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Walking the City Walls with a purpose
Chester Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Chester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

7.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Chester with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Start in Chester Town Hall Square and follow Captain Bess through clues, maps, and stories sent to your phone. The route links the cathedral, city walls, Roman sites, Grosvenor Park, River Dee, Storyhouse, and Chester Rows. Take about two hours, or pause for food and finish later.

“The technology worked pretty well throughout the hunt, although right at the end it stopped working for all of us - frustrating. The route was well chosen and interesting but we thought some of the clues were too hard, children got frustrated”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Brighton with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Royal Pavilion: Brighton’s theatrical calling card
Brighton Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Brighton with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

8.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Brighton with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess sends maps, clues, hints, facts, and stories to your phone as you explore Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, North Laine, the piers, Theatre Royal, and The Lanes. This private, self-guided hunt takes about two and a half hours and starts when you choose.

“We all had a great time - 2 adults & a teen. We’ve lived in Brighton for 20 years and there were things we’d never noticed. Right level of clues, wear comfortable shoes as it does take about 2 & a half hours as the notes say. Instructions were clear and it all worked well. Really recommend it.”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Cambridge with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - How Captain Bess keeps the game moving
Cambridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Cambridge with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

9.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Cambridge with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess guides your private group by phone through Cambridge’s lanes, colleges, market, and river-side Backs. Follow maps, solve cryptic clues, and pause whenever you like. Allow about two and a half hours, with help from hints if a puzzle slows you down.

“This self-guided tour could have been so good but was let down by constantly walking down the same streets from one clue to the next. It would have been better had it been a circuitous route, with information available as you passed places of interest in between clues.”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Liverpool with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - From the cathedral to the Royal Albert Dock
Liverpool Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Liverpool with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

10.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Liverpool with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess guides your private group by phone from Liverpool Cathedral through Bold Street, Mathew Street, and the Royal Albert Dock. You solve cryptic clues, request hints, and follow maps without an app or printed ticket. Allow about three hours, or longer if you stop for food and pubs.

“6 of us in the group, we’d underestimated how cold it was and we started later than planned but despite that had a fabulous time. As everyone has said in the reviews you see parts of your own city you’ve never noticed. Clues were easy enough to be able to find without too much difficulty, but cryptic enough to spark some lively debates in the group! The step by step interactive clues were great and easy to follow. The only suggestion is maybe somehow indicating how far to the next clue (most clues did or there was a map). We missed one and had to backtrack but it was only…”

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Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems - Starting near Westminster at Portcullis House
London Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Treasure Hunts and City Games, Treasure Hunts and City Games in London

Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems

11.Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · 3 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $109

Plan a private three-to-eight-hour London walk with a local host such as Becky, Darryl, Tom, or Tem. A pre-tour questionnaire helps shape your route around landmarks, food, history, family needs, or lesser-known corners. Expect a walking tour, with transport costs extra if needed.

“Tem was an amazing tour guide. He was energetic, knowledgeable, and flexible which was important because we had our kids with us. Thanks Tem!!”

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Leeds 'Hidden Gems' Food Tour - Restaurants, street food, and the odd food shop
Food, Food & Drink, Leeds Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Leeds ‘Hidden Gems’ Food Tour

12.Leeds ‘Hidden Gems’ Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $104

Spend about four hours tasting your way through Leeds city centre with a guide such as Ellen. Visit seven food stops, including Kirkgate Market, pubs, restaurants, street food stalls, and a quirky food shop. Lunch is included, while drinks cost extra. Groups are limited to 12.

“Don't eat anything that morning Very interesting local knowledge Went to some venues you would normally walk past”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bristol with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Saint Nicholas Market adds movement and street life
Bristol Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bristol with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

13.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bristol with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Follow Captain Bess through central Bristol on a private, phone-based treasure hunt. Solve clues from Castle Park to Bristol Old Vic, learn local stories, ask for hints, and pause for shops or pubs. You start when you choose, need nothing to print, and finish where you began.

“Nice introduction to the city, with nice little packets of information around each clue, with a not to over the top pirate theme. Unfortunately my phone battery run out, so failed to complete the tour.”

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Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of London Private Tour - Borough Market: a tasting stop with extra costs
London Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Treasure Hunts and City Games, Treasure Hunts and City Games in London

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of London Private Tour

14.Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of London Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $159

Spend three hours with a private English-speaking local guide exploring London at your pace. The route may include Soho, Borough Market, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, the Thames, or music sites. A local drink or tasting is included, while extra food, drinks, and transport cost more.

“Highlights and Hidden Gems on Feb 20th with John was amazing! My daughter and I learned a lot and John was super kind, informative and helpful. Highly recommend”

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Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Leeds with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems - Starting at Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Tours, Tour Reviews, Treasure Hunts and City Games

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Leeds with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

15.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Leeds with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $20

Join Captain Bess on a self-guided Leeds treasure hunt by phone. Solve clues and follow maps from Leeds Art Gallery through Victoria Leeds, Kirkgate Market, arcades, and more. Pause for shopping, food, or a drink, ask for hints when needed, and finish back at the starting point.

“Perfect fun day, great treasure hunt fun, perfect way to see a city. Clues were just the right level of hard.”

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New in Treasure Hunts and City Games

★ 5.0London’s Hidden Gems and Secret History Private Guided Tour8 reviews
★ 5.0Essential London: Must-Sees and Hidden Gems (Private Tour)From $54219 reviews
★ 3.5Interactive Treasure Hunt London – City of London/SouthwarkFrom $245 reviews
★ 5.0Hidden Gems Tour of the City of LondonFrom $249 reviews
★ 5.0Cluefall – Immersive Treasure Hunt in London’s South BankFrom $303 reviews
★ 4.0Capture London Iconic Landmarks and Hidden Gems PhotoshootFrom $1105 reviews
★ 5.0Private Liverpool Highlights & Hidden Gems Tour with a LocalFrom $6314 reviews
★ 4.0Isle of Wight Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK6 reviews
★ 4.5Falmouth Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK3 reviews
★ 4.0Peak District Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK3 reviews
★ 3.5Cambridge Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt3 reviews
★ 4.5Bristol Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt3 reviews
★ 5.0Immersive City Treasure Hunt – BrightonFrom $295 reviews
★ 5.0An Historical Walking Tour of Brighton and its Hidden GemsFrom $219 reviews
★ 4.0Bournemouth Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK3 reviews

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