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Poole - Cockle Trail & Town

Poole

Cockle Trail & Town

Poole - Cockle Trail & Town

Chief Inspector Buck Kinnear needs your help solving this piratey crime!

Regular price £10.99 GBP
Regular price Sale price £10.99 GBP
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5* reviews from
8,000+ happy families

They are a really good and fun way to explore a new town or city, or your local area... Suitable for all ages. We are in our 70's.

– Laura Reeves

We were a group of 3 generations between 17 and 70ish – you really don't need to have children with you to enjoy these trails.

– Sarah Smith

Makes exploring towns really fun.

– Karunen Pillay Vencatasawmy

Great little adventures... and at £10.99 they are good value.

– L Stewart

Fantastic time spent exploring, treasure hunting, seeing new places.

– Jane Stevens

We got to see new places and things you wouldn’t notice, if you were simply walking round.

– Laura Beale

Brilliant fun, covering all ages. I've done these alone, with my teen kids and even did one as a first date!

– Zara Lyford

A great way of visiting a place in a way you wouldn't normally.

– DaveB3650

You look at features of towns you don't normally notice.

– Rachel Hill

Enjoyable solving clues and going to places in the town which we never knew existed.

– Mr Stephen Parnell

An excellent way of exploring a new or familiar place.

– Lucien Riviere

We learnt new details about a location we thought we knew.

– Kate Hood

Explore Poole Differently

Discover somewhere new - or rediscover somewhere you thought you knew.

A family reading a Treasure Trails booklet together on a sunny street
  • Follow a carefully planned self-guided route through the area
  • Use real landmarks and features to crack around 18 clever clues
  • Notice fascinating features you'd normally walk straight past
  • Great fun for everyone from 6 to 106
  • Around 1.5 hours of exploring
    Around 1 miles of walking
  • One trail is perfect for up to 5 people

How it Works

  1. 1. Choose how you want to explore

    Use the App, print your Trail at home, or let us print and post it to you.

  2. 2. Access it
    instantly

    Your App and PDF are ready immediately, whichever option you choose.

  3. 3. Explore
    & solve

    Follow the route and crack the sneaky clues along the way.

  4. 4. Submit
    your answer

    Enter your final
    answer online to
    reveal the ending.

Great detectives needed!

A mystery is waiting to be solved in

Poole

It's time to don your detective hat and get ready for an exciting adventure through the historic town of Poole. Legendary pirate, Harry Paye, is celebrated each year during the Hey! Don't Delay So Harry Paye Day festival, when landlubbers descend on the town to do lots of pirate-y stuff. But this year, things have taken a dark turn. Professional costumier, Cam O'Flarge, who always wins the fancy dress competition, has gone missing!

Chief Inspector Buck Kinnear is stumped, as everyone in the town is dressed as a pirate. Can YOU help him solve the mystery and set Cam free?

Detective Mystery Through Poole - Cockle Trail & Town

Super sleuths, we need your help! Your self-guided detective mystery will have you patrolling along part of the Historic Cockle Trail, investigating the old town and the quayside. Keep an eye out for the life-sized bronze statue of Lord Baden Powell staring out over Poole Harbour to the Island of Brownsea, home of the Boy Scout movement.

As you follow the clues, you'll unravel a sneaky plot to kidnap Cam and frame one of his fellow fancy dressers. But with everyone dressed as a pirate, it won't be easy to pinpoint the culprit. Are YOU up for the challenge?

Can you get a patch for catching a kidnapper? Join the adventure and find out!

Poole - Cockle Trail & Town
Poole - Cockle Trail & Town
Poole - Cockle Trail & Town
From the case file
Poole - Cockle Trail & Town

Every clue brings you closer to the truth...

Piece together the evidence, identify the culprit and discover how the case ends.

Trail Information

Trail Location

The Poole Old Town & The Quay Treasure Trail starts at:

The Quay

Poole

Poole

Dorset

BH15 1BQ

England

Detective Mystery Themed Trail

Detective
Mystery

1.5 Hours Duration

1.5 Hours

1 Mile Walking Distance

1 mile

Not Wheelchair Accessible

Not
Accessible

Pushchair Accessible

Accessible

Dog friendly with possible restrictions

Dog Friendly
with Restrictions

Trail Details:

  • A self-guided detective mystery walking Trail around Poole.
  • Ideal for kids aged 6 – 106!
  • 1-mile ‘loop’ Trail (takes 1.5 hours to complete at your own pace).
  • Text message service with clues if you get stuck.
  • Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new.
  • Download your Trail now for INSTANT FUN (or receive your copy in the post)!

More Information:

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery through Poole’s Old Town and Quay, with sleuths following pavements, clear paths and quiet roads as they work to uncover which costumed culprit is behind Cam O’Flarge’s disappearance.

The investigation takes place on pavements and well maintained paths throughout, making it suitable for pushchairs but not suitable for wheelchairs.

Important: You will be travelling through busy harbour areas, roads with passing traffic and sections close to open water along the Quay, so detectives should use crossings where available, stay alert at all times and keep younger team members under close supervision. Extra care is needed near the water’s edge.

Getting There

By car: Quay Visitors Multi-Storey Car Park, Castle Street (BH15 1SB) is your squad base and official starting point.

By public transport: Route One buses serve the Old Town area, and Poole Railway Station is around a 10-minute walk from the start, making this an easy case to reach without a car.

Need the Loo?

Even top detectives need a comfort break during a long case! Toilets can be found at Dolphin Quays (BH15 1HH), conveniently located near the start and end of your investigation, as well as at Scaplen’s Court between Clues 15-16, giving you a handy option later in the case too.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

There may be clues on this route in areas where dogs are prohibited, so we suggest that you only bring your four-legged friends along if a member of your squad is able to wait with them in those locations.

Food & Drink Stops

Cracking this case is hungry work! There are plenty of places to grab refreshments around the Old Town and along The Quay, particularly near the start and end of your investigation. From cafés to historic pubs, you will have no trouble finding somewhere to refuel between clues.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Harbour Views and Maritime Atmosphere

Poole’s vast natural harbour sets the scene for your investigation, with boats, quayside paths and sea air adding plenty of atmosphere to your case.

Smuggling Tales and Pirate Legends

From Harry Paye to daring smuggling raids, this area is packed with stories of high seas mischief - perfect inspiration for a pirate-themed mystery.

Museums, Courtyards and Hidden Corners

Explore places like Scaplen’s Court or the local museum to uncover more of Poole’s past - and maybe pick up a few extra clues along the way.

Mini Detective Club

We have three super duper themed Clubs for your child to enjoy as part of their Treasure Trail experience.

Perfect for 4-8 year olds, the concept behind the Clubs is that your child will get a bundle of goodies to excite them about their forthcoming Trail experience, something to keep them entertained whilst travelling to and from the Trail, and something to be given on completion of the Trail as a keepsake.

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What is a Treasure Trail?