The weather is getting better and it means one thing… we all want to get outside again. We at SmallHouseBigTrips have found the perfect way to get you out and about exploring Birmingham Town Centre in more detail than you have ever explored it before.
A Treasure Hunt.
Yep, you read it right, Birmingham has more canals than Venice and who knows if in 2021 Pirates are on board canal boats instead of ships but when you join Treasure Hunt Birmingham, you will need to become a Pirate (figure of speech, you’re not expected to dress up – although whatever floats your boat), solve the cryptic clues given to you from Captain Bess, a snarky pirate who is testing out new recruits to join her ship and follow the treasure maps sent to you (via a system similar to Whatsapp as Pirates have come a long way on the technology front). Captain Bess is scoring you too… can you get to the end without having to ask for any hints?
For £9.99 a person (children aged 15 and under go free with a paying adult) you get to play the game (Tow Paths and Trades) whilst following a carefully designed walking route around Birmingham. See Centenary Square, the canals, the Georgian Jewellery Quarter and the grand business district. Spotting things that you might not always notice on your day to day walks, like the twisted and broken railing damaged from a WWII bomb. This game has you looking up, looking down and looking to your side.
Starting your adventure outside the School of Art and ending it in the same area, if you drive in to play the game, you’ll want to park on one of the side streets around Colmore Row or the Jewellery Quarter (remember your cash or pay by phone). Or why not catch the bus in and take the time to explore the centre of Birmingham too? You might get tempted to stop off at one (or two) of the pubs along the way .
We reviewed this during restrictions of stay local and only 1 other person to meet for exercise and a coffee/picnic. Pubs were closed but cafe’s were open offering takeaway drinks and lunches. We had a whale of a time. You can play the game at your own speed, if you want to stop off for a drink or lunch during the game, you can do, then carry on when you’ve finished. We were a little cold, so grabbed a hot drink from the Costa up Brindley Place and later on our journey, we grabbed some lunch from Soda Bread on the Jewellery Quarter Square which we highly recommend. We had a roast dinner on a Jacket potato for a fiver each and sat on the benches to eat.
I don’t want to spoil the game with answers, so just took photos of a few things we passed along the way. Beautiful Birmingham. Whether you live in Birmingham or you’re travelling in from another area, everyone should do this at least once.
The game is designed for adults but children aged 8 and upwards may enjoy joining in. Or if you have a curious younger child who likes to walk (the route is 2 and a half miles), they may enjoy it too. The route is wheelchair and pushchair friendly, avoiding steps and the one section that does include steps, also has a step free alternative route.
Sound like something you would like to do? Then get yourself booked in, you can get 10% off your tickets if you use code: SHBT-BLOG-10 . If you have to cancel due to the weather or end up not finishing the game as you get side tracked in the pub, Treasure Hunt Birmingham will let you carry on another day.
Website to book tickets : https://treasurehuntbirmingham.com/game/birmingham-tow-paths-and-trades/
We had such a brilliant afternoon playing this game. Exploring Birmingham streets, learning new facts and seeing new places that we want to visit when lockdown lifts.
Please do tag @smallhousebigtrips and @treasurehuntbrum if you do the treasure hunt and upload pictures and stories on Instagram. We would love to see them.
Disclaimer: We were gifted the tickets in return for an honest review and feedback. We loved the concept and game and will be keeping our eyes peeled for more local ones to play.