Treasure Hunt Oxford

Have fun with the right hen activity

You're organising the hen in Oxford and you want it to be special. You need a fun activity that all the hens will enjoy.

The bride doesn’t want something cliché that could have been anyone’s hen do. Those places where as soon as one hen party leaves, another one arrives. They're a total rip-off and there's no point going all the way to Oxford for that.

You need to get all the hens on board. Otherwise there'll be breakaway groups just hitting the pub and splitting up the group. So it's got to be fun for everyone, aunties, the uni mates and the siblings too.

It's going to be like herding cats - getting everyone in the right place at a certain time is never going to happen. So best avoid activities with a rigid time slot and no flexibility. Especially where you have to confirm numbers months ahead - there are bound to be drop-outs.

You know Oxford's a fab place for a hen do with cool bars, restaurants and quirky things to see. It's just a question of making the most of the city while all having fun together.

Introducing
Treasure Hunt Oxford

Fun activity for all the hens.

Super flexible and easy to organise.

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The stunning Radcliffe Camera in the morning sun

Enjoy Oxford together with a fun, chilled out treasure hunt game. See the best bits of the city with our carefully designed walking route. We'll show you the main sights and the lesser known spots too, so you'll feel like you actually got to see Oxford.

Get all the hens excited… Who doesn't remember the thrill of a childhood treasure hunt? This one's made for adults, with proper puzzles, interesting facts, decent pub stops and a bit of banter too.

It's super easy to organise. We don't need a deposit and drop-outs aren't a problem: we do free cancellation because plans change. On the day, start when you like. Go at your own pace and enjoy the recommended pubs. No rush.

A hen party having a fantastic time on Treasure Hunt Oxford

We're here to help you plan the perfect hen weekend. Pop us an email if there's anything we can do.

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We've helped hundreds of hen parties have a fun, special weekend.

Don't take our word for it: we're rated ★★★★★ on Tripadvisor with 121 reviews.

Treasure Hunt Oxford is a fun, interesting way to see the city and all have a laugh together.

A group of hens together in the pub, taking a break from playing {{< param

As featured in

This was such a great activity for my friends hen party. I wanted a second activity for the day that wasn’t too expensive but was really good fun. The hen loved puzzle games but I didn’t want us all to be stuck inside doing an escape room and this was a perfect alternative. It’s a great way to see the city with lots of fun puzzles to unlock and some great opportunities to sample the pubs on the way round. The organisers were exceptionally helpful and it’s really good value for money. There was a large group of us and we split into teams which made it all the more fun as it added a competitive edge. Would throughly recommend this activity for anyone. There is lots of walking involved so wear comfy shoes but you have as much time to complete it as you want.

ellysouthwell18, Tripadvisor

Everyone agreed that the scavenger hunt was a great activity for my friends hen do allowing us to learn more about the historic city we were staying in for the weekend. I would certainly recommend to others visiting! An easy 5/5

Lucy, via email

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 Oxford.

The clues and maps are a lot of fun.
This is a great way to see the city!”

Captain Bess Now for a change of scene, let's head down by the river...

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 A family firm,
who slowly became
Forgotten and faded,
what was their name?

Black Beard Beth Jones?

Captain Bess Nay, yer askin' to be walkin' the plank!

Long Joe Silver Wills?

Captain Bess Aye! That's it!

3. Learn some facts 🎓

Along the way, Bess will tell you a few interesting facts and stories about the things you're spotting in Oxford!”

We learnt new things and actually appreciated the beautiful scenery as we went around the city.

Captain Bess It's a fire insurance mark, to show the firemen ye've paid yer dues! If not, they'd stand by 'n' watch yer house burn, imagine that!

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 Ahoy there! Ye must be the one they're talking about. Lookin' to join me ship, the Rising Pearl?

Buccaneer Beth Yes!

Captain Bess Ye'll be needin' help, have ye a crew?

Lianne Pinkbeard joined the game.

Parrot Pete 🦜 joined the game.

Parrot Pete Arrrrrrr!

Lianne Pinkbeard I'm ready to set sail! ⚓️

Make a reservation

... no deposit required

It's the perfect way to see Oxford 🧭

You'll make the most of being in Oxford. You wouldn't want to come all this way and not actually see anything.

No spoilers... You'll see Oxford's main sights, but the real fun is spotting things you normally wouldn't, and taking the lesser-known alleys around the city.

A photograph of Oxford in the sunshine

Learn something new

You're going to learn some interesting facts and stories, like the lovestruck daughter who murdered her father with a poisoned "love potion".

Nothing too heavy going, just enough to give you a taste of some of the people and stories that make Oxford what it is.

All have fun together

With Treasure Hunt Oxford, you'll all have fun together. No-one's going to feel uncomfortable getting involved. No breakaway groups disappearing to the pub.

You're going to have a laugh solving cryptic clues and following treasure maps. They're tricky but solvable and they'll get you bonding together.

The clues and tour was very well pitched - not too easy, not too hard! Thanks for a great activity, will definitely be recommending it to people in the future!

Rebekah, via Email

Take your time, go at your own pace

You can start when you like, so no problem if you're struggling to get the girls out the door.

You could even finish the next day if the girls do get stuck in a nice pub!

It was our main hen do activity, and we had a brilliant time. We loved that we could start the treasure hunt whenever we wanted on the day and stop to have a bite to eat and relax.

Jessica, Google

Make it a competition

We recommend splitting into teams of 6, or 8 at a push. Who can get the highest score?

Points are awarded based on how many clues you got right first time. So think carefully if you want to win.

Don't worry, even though you'll split up, you'll see plenty of each other. Each team follows the same route. Why not arrange to meet up at the half-way pub stop? That way the hens will get to know their teams, then you'll all come back together later.

There was a large group of us and we split into teams which made it all the more fun as it added a competitive edge.

Elly S, Tripadvisor

Free cancellation, no stress

Things change. You're going to have drop-outs, or maybe you'll all have such banging headaches you can't face a treasure hunt. That's fine, we understand.

We’re flexible. Plans change - if you can't make it to Oxford, you can play on a different day or cancel for free.

Make a reservation

... confirm numbers later

Fun or your money back

We're so confident you and the hens are going to love Treasure Hunt Oxford, if you don't have fun, we promise to give your money back. Just tell us what went wrong and we'll make it right.

By the end, you'll have explored Oxford, learnt something interesting and made memories you'll laugh about at the wedding.

What if it rains? 

If it's stop and start rain, you can pop into a cafe or tavern along the route. There's no time limit.

If it's raining harder you can play another day, or even play over two days if you like.

If it's really heavy rain and you don't fancy wading through the streets, we'll give you free cancellation, 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'll make sure you don't get completely stuck, lost in the city's ancient alleyways...

Do we all have it on our phones?

That's right: everyone can open the game link on their own phone if they want to. That way you're not all squinting at one phone, and if you anyone gets lost they can see what's going on.

When you're playing in 2 or 3 teams, each team has a separate game link. Each team will be playing the exactly same game, but their own version.

Will I have fun if I'm from Oxford?

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!

Will it be too physical?

It's 2½ miles walking but there are nice cafes and pubs to rest along the way.

Can you recommend..?

We'll certainly try!

We've spoken to dozens of hens and we love hearing from you. We'll gladly share what we've learned to make your weekend as special as possible.

Great communication from Ian/Paul throughout as I emailed to ask a few questions before we did it and they came back with useful suggestions.

Nikki T, Tripadvisor

Ready to book the perfect Oxford hen activity?

  • Lovely way to explore Oxford.
  • Fun activity everyone will enjoy.
  • Start when you like, take breaks.
  • 1½–2½ hours plus pub stops.
  • Just £9.99 per person.

Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋

Have questions?
Email Paul & Ian 💌
or text us
07380 309380

We thoroughly enjoyed the Treasure Hunt. It was a good length and the clues both made us think and showed us parts of Oxford we'd never noticed before, and we're local! The brief pieces of educational information were interesting and informative in equal measure, and all were accessible despite Covid restrictions. It was a fun way to spend a pandemic birthday!

—1diane2016, Tripadvisor

ahoy@treasurehuntoxford.com

Telephone: 01865 920 885
Text us: 07380 309380

Towers and Taverns starts from:
Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AZ