Black Cat`s Top 10 Tips For A Treasure Hunt Itinerary for Brighton

By Tim Carter (Owner of Black Cat Treasure Hunts)

When it comes to planning a treasure hunt route around Brighton  it`s important to ensure that you get the absolute most out of your time. So what can you  expect your itinerary to include alongside your treasure hunt questions and challenges? Here are my top 10 tips to answer that very question!

1. Iconic/Must See Attractions: As a compiler of treasure hunts I am fortunate that Brighton is a relatively compact city. It is usually possible to ensure that at some stage you will pass by/through the quirky North Laine area, the cultural district including the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, the Royal Pavilion and the Theatre Royal…then continue through ` The` Lanes and on to the seafront where the Pier and the i360 tower await. This is really only the basics though and other excellent blogs on this website will draw your attention to shops, restaurants, pubs and places to stop on route.
2. Hidden, But In Plain Sight: Just as you take in the sights, I like to surprise with questions about things that are so close and yet you may not be aware of. For example the musicians tunnel next to Brighton Sea Life and the bronze plaque about Tom Sayers, a champion bareknuckle boxer from Brighton, tucked away on the outside of the Guitar, Amp and Keyboard centre in the North Laine.
3. Street Art: Brighton has an ever-growing reputation for brilliant street art. The North Laine is a good place to start, but there are gems all over the city. My personal favourite artist is called The Postman (actually two people!) and apart from musicians in the North Laine you can find their work on the beach too with David Attenborough and Caroline Lucas featuring amongst many others. Great art will definitely feature in a question or two. I do have to keep an eye on this ever-changing landscape though!
4. Quirky Objects = Quirky Questions. A Brighton itinerary by definition will take you past all sorts of weird and wonderful things to see or look out for. A giant, pink spiky snail above Punktured in Gardner St, a colourful buffalo outside the Chilli Pickle in Jubilee Square and Larry the Brighton Lobster on the beachfront path are just a few of the things that will heighten your mood and take your visit up a level.
5. Blue Plaques. In my opinion, blue plaques on a treasure hunt are akin to owning a cat. I do not like to rely on them, but I am happy that they are always around. If a blue plaque enhances a route I will include one or two. Look out for Anita Roddick`s one in the bustling Kensington Gardens. People love to know a bit more about the original Body Shop site. Another favourite of mine is slightly off the regular routes, but I will use it given half the chance and that is one about a guy called Michael Trotabas (North Place). He was a special operations executive in France during World War II.
6. History Is All Around and Fascinating. I think when you are visiting a new city you want to take a route through it that shows off why it is so special. Historical references are one way of doing this and Brighton is blessed with all sorts of interesting options. Why did the maharajah donate the Indian Arch (next to the Royal Pavilion) to the people of Brighton? What exactly did the Prince Regent use The Market Inn for (in The Lanes)? Our detailed routes will uncover the answers to these and many more.
7. Using the Physical Aspects of a Route (You will become an Instagram champion). An itinerary should give you the opportunity to physically experience a place as well as visually. Brighton is excellent for this. The boats outside Brighton Fishing Museum are there to generate fun for all ages. So too is the aquamarine coloured, giant doughnut, running parallel to the pier. Take that classic Instagram photo of a family member with their head in the middle. Go on..you know you want to!
8. Let`s Get Personal. A personalised treasure hunt for a birthday or hen party or team building event requires some personalised questions and challenges. I look at finding out about the participants or who the treasure hunt is for before adapting routes and questions to suit. Do you like classic films and afternoon teas maybe?...I will be looking to guide you up Charlotte St...look up for a Humphrey Bogart statue from Casablanca on the corner and then halfway up the same street is an amusing `Back To The Future` style plaque on the outside of a bed and breakfast. At the top you come to Metrodeco, a 30`s style tea house.
9. Right Place/Right Time. If you don`t know things are there you might miss something that you will really enjoy looking at. A well curated route will build in timings that are suitable and agreed. Time will be built in to get to all the places that you might want to see. You might enjoy certain aspects of going to the highly popular Brighton beach of course, but if you go a little further towards the i360 you will come across the annually changing display of excellent photos on the beach by the city`s photographic club. Well worth 5 minutes of your time (and a question on your treasure hunt).
10. Finish With A Bang or Back Where You Started. This is really a combination of 8. and 9. You may have done your own research on what you want to see and do before coming. A true, and listening, treasure hunt compiler will take this into consideration and ensure the route finishes (and starts) where you want it to. Maybe it`s a surprise visit for someone. A cryptic last question could leave you looking at the old West Pier and the i360 at the same time...or …going the other way looking at crazy golf and the Zip wire together. Oh yes…I`ve also bought tickets for….!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Contact me (Tim) on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk to start your personalised booking and to discuss your own treasure hunt route.