Top 5 Amazing York Treasure Hunts & Scavenger Hunts

Transform York into a Living Treasure Chest with a York Treasure Hunt

Your urban odyssey starts here…

Plunder the hallowed heights of York with a CityDays York treasure hunt!

Like a living board game, you move around York’s curious landmarks and historic anomalies by solving puzzles, answering riddles and sniffing out clues. 

Absorb history, find hidden gems and explore like you never have before as you delve into a treasure hunt in York that takes you beyond the obvious and into the unnoticed with CityDays!

The Best Urban Treasure Hunt in York

With a boatload of nationally famous landmarks dotted around such as The Shambles, York Minster, and York Castle, it’s easy to get sidetracked by the must-sees of York. Locals and visitors alike get swept up in their magic - and we understand why. 

They are the shining beacons that keep history, culture and York’s unique identity alive. Think of them as the dark blue Monopoly squares of York: they’re exclusive, special and highly-desired. 

But don’t forget: you’ve got to pass go and land on the other squares first - and trust us when we say you’ll be surprised at what you stumble across along the way, if you only pay attention. 

Our treasure hunts in York have been designed to expose the best aspects of the city. 

Like a live action board game, you’ll move around the landmarks, weave between historical monuments and collect facts as you go. No detail is too big or small - and you may have to look up, down, left and right before you figure out the answer! 

That’s part of what makes CityDays’ York treasure hunts the best in the city. 

There’s around 2000 years’ worth of history waiting for you. And all of it has to be seen to be believed…

Any questions? Here’s how it works. 

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

The whole premise of our business relies on appreciating the beauty and intrigue of urban environments, so the last thing we want to do is leave rubbish lying around.

We believe that York has enough curious objects and fascinating features that any physical contribution we’d make would pale in comparison to the existing stuff. We also don’t support littering, so we don’t leave any tangible objects for you to find.

Instead, we’ve made use of existing buildings, curious city quirks, sculptures, pieces of street art and even street furniture as clues.

The only stuff you’ll leave our York scavenger hunts with are fond memories, plenty of knowledge and potentially a place at the top of our leaderboard. 

Oh, and plenty of photos too - don’t forget to send them in to us, we love seeing them and we might even reward you for your efforts…

Team-Building Scavenger Hunts in York

We’re proud to say that we’ve helped many businesses in York and around the world plan better, more exciting and more sustainable team-building activities for over five years. 

Will your business be next?

Our team-building scavenger hunts in York have been designed to boost your team bonds, heat up your colleagues’ competitive sides and teach them a thing or two about the city they live and work in.

We offer premade routes and bespoke trails that cater especially to your businesses’ needs. 

So if you want to start or finish at a particular venue, that’s no problem. 

If you need to stop by somewhere specific - we’ll add it in. 

And whether you have a team of five or 500 to organise, we’ll organise it all for you. 

Challenges are at the heart of our York treasure hunts, so it’s only fair that you challenge us in return. 

Send us your queries and put us to the test!

Narrative, Picnic and Classic Routes: Choosing Your CityDays’ Treasure Hunt in York

York holds a very special place in our hearts and it seems we’re not alone. It was one of our original CityDays cities to receive a trail and remains a fan-favourite destination for our explorers. 

Since those halcyon days, we’ve expanded our trail roster to include all manner of York treasure hunts. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of our trail types:

Classic: The original style York treasure hunt that delivers history, fun, exploration and plenty of pub, cafe and bar recommendations along the way.

Picnic: The perfect blend of exploration, puzzle-solving and learning but with added stops to local gourmet hotspots where you collect delicious sweet and savoury treats throughout the trail.

Story: A York treasure hunt with a plot twist! We’ve woven a fictional narrative alongside facts to give you even more fun while exploring. These are often themed routes where characters reveal York’s secrets in an engaging and occasionally cryptic manner!

Available Trails and York Treasure Hunts

Interested in finding out more about the kinds of self-guided treasure hunts in York we provide? Here’s where you get a tiny sneak peek into where you can find your next adventure…

Quirks and Snickets

Embark on "Quirks and Snickets," a puzzle-filled journey revealing the hidden historical gems of York. Begin at bustling St Helen's Square and weave through the city's unique snickelways, solving clues as a team while uncovering fascinating facts about York's past. 

Discover which Viking warrior influenced a well-known nursery rhyme, the number of Roman emperors who met their ends in York, and the comically named, famously short street.

Your adventure includes Roman ruins, a historic city gate, the medieval Barley Hall, an elegant 18th-century townhouse, and the world-renowned Shambles. Alongside these landmarks, enjoy puzzles, excellent cafes and pubs, and a series of unexpected discoveries. This trail is perfect for anyone - locals, visitors, or history enthusiasts - eager to explore the secrets nestled in York's iconic streets.

The Drowned City

Dive into an extraordinary blend of history and mythology with an interactive adventure set in the ancient streets of York. Encounter a Roman Emperor, a Norse monster, and a Greek sea goddess as you solve riddles and navigate between fact and fiction to avert the city's impending doom. This team-based quest offers a unique way to see York's most prominent sights and lesser-known wonders.

Your journey includes stops at Museum Gardens, the majestic York Minster, Dean's Park, the historic Treasurer's House, Clifford's Tower, and the serene Holy Trinity Church. Plus, you’ll visit taverns that could have hosted Caesar himself. Along the way, engage with puzzles that reveal historical anomalies and immerse you in York's thrilling atmosphere.

This adventure is ideal for dreamers of all ages, offering a captivating way to experience the rich mythology and mystery that make York a truly unique destination.

A Fatal Feud

Time travel meets murder mystery in this York treasure hunt set in 1491. 

A murder has occurred, setting the city abuzz with rumours. Assemble your team of sleuths and embark on a journey through time to solve this historic crime, using only your wits and detective skills…

Your quest begins at Clifford's Tower, leading you on a clue-filled trail around York to locations tied to this age-old mystery. Test your abilities to see if you can identify the perpetrator.

Explore historical landmarks including Tower Gardens, the ancient city wall, Mansion House, the awe-inspiring Yorkminster, the quaint Shambles, and a uniquely coloured tower. The journey is enriched with puzzles, stops at charming cafes and pubs, and numerous unexpected discoveries.

This trail is perfect for true crime aficionados and history buffs, offering an immersive and engaging day out in the legendary city of York.

York Gourmet Food Hunt

Embark on our York Gourmet Food hunt, a unique puzzle trail exploring the city's finest cafes, delis, and bakeries. Collect picnic items from local, independent businesses, showcasing York's diverse food scene - all included in the price of your ticket. 

Enjoy historic pastries, exquisite cakes, and a selection of meats and cheeses, all while engaging in an escape-room style York treasure hunt. 

Solve clues, uncover city secrets, and culminate your adventure in a beautiful garden to enjoy your treats. Suitable for vegetarians and meat-lovers, this experience blends fun, food, and history for an unforgettable York adventure.

Ghosts of York

Join "The Ghosts of York" for a spine-tingling York treasure hunt that turns you from ordinary citizens into paranormal investigators.

This unique York scavenger hunt casts you and your team as the protagonists in your very own ghost story. Spanning 1.5-3 hours and covering 3.7 km (2.3 miles), it offers interactive messaging with spectral fictionalised characters that once called York home, including Roman legionnaires, a woman accused of witchcraft, a nobleman obsessed with gold, a drunken monk and a Viking who was skinned alive…

This unlikely cast will have you doing challenges, and solving puzzling clues suitable for all levels. With optional breaks at haunted pubs, delve into the lives of the ghosts, the origins of their haunting tales, and their sightings since passing away. 

"The Ghosts of York" provides an informative and immersive exploration of folklore-inspired fiction, historical facts, and eyewitness accounts.