Treasure Hunt Bristol

Have fun and see Bristol a different way

You’re going to Bristol and you want to have some fun. There’s so much to see, it's hard to know where to start.

It’s no fun wandering aimlessly. Feeling like you’re missing the cool areas or the lesser known sites. You don’t want to spend all your time looking at your phone, not actually seeing anything. With your other half getting bored and hungry.

What about planning your own route and hoping for the best? Sounds like a lot of work trawling blog posts and reading reviews. And you’ll probably miss the hidden gems as all the blogs just list the same attractions.

Will you find a decent route or are you going to end up walking along a noisy main road when there’s a lovely bit of waterside nearby?

You know Bristol's full of amazing buildings, cool bars and restaurants, and loads of nautical history. It’s just a question of having fun seeing it all.

Introducing
Treasure Hunt Bristol

Pore over treasure maps and ponder cryptic clues.

Scour Bristol's streets to find the answers.

A dotted path where X marks the spot
The iconic colourful houses opposite Bristol harbour

Follow a carefully designed route around Bristol. Enjoy the beautiful King Street, the Cathedral, the modern Millennium Square and the peaceful waterside. Take the lesser known path but still see the Old Town and the other main sights.

Spot things other people don't notice like the franken-sculpture made from recycled statues.

Learn some fun facts and stories like where Admiral Benbow Inn from Treasure Island got its inspiration. Nothing too heavy, you're here to have fun!

A group of friends looking for a clue from a bridge

Go at your own pace. Pop into cafes or pubs you spot along the route. No hurry.

A dotted path where X marks the spot

Don't take our word for it: we're rated ★★★★★ on Tripadvisor with 64 reviews.

Are you organising a special occasion? 🎉

Treasure Hunt Bristol will take you on a fab route around the city, spotting clues and following treasure maps, all at your own pace.

A group of friends exploring tourist attractions by playing {{< param

Excellent Pi-rating!

Really enjoyed getting our bearings around Bristol in a fun way! The pirate theme worked well and the clues made you think but weren’t too complicated

Ruth, Tripadvisor

Excellent day out

Had such a great day completing this treasure hunt. Its a great way to see the city and have fun completing the riddles. It's easy to do on your phone, took us about 4 hours but that was with a stop for lunch and a drink along the way

Abby H, Tripadvisor

It works like a WhatsApp
group chat

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 Bristol.

The clues and maps are a lot of fun.
This is a great way to see the city!”

Captain Bess Now for a change of scene, let's head down by the river...

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 A family firm,
who slowly became
Forgotten and faded,
what was their name?

Black Beard Beth Jones?

Captain Bess Nay, yer askin' to be walkin' the plank!

Long Joe Silver Wills?

Captain Bess Aye! That's it!

3. Learn some facts 🎓

Along the way, Bess will tell you a few interesting facts and stories about the things you're spotting in Bristol!”

We learnt new things and actually appreciated the beautiful scenery as we went around the city.

Captain Bess It's a fire insurance mark, to show the firemen ye've paid yer dues! If not, they'd stand by 'n' watch yer house burn, imagine that!

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 Ahoy there! Ye must be the one they're talking about. Lookin' to join me ship, the Rising Pearl?

Buccaneer Beth Yes!

Captain Bess Ye'll be needin' help, have ye a crew?

Lianne Pinkbeard joined the game.

Parrot Pete 🦜 joined the game.

Parrot Pete Arrrrrrr!

Lianne Pinkbeard I'm ready to set sail! ⚓️

Reserve your game

... for FREE!

A different way to see Bristol

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 drink by the river? Go ahead. Take it at your own pace. Enjoy the cafes and bars along the way.

Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.

Great way to see a bit of the city

We took around 3hrs to complete it, but that included a 1hr long stop for a picnic and relax, as it was 30 degrees the day we did it!

Emily R, Tripadvisor

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 Bristol, play another day or cancel for free.

Fun or your money back

We think you're going love Treasure Hunt Bristol!

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.

See more than just the Harbour

No spoilers... You'll see the main areas like the old town and the waterside, but the real fun is spotting the clues and uncovering a few hidden gems.

Great fun and a good way to see parts of the city

It was good to hunt for things we would have otherwise missed and learn some facts along the way. We thought it was the perfect level of difficulty to make you pay attention to whats going on around you

Alana, Tripadvisor

Castle Park - home to the remains of a great medieval castle and the ruins of St Peter’s Church.

The ruins of St Peter’s Church in Castle Park

The Corn Exchange - built in 1741 and previously used as a corn and general trade exchange.

St Nicholas Market - the oldest and much loved historic market serving delicious food and full of independent shops!

The stalls of St Nicolas Market opening in the morning

King Street - a 17th-century street in the historic city centre, steeped in pirate history!

Bristol Cathedral - a magnificent and beautiful building and one of England’s great medieval churches originating as an Augustinian Abbey around 1140.

The exquisite interior of Bristol Cathedral

Millennium Square - part of the recent developments of the Harbourside and home to We The Curious, an exciting interactive science centre.

Bristol’s solar power tree in front of the planetarium in the sunshine

The Harbourside - Bristol’s bustling Harbourside is a vibrant part of the city. Explore Brunel’s SS Great Britain and take a stroll around the water’s edge.

Cranes lining Bristol’s waterside, a sign of how large this port used to be

Queen Square - a magnificent and leafy Georgian square in the heart of Bristol.

The Old Vic - the oldest continually operated theatre in the English speaking world!

The newly designed street facade of the Old Vic in the sunshine

By the end, you'll have got bearings and know which areas you'd like to come back to.

What if it rains? 

If it's patchy rain, you can dive into a cafe or bar: 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 doing want to be washed into the Avon, we’ll give your money back, even if you've started the game.

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 the waterside...

Will I have fun if I'm from Bristol?

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!

Is it suitable for kids?

The game is designed for adults and curious kids aged 8 and up.

A family perched on a sculpture playing Treasure Hunt Liverpool

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.”

—Lexie, Tripadvisor

Brilliant family activity

It took us 4.5hrs with a picnic lunch stop. To spend that long on a walk without a single moan or argument from any of the kids was amazing, shows just how engaged they were.

Catherine B, Tripadvisor

Will it be too physical?

It's 2½ miles walking but there are lots of places to rest, like great pubs, cafes and bars on the waterside.

Ready for a different way to see Bristol?

  • Follow a carefully designed route around Bristol.
  • See the old town, the cathedral and the bustling waterside, spotting hidden gems along the way.
  • Start whenever you like, take it at your own pace.
  • 1½–3 hours of fun outdoors.

Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋

Have questions?
Email us 💌
or text us
07380 309380

“Really enjoyed getting our bearings around Bristol in a fun way! The pirate theme worked well and the clues made you think but weren’t too complicated”

—Ruth, Tripadvisor

ahoy@treasurehuntbristol.com

Telephone: 0117 325 2430
Text us: 07380 309380

The Waterside Wander starts from:
St Peter's Church, Castle Park, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3XD