Chester Murder Mystery Trail

The Poltergeist Heist

£12.99£14.99

Only one purchase required for a group of
up to 6 people

Discover historical landmarks & hidden gems

Find clues & solve cryptic puzzles

Self-guided tour – do whenever you like & at your own pace

An abundance of historical & spooky pubs along the route

Instant download. Print & go now!

Would you like to explore the historic streets of Chester while solving a haunting murder mystery? 👻

Well, you’ve come to the right place, detective! The Poltergeist Heist is an immersive treasure hunt with a whodunit twist. This self-guided tour guides you on a thrilling journey through the heart of ancient Chester. Along the way, you’ll discover breathtaking landmarks and hidden gems, solve cryptic puzzles and find hidden clues to ultimately deduce whodunit. So, are you ready to get your sleuth on?

SKU: N/A Categories: ,

About this thrilling trail

This Chester treasure hunt with a whodunit twist has the perfect route plotted out to ensure you see all the highlights in the historic city centre!

The Poltergeist Heist – Chester Murder Mystery Trail is a self-guided walking tour that navigates you past some of the UK’s most renowned historical landmarks and points of interest, including:

  • Chester Cathedral
  • Eastgate Clock
  • The city walls and its four main gates (Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate)
  • Chester Rows
  • The Roman Amphitheatre
  • The half-ruined Church of St. John the Baptist
  • Chester Racecourse
  • Stanley Palace
  • The River Dee (along Chester’s most popular place for a stroll)
  • An abundance of historic pubs
  • And many more hidden gems

The route for this Chester treasure hunt is relatively flat and approx. 4.4km long. Allow 3 hours to appreciate your surroundings and complete the trail at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of refreshment stops and photo opportunities along the way! The route starts close to Eastgate Clock and ends on Bridge Street. The immersive story and cryptic puzzles can make this trail feel more like an outdoor escape room at times.

This Chester Murder Mystery Trail makes a great day out for tourists and locals alike. Available for instant download. So, what are you waiting for?!

Chester trail statistics:

  • Start location: On the corner of Eastgate St and St. Werburgh St, CH1 1LG (view on Google Maps)
  • End location: Bridge Street (in the heart of Chester Rows!)
  • Clue difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Duration: ~3 hours
  • Distance: 4.4km
  • Terrain: Easy
  • Wheelchair/buggy accessible: No*

The case synopsis:

The mysterious death of a pub landlord. Extraordinary claims of a poltergeist killer. And a shadowy underworld at Chester Racetrack. Nine jockeys in jeopardy, all with consistently haunting testimonies. Did a ghost really kill the landlord? Or is there a conspiracy at large? Never have your deductive skills been so perplexed as in this, your most supernatural case yet. Embark on a trail full of cryptic clues to unravel this haunting whodunit. Chester is in dire need of your help. So saddle up, detective!

Trail overview:

  • A murder mystery-themed self-guided walking tour around Chester
  • A unique blend of walking tour, treasure hunt and escape room-like elements
  • Discover historical landmarks and hidden gems as you follow the route
  • Solve clues to uncover evidence, eliminate suspected characters and weapons, and ultimately deduce whodunit
  • Self-guided tour – do whenever you like and at your own pace
  • Instantly downloadable. Print onto A4 paper, and you're ready to go
  • Alternatively, you can follow the trail using any smartphone or tablet device (see below)
  • Ideal for groups of 2-6 people. Only one purchase required per group, so it makes for an affordable day out
  • Whether a local or visiting somewhere new, our trails are the best way to explore and learn about your surroundings.
  • Solve correctly, and you'll receive a certificate and a voucher towards your next trail!
Discover landmarks
& hidden gems
Find clues &
solve puzzles
Deduce whodunit
to crack the case!
  • Discover landmarks & hidden gems
  • Find clues & solve puzzles
  • Deduce whodunit to crack the case!

Download, print & go!

Our trails are self-guided walking tours, allowing you to sleuth around at your own pace and take as many detours and pit stops as you wish. We’ve investigated all the highlights each location offers, carefully crafting them into each trail. There are plenty of must-see landmarks, selfie opportunities, traditional pubs, and refreshment stops along each route. So, get ready to unlock a whole new world of adventure, as city breaks will never be the same again!

Simply download and print the trail in colour onto A4 paper, and you’re ready to go. No access to a printer? No worries. Alternatively, you can view the PDF trail using any tablet or smartphone device. Make sure to bring along a pen and paper to sketch out occasional clues and note down your answers to complete the finale metapuzzle with a celebratory refreshment. Learn more...

Who is the trail aimed at?

Prepare for a journey filled with hidden gems, fascinating factoids, cryptic puzzles, and intriguing mysteries — perfect for anyone who loves adventure! Our puzzle-filled trails make for a thrilling city break or day out with spouses, friends, colleagues and the whole family. If you enjoy escape rooms, puzzles, scavenger hunts, ghost and historical tours, murder mysteries or board games, you’re in for a killer time. Before you’ve even solved your first Murder Mystery Trail, you’ll be dying to do another!

If you're looking for a stag party or hen-do treasure hunt, then our Murder Mystery Trails are great entertainment and an ideal ice-breaker. Everyone will get to know each other while solving clues and exploring the local area. Plus, there are plenty of traditional pubs and refreshment stops en route! As our trails are self-guided, you can take as many pitstops and detours as you wish. For larger groups, please purchase an additional copy for every six people. For example, ten people require two purchases of a trail. Here are some tips for larger groups.

Plot a killer day out in Chester

Discover the charm of Chester: Explore its ancient walls, Rows, pubs, and so much more.

Chester is renowned for its rich history and well-preserved architecture. One of the most photographed spots is the Chester Rows, a unique shopping arcade distinguished by its stunning two-tiered levels dating back to the medieval era.

Another unmissable attraction in Chester (not just because of its size!) is the city walls. They are the longest, oldest and most complete in Britain and were built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. These walls encircle much of the old city and offer stunning views of the surrounding area. Our Murder Mystery Trail guides you along a section of the city walls via the Eastgate Clock (another highly-photographed landmark), and you’ll also pass all four of the old city’s main gates, including Northgate, Eastgate, Bridgegate and Watergate.

If you ever fancy a refreshment stop with some more history, Chester has an abundance of ancient pubs, some dating back as far as the 12th Century! These pubs offer a glimpse into the city’s rich history and provide a cosy atmosphere to relax and enjoy some pub grub with a pint of ale. Some of our favourite pubs along this Chester treasure hunt include Ye Olde King’s Head, The Pied Bull, Bear & Billet, The Victoria, The Architect and Ye Olde Boot Inn, to name a few!

If that wasn’t enough, the city is also home to the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, plus a 1000-year-old Cathedral and several museums. This trail also takes you along The Groves next to the picturesque River Dee, Chester’s most popular place for a stroll.

So, if you’re searching for a fun way to discover Chester, call off the search! This murder-mystery-style Chester treasure hunt captures the essence of the city, leaving you with a clear understanding of what the area has to offer and a big smile on your face.

Inspect all of our murder mystery-themed trails in the North West of England.

*The route is all paved or solid. Some road crossing points may not have dropped kerbs. Some of the route has cobbled streets. Head to Visit Cheshire’s Accessibility page for more local information.

You may also like…

What our trail detectives say...

Fantastic! 5*”

Received this as part of my birthday present and what a fantastic present it was! We had so much fun following the trail and solving the riddles and clues. We enjoyed stopping off at the “pints of interest” and finding out the history of places. I’d never been to Chester before and this trail made sure we got to see and explore everything. The effort put into these trails is incredible – from the trail itself to the riddles, illustrations and thought put into it. I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to do the Chester murder mystery trail, it was great! I’m looking forward to doing another murder mystery trail in another city very soon! 🕵🏻‍♀️👻

Review of Chester's Murder Mystery Trail, by Jacqueline S via Tripadvisor

An absolute MUST if you like adventures!”

The most fun we’ve had in a while! Literally the best self-guided tour/activity that’s super exciting and engaging, while also being informative. Absolute bargain for the price and it’s excited us to complete all of the other Killer Trails!! It’s easy for all age groups to solve and you can take as long as you want to solve it – we definitely took our time, taking in all the beauty of our surroundings and looking at things we normally wouldn’t have looked at. Getting to the end of it and solving the murder was definitely a bonus and super satisfying and rewarding!

Review of York's Murder Mystery Trail, by Radoslava K via Tripadvisor

Fun way to explore”

We wanted to try something new during our valentine’s day trip away and honestly we are hooked – already planning our next trips around where these trails are located! a fun and easy way to explore the city, we cannot recommend enough!

Review of Cambridge's Murder Mystery Trail, by Rheanon Chelsea J via Tripadvisor

Fantastic way to see the city and have fun!”

I took my mum for Mothers Day in a day trip to Winchester, we wanted to see all the sites and have some fun and this was the best way to do it. The trail leads you all around the historic sites and gives you a great chance to find interesting things you wouldn’t normally see.
100% recommend

Great fun”

Previously did the Chester trail which was great fun and a brilliant way to explore a city I didn’t know all that well. Manchester on the other hand I wasn’t sure what to expect as already knew the place very well and thought some of the magic exploring new unseen places might be missing however it was just as fun in its own different way.

I’d highly recommend this to those visiting for the first time and equally those like me who’ve seen the place more than they care to remember!

Oh and bonus points for a spooky experience in one of the pints of interest along the way 👻

Brilliant way to see the city!”

What a brilliant way to see the city! It was so well done. The clues were perfectly hard enough for us to find and work out as a group of mid-20s adults. So reasonably priced! We loved working out what all the clues meant back at our accommodation at the end of the day! I will be doing this again in every new city I can!

Review of Bath's Murder Mystery Trail, by Nicole H via Tripadvisor

A great way to explore!”

Such a great way to explore Oxford! The tour was so fun and engaging, which takes you to lots of key Oxford landmarks! The format also means you can take breaks when you need and keeps it very relaxed! So you can tailor it to your group! Definitely recommend and will be doing another one again!

Perfect activity for my group and me!”

This was the perfect activity for my group and me! One in the group had never been to London before, and the rest of us had been several times. But this trail certainly made sure that we all got to see something we’d never seen before! It was so much fun and the clues were a perfect mix of difficulty! I would highly recommend this activity to anyone interested in experiencing London in a different way.

Fun times for all the family”

Friends and I completed this at the weekend. I’ve lived in Manchester for 8 years now and I still found new things. Great story, would say it’s a medium level in terms of how challenging it was. Highly recommended. Even better with adults having a couple of drinks at key locations.

Affordable, fun, and something different”

The murder mystery trail was so fun and such a unique and engaging way to look at things you wouldn’t normally see, and learn things about York you might miss at other attractions. It’s affordable, fun, and something different. Easy to follow, simple instructions and the perfect level of clue difficulty for all!

Review of York's Murder Mystery Trail, by paranormalpagan via Tripadvisor

Share your trail experience on
Tripadvisor.

FAQs

What time does the trail start?

  • You can start the trail whenever you like! Our trails are self-guided walking tours. This means you can sleuth around at your own pace, taking as many detours and pit-stops as you wish. Just download it, print it out, and you're ready to go!

Is the price per person or group?

  • Only one purchase is required for a group of up to six people. So from just £12.99, our Murder Mystery Trails make for an affordable day out.

    Please note: One trail purchase is required for every six people participating. For example, ten people must purchase two copies of a trail.

Can a large group do a trail?

  • Yes! If you’re looking for an activity for a large family outing, work-do, club get-together, or stag/hen party ice-breaker, then our Murder Mystery Trails are great entertainment. Everyone will get to know each other while solving clues and exploring the local area. Plus, there are plenty of traditional pubs and refreshment stops along each route.

Any tips for larger groups?

  • All you need is one printed copy of a trail per group. If there are more than six people in your party, simply split your group into smaller teams, stagger the start times, and compete against each other! Each trail has roughly 14-20 clues to solve. Once you’ve cracked the case, you can see all the clue answers on our website. For scoring, you could compare each team’s clue scores, and why not add in some additional tie-breaking challenges of your own, e.g. the best team photo on the trail. If you'd like to have the answers and certificates ready before you set off, send us a message.

    As our trails are self-guided, you can take as many pitstops and detours as you wish. Although challenging at times, all teams should crack the case. The main point of our trails is to bring everyone together for a fun and affordable day out. The trail routes are full of breathtaking landmarks, hidden gems, selfie opportunities, and plenty of refreshment stops.

How difficult is it?

  • Our trails have a ‘clue difficulty’ rating of 1-5 stars. They are easy to follow, and all should be solvable with some contemplation and logical thinking. A five-star puzzle difficulty would be challenging but totally achievable. Exercise your little grey cells, or else they’ll grow rust! All trails also come with a hints and answers section if you ever get stuck.

Can kids do this trail too?

  • Our Murder Mystery-themed trails are cryptic treasure hunts with a whodunit twist. They're designed for adults, but kids will enjoy helping to find and solve the clues, too! They just might need a hand with some of the more challenging ones. The stories for each Murder Mystery Trail are lighthearted and full of amusing characters, pop culture references and plot twists that will keep you guessing.

Can I do the trail on a phone?

  • Although we recommend printing out the trail, you can view the PDF and follow the route using a tablet or smartphone. Make sure to bring a pen and paper to note down your answers. The murderer and the weapon are revealed with a final metapuzzle. So, you could draw this out to fill in as you go or complete this bit when back at home with a warm cuppa! Other occasional clues may also need sketching out.

Where can I get the trail printed?

  • If you’re away from home but would prefer a printed version, here are a few ideas:
    • If you’re staying in a hotel, politely ask if the front desk could print your trail.
    • Libraries aren’t just for books, you know! Find a local library using this Google search and use their printing facilities.
    • Office supply stores often provide a printing service. Find a local office supply store with this Google search.

Are there any pubs on the route?

  • Yes! Killer Trails and old spooky pubs go hand in hand. There are plenty of refreshment stops along each route. We make every trail navigate past as many notable and historic pubs as possible. So keep your eyes peeled!

Is the entire trail outside?

  • In short, yes. Our Murder Mystery Trails take you on a journey past historical landmarks and points of interest, offering a unique way to explore touristy hotspots around the UK. To complete the trail, you don't need to enter any paid tourist attractions. But of course, you are welcome to take a break from the trail to visit any attraction or make any stops you like.


Thrilling trail
or your money back

We know you’ll have a great time on the trail.
But if you don’t (which you won’t), we’ll give you a full refund.

1% For Good. Did you know: 1% of all trail sales goes to our Charity of the Year - BBC Children in Need.