Treasure hunts taking place at the National Trust.
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Montacute Estate and Gardens Treasure Hunt
The Montacute Estate held the secret to finding treasure! By roaming around all corners of the beautiful estate it was possible to discover the answers concealed in the great outdoors. Prizes were available for intrepid explorers who completed the quest and there was a grand prize of a family weekend holiday break at a National…
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The Golden Caroline at Blickling Hall
As featured on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, an exhibition of the works of Lizzie Riches inspired by Blickling Hall concealing a Treasure Hunt. This took place in 2012 Press release: Budding Sherlocks and puzzle fans will be heading to the National Trust’s Blickling Hall in Norfolk this summer to take part in an intriguing treasure…
Initially we were asked by the National Trust to create treasure hunts to demonstrate a method of increasing footfall in quiet seasons and to get visitors to explore all the hidden corners.
Montacute Estate volunteered to be the guinea pigs over the National Trust’s new opening hours during the winter period.
We expected some wintry weather but nothing quite prepared us for the onslaught of the winter of 2010. There was no doubt that the extended periods of sub-zero temperatures resulted in lower visitor numbers, but the installation clearly demonstrated that it heightened visitor engagement, even to the point of some families with limited time returning to the venue at a later date to finish their quest!
The structure of the National Trust dictates that visitors do not pay to take part in the treasure hunt, they just need to be members of the trust or entry fees apply for none members.
The project was deemed to be a success and is now being offered to all the properties across the country. If your local National Trust property hasn’t got one and you’d like to take part in one then by all means mention it to them that they can have one if they want it!