Quirky Treasure Trails

Looking for something a bit different for your next Trailing adventure? How about one of our quirky Treasure Trails?!

We’ve singled out Trails that feature extra-special themes or backstories. We’re not just talking about your standard detective mystery, super-secret spy mission or treasure-seeking explorer Trails - we’re talking about those Trails that go a little bit further in terms of being written around a particular theme.

So, here are our picks of the Treasure Trails that are a bit different!

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ENGLAND:

South West

Cornwall

Newquay is a well-known and very popular seaside resort on the North Cornish coast. But did you know that Newquay has another side? If you're feeling brave, venture out on the Spooky Newquay treasure hunt Trail.

Wiltshire

Warminster may be a delightful market town whose centre has retained many of its 18th and 19th-century buildings. But, did you know all about the media interest following the reported sightings of numerous UFOs nearly 50 years ago? Now is your chance to find out on the Warminster – Alien Portal Destruction Trail.

South East

Hampshire

Are you looking for something spooky to do with family and friends? Do you want to try a little ghost-hunting? You should take on the Winchester City North Ghost Trail or the Winchester City South Ghost Trail (or both, if you're brave enough!).

Kent

The Rochester – A Dickens Mystery Trail is a must-do for those keen on literature. Many buildings on the historic high street were incorporated into Dickens’ novels.

London

Although there are fifty Trails in London, two quirky ones to bring to your attention are The Ghost of Dick Whittington and The Green Run London Tube Trail.

In the former, you visit the historical sights of the man who rose from a poverty-stricken childhood to become Lord Mayor of London, including setting off from his resting place at Mansion House. In the latter, you've got to solve a spy mission by visiting station stops on the District Line, travelling in either direction.

East of England

Hertfordshire

If you fancy yourself as a ghost hunter, why not explore Haunted Hitchin? You’ll uncover hidden gems and discover fascinating ghost stories about Hitchin’s former residents.

East Midlands

Nottinghamshire

If you are in the East Midlands and fancy a non-urban Trail, visit the large English oak, which is thought to be between 800 and 1,000 years old, on the Robin Hood’s Major Oak Trail. Legend has it that the ancient oak not only provided Robin Hood with shelter but was also where he and his Merry Men slept!

West Midlands

Staffordshire

Great Haywood – A walk with Tolkien celebrates the world-famous author, J. R. R. Tolkien. Follow in his footsteps as the Trail highlights the way his writings reflect the area.

Warwickshire

Another world-famous English wordsmith is celebrated in Shakespeare’s Stratford. You'll visit both the house where the Bard was born and his final resting place as you explore the ancient town.

Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

The sweet-toothed amongst you will love to discover the wonderful world of chocolate and sweets on the York Chocolate and Sweet Trail. As York’s sweet story unfolds, you'll see a grand selection of the city’s architecture and historic attractions before reaching your final destination – the chocolate museum.

North West

Greater Manchester

If you’re in the Greater Manchester area, try to break the curse cast by the evil witch Abby Cadabra on the Manchester – The Wizard’s Spellbook in the Spinningfields area of the city.

Lancashire

Head out in your car from the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford on the Pendle Witches Trail. Did you know that this area was the home of the Pendle Witches, who were tried and executed for witchcraft in 1612?

North East

Northumberland

Prepare to enter another world just a few miles off the Northumberland coast when you go to the Holy Island for the Lindisfarne – The Viking Hoard Trail. Holy Island carries a wealth of history within its tidal walls and was ransacked by marauding Viking raiders in the 8th century.

Or, discover life gone by from every century for the last 700 years on The Wicked Wizard of Alnwick Trail and explore this small market village most famed for its castle’s links to Harry Potter.

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Northern Ireland:

County Antrim and Belfast

If flowers are your thing, you'll love the Belfast Botanic Trail. Explore the Botanic Gardens, The Botanic Palm House and the Ulster Museum as you hunt down the lost loot.

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Scotland:

Ayrshire

Fans of Scottish history will be fascinated by Largs, the Quest for the Viking Sword. The town is famed for a battle in 1263 when the Vikings, attempting to land from a fleet of longboats, were repulsed by the army of Alexander III.

Fife

In Fife, you can't beat the Dunfermline – Robert the Bruce Trail for a dose of history. On the Trail, you'll visit the historic abbey churchyard where the remains of King Robert the Bruce were found covered in lead and wrapped in a golden shroud on 17th February 1818.

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Wales:

North Wales

Fans of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ will love Looking for Alice in Llandudno. In 1861, the real Alice in Wonderland (eight-year-old Alice Pleasance Liddell) spent the first of many summer holidays in Llandudno. It's believed that Carroll may have visited his friends, the Liddells, at their holiday home and was inspired by Alice and her adventures.