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Unearth Shrewsbury's Secret!
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Find Peggy Patch's treasure trove!
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Explore Shrewsbury Differently
Discover somewhere new - or rediscover somewhere you thought you knew.
- 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 1.5 miles of walking - One trail is perfect for up to 5 people
How it Works
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1. Choose how you want to explore
Use the App, print your Trail at home, or let us print and post it to you.
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2. Access it
instantlyYour App and PDF are ready immediately, whichever option you choose.
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3. Explore
& solveFollow the route and crack the sneaky clues along the way.
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4. Submit
your answerEnter your final
answer online to
reveal the ending.
Ready for an adventure?
A trail of clues awaits in
Shrewsbury
Aha, me hearties! Have ye heard about Peggy Patch? She was a scary one-eyed pirate who sailed her ship, The Pirate Rose, many years ago, plundering ports and ships for treasures. After her last voyage, she sailed up the river to Shrewsbury and is thought to have buried her treasure in the local area. But with her capture and imprisonment in Dara Prison, her fortune has never been found.
But now, following the closure of the prison in 2013, a treasure map with clues to the whereabouts of Peggy's treasure has been discovered. It's time to put on your pirate hats, weigh anchor, and explore the town to solve the clues and track down the booty. But beware, modern-day buccaneers may also be on the hunt for the treasure!
Treasure Hunt Through Shrewsbury Town & Castle
Are you looking for something to do with family and friends, or seeking a fun day out with the kids in Shrewsbury? Then why not embark on this self-guided Treasure Hunt Trail and explore the historical and scenic areas of Shrewsbury.
As you follow the trail, be on the lookout for sneaky clues set on existing buildings, permanent features, and monuments. This relatively level trail starts in the centre of town and explores the historical shopping areas of Shrewsbury, passing by lots of pubs and cafes along the route. You'll also have the chance to explore the Castle, a great place to visit when it's open.
Your answers hold the key...
Uncover the hiding place and reveal the story behind the treasure.
Trail Information
Trail Information
Trail Location
The Shrewsbury Market Town Treasure Trail starts at:
Mardol Head
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
Shropshire
SY1 1HE
England
Treasure
Hunt
Hours
miles
Not
Accessible
Not
Accessible
Dog
Friendly
Trail Details:
- A Treasure Hunt themed walking Treasure Trail around Shrewsbury
- Ideal for discovering more about where you live or exploring somewhere new
- Trails are done in your own time at your own pace
- This Trail is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes 1.5 hours to complete
- This Trail is suitable for all ages from 6 - 106 (no children necessary!)
- One Trail booklet is enough for 4-5 people
- Circular loop Trail
- Mobile phone text service for clue answers if you get stuck, ensuring that no mystery goes unsolved
- This Trail can be sent to you in the post or downloaded today for instant Trailing fun!
More Information:
Navigating The Route
This is a circular Treasure Hunt through Shrewsbury’s historic town centre, weaving through medieval streets, cobbled lanes, churchyards and castle surroundings as explorers follow Peggy Patch’s clues to track down her hidden plunder.
The route includes cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, narrow pavements and some sections with no pavements, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs, though pushchairs may manage with care in places.
⚠️ Important: You will be travelling along busy roads, crossing points and tighter streets, so explorers should stay alert at all times, use crossings where available and keep younger adventurers under close supervision.
Take extra care on cobbles and uneven ground, which can be slippery, especially in wet weather.
Getting There
Time to gather your explorers and begin the quest:
By car: Raven Meadows Car Park (SY1 1PL) is the nearest long-stay option. Alternatively, you can use one of Shrewsbury’s Park & Ride services for an easier start.
By public transport: Shrewsbury is well served by bus and rail links, with the town centre within easy walking distance of transport hubs.
Your adventure begins at Darwin’s Gate (SY1 1HE) - the large metal sculpture where Mardol meets Claremont Street - so step into position and start scanning for your first clue straight away.
Need the Loo?
Even the most intrepid explorers need a quick pit stop!
Toilets can be found in Pride Hill Shopping Centre near the start (before Clue 02) and later in St Alkmund’s Square near Clue 18, giving you a couple of well-timed chances to pause during your quest.
Bring Your Furry Sidekicks
Four-legged explorers are welcome on the quest 🐾
With a mix of town streets and open areas, it’s a great outing for dogs - just keep leads handy near roads, crowds and in busier sections of the route.
Food & Drink Stops
Treasure hunting is hungry work!
You’ll find plenty of cafés, pubs and shops along the route, especially around Pride Hill and the town centre, making it easy to stock up before or during your adventure.
Perfect for grabbing supplies before continuing your search for Peggy’s long-lost hoard.
Want to Make a Day of It?
Medieval Streets and Hidden Corners
Shrewsbury’s maze of historic streets is packed with character, from timber-framed buildings to tucked-away passages - ideal for a treasure hunt full of twists and turns.
Castle, Churches and Centuries of Stories
With the castle, St Mary’s Church and centuries of history around every corner, you’re exploring a town that’s practically built for buried treasure tales.
Riverside Views and Extra Wandering
The nearby River Severn loops around the town, offering scenic spots to pause, explore and imagine where a cunning pirate might have hidden her final haul…
Mini Explorer Club
Mini Explorer 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?
What is a Treasure Trail?
