Case 01 — Norwich
The streets are not what they appear. They never have been.
The Norwich Detective Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided two-hour walk through Norwich that doesn’t feel like a walk. It feels like a case. You don’t hold a map. You don’t follow a guide with an umbrella raised above their head. You message the Operator on WhatsApp, the Operator sends a clue, and the city — alleys, statues, flint walls, half-erased shop names — starts producing evidence.
It’s a noir detective case. The starting point is Norwich Castle.
What you’re walking into
Norwich is older than you think. Tombland was the Saxon marketplace before the Normans built the castle and shoved the market three streets west. Elm Hill burned to the ground in 1507 and was rebuilt in timber that’s still standing. The flint walls of Bridewell Alley have been hiding a particular detail for six hundred years that 99% of locals have never noticed. There are roughly fifty alleys between the river and the Castle that don’t appear on most maps.
You won’t visit all of them. You’ll visit the ones that matter to the case.
What makes this different from every other scavenger hunt in Norwich
Most scavenger hunts in Norwich need you to download an app, register an account, set up a leaderboard, photograph each checkpoint and sit through a tutorial. Most also charge per person.
Hiddening doesn’t.
- No app. WhatsApp is the mechanism. You probably have it already.
- No booking slot. Buy whenever. Start whenever — Friday night, Sunday morning, eleven days from now.
- No per-head pricing. £20 covers your whole group. Two people, five people, a family of seven — same price.
- No tour guide. You move at your own pace. Stop for coffee. Stop for a pint at the Adam & Eve. Stop because someone got distracted by Strangers’ Hall. The Operator waits.
- A real story. This isn’t a checklist. The hunt has a beginning, a middle and an end you’ll talk about on the train home.
How it works
- Buy the ticket. £20. Whole group covered. You’ll get an instant email with your start link.
- Get to Norwich Castle. Any time. Daylight is best — most of the clues need eyes on the city.
- Message the Operator on WhatsApp using the code in your email. The number is +44 7440 115259.
- Decode the city. The Operator sends clues in roughly the order you’ll need them. You walk, you look, you reply with what you found. The city does the rest.
- Solve the case. 90 to 120 minutes from the first message. Faster if you’re sharp. Slower if you stop for cake.
Who it’s for
- A Norwich first date that’s actually a story rather than a static drink.
- A Sunday afternoon when the cathedral and the market are getting predictable.
- A group of friends who don’t want to be herded by a guide.
- Visitors who want Norwich the way locals see it, not the way TripAdvisor does.
- Anyone who’s ever walked past something interesting and felt vaguely irritated they didn’t know what they were looking at.
What to bring
- WhatsApp, on a phone with battery and data. Non-negotiable.
- Comfortable shoes. You’ll cover roughly a mile and a half across cobbles, alleys, and the occasional set of stairs.
- An adventurous group. The hunt scales — two players or eight, the case is the same.
FAQ
Where does the Norwich scavenger hunt start?
Norwich Castle. You’ll find the exact start point and the Operator’s WhatsApp number in your booking email.
How long does it take?
90 to 120 minutes. Some groups finish faster, some take their time.
Is it weather-dependent?
You’ll be outside, so check the forecast. The hunt itself runs in light rain. In a serious downpour, message info@hiddening.com before you start and we’ll reschedule.
Can children play?
Yes. The case is family-suitable. The harder clues respect kids who notice things adults walk past.
Is it accessible?
Most of the route is. There are a few cobbled stretches around Elm Hill and Tombland. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, message info@hiddening.com before booking and we’ll flag any sections worth knowing about.
Can I do this if I’m visiting Norwich for the first time?
Especially then. The hunt teaches you Norwich the way the city teaches itself.
What if I get stuck?
The Operator will nudge you. You won’t get permanently lost.
Are there other Hiddening scavenger hunts?
Yes. The Cambridge Spy Scavenger Hunt runs the same mechanic in a different city — a Cold-War spy trail starting at Market Square. See all our hunts.
Start the case
The streets are not what they appear. Most people walk right past.