Yorkshire Adventure a free Knaresborough treasure hunt

A self-guided treasure hunt around Knaresborough

Yorkshire Adventure is a free puzzle trail that takes you on a walking route around Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. It works like an outdoor escape room or scavenger hunt: at each stop you read a little about where you're standing, then solve a puzzle using what's actually in front of you before the next set of directions unlocks.

The trail is a roughly circular route taking in ten stops — it begins at the Market Cross in the Market Place and finishes nearby up at the Castle. You'll take in many of the town's key sites on your way, learning a bit about their history as you go. The trail does take you down to the river and back up, so a basic level of fitness and mobility is required — some parts of Knaresborough are a bit steep!

It makes a good backbone for a day out here. If you're planning the rest of it, I've written up what else is worth doing in Knaresborough — where I take my own kids, which pubs and cafés I'd pick, and one thing I'd tell you to skip.

How it works

Everything runs in your phone's browser. There's no app to download, no account to create and nothing to book — you open the page and start walking. The map shows where you are and where you're heading next, and your progress is saved on your device, so you can stop for lunch or finish another day and pick up where you left off.

Please be careful walking whilst on your phone, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Each puzzle comes in two versions. Younger children can play the easy questions while adults or older kids take the harder ones, and you can switch between them at any stop. If you're in a group, everyone can open the trail on their own phone and work on the answers together.

What it costs

Free to play, and it always will be. There's no ticket, no booking fee and nothing you have to pay to unlock. I'm Jamie — I live in Knaresborough, and I built this as a hobby project for people visiting the town.

If you enjoy it, the one thing that really helps is a donation to one of the local causes linked in the game. Friends of Aspin School is the PTA for the Knaresborough primary school my kids go to. Henshaw's is a Yorkshire charity supporting people living with sight loss and other disabilities — you'll walk right past their arts and crafts centre on the trail. The donations go straight to the charities rather than to me, and a couple of pounds from each group who plays adds up to a genuinely useful amount.

There's also an option to buy me a coffee, because I really like coffee.

It's entirely optional, though, and the trail works exactly the same either way. If there's another local cause you think is worth supporting, drop me a message and I'll look at adding it to the list.

Common questions

How long does it take?

Around one to two hours for the full ten stops, depending on how long you linger and how quickly the puzzles fall. There's no timer — go at your own pace, and please support local businesses and buy drinks and snacks as you go!

Where does it start?

At the Market Cross in Knaresborough Market Place, in the middle of town and a short walk from the train station and the main car parks.

Do I need to book?

No. There's nothing to reserve and no set start time — turn up whenever suits you and begin.

Do I need to download an app?

No. It runs entirely in your web browser on any reasonably modern phone. There's no sign-up and no app store involved.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes — the easy questions are aimed at younger children and the hard ones will keep adults honest, so mixed-age groups can play the same trail together.

What do I need to bring?

A charged phone with mobile data, comfortable shoes and clothes for the weather. The whole trail is outdoors and includes some hills and steps, so it's worth checking the forecast before you set off.

Can we play as a group?

Yes. Everyone can open the trail on their own phone and solve the puzzles together — it works well for families, groups of friends and birthday outings.

Can I stop partway through?

Yes. Your progress is stored on your own device, so you can break for a drink or come back on another day and carry on from the stop you'd reached.