Great Missenden - Misbourne Valley Village

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Great Missenden's Misbourne Valley village, with Detectives helping Detective Inspector Misty Fayed investigate local politician Bob Martinsend, who has been found dead in the River Misbourne, and work out which suspect was guilty and what object they used.

The investigation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll follow village streets, the High Street, grassed footpaths, Church Lane, the churchyard and the area around Great Missenden Railway Station before looping back towards Buryfield Car Park.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route uses an unmade road and some footpaths across grassed areas, and the churchyard section is tricky for buggies, with a metal kissing gate plus some brambles and nettles.

There are hills to tackle, including a steep hill up Church Lane. Take care when crossing the bypass bridge, around the brambles and nettles in the churchyard, and when carefully crossing the road on the High Street.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Buryfield Pay and Display Car Park (HP16 9AE), which faces Link Road car park. Begin from the pay and display machine in front of you.

By public transport: Make your way to Buryfield Pay and Display Car Park (HP16 9AE) to begin the case. The circular route returns you to Buryfield Car Park once the evidence has been gathered.

Need the Loo?

Detectives can find toilets at Great Missenden Railway Station at Clue 18, making this the useful comfort stop during the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the investigation 🐾

The route includes an unmade road, grassed footpaths, a steep hill, a bypass bridge, the High Street crossing and a churchyard section with a metal kissing gate, brambles and nettles. Keep canine colleagues close around roads and take extra care through the churchyard.

Food & Drink Stops

Case-cracking is hungry work. There are a variety of eating places along the High Street after Clue 11, and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre has a Filling Station food and drink kiosk on site.

You can also pack supplies to enjoy a picnic in the park near the car park before or after the mystery.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

The museum is across the road and is described as a magical place to visit, particularly for Mini-Detectives. It is open Thurs to Sun 10am - 4.30pm all year round, with extra days during school holidays. Admission charges apply, and there is a Filling Station food and drink kiosk on site.

Roald Dahl's Great Missenden

Famous children's author Roald Dahl lived in Gipsy House in the village, and many of his stories are based here. Look out for local details with storybook credentials: the petrol pumps inspired his description of the garage in Danny the Champion of the World, and Matilda learns to love books in the village library.

The Historic High Street

The High Street has more evidence than first meets the eye. The George Ale House was built at the same time the little princes were, allegedly, murdered in the Tower of London, and a peep down the alleyway to the right reveals the C16th courthouse, where magistrates used to lay down the law.

The Old Red Lion

Keep an eye out for The Old Red Lion, a former pub where Robert Louis Stevenson stayed when he was in Great Missenden. There used to be a bell here that was rung to call the fire brigade - a suitably dramatic detail for Detectives who enjoy a bit of local history with their clues.