Things To Do

Treasure Trails - Oxford City and Castle

Treasure Trails - Oxford City and Castle

The Folly, 1 Folly Bridge, Oxford, OX1 4JU, GB

Rating: 4.5 ★ (2 ratings)

Details

Your adventure begins on Queen Street, the starting point for a captivating self-guided detective mystery that winds through Oxford's historic heart. This 2.3-mile circular trail invites you to become a detective for the day, solving clues left by the eccentric (and missing!) Professor Gray Matter. As you follow the carefully designed route, you'll delve into the city's ancient streets and picturesque back alleys, exploring landmarks like the magnificent Oxford Castle and the iconic Bodleian Library. The trail is designed to take approximately 2.5 hours at your own pace, making it an ideal activity for families, groups of friends, or solo explorers keen to uncover Oxford's secrets and quirky traditions. Don't worry if you get stuck; a handy text message service can provide clues to keep your investigation on track.

This engaging treasure hunt offers more than just a walk; it's an opportunity to see Oxford from a unique perspective, noticing details and hidden gems often missed by other visitors. You’ll sneak past famous colleges, discover charming hidden alleyways, and pass by renowned sights such as the Radcliffe Camera and the Bridge of Sighs, all while piecing together the mystery. The route is largely wheelchair and pushchair friendly, with a small detour provided for one section, and even four-legged friends on leads are welcome to join the fun. Beyond the thrill of the chase, you'll learn fascinating facts and stories about the city, from its scholarly legends to its architectural marvels, making your visit to Oxford an unforgettable and interactive experience.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Contact

+44 1865 803004

Comments

sarah L

31 Jan 2026

4.0 ★

It was a good concept to keep the kids engaged but there were a couple of things that could be improved on. My kids are 7 and 16 so it's difficult to find things they both like. The first debacle was when I went to pick up the map/info they made me pay for 4 maps and 4 hop on hop off tickets. The women clearly didnt sell these often so this was how another person told them to do it. Wasnt a huge deal except planning the cost. The beginning clues were great and inside the museum made everyone look at different areas but then it's like the ran out of places to make clues. I expected it to spread out over oxford but it probably should have just been a museum scavenger hunt. Something different we checked off our list.

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