2026 Review: Team Building, Hen Parties & Treasure Hunts | Black Cat Treasure Hunts

One of the questions I'm asked most often is:

"What sort of groups book a Black Cat Treasure Hunt?"

After the year I've had so far, my honest answer is simple:

There is no typical Black Cat customer.

In 2026 I've welcomed everyone from university groups and international students to large companies, hen parties, business clubs, families and birthday celebrations. I've hosted groups from across the UK and from overseas, including Norway, Germany, France and the USA.

What connects them all isn't their age, background or reason for booking.

It's the fact they want a fun, memorable experience that gets people talking, working together and exploring somewhere new.

As I look ahead to 2027, I've been reflecting on some of the highlights from this year and the trends that suggest treasure hunts are more popular than ever.

Even Cambridge University Loves a Challenge

One of the things I've enjoyed most this year has been working with highly academic groups.

Bookings from Cambridge University and Brighton College have shown once again that treasure hunts appeal to absolutely everybody, including some of the brightest minds around.

What's fascinating is that success rarely comes down to who has the highest qualifications.

The winning teams are usually the groups who communicate best, notice the small details and combine different strengths.

One person spots a clue.

Another cracks a puzzle.

Someone else keeps the team organised.

Before long, everyone has contributed.

That's one of the reasons I believe treasure hunts remain such an effective team-building activity. They create an environment where everybody can participate and everybody has a chance to shine.

Whether you're a professor, a student, an accountant or a marketing manager, you're all starting from the same place when you're standing in front of a clue wondering what on earth it means.

Large Companies Are Thinking Bigger

Another noticeable trend in 2026 has been the growth in larger corporate bookings.

Many organisations are looking for activities that can accommodate substantial numbers while still feeling engaging and competitive.

To make this work, I've increasingly used variations of routes, start points and formats.

Some groups have used reverse routes, allowing teams to tackle the same treasure hunt from opposite directions.

Others have been divided into zones, creating a smoother experience with less overlap between teams.

I've also seen larger departments making multiple bookings rather than one huge event, allowing different teams to enjoy the experience throughout the year.

It's a great sign that organisations increasingly see team building as an ongoing investment rather than a one-off annual event.

It Has Been a Surprisingly International Year

If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd regularly be welcoming treasure hunt groups from overseas, I'd have been surprised.

Yet 2026 has been one of the most international years I've experienced.

Groups have travelled from Norway, Germany, France and the USA to take part in Black Cat Treasure Hunts.

Norway deserves a special mention.

This year marked my fourth booking from Norway, including a wonderful group connected to a brass band.

At this point I'm beginning to think Black Cat Treasure Hunts has developed a small but loyal Scandinavian following.

I certainly won't complain about that.

What I love is that treasure hunts break down language and cultural barriers incredibly quickly. People may arrive from different backgrounds, but within minutes they're laughing at the same challenges and working towards the same goal.

Brighton Still Reigns Supreme for Hen Parties

Some things never change.

Brighton continues to dominate hen party bookings, and honestly, it makes perfect sense.

It has everything.

The Lanes.

The seafront.

Independent shops.

Colourful characters.

Fantastic restaurants and bars.

It's one of the UK's most popular destinations for groups looking to celebrate together.

A treasure hunt is also a brilliant way to help visitors get their bearings and discover parts of Brighton they may otherwise miss.

If you're organising a hen party and looking for something that combines sightseeing, laughter, competition and memorable photos, Brighton remains hard to beat.

That said, I'd love to see more hen parties venturing into other Sussex locations.

If you're celebrating in Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings or Rye, I'd be delighted to create something bespoke there too.

Having Me There in Person Has Become the Most Popular Option

One trend that's become firmly established this year is the popularity of in-person hosting.

More and more organisers are choosing to have Black Cat attend on the day rather than managing the event themselves.

I completely understand why.

It takes away the pressure.

There are no scores to calculate, no rules to explain and no concerns about keeping everyone on track.

I can focus on making sure the event runs smoothly while organisers simply enjoy themselves.

Of course, the self-managed option remains popular too, especially for groups working to a tighter budget.

I've also seen growing interest in remote marking, which gives organisers the freedom of a self-managed event while removing the task of scoring friends, colleagues or family members afterwards.

The flexibility is one of the reasons the treasure hunts work for such a wide variety of groups.

Students Have Been Booking More Than Ever

Another encouraging trend has been the increase in student bookings.

When you think about it, treasure hunts tick a lot of boxes.

They're fun.

They're educational.

They're social.

And they're excellent value for money.

I've worked with student groups, international students and educational organisations throughout the year, helping people get to know unfamiliar places while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.

Hastings has proved particularly popular for this type of booking in recent years.

Its mixture of history, character and walkability makes it ideal for educational treasure hunt experiences.

Chichester Has Been the Surprise Star of 2026

Away from Brighton, one location has really stood out.

Chichester.

Every time I create a treasure hunt there, I'm reminded just how much the city has to offer.

You have the spectacular cathedral.

Beautiful parks and open spaces.

Public art and sculptures.

Roman history around every corner.

And an ideal layout for creating entertaining and unexpected challenges.

All these ingredients combine to make Chichester one of the most enjoyable places for a Black Cat Treasure Hunt.

If Brighton has been the traditional favourite, Chichester has certainly been the rising star of 2026.

London Could Be Back in 2027

Looking ahead, one area where I expect significant growth is London.

This year I created a hunt across Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens for a hen party, and it reminded me how many wonderful opportunities the capital offers.

There are so many fantastic areas waiting to host future adventures.

Shoreditch.

Camden.

Westminster.

The South Bank.

And let's not forget the Victoria and Albert Museum, which has been the setting for several memorable treasure hunts over the years.

I'm looking forward to seeing London treasure hunts climb back up the booking rankings in 2027.

You Don't Need a Corporate Reason

Perhaps the most enjoyable thing I've noticed this year is the sheer variety of reasons people book.

Not every treasure hunt is a team-building day.

Not every event is a hen party.

Recent bookings have included:

• A family's annual get-together
• International students on a summer programme
• A business club enjoying a day out in Rye
• Corporate departments
• Friends celebrating special occasions

What these groups share is a desire to spend quality time together.

Sometimes that's reason enough.

If a treasure hunt fits what you're trying to achieve, Black Cat can almost certainly make it work.

Birthdays and Personalisation Remain a Favourite Combination

If there's one area where Black Cat has always stood out, it's personalisation.

Birthdays are particularly well suited to this approach.

The self-managed format often works perfectly, and it allows me to weave personal details directly into the experience.

Favourite places.

Funny memories.

Family stories.

Friendship in-jokes.

Personal challenges.

These little touches transform a treasure hunt from a fun activity into something genuinely unique.

It's one of my favourite parts of creating treasure hunts and something I hope to do much more of in 2027.

Looking Ahead to 2027

If 2026 has taught me anything, it's that there is no standard Black Cat Treasure Hunt.

This year has included prestigious educational institutions, major companies, international visitors, students, families, business groups, birthdays and hen parties.

I've welcomed guests from Norway, Germany, France and the USA.

I've seen Brighton treasure hunts continue to thrive, Chichester treasure hunts emerge as a star performer and London begin to reappear on the horizon.

Most importantly, I've seen thousands of people enjoy the simple pleasure of working together, exploring somewhere interesting and sharing a few laughs along the way.

If you're considering a team-building event, a hen party, a birthday celebration, a student activity or simply an excuse to get people together during 2027, I'd love to help create something memorable.

After all, the best adventures often start with a single clue.

To start your booking contact me on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or call me (Tim) on (01323) 655346.