Bishop's Waltham - Ponds & Palace Ruins

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Bishop's Waltham Ponds & Palace Ruins, with Agents sent to Bishop's Waltham to follow clues around the town, decipher the deactivation code and save the medieval Palace from a device that would turn its walls into jelly.

The mission covers approximately 1.8 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin in Basingwell Street pay and display car park, investigate the town streets, pass historic spots around Basingwell Street, the High Street, Bank Street and St George's Square, visit the area around St Peter's Church, then head towards Bishop's Waltham Palace before looping back to the car park.

The route is a gentle, flat, circular walk, but it follows very narrow pavements next to busy roads, meaning it is unfortunately unsuitable for wheel-based Agents in wheelchairs or pushchairs. It also includes a footbridge, a short stretch through a car park and paths between houses.

Keep Mini Agents close around the busy roads, the road crossing by a no entry sign, the busy road at the end of Lower Lane and the roundabout crossing. If the footbridge is closed, retrace your steps back towards your last clue. At the crossroads, head left along the left hand side of Lower Lane. When you reach the busy road at the very end of Lower Lane, turn left along the left hand pavement.

If the Palace gate is closed during your operation, continue past Sainsbury's Local.

Getting There

By car: Begin your operation in the centre of Basingwell Street pay and display car park, Bishop's Waltham (SO32 1PA). Basingwell Street pay and display car park is the recommended parking spot, and charges apply Monday to Saturday 8am - 6pm.

By public transport: Make your way to the centre of Basingwell Street pay and display car park in Bishop's Waltham to begin the mission. The circular route returns to the car park where you started by heading along the brick paved street ahead, crossing the High Street and going slightly right up Red Lion Street.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available within Basingwell Car Park at the beginning and end of the Trail, so Agents can make a tactical comfort stop before or after the operation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the mission 🐾

The Palace grounds are a good place for a dog walk, but the Trail also includes busy roads and a footbridge, so keep canine recruits close where the route gets narrow, busier or bridged.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking is hungry work, and Bishop's Waltham has plenty of pubs, delis and cafes in the town for a bite before or after the Trail.

The route also passes the Barleycorn Inn and the Crown Inn, with Sainsbury's Local on the route near the Palace area. In nice weather, the grounds of Bishop's Waltham Palace are a lovely place to enjoy a picnic.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Bishop's Waltham Palace

The medieval Bishop's Palace appears towards the end of the mission, and it is well worth extra surveillance time. It was originally built as a castle in the early 12th century by Henri du Blois, then turned into a palace in the 14th century by Bishop Wickham. Many noble visitors called in over the centuries, including kings and queens, before it was besieged and destroyed by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War. If you're planning a visit to Bishop's Palace, be sure to check the opening times on the website in advance.

St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church has been a place of worship for over 900 years and is of Norman origin. Look out for the 14th century clock that came from the Palace - its pendulum weighs 1/3 ton and is believed to be the third heaviest in the world.

St George's Square

St George's Square has some splendidly suspicious history. A market hall once stood in the middle of the square, complete with a prisoner lock-up beneath, until it was demolished in 1841. The only part that remains today is the stone beneath the Millennium Clock, while stocks used to stand at the entrance to the Square.

The Moors

Just south-east of the town lies The Moors, 34 hectares of semi-natural woodland, fen, grassland and open water. It is of national and international interest for its unusual habitat, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Basingwell Street Historic Buildings

Basingwell Street gives Agents a handsome historic backdrop for their operation, with a collection of pretty C17th, C18th and C19 timber buildings. The route also passes the vicinity of the United Free Church and a few local curiosities along the High Street and Bank Street, so keep your eyes peeled even after the jelly-wall crisis is under control.