Peebles - Woodland & Riverside

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Peebles' woodland and riverside, with Agents sent to stop Dr D'Astardly's device from blocking the salmon in the River Tweed by cracking the clues that will help decipher its deactivation code.

The operation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start at Kingmeadows Road Car and Coach Park, cross into the main town, investigate historic streets and buildings, continue through Hay Lodge Park, then follow the riverside path back towards the starting area.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, with caveats. An alternate route is available for one Clue-free stretch along the river path, and there is also an optional route to avoid the steps after Hay Lodge Park. The route includes a riverside path with steps, steep bits including hills and a route down/up to the river, and a section that may be muddy or slippery when wet.

Cross busy roads with care, using traffic islands and pedestrian crossings where available. If using the alternative route via Old Town Vennel, be aware that there are no pavements there.

Getting There

By car: Start at Kingmeadows Road Car and Coach Park (EH45 9EW). This free car park is on the opposite side of the river to the main town.

By public transport: Make your way to Kingmeadows Road Car and Coach Park to begin the mission. The circular route returns via the riverside path back towards the starting area.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available at Hay Lodge Park, giving Agents a handy comfort stop part-way through the operation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the mission 🐾

The route includes town streets, road crossings, park paths, a riverside section, steps and ground that may be muddy or slippery when wet. Keep canine recruits close around traffic, near the River Tweed and on any steeper or slippier stretches, especially if you choose the no-pavement alternative on Old Town Vennel.

Food & Drink Stops

There are places to grab food and drink along the way, so your squad should be able to refuel during the mission.

If you prefer to bring your own supplies, pack a picnic to enjoy at Clue 11-12 or from Clue 18 by the river on the green.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Hay Lodge Park and the River Tweed

The mission heads through Hay Lodge Park opposite the cemetery before dropping down to the river path. With toilets nearby and picnic opportunities by the river, it's a strong spot for Agents to pause, regroup and enjoy the greener side of Peebles before rejoining the operation.

Cross Kirk

The route passes Cross Kirk and its information board, which reveals the year the church became a house for Trinitarian friars. It's a good historic extra for curious Agents who like their code-cracking with a side of medieval intrigue.

St Andrew's Tower

St Andrew's Tower is described as the tallest building in Peebles, with a plaque about the tower just through the gate. The surrounding graveyard also contains many headstones carved with skull and crossbones, said to be a symbol of mortality and added at the time of the great plague.

Chambers Institute Courtyard

The courtyard of the Chambers Institute contains a fine war memorial. It lists the names of 225 Peebleans killed in World War I - a striking figure given that the male population at the time was only 2257.

Tweed Bridge

The mission crosses Tweed Bridge as part of the route into the town centre. Look left as you cross to discover when it was widened, then keep your eyes peeled for Dr D'Astardly's next piece of suspicious river-side intel.