Treasure Hunt Leeds
Have fun and see Leeds a different way
You’re going to Leeds and you want to have some fun. It's a busy city with lots of cool things, it's just hard to join it 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 the peaceful squares or will you end up fighting against traffic on the busier streets?
You know Leeds has stunning buildings, cool pubs and bars, and loads of interesting history. It’s just a question of having fun seeing it all.
Pore over treasure maps and ponder cryptic clues.
Scour Leeds' bustling streets to find the answers.
Follow a carefully designed route around Leeds. Stroll through peaceful green spaces, the magnificent Corn Exchange and the famous Kirkgate market. Avoid the busy streets and explore the quieter, car-free areas, passing plenty of cool things along the way! Take the lesser known path but still see the Arcades and the other main sights.
Spot things other people don't notice like the sneaky art project with its messages hidden in plain sight.
Learn some fun facts and stories like how a Polish migrant and a cashier from Skipton turned a penny bazaar into an international success story. Nothing too heavy, you're here to have fun!
Go at your own pace. If you're tempted by a pub or cafe, or you want to amble around the arcades, that's cool. You plan your day as you see fit.
Don't take our word for it: we're rated ★★★★★ on Tripadvisor with 30 reviews.
Are you organising a special occasion? 🎉
- Christmas present 🎁
- Hen party
- Team away day
- Family day out
Just visiting Leeds? Read on…
Treasure Hunt Leeds will take you on a fab route around the city, spotting clues and following treasure maps, all at your own pace.
Fun way to see the city
A really fun and interesting way to be introduced to the area! Having never visited before it was an exciting and informative way to see the city. We did it as a pair and enjoyed following clues along with stopping at suggested shops and pubs. Lots of fun!
A good laugh and very informative too
I did this treasure hunt with my son. We really enjoyed ourselves. We had a good laugh saw things we have never noticed before and wouldn't have without the app. We loved the banter and did take the advice and broke the day up. Cocktails by the Black Prince, a look around the wonderful corn exchange with a little bit of shopping and a pint in a tucked away local pub. Ending at another pub to laugh at feedback and score.
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 Leeds.
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 Leeds!”
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 Leeds
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 browsing the indie shops in the Corn Exchange? No rush! Take it at your own pace. Enjoy the cafes and pubs you'll spot along the way.
Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.
Great way to explore new city.
We decided to visit Leeds for the first time and embarked on a treasure hunt. We’ve learned a lot about the city and really enjoyed it. With a sidetrack visit to Armouries museum (not in the hunt) and dinner, we’ve spent all day completing it.
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 have to change your plans for Leeds, just reschedule or cancel for free.
Fun or your money back
We think you're going love Treasure Hunt Leeds!
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 just the Arcades
See the classic areas, but the real fun is finding the clues and noticing things in the city that you'd otherwise walk right past.
A fantastic experience!
Got to see hidden gems in a place I thought I knew well. Really easy to use too but do make sure your phone is charged fully as the curators advise!
Victoria Quarter - A beautiful and premium shopping arcade decorated in rich marble and gilded mosaics.
Leeds Art Gallery - Home to a fab collection of 20th-century British paintings and sculpture, it also presents a great exhibitions programme.
Corn Exchange - This iconic Victorian building now houses a raft of Yorkshire's best independent businesses.
Kirkgate Indoor Market - This Edwardian building is a shoppers paradise. Fresh food, drink, flowers, hardware, jewellery, it's got it all!
Leeds Town Hall - This grand 19th-century municipal hall is currently closed for a major refurbishment and will offer a first-class venue when it re-opens in 2024.
Thornton's Arcade - A stunning example of Victorian architecture, this arcade boasts beautiful wrought iron arches, a gorgeous glass roof and the hilarious Ivanhoe Clock!
Tiled Hall Cafe - A hidden gem tucked away inside Leeds Art Gallery, this cafe is a great spot for a rest with it's stunning ornate tiles and grand columns.
Holy Trinity Church - This splendid parish church is located in the heart of Leeds, tucked in next to Trinity Leeds vibrant shopping centre.
St Paul's House - This former warehouse and cloth cutting works has magnificent architecture and really stands out amongst the other Georgian buildings in the square.
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 Leeds.
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 Leeds, no strings attached ❤️
By the end, you'll be familiar with Leeds and you'll have a few ideas of where to go back to.
What if it rains?
If it's raining on and off, you can dive into a pub or cafe along the way. There's no time limit.
If it's properly raining you can reschedule for another day, or even split start one day and finish the next.
If it's really heavy rain and you don't fancy being washed into the canal, just cancel for free, 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.
You won't get completely stuck, wandering aimless around the arcades...
Will I have fun if I'm from Leeds?
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.”
Fun for kids and adults with nice drinks stops factored in.
Loved this treasure hunt, clues were perfectly pitched. It took just the right amount of time also, had a fab day and it was good exercise.
Will it be too physical?
It's 2 miles walking and there are plenty of spots to rest, like pubs and cafes as well as the Kirkgate market and the Corn Exchange.
Ready for a different way to see Leeds?
- Follow a carefully designed route around Leeds.
- See Leeds' classics as well as its Georgian area, ale-houses down alleyways and curiosities you'd never normally notice.
- Start when you like and take it at your own pace.
- 2–3 hours of outdoor fun.
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
“A really fun and interesting way to be introduced to the area! Having never visited before it was an exciting and informative way to see the city. We did it as a pair and enjoyed following clues along with stopping at suggested shops and pubs. Lots of fun!”
—Catherine H, Tripadvisor
Telephone: 0113 519 7210
Text us: 07380 309380
Arcades and Alleyways
starts from:
Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA