Huntingdon - Cromwell House & Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Huntingdon’s historic heart, with Explorers following clues to uncover the hidden location of Oliver Cromwell’s missing school books, letters and diary.

The quest covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You’ll explore High Street, Town Park, St Mary’s Church, the Old Bridge area, Castle Hills, Mill Common, Princes Street and Market Hill, piecing together Cromwell’s curious map as you go.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, as one section crosses uneven ground and is not suitable for step-free access. The route also includes town pavements, road crossings, park paths, a footbridge and a bumpy stretch through Castle Hills, where the slope may be slippery in wet weather.

Getting There

Time to gather your crew and begin the hunt for Cromwell’s buried bookish secrets:

By car - Begin your quest at the Cromwell Museum on High Street, just off Market Square and Market Hill (PE29 3LF), using ///rounds.extent.confirms. The nearest parking is at St Benedict’s Court (PE29 3AJ) or Princes Street (PE29 3AN).

By public transport - Make your way into Huntingdon town centre, then head for the Cromwell Museum on High Street, just off Market Square and Market Hill, to begin the quest.

Need the Loo?

Even the sharpest Explorers need a comfort break before chasing buried documents through town. There are no public toilets along this route, so plan ahead before setting off and make sure your crew is fully expedition-ready before Cromwell’s clues start calling.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can join the hunt 🐾

This town-and-park route includes pavements, road crossings, open spaces, uneven ground and riverside areas, so keep canine companions close throughout. Take extra care near roads, on the Castle Hills section and around the footbridge and river.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting through history can work up a serious appetite.

There are plenty of refreshment stops and snack shops as you follow the clues through Huntingdon. If you’ve packed supplies, the small park around Clues 06 to 07 makes a handy picnic spot for reviewing the map and deciding where Cromwell definitely didn’t bury his precious papers.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Cromwell Museum

The quest begins outside the Cromwell Museum, once Huntingdon Grammar School, where Oliver Cromwell was a pupil. It’s the perfect extra stop for Explorers who want to dig deeper into the town’s most famous resident before or after following his hidden trail.

Town Park

The route leads into Town Park for a run of clues among play features, trees and open space. It’s a useful breather from the High Street and a good picnic option if your crew has brought supplies.

Castle Hills and Mill Common

The adventure heads through Castle Hills and near Mill Common, where Huntingdon’s older layers start peeping through. Expect uneven ground and a little extra care underfoot, especially if the weather has turned the slope slippery.