Southsea Treasure Hunt The Mystery of the Laughing Sailor

4.7
(37 reviews) Portsmouth, United Kingdom

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2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

The legendary Southsea mystery..
.. unsolved for 100 years..
Until now.

Join the adventure, and turn the streets of Southsea into a GIANT outdoor escape room!

✔️ Enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure to treasure with your friends
✔️ Combine your skills to crack the clues & unravel the epic tale
✔️ Discover Southsea's amazing history & hidden gems

In 1910, Southsea's iconic laughing sailor became the victim of a terrible crime, after a mysterious figure smashed the machine and silenced his laugh forever.

Was it an act of revenge?
Nobody knew.

But the villain left a trail of clues..
And this is where you come in.

Your challenge is to track down hidden objects, decode symbols, and uncover hidden messages, as you eliminate suspects & gradually unravel the crime.

And an exciting twist awaits..

Make it to the end and you'll be struck by an amazing ‘wow’ moment when the case is solved and the villain is revealed before your eyes!

Don’t let the villain get away.. Your time to start is now!

What's Included

10% off food & drink in The Jolly Sailor pub
40-page colour activity booklet containing all puzzles, clues, and maps
10% off drink in The Phoenix pub
20% off lunch in The Queens Hotel (Mon-Thu)
Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This is a self-guided treasure hunt which begins at Portsmouth's City Museum, Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ. Simply show the staff a copy of your payment receipt, and they will issue you with your booklet(s).

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Start your amazing adventure at Portsmouth's City Museum, where you will collect your activity booklet and begin your hunt for the mysterious Southsea vandal! Take a moment to enter the museum, and see the original Laughing Sailor machine at the heart of this legendary story, before setting off on your unique mystery adventure!

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    After solving your first clue at the city museum, your route takes you down the beautiful and historic Castle Road, where you have the option of stopping for a drink in Southsea's CAMRA award-winning hidden gem of a pub, 'The Hole in the Wall'. This pub is just yards from where Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his very first Sherlock Holmes novels, making it the birthplace of the world famous detective! You will then be guided towards Southsea Common, which is the central location of the Laughing Sailor mystery, and where the terrible act of vandalism took place. You will stroll among the beautiful trees and wide open green space in search of your next clue!

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3

    A short walk from Southsea Common you will find your next clue, at the beautiful and historic Queens Hotel, where you can receive a 20% discount on lunch when showing the mystery adventure book to staff (Mon-Thu). From here, you will make your way towards the world-famous D-Day Story, where you can climb aboard an original landing craft from the Normandy invasion!

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Your next clue is hidden at a Tudor Castle, which was built under the reign of Henry VIII and was the location where Henry himself watched in horror as his most treasured flagship the Mary Rose sank before his eyes. Enter the castle's historic gates and savour the view from its historic ramparts (free entry).

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    After Southsea Castle, it is time for another optional refreshment stop at the Jolly Sailor pub (10% off food & drink if you show the mystery booklet to the staff), where you can enjoy stunning views of Southsea Common from its beautiful raised terrace. Your route then continues towards the buzzing shopping & dining street of Palmerston Road, where you will find a wide range of local bars, restaurants and cafes.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6

    The final section of your mystery adventure takes you towards Southsea's famous Albert Road, where you will find a vast array of independent boutiques and hidden shopping gems. Nestled amongst the unique shops you will find the famous Kings Theatre, which is a beautiful stopping point for one of your final clues. The adventure comes to an end at a wonderful hidden gem of a pub, which concludes the story, and provides a 10% discount on drink when you show the staff your adventure booklet. You will enjoy raising a glass when you complete the mystery and get the 'wow' moment at the end when it all comes together!

    20 minutes • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Supplied by Mystery Guides

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Tags

Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.7 Based on 37 37 reviews
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