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Stevenage - New and Old Town

Stevenage - New and Old Town

Uncover Professor Hans Off-Time’s ticking Trail of trouble!

Regular price £9.99 GBP
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Trail format

Detective Mystery Trail

Detective Mystery Themed Trail

Detective
Mystery

2+ Hours Duration

2+ Hours

2.5 Miles Walking Distance

2.5 miles

Not Wheelchair Accessible

Not
Accessible

Pushchair Accessible

Accessible

Dog friendly with possible restrictions

Dog Friendly
with Restrictions

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Heart of Time

Time to whip those magnifying glasses out, Detectives! Your self-guided mystery adventure will have you sleuthing through the heart of Stevenage, piecing together hidden clues and uncovering secrets from the town's past. From the cobbled corners of Old Town to the bustling New Town centre, the clock is ticking on your most thrilling investigation yet!

An Unsolved Mystery Awaits...

Stevenage's most brilliant watchmaker, Professor Hans Off-Time, was found slumped under mysterious circumstances and his prized timepiece - the fabled Heart of Time has vanished without a trace. Local legend says Professor Off-Time left behind a trail of cryptic clues scattered across the town, but no one has yet cracked his coded mystery. Now it's your turn to step in, solve the case, and catch the culprit before time runs out. Good luck!

The Time-Twisting Case of the Lost 'Heart of Time'…

Summer 1946. Stevenage ticked with excitement as it became Britain's first New Town! To mark the occasion, talented clockmaker, Professor Hans Off-Time, was set to unveil his masterpiece, a unique piece known as 'The Heart of Time'. This remarkable clock housed a mystery mechanism that embodied the town's storied past - and ambitious future. Hours before the unveiling though, tragedy struck. Hans was found slumped in his workshop, the clock missing and a cryptic note in his pocket. With no resolution, the case went cold... Fast forward to today. DCI Taimzah Ticking has found Hans's note. He foresaw what would happen to him and as the town modernised, he'd cleverly concealed clues in landmarks and secret spots all around Stevenage, waiting for someone in the future to unravel the mystery of his demise - and the location of the missing timepiece. Follow those clues and finally bring in whoever unwound Hans for good!

The Details

  • A self-guided detective mystery walking Trail around Stevenage.
  • Ideal for kids aged 6 – 106!
  • 2.5 mile ‘loop’ Trail (takes 2+ hours to complete at your own pace).
  • Text message service with clues if you get stuck.
  • Solve the mystery and be entered into a £100 monthly draw.
  • Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new.
  • Download your Trail now for instant fun (or receive your copy in the post)!
View full details

Trail Location

The Stevenage - New and Old Town Treasure Trail starts at:

The mural in the underpass to Town Centre Gardens,

St George's Way

Stevenage

Hertfordshire

SG1 1JG

England

Parking available at St George's Way multi-storey car park

St George's Way

Stevenage

Hertfordshire

SG1 1EP

England

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?

Before You Set Off

Before you set off on your awesome adventure through time in Stevenage, there are a few things you need to know...

Unfortunately, the route is not suitable for wheelchair users due to one clue being set up some unavoidable steps. However, those with light pushchairs should find this manageable.

Bring your four-legged friends along! Please note that there are some sections in the busy town centre, so dogs will need to be kept on leads. There are also several parks though where they can run free and investigate any curious holes in time.

The closest car park to the Trail start point is at St. George's Way multi-storey car park (SG1 1EP), which is just a short walk away from the start point of the case.

There are some fantastic events in Stevenage’s calendar, all of which are great times to visit this fascinating town. However, you may find that some of the clues on this Trail may become obstructed or difficult to access on these occasions. Of particular note is the annual Stevenage Day, which is usually held in early June, so please check this page for the latest date and to plan your trip accordingly.

There are several public toilets encountered along the route of this Trail (in the Town Centre Garden near the start, in the Old Town High Street and in the Town Square at the end of the Trail). The route passes several shops, pubs and  cafes along the way so time-weary Detectives should have plenty of choice for places to clock off for a while and refuel. Alternatively, why not pack a picnic to enjoy in any of the gardens or parks encountered along the way? 

Once you've completed your case, why not make a day of it and take some time to explore Stevenage Museum? It is close to the start and end point of the Trail and you can learn more about the intriguing history of Britain's first New Town. You could even take advantage of the facilities available at the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre or, take a trip out of the town to explore the nearby Knebworth House, Gardens and Park.