Cheltenham - Bath Road Quarter

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Cheltenham's Bath Road Quarter, with Agents helping a brave super spy crack the clues and stop Dr D. Zaster's device before midnight, before it leaks a chemical into the River Chelt and makes the pond life grow gigantic.

The operation covers approximately 2.3 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You'll begin at Sandford Park Lido pay and display car park, investigate the Bath Road area with its independent shops, cafes and pubs, pass the magnificence of Cheltenham College, circle St Luke's Church, then head into Sandford Park before finishing back near the parked vehicle.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is mainly flat, but there are a few steps into the park.

Take care around cars when leaving the car park, and use pedestrian crossings where needed. There are several road crossings, including Thirlestaine Road and other crossings along Bath Road, so keep Mini Agents close during the busier parts of the operation. Please check what events are happening in the town before attempting to complete the Trail.

Getting There

By car: Start your operation at Sandford Park Lido pay and display car park (GL53 7PU). This is the recommended car park, and the mission begins here.

By public transport: Make your way to Sandford Park Lido pay and display car park (GL53 7PU) to begin the mission. The circular route finishes back near the parked vehicle after exiting Sandford Park and turning right towards the car park.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available in the car park after Clue 08, making this a useful comfort stop during the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the operation. 🐾

The route includes town streets, several road crossings, the car park area and a few steps into the park, so keep canine recruits close around traffic and busier sections. Sandford Park comes towards the end of the mission, giving paws and people a greener stretch before the final sweep.

Food & Drink Stops

Espionage on an empty stomach is risky business. It is best to stop for refreshments in the first half of the Trail, where refreshment stops and snack shops are available. Bath Road also has independent shops, cafes and pubs.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, pack a picnic to enjoy in Sandford Park towards the end of the Trail.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Bath Road

Bath Road began as New Bath Road, a turnpike authorised in 1813 to link Cheltenham with Leckhampton and the road towards Bath. These days it is much better known for independent shops, cafes and pubs than tolls, making it a handy place to linger once your agents have gathered their intel.

Sandford Park

Sandford Park takes its name from the sandy soil and an old ford over the brook. The water weaving through it is the River Chelt, which gave Cheltenham its name, and the park is also famous for friendly squirrels. It is a great spot to pause for that end-of-mission picnic.

The Daffodil

The Daffodil started life in 1922 as the Daffodil Picture House, a glamorous Art Deco cinema with 750 seats. After its final film in 1963, it became a bingo hall, then an antiques and furniture showroom, before reopening as a restaurant in 1998. Sadly closed now, its old cinema glamour still steals the scene.

Cheltenham College

The mission passes the magnificence of Cheltenham College, which opened in July 1841 and is often described as the first of the great Victorian public schools. For more than a century, its classrooms were boys-only territory, with girls not admitted until 1969.