Treasure Hunt York
Turn your day into a family adventure
Have fun and discover York 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 York. You'll stroll through Museum Gardens, sneak through snickelways, discover the Shambles and wind your way through alleys and squares.
Spot things other people don't notice like the tiny figure peering down on Ogleforth.
Hear interesting facts like how "mad Alice" got her name.
Go at your own pace. Relax in a cafe if it takes your fancy. No rush.
Play in your own group. It's private and self-guided so you can avoid big groups.
Treasure Hunt York will keep you and your family entertained, leading you on a beautiful walk and giving you quality time together.
Already played
Gardens and Guildhalls?
Find out about our second game, Walk the Walls
Great family activity”
This was a great family (kids 11 and 14) activity post-lockdown. We have lived in York for 15 years and we went places we have never been.
Fab experience”
We thought the clues were pitched at the correct level, not too easy and made you look very closely at your surroundings, without being impossible to solve.
We had a fun day exploring York with a few pit stops for refreshement between clues.
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 York
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 relaxing in Museum Gardens? Enjoy! Take it at your own pace. Look out for pretty cafes and tea-rooms along the route.
Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.
We LOVED it!”
With new covid restrictions, last month my boyfriend and I (both in our 20s) were looking for something to do that could keep us entertained in the rain all day...thank goodness we found the Treasure Hunt!
Even though we both live in York we still managed to discover new backstreets we had never seen before. Thank you so much for keeping us entertained! 100% recommend.
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 York, play another day or cancel for free.
Fun or your money back
We think you're going love Treasure Hunt York!
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 York 🧭
No spoilers... You'll see the main sights like York Minster but the real fun is solving the clues and spotting interesting details right there in the street.
Amazing day”
We really enjoyed this activity, it was nice to see parts of York that we had normally overlooked. Great activity would highly recommend
Museum Gardens - home to medieval abbey ruins and a gorgeous green space.
Bootham Bar - a 11th century city gate and originally part of the Roman fortress.
York Minster - one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, it speaks for itself!
Holy Trinity Church - a glimpse of the medieval world, hidden in a small leafy churchyard!
Dean’s Park - a peaceful garden in the shadow of the Minster and home to the Cathedral Library.
Barley Hall - you’ll discover a fine snickelway called Coffee Yard, passing this beautiful medieval hall.
The Shambles - a medieval street with timber-framed buildings so close together you could pass things across!
Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate - one of the smallest streets in York!
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall - a stunning medieval Guildhall.
Fossgate - you’ll end your adventure in the trendiest area, with decent coffee, vegan baking of course some fine pubs.
By the end, you'll have seen the nicest parts of York's centre. You'll have a good idea of where you'd like to go back to.
What if it rains?
If it's patchy rain, you can pop into a pub along the route: the treasure hunt is flexible.
If it's really bad and you'd like to switch days, that's fine. Or you can split it over two days if you like.
If it's really pouring or the Ouse has burst its banks, we’ll give your money back, even if you've started the game.
Coronavirus: Staying safe
Treasure Hunt York 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, lost in a labyrinth of medieval snickelways...
Will I have fun if I'm from York?
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.”
Great family activity”
This was a great family (kids 11 and 14) activity post-lockdown. We have lived in York for 15 years and we went places we have never been.
Will it be too physical?
It's 2 miles walking but there are nice cafes and pubs you can rest along the route.
Ready for a different way to see York?
- Just £9.99 per person and 15 and under go free!
- 1½ - 2½ hours of quality outdoor family fun.
- Enjoy a pushchair friendly, beautiful route.
- See the best of York!
