Kimbolton - Royal Estate & Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Kimbolton Royal Estate & Town, with Top Agents sent around Kimbolton to crack Catherine of Aragon's secret four-digit milk chocolate code and unlock a hidden lockbox.

The operation covers approximately 1 mile and should take around 1 hour to complete. You'll begin at No 1 High Street, next to Castle Green, then work your way through Kimbolton's town centre clues before finishing back in the town centre area near the start.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route has uneven ground, some narrow pathways and later narrow pavements, so choose sensible footwear and keep younger Agents close.

Take great care when crossing roads, especially at road bends with limited visibility. Stay alert for traffic emerging from around corners while you are busy cracking Catherine of Aragon's chocolatey code.

Getting There

By car: Start the mission at No 1 High Street, next to Castle Green (PE28 0HB), using ///timing.fresh.partly. Parking is available along the High Street (PE28 0HB), using ///timing.fresh.partly. Park as close as possible to the start, but check carefully before leaving the spy-mobile, as some parking spots are for 30 minutes only.

By public transport: Make your way to No 1 High Street, next to Castle Green (PE28 0HB), to begin the mission. The circular route finishes back in the town centre area near the start.

Need the Loo?

Plan ahead, Agents - there aren't any public toilets along the way, so make a tactical comfort stop before you begin this 1-hour operation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome on this mission. 🐾

The route includes uneven ground, narrow pathways, later narrow pavements and road crossings, including bends with limited visibility. Keep canine recruits close around traffic and corners, and be ready for a compact but clue-packed town patrol.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking can be hungry work, but supplies are limited along this route. There's only one shop and one pub along the way, so it is worth bringing any extra snacks your team might need.

If you fancy pausing mid-mission, enjoy a picnic at Clues 10-11 before getting back to Catherine of Aragon's secret milk chocolate code.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Kimbolton Castle

Kimbolton Castle brings the royal intrigue to this mission. Originally a medieval castle, it was the final home of King Henry VIII's first queen, Catherine of Aragon. From 1615 to 1950 it was the family seat of the Dukes of Manchester, while in World War I prisoners of war were held there. In World War Two the castle was used by the Royal Army Medical Corps, and it now houses Kimbolton School.

Kimbolton church

Kimbolton church is a fine place for observant Agents to slow down and look closely. The oldest part of the present church is the 13th-century nave, and the church is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book. Its stained glass window was made by American artist Louis Tiffany and is said to be the only one of its kind in the country.

East Street

East Street has plenty of undercover history. It used to look very different, with a bakery, a public house, an inn and a workhouse for the poor, and possibly even a medieval guildhall. The 17th-century Dial House hosted a local tanner and his tannery.

Kimbolton's market and Statute Fair

Kimbolton first received a Royal charter to hold a market and a fair in 1200, giving the town a long-standing tradition of gathering, trading and celebration. The local 'Statute Fair', known as 'Statty', is held in Kimbolton every September.

Kimbolton Fireworks

For an extra burst of local intel, look to Kimbolton's explosive claim to fame. Rev Ron Lancaster, a Kimbolton school chaplain and chemistry master, founded Kimbolton Fireworks in 1964. The company was behind the 2011 New Year's Eve firework display in London.