Norwich Detective Scavenger Hunt – one ticket covers your whole group

You arrive at Norwich Castle. Your phone buzzes. A WhatsApp message from someone calling themselves the Operator. There is a case to solve in this city, and you have ninety minutes.

The Norwich Detective Scavenger Hunt is a real-world mystery delivered to your phone, one clue at a time. No app to download. No booking slot. No tour guide. Just you, your group, and a city that turns out to be older and stranger than it looks.

What’s included

• One ticket covers your whole group. Two friends or ten — £20 is £20.
• 90 to 120 minutes of play, at your own pace
• Starting point: Norwich Castle (any time, any day)
• The full Brother Thomas case — a noir mystery that runs through the Lanes around the castle
• Direct WhatsApp contact with the Operator throughout the hunt
• No app. No map. No tour guide.

How it works

1. Book. Pay £20, get a starting link sent to your email straight away.
2. Walk. Take your group to Norwich Castle. Click the link.
3. Message. Send the Operator a WhatsApp message when you arrive.
4. Solve. Clues come back over WhatsApp. Follow them. Solve them. The city opens up.

What makes this different

Most scavenger hunts hand you an app and a map. We don’t.

The Operator messages you on the channel you already use every day. The clues land in WhatsApp the way a text from a friend would. You read them on the same screen you photograph the city on. The format disappears — and the game feels real.

And the case is a real case. Not a list of tourist landmarks. Brother Thomas is a noir mystery written specifically for Norwich. The route uses alleyways, courtyards, and overlooked details locals walk past without noticing. By the end, you’ll know the city differently.

Perfect for

• An unusual date — slightly competitive, slightly atmospheric
• A different kind of weekend with friends
• Family afternoons where everyone has to actually participate
• Visitors to Norwich who want more than the cathedral and the castle
• Locals who think they already know the city
• Stag dos, hen dos, and birthdays (the £20-covers-the-group price scales well)

Frequently asked

Is it really £20 for the whole group?

Yes. One ticket. One group. We suggest up to about five for the best experience, but the more the merrier — no per-head charge.

Do I need to download anything?

Only WhatsApp, which you almost certainly already have. No app, no account creation, no special hardware.

When can we play?

Any time you like. There’s no booking slot. Buy the ticket, walk to Norwich Castle when it suits you, message the Operator. Daylight hours are best — you’ll be reading details on buildings and looking down alleys.

What if it rains?

Norwich is a working English city. Bring a coat. The route works in any weather.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Most of the route is on flat pavement with some cobbles. If you have specific access needs, message info@hiddening.com before booking and we can confirm.

How long does it take?

Between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how fast you solve and how often you stop to take photos.

A few things to remember

1. The mechanism is WhatsApp. Make sure WhatsApp works on at least one phone in your group before you leave the house.
2. Stay sharp and safe. You’re operating in a real city. Look up from your phone. Watch the traffic. Be courteous to other people (especially the non-questers).
3. Dress for the mission. This is not a slow museum stroll. Wear comfortable shoes.
4. Other groups may be on the same case. If you see another team staring intently at a statue, don’t share your solution.
5. Your only job: enjoy it. Put work away. Take the route at your own pace. The city is older than it looks.

Buy your ticket above. The Operator is waiting.