Highlights
The legendary Southsea mystery.. .. unsolved for 100 years.. Until now. Join the adventure, and turn the streets of Southsea into a GIANT outdoor escape room! ✔️ Enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure to treasure with your friends ✔️ Combine your skills to crack the clues & unravel the epic tale ✔️ Discover Southsea's amazing history & hidden gems In 1910, Southsea's iconic laughing sailor became the victim of a terrible crime, after a mysterious figure smashed the machine and silenced his laugh forever. Was it an act of revenge? Nobody knew. But the villain left a trail of clues.. And this is where you come in. Your challenge is to track down hidden objects, decode symbols, and uncover hidden messages, as you eliminate suspects & gradually unravel the crime. And an exciting twist awaits.. Make it to the end and you'll be struck by an amazing ‘wow’ moment when the case is solved and the villain is revealed before your eyes! Don’t let the villain get away.. Your time to start is now!
About This Deal
Departure Point
- This is a self-guided treasure hunt which begins at Portsmouth's City Museum, Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ. Simply show the staff a copy of your payment receipt, and they will issue you with your booklet(s).
Return Details
- This is a self-guided treasure hunt which begins at Portsmouth's City Museum, Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ. Simply show the staff a copy of your payment receipt, and they will issue you with your booklet(s).
Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes - 3 hours
Languages Available
- Printed guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
1 Museum Road, , Portsmouth
Start your amazing adventure at Portsmouth's City Museum, where you will collect your activity booklet and begin your hunt for the mysterious Southsea vandal! Take a moment to enter the museum, and see the original Laughing Sailor machine at the heart of this legendary story, before setting off on your unique mystery adventure!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Southsea Common
Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth
After solving your first clue at the city museum, your route takes you down the beautiful and historic Castle Road, where you have the option of stopping for a drink in Southsea's CAMRA award-winning hidden gem of a pub, 'The Hole in the Wall'. This pub is just yards from where Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his very first Sherlock Holmes novels, making it the birthplace of the world famous detective! You will then be guided towards Southsea Common, which is the central location of the Laughing Sailor mystery, and where the terrible act of vandalism took place. You will stroll among the beautiful trees and wide open green space in search of your next clue!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: The D-Day Story
Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth
A short walk from Southsea Common you will find your next clue, at the beautiful and historic Queens Hotel, where you can receive a 20% discount on lunch when showing the mystery adventure book to staff (Mon-Thu). From here, you will make your way towards the world-famous D-Day Story, where you can climb aboard an original landing craft from the Normandy invasion!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Southsea Castle
Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth
Your next clue is hidden at a Tudor Castle, which was built under the reign of Henry VIII and was the location where Henry himself watched in horror as his most treasured flagship the Mary Rose sank before his eyes. Enter the castle's historic gates and savour the view from its historic ramparts (free entry).
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Palmerston Road
Palmerston Road, Portsmouth
After Southsea Castle, it is time for another optional refreshment stop at the Jolly Sailor pub (10% off food & drink if you show the mystery booklet to the staff), where you can enjoy stunning views of Southsea Common from its beautiful raised terrace. Your route then continues towards the buzzing shopping & dining street of Palmerston Road, where you will find a wide range of local bars, restaurants and cafes.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: The Kings Theatre
Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth
The final section of your mystery adventure takes you towards Southsea's famous Albert Road, where you will find a vast array of independent boutiques and hidden shopping gems. Nestled amongst the unique shops you will find the famous Kings Theatre, which is a beautiful stopping point for one of your final clues. The adventure comes to an end at a wonderful hidden gem of a pub, which concludes the story, and provides a 10% discount on drink when you show the staff your adventure booklet. You will enjoy raising a glass when you complete the mystery and get the 'wow' moment at the end when it all comes together!
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 10% off food & drink in The Jolly Sailor pub
- 40-page colour activity booklet containing all puzzles, clues, and maps
- 10% off drink in The Phoenix pub
- 20% off lunch in The Queens Hotel (Mon-Thu)
Redemption Instructions
This is a self-guided tour, the 40-page guided activity booklet can be collected from Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery at any time between 10am and 4.30pm on the designated activity date when showing your payment receipt to the staff:
Venue address:
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, Museum Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2LJ
Please bring a pen with you, as you will need this to eliminate the suspects.
One booklet will be issued for every two participants. For example if there are three participants you will be issued with two activity books.
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Mystery Guides in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Fine Print
14-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operator's terms and conditions for this offer here.
Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts.