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Bedford - Parkland & Riverside

Bedford - Parkland & Riverside

The time capsule and the tiara!

Regular price £9.99 GBP
Regular price Sale price £9.99 GBP
Sale Sold out
Trail format

Treasure Hunt Trail

Treasure Hunt Themed Trail

Treasure
Hunt

2 Hours Duration

2 Hours

2.5 Miles Walking Distance

2.5 miles

Not Wheelchair Accessible

Not
Accessible

Not Pushchair Accessible

Not
Accessible

Dog Friendly

Dog
Friendly

The Time Capsule and the Tiara - A Treasure Hunt in Bedford

30 years ago, during archaeological excavations of the castle grounds, an ancient time capsule was uncovered. This was reburied at an undisclosed location in Bedford for safekeeping. At the same time, a precious tiara of the finest diamonds was found at the castle but never made it to the archaeological finds box! Fast forward 30 years, and one of the archaeologists on the dig, 'Curious Clara', has finally admitted that whilst trying on the tiara, she sneaked a peek inside the time capsule. When she heard someone coming, she panicked, hid the tiara in the time capsule and quickly sealed it back up. Unfortunately, the only record of where the time capsule was reburied is a set of Clues and a map of possible locations. The Exploration Society needs help from TOP Adventurers (YOU!) to crack the Clues and pinpoint the location of the hidden capsule. Good luck!

Treasure Hunt Through Bedford - Parkland & Riverside

Ace adventurers - we need your awesome treasure-seeking skills! Your self-guided treasure hunt Trail adventure will have you roaming around the ancient town, believed to be the resting place of an Anglo-Saxon king! Boldly cross parkland, trek beside the River Great Ouse and weave through the quaint streets of Bedford town, dodging booby traps and rival treasure seekers along the way. As you get closer and closer to the hidden hoard, you'll stumble across intriguing stories and fascinating facts about this pretty market town (and the crucial clues, of course!).

There's more to this picturesque town than meets the eye… The archaeologist known as 'Curious Clara' has made a confession. During a dig at the castle grounds decades ago, a time capsule was uncovered at the same time as a number of jewels, including an ornate tiara. While trying on the tiara, Clara couldn't resist taking a peek inside the capsule, and when footsteps approached, she panicked and hid the tiara in the container! Both have long been reburied, but we require the jewels for our archaeological finds box. We need intrepid explorers (YOU!) to follow the clues and unearth the time capsule once again. Good luck!

Treasure Hunt in Bedford - A Fun Family Adventure

Join us for a thrilling treasure hunt through Bedford, perfect for families and adventurers of all ages! As you follow the clues and explore the town, you'll uncover hidden gems and fascinating facts about its history and landmarks. Will YOU be the one to discover the location of the time capsule and uncover its secrets?

Put on your explorer's hat and get ready for a day of excitement and adventure in Bedford - Parkland & Riverside!

The Details

  • A self-guided treasure hunt walking Trail around Bedford.
  • 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 quest 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 Bedford Treasure Trail starts at:

Car park off the roundabout where A603 meets A5140 Cardington Road.

Longholme Way

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 0BX

England

Free car park - NOTE: 1.8 Metre height restriction at entrance

Longholme Way

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 0BX

England

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?

Before You Set Off

Before you set off on your awesome adventure to explore Bedford, there are a few things you need to know...

Unfortunately, the route isn’t friendly for wheelchair users or pushchairs due to needing to climb either a hill or flight of steps at the Castle Mound, as well as some uneven terrain to trek across.

Bring your four-legged friends along! Please note that dogs will need to be kept on leads while solving clues in the town centre.

The closest long stay pay and display car park to the Trail start point is at the Riverside (MK42 0BX), where your treasure hunt begins. Or why not try Bedford’s fantastic Park and Ride service?

There are some fantastic events in Bedford’s calendar, all of which are great times to visit this beautiful town. However, you may find that some of the clues on this Trail become obstructed or difficult to access on these occasions. We recommend checking for events before you set off on your quest.

There are public toilets available in the Harpur Centre and at the boathouse towards the end of the Trail. The route passes several pubs and a few cafes before Clue 13, and there are some perfect picnic spots after Clue 14 at the Castle Mound or along the river.

Why not make a day of it and visit the Panacea Museum or the John Bunyan Museum to learn more twisting tales about Bedford? Plus, The Higgins Bedford always hosts fab exhibitions and activities to keep the whole family entertained.