Treasure Hunt Birmingham
Have fun and see Birmingham a different way
You’re going to Birmingham and you want to have some fun. There are loads of nice parts, it's just tricky to join them all up.
It’s no fun wandering aimlessly. Feeling like you’re missing the cool areas or the lesser known sites. You don’t want to spend all your time looking at your phone, not actually seeing anything. With your other half getting bored and hungry.
What about planning your own route and hoping for the best? Sounds like a lot of work trawling blog posts and reading reviews. And you’ll probably miss the hidden gems as all the blogs just list the same attractions.
Will you find a nice route to walk, or will you bump into the six lane motorway passing through the city?
You know Birmingham’s got some great areas like the canalside and the jewellery quarter, and centuries of industrial history. It’s just a question of having fun seeing it all.
Pore over treasure maps and ponder cryptic clues.
Scour Birmingham's bustling streets to find the answers.
Follow a carefully designed route around Birmingham. Explore the fab Centenary square, the peaceful canalside, the Georgian jewellery quarter and the grand business district. Take the lesser known path but still see St Paul's Square and the other main sights.
Spot things other people don't notice like the twisted and broken railing, damaged from a WWII bomb.
Learn some fun facts and stories like how the School of Art came to be. Nothing too heavy, you're here to have fun!
Go at your own pace. Pop into cafes or pubs along the route. There's no rush.
Don't take our word for it: we're rated ★★★★★ on Tripadvisor with 103 reviews.
Are you organising a special occasion? 🎉
- Hen party
- Team away day
- Family day out
Just visiting Birmingham? Read on…
Treasure Hunt Birmingham will take you on a fab route around the city, spotting clues and following treasure maps, all at your own pace.
Great way to spend a few hours in Birmingham
Good fun, we really enjoyed ourselves. Solving the clues was interesting and I think there's a good mix to suit all ages. A different and fun way to see the city, it included some nice stops.
New way of seeing Brum
Fab!! Even if you know Birmingham you will see it on a completely different way! Will be doing more!
It works like a WhatsApp
group chat
You don’t need to download or print anything and it doesn’t need any permissions.
Plus, you get to start when you want.
1. Follow maps 🧭
Bess sends you a series of treasure maps, leading you around Birmingham.
The clues and maps are a lot of fun.
This is a great way to see the city!”
Captain Bess
2. Search for answers 🔎
Bess sends you a series of clues and you have to search the city for answers.
Good banter from Captain Bess who sends you the clues!”
Captain Bess
Black Beard Beth
Captain Bess
Long Joe Silver
Captain Bess
3. Learn some facts 🎓
Along the way, Bess will tell you a few interesting facts and stories about the things you're spotting in Birmingham!”
We learnt new things and actually appreciated the beautiful scenery as we went around the city.
Captain Bess
4. Play together 👨👩👦
Captain Bess will invite you all to join the hunt!
We had such a laugh and a great day out!
Captain Bess
Buccaneer Beth
Captain Bess
Lianne Pinkbeard joined the game.
Parrot Pete 🦜 joined the game.
Parrot Pete
Lianne Pinkbeard
... for FREE!
A different way to see Birmingham
A treasure hunt is more like a game than a traditional tour. You have to follow treasure maps, solve cryptic clues and keep your eyes peeled to find the answers.
You’ll have some banter with our friendly pirate Captain Bess. She’ll put you in your place if you get too many answers wrong!
Take your time, go at your own pace
You can start when you like, there’s no fixed start time. You can even finish the next day if you get stuck in a nice pub!
Fancy a drink by the canal? Go ahead. Take it at your own pace. Enjoy the cafes and pubs along the route.
Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.
A hearty afternoon!
On a warmer day post lockdown you could easily make a day of it stopping for a drink or two on the way.
Start playing in 60 seconds
It’s all on your phones, there’s nothing to print or collect.
Book online and you’ll get a link to start your game straight away.
You can rearrange or cancel
We’re flexible. If you change your mind, or if you can't make it to Birmingham, play another day or cancel for free.
Fun or your money back
We think you're going love Treasure Hunt Birmingham!
If you don't have fun, we promise to give your money back. We'll ask for a quick chat on the phone to understand what went wrong.
See more than the Bullring
No spoilers... You'll see the famous sights like Victoria Square and the Jewellery Quarter, but the real fun is spotting things in the streets that you normally wouldn't notice.
Great exploration and puzzles
Knowing the area well it was wonderful to discover and learn new things about a place I had grown up in. Can’t wait to do one in another city.
Birmingham Town Hall - a beautiful Grade 1 listed venue in the heart of the city centre.
The Library of Birmingham - this iconic public library was designed by architect Francine Houben. It resembles a gigantic stack of boxes, wrapped in a mesh of metal loops.
Centenary Square - a public square recently revamped that hosts festivals and activities in the city centre.
Birmingham Canal Old Line - a historic and beautiful stretch of canal transports you back in time.
The Argent Centre - a grand Grade 2 listed Victorian warehouse. The multicoloured brickwork decorates a design reminiscent of renaissance Florence!
The Jewellery Quarter - on the edge of Birmingham's city centre lies this area steeped in incredible history home to more than 100 retailers, diamond dealers, and workshops.
St Paul's Church - situated in a peaceful Georgian square lies the iconic St Paul's Church.
The Business District - this bustling modern district is home to high profile professional services, bars, cafes and restaurants galore, not to mention St Philip's Cathedral.
Get our Top Tips,
straight to your inbox
Our treasure hunt was born from weeks of digging through blogs, archives, and chatting with locals. It was all about capturing the real Birmingham.
Now, we're spilling the beans in our Top Tips emails. Expect the lowdown on hidden spots, the best indie cafes, and walking routes for how to find them. All that insider info? It's coming straight to you for FREE. We're all about spreading the love for Birmingham, no strings attached ❤️
By the end, you'll have seen the nicest bits of Birmingham's centre and you'll have some ideas of where to come back to.
What if it rains?
If it's patchy rain, you can pop into a cafe or pub along the route: the treasure hunt is flexible.
If it's really wet and you fancy playing the next day, that's fine. Or you can split it over two days if you like.
If it's really chucking it down and you don't fancy being washed into the canal, we’ll give your money back, even if you've started the game.
Will it be too difficult?
Don't worry! The treasure hunt has some tricky clues, but if you get stuck you can ask for a hint.
We make sure you don't get completely stuck, endless wandering the canals.
Will I have fun if I'm from Birmingham?
Yes! You already know the city, but we bet you'll notice things you've walked past a hundred times before.
We've worked hard to find the less-obvious stuff - beyond the typical blue plaques - and some interesting stories and anecdotes. You're going to have a great time!
Is it suitable for kids?
The game is designed for adults and curious kids aged 8 and up.
Younger ones are welcome though you may have to help by interpreting the clues and Captain Bess' pirate speak.
The whole route is pushchair friendly, avoiding steps or showing step-free alternative routes.
We’re a family of four with a 13 year old and a 11 year old. Mum was map reader, dad reminded kids about clues, and kids were hunting for clues.”
Amazing day of family fun
We let the kids take the lead and they really enjoyed feeling like they were in charge and even though they got us lost a few times, the hints always got us back in track. Really great!
Will it be too physical?
It's 2½ miles walking but there are a few cafes and pubs along the way.
Ready for a different way to see Birmingham?
- Follow a carefully designed route around Birmingham.
- See Centenary Square, Gas Street basin, the Georgian jewellery quarter and the bustling business district.
- Start whenever you like, take it at your own pace.
- 1½–2½ hours of fun outdoors.
How does it work?
Play the demo 📱 (win a prize!)
Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋
Have questions?
Email us
💌
or text us
07380 309380
Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋
Have questions?
Email us
💌
or text us
07380 309380
Have questions?
Email us
💌
or text us
07380 309380
“Good fun, we really enjoyed ourselves. Solving the clues was interesting and I think there's a good mix to suit all ages. A different and fun way to see the city, it included some nice stops.”
—Munira C, Tripadvisor
ahoy@treasurehuntbirmingham.com
Telephone: 0121 285 7683
Text us: 07380 309380
Tow Paths and Trades
starts from:
Birmingham School of Art, 3 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BX