Alpha's Hunt is taking a break. New hunts are planned for early 2027, and our news list always hears the date first.

Adventure awaits.

Crack the clues together. Earn your treasure map. Dig out a real chest at the end of the trail.

Next expedition: Belper, Derbyshire · new hunts planned for early 2027

The legend

The treasure is the hook.
The adventure is the product.

Alpha's Hunt is a one-day treasure hunt for families. You claim your place, the first clue arrives, and then you are out in the fresh air together, solving puzzles that wind through your town's streets, parks and hidden corners, all the way to a real illustrated treasure map. And the map leads to the chest.

None of the clues can be solved from a sofa. Every answer lives out there on a plaque, a carving, a doorway or a riverside marker, which means the only way to win is to go and look. Phones stay in pockets. Eyes go up.

It is built for explorers aged 4 to 12 and the grown-ups lucky enough to be brought along.

The trail

How a hunt works

One day only, on a date still to be announced. Pick your start time, do the trail at your own pace, and the chest is gone by the end of the day. Miss it and you wait for the next hunt.

  1. Claim your place

    One ticket covers your whole family, up to 5. We will send your first clue and the final details closer to the day.

  2. Crack the first clue

    Each clue points to a real place. Get there and look closely, because the answer is hiding in plain sight.

  3. Follow the trail

    Around 90 minutes of exploring at your own pace. Landmarks, parks, friendly local businesses and places you have walked past a hundred times without ever really seeing.

  4. Earn your treasure map

    The clues lead to Alpha's map-keeper, hiding in plain sight in town. Show them your solved trail and the name you booked with, and a real illustrated treasure map is pressed into your hands.

  5. Find the chest

    Only the printed map knows where X is. Follow it to a real treasure chest, lift the lid, dig through the loot and crack the five-digit code that springs the padlock. Nobody goes home empty-handed.

Alpha the gorilla, the Alpha's Hunt mascot, holding his brass compass.
Your guide

Meet Alpha

Alpha is a gorilla with a brass compass, a battered treasure chest and a firm belief that the best adventures happen outdoors with your family. He sets every trail, hides every chest and leaves his tips along the way for explorers who need a nudge.

  • "Adventure awaits."
  • "The journey never ends."
  • "Keep on going."
  • "Have fun."

A true story

Alpha's Hunt was named by Sidney, aged 9, from our family surname. The motto came later, when we spotted that "Adventure Awaits" was already embroidered on his pillow. This whole thing started as a family idea at a kitchen table, and that is exactly how we want every hunt to feel.

The prize

What's in the chest?

The chest stays hidden all day, so every family that solves the trail gets the moment of lifting the lid. Inside, every explorer finds:

  • Gold coinsThe chocolate kind. Obviously.
  • Explorer's certificateProof you completed the hunt, signed by Alpha.
  • Treasure to keepGems, badges and pirate loot for every explorer.
  • The code that beat the lockChalk your five winning numbers on Alpha's board and you're an official Code-Cracker.

Chalk your winning code on Alpha's board, snap the chest, the open lock or your whole crew, and tag us @thealphashunt (Instagram, Facebook or TikTok) in the Belper group so the town sees you finished. Faces optional, the code does the bragging.

Word from the trail

What the founding families said

The founding hunt ran on 28 June. Families rated it 8.1 out of 10, and every crew that gave feedback said they would come again.

“On the walk home our daughter asked if we could do the hunt again another day.”Stacey, founding family
“Unlocking a real treasure chest was smashing.”Emma, founding family
“Just right for our first adventure. Now we are hungry for more!”Lynn, founding family
What happens next

Alpha's Belper Hunt

Our hunts are on pause while we build the next one. When Alpha's Hunt returns in early 2027 it will be a completely fresh adventure: brand new clues, a new route around Belper, and a brand new treasure map, all leading to a real chest at the end. Every family picks its own start time, so you get the trail to yourselves. Join the news list and you will hear the date before anyone else.

Beyond Belper

More hunts to come

Seasonal new trails through the year
  • Seasonal one-day hunts through the year
  • New trails, new clues, new chest every time
  • Local business clue stops and surprises
  • First word always goes to our news list
Join the list for first news
The bigger map

More family treasure hunts in Belper and beyond

Belper is waypoint one. Alpha has plans, and the map is bigger than one town.

  • Seasonal hunts: Easter, summer, Halloween, Christmas
  • New towns across Derbyshire
  • Explorer passports, stamped at every hunt
  • Alpha's storybooks and a cuddly Alpha of your own
Before you set off

Questions parents ask

What ages is it for?

Designed for explorers aged 4 to 12, with clues pitched so younger ones can spot things and older ones can do the solving. Grown-ups are essential crew. Babies in prams and carriers ride free, naturally.

How long does it take?

Around 90 minutes at a comfortable family pace, and you go at your own speed. The trail is roughly two miles with plenty of places to stop.

Is the route pram and little-legs friendly?

Yes. The trail sticks to pavements, parks and proper paths, uses safe crossing points, and steers well clear of anywhere risky. Crossing points are marked on your map.

What if it rains?

Derbyshire drizzle is part of the adventure and the hunt runs in light rain. If the weather turns properly foul we move the hunt to a new date and every family's map carries over.

Does every family find the treasure?

Yes. The chest stays hidden all day rather than going to the fastest crew, so every family that completes the trail gets the lid-lifting moment and the loot inside.

When is the hunt?

Alpha's Hunt is on pause at the moment. New hunts are planned for early 2027, and our news list always hears the date first. When a hunt runs you pick a start time, from 10am to 3:30pm, and go at your own pace.

What if we need to cancel?

Plans change, we get it. When hunts are running you get a full refund up to 7 days before the day, no questions asked, just email info@alphashunt.co.uk. And if we ever have to postpone for serious weather, every map carries over automatically and a full refund is yours for the asking.

Who looks after the kids?

You do, every step of the way. Alpha's Hunt is a self-guided family adventure: children stay with and remain the responsibility of their grown-ups at all times. The trail uses pavements, parks and marked crossings, and no clue ever sends anyone near water, roads or anywhere risky. The full safety notes are on the small print page and on your map.

Join the pack

Follow Alpha's adventures

X marks the spot

This is the best place to be right now. Alpha's Hunt is on pause, with new hunts planned for early 2027. Join the news list and you will get the date before it goes public, while the best start times are still free.

We only use your details to tell you about Alpha's Hunt events, and you can leave the list any time. How we look after your details.