Porthleven: The Mystery Cargo
Explore Porthleven as a self-guided outdoor escape room. A locked shipping container has washed ashore at Porthleven in a storm. Can you discover its contents? Use the app to solve puzzles and unlock the directions of a walking route that will lead you to all the clues needed to find out.
The Story
A container lost at sea was brought ashore by a storm which has scraped away its number so its contents are a mystery. Using the clues recalled by observers on the shore, piece together the information needed to discover its contents and unlock it. Explore the historic village of Porthleven in this mystery walk.
Stats
- Distance: 2.7 miles/4.3 km
- Approximate duration: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
- Steepness grade: Easy
- Puzzles: 41
- Dogs: considerations
- Access for wheels: may be possible - see the app for more info
Considerations
- A short section of the route is on an unsurfaced coastal path so walking shoes are recommended after prolonged wet weather.
- During the 3 day Food Festival, streets will be VERY crowded and clues could be inaccessible (the backup clue photos under "Help" can be used)
Gradients
There are a couple of short inclines on residential roads but the rest is fairly level.
We absolutely recommend the Porthleven outdoor escape room. Downloading the app was straight forward and then you solve puzzles to unlock the route that leads you to all the clues you need. Brilliantly written and a great way to explore towns in Cornwall whether you live here or you are visiting.
Get the app
The mystery walks are an outdoor escape room combined with a mystery tour. They are done using a mobile app.
For each one, there is a story with an overall mystery to solve. To do this, you solve puzzles to unlock each direction of a walking route.
Each step of the way there are detailed walking directions and live map showing where you're headed to next.
The puzzles also gradually build up a set clues to solve the overall mystery when the end of the walk is reached.
The puzzles are designed for adults although children may enjoy helping to spot clues and helping to solve some of the easier ones.
Every puzzle has a ladder of hints starting from harder and progressing to very easy to cater for a range of aptitudes.
A mystery typically takes around 3 hours to complete. It's not a race so you can take your time, take photos, stop for refreshments etc. and have a nice day out.
The price (per group) is £14.99. It can be done all in one day or split over two.
Once a mystery has been downloaded, it runs completely offline using GPS with no need for a phone signal or data/internet connection (it's Cornwall-proof).
Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play and then browse/purchase the mysteries using that.
