Chipping Ongar - Town, Station & Castle
Chipping Ongar - Town, Station & Castle
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Secret Spy Mission Trail
Spy
Mission
2 Hours
1.5 miles
Not
Accessible
Not
Accessible
Dog
Friendly
Scorpions, Secret Signals and Sparkling Smugglers in Chipping Ongar!
Attention, agents! Suspicious whispers are swirling around Chipping Ongar Station about scorpions lurking near the railway. But Spy HQ has uncovered the truth... "Scorpion" is actually a coded warning used by a gang of jewel thieves. When their lookout mutters the word, it clears the area so parcels can be quietly moved along the Epping Ongar Railway.
The mastermind behind the scheme is slippery crook Don Scorpione, and his latest shipment contains glittering gemstones known as "Twinkles". His gang even has a second signal - a soft whistle of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star means the gems are on the move and the handoff is happening.
Your mission is to intercept the stolen packages before they disappear down the line. But beware - each bundle is fitted with a tracker. Grab one without disabling it first and Don Scorpione will know exactly where you are!
Spy Mission Through Chipping Ongar's Historic Streets, Station and Castle
Your self-guided spy mission will take you sneaking through the charming streets and secret corners of Chipping Ongar. You'll gather intel along the High Street, slip past historic cottages and the town church, and track suspicious activity around the Epping Ongar Railway station before heading towards the remains of Ongar Castle itself.
Along the way you'll uncover hidden signals, crack clever spy codes and collect the vital intel needed to stop Don Scorpione's sparkling smuggling operation. But stay sharp - his gang could be watching, and one wrong move might trigger their alarms.
The Twinkle gem shipment is already in motion. Only by cracking the clues, disabling the trackers and outsmarting Don Scorpione can you stop the smugglers and save the day.
Agents… your mission begins now.
Will YOU crack the code and stop Don Scorpione before the jewels vanish for good?
The Details
- A self-guided spy mission walking Trail around Chipping Ongar.
- Ideal for kids aged 6 - 106!
- 1.5 mile ‘loop’ Trail (takes 2 hours to complete at your own pace).
- Optional Detour to see the oldest wooden church in the world!
- Text message service with clues if you get stuck.
- Solve the mission and be entered into a £100 monthly draw.
- Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new.
- Download your Trail now for INSTANT FUN (or receive your copy in the post)!
Trail Location
Trail Location
The Chipping Ongar - Town, Station & Castle Treasure Trail starts at:
Chipping Ongar Library
The Pleasance, High Street
Chipping Ongar
Essex
CM5 9AB
England
Chipping Ongar Car Park
The Pleasance, High Street
Chipping Ongar
Essex
CM5 9AB
England
Mini Secret Agent Club
Mini Secret Agent Club
We have three super duper themed Clubs for your child to enjoy as part of their Treasure Trail experience.
Perfect for 4-8 year olds, the concept behind the Clubs is that your child will get a bundle of goodies to excite
them about their forthcoming Trail experience, something to keep them entertained whilst travelling to and from
the Trail, and something to be given on completion of the Trail as a keepsake.
Show more »
What is a Treasure Trail?
What is a Treasure Trail?
Before You Set Off
Before You Set Off
Navigating The Route
This is a circular spy mission through Chipping Ongar’s town centre, historic streets, church paths and countryside edges, with agents following pavements, footpaths and a few softer tracks as they work to intercept Don Scorpione’s glittering cargo.
The route includes uneven paths and sections that can become muddy after rain, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Important: You will encounter narrow pavements and roads with passing traffic, along with quieter tracks where vehicles may still appear, so agents should stay alert, walk in single file where needed and keep younger operatives under close supervision at all times.
Getting There
Start outside Chipping Ongar Library, High Street (CM5 9AB) - your undercover base and official mission starting point.
By car: Parking is available at the library, or if full, try spaces across the road along Bansons Lane.
By public transport: Chipping Ongar is served by local bus routes connecting to nearby towns. Public transport options are more limited than in larger areas, so plan your journey in advance before setting off.
Need the Loo?
Even elite agents need a quick comfort break! Toilets can be found across the road from the Library at the start and end of the mission.
Bring Your Furry Sidekicks
Four-legged agents are welcome on this mission 🐾. With a mix of town streets and countryside paths, it’s a great outing for canine companions - just keep leads handy near roads and be mindful on narrower sections.
Food & Drink Stops
Agents, keep your energy levels topped up! There are cafés, pubs, shops and a supermarket along the route, giving you plenty of opportunities to refuel or grab supplies as you go.
It’s also a good idea to bring snacks or a drink with you, especially if you plan to tackle the optional detour.
Want to Make a Day of It?
Steam Trains and Secret Signals
The nearby Epping Ongar Railway adds a brilliant extra layer to your mission - vintage trains, old tracks and just the right atmosphere for covert cargo swaps.
Castle Clues and Norman Roots
Ongar Castle may be mostly hidden today, but its motte still rises from the landscape - a reminder of its Norman past and a fitting final piece of intel on your mission.
Optional Detour - Ancient Wooden Wonder
If you have time and energy, take the optional walk to Greensted Church, thought to be the oldest wooden church in the world. Built from split oak trunks, it’s a wonderfully wonky slice of history and well worth the extra legwork.
