Blandford Forum - Georgian Town & Bridges

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Blandford Forum, with Detectives helping DCI Hugh Dunnit follow Holly Day's notebook clues across the town and piece together the suspect's pseudonyms and evidence to solve the mystery of her kidnapping.

The investigation covers approximately 1.7 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You'll start at Stour Meadows car park, take the footpath at the far end of the car park and cross the blue bridge over the river before patrolling Blandford Forum's Georgian town streets, bridges and riverside areas.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The terrain is relatively flat and is ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Use the zebra crossing, carefully cross roads several times, and take care near the river and road junctions. Once the case is almost cracked, continue patrolling past the Greyhound to the car park; the blue bridge from the first clue is there.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Stour Meadows car park (DT11 9LQ). Park your squad car here, then take the footpath at the far end of the car park and the blue bridge over the river to begin.

By public transport: Make your way to Stour Meadows car park (DT11 9LQ), then take the footpath at the far end of the car park and cross the blue bridge over the river to begin the investigation.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available after Clue 01 by the car park, so Detectives have a handy early comfort stop before the case leads deeper into town.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route follows relatively flat town terrain but includes several road crossings, road junctions and sections near the river, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic and water.

Food & Drink Stops

Kidnapping cases can be hungry work. There are a few chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks at Clue 01 and after Clue 16, so plan your provisions around those points in the investigation.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Blandford Forum Town Centre

Blandford Forum's Georgian centre is a case worth lingering over. It is one of the few towns in England where most of the central buildings date from the same period, after the Great Fire of 1731 led Parliament to pass an act for rebuilding Blandford the following year. The town was rebuilt over about 30 years by the established builders John and William Bastard.

The Old House

The Old House survived the fire of 1731, making it a rare earlier clue among Blandford's Georgian streets. It was built about 1650 for a family of German protestant refugees.

Lyme Tree House and Blandford Fashion Museum

Lyme Tree House now houses the Blandford Fashion Museum, but its own backstory is just as intriguing. It was originally built by the Bastard Brothers for their five sisters, adding another family thread to Blandford's rebuilt townscape.

St Leonard's Chapel

St Leonard's Chapel is the only medieval building in Blandford and was originally built as a leper hospital in the 13th-century. It can be reached by a footpath alongside the fire station, accessible along East Street, the road to the left of Star House.

The Museum

The Museum is free to visit and is said to be well worth taking a look at. It is full of wonderful historical facts about Blandford and the surrounding area - ideal for Detectives who like to close a case with a few extra pieces of local evidence.