Masham - Rivers, Brewers & Church

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Masham's rivers, brewers and church, with Detectives helping Detective Chief Inspector Ram Shackle solve the mystery of sheep farmer Lester Herdwick's demise by following clues around Masham and ruling out innocent suspects.

The investigation covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start at the Market Cross in the centre of Market Place, then follow the case through Masham's streets, past the Theakston Brewery Visitor Centre and Black Sheep Brewery, out towards riverside sections, the picnic area and Masham Rec, before returning via Mashamshire Community Office to Market Place.

This Trail is unsuitable for wheelchair or pushchair users. The route includes pavements, paths, quiet roads, tracks, grassy footpaths, a field, cobbles, a series of steps and three gates. The grassy footpath and field may be muddy, so suitable footwear is recommended.

Take great care with traffic on Chapman Lane and at the busy junction by the fountain, where there is no pavement. There are also sections where there is not always the luxury of a pavement, so keep Mini Detectives close and check left and right before crossing roads.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at the Market Cross in the centre of Market Place (HG4 4DZ). Park up your squad car in Market Place, where space is more limited on market days (Wed & Sat). Riverside Car Park (HG4 4DS) is an alternative option - if you end up parking here, you could start this case at Clue 12 as the route is fully circular.

By public transport: Make your way to the Market Cross in the centre of Market Place (HG4 4DZ) to begin the case. The fully circular route returns to Market Place once the evidence has been gathered.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available near the market square at the start / finish and middle of the Trail. Toilets can be found behind Mashamshire Community Office, just before Clue 14, and at the rec, where the toilets are on your right after the steps.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If four-legged Detectives are joining the investigation, keep them under control throughout. 🐾

The route includes grassy footpaths, a field, a number of gates, steps, traffic on Chapman Lane and a busy junction by the fountain with no pavement, so leads are sensible around roads, gates and livestock-style countryside sections. Expect muddy paws if the grassy footpath and field are wet.

Food & Drink Stops

Solving Lester Herdwick's suspicious demise is hungry work, and Masham has a good selection of pubs and cafes for refreshments.

There are a number of tea shops, fish & chip shops, cafes and pubs on Market Square, where you'll start and finish, plus a convenience store not far from Clue 10. The route also passes two brewery visitor centres - the Theakston Brewery and the Black Sheep Brewery. Both offer tours - booking is advisable.

If you're packing your own provisions, there is a riverside picnic area and car park along the route, with one direction point making this the time to stop if you're planning a picnic.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Masham Market Place and Market Cross

Masham has one of the oldest markets in the UK, gaining its charter in 1251, and one of the largest market places in Northern England. The investigation begins and ends at the Market Cross in the centre of Market Place, so it's well worth allowing time to soak up the historic surroundings once the suspect list has been narrowed down.

Theakston Brewery Visitor Centre

The route goes along the private road signed to the Theakston Brewery Visitor Centre, one of the two brewery visitor centres on this Trail. Tours are available, with booking advisable, making this a fitting extra for Detectives who want to follow Masham's brewing clues a little further.

Black Sheep Brewery

The Trail passes Black Sheep Brewery and its visitor centre too. The brewery began in 1992 after Paul Theakston left and used a brewing plant rescued from Hartley's of Ulverston. Tours are available, with booking advisable, if your crew wants to investigate the brewer's side of Masham after the mystery is solved.

Riverside Picnic Area

The route includes a riverside picnic area and car park, flagged as the time to stop if you're planning a picnic. It's a handy mid-case breather for Detectives who prefer their evidence-gathering with sandwiches, fresh air and a pause by the river.