Treasure hunt inspiration for 2026. From themes to inter-business challenges.
Posted on: 31/10/2025By Tim Carter (Black Cat Treasure Hunts)
As the clocks have just gone back this weekend (I kind of forgot but in a good way!)it feels like Autumn has properly begun and Winter will follow close behind. It`s time to look forward to next year in my opinion. It actually feels good rather than strange to write down 2026 for the first time. What is going to happen in the world of Black Cat Treasure Hunts? From themed treasure hunts across the county to Brighton treasure hunts by German students to birthday treasure hunts in Westminster, check out these ideas below to get your planning schedule up and running.
Hen/Sten/Stag/Hag:
Hen party treasure hunts have always been a favourite of mine. Brighton is the perfect location for the majority of bookings in that it has got a bit of everything from the beach to The Lanes, the Royal Pavilion to the quirky North Laine area. Whilst there is often a random male within a hen party group or a token female in a stag group, there has not been quite the `take off` of 50/50 males and females in Sten or Hag parties that I thought there might be. That`s not to say that if you are considering this as an idea you shouldn`t go full steam ahead with it. A mix of male/female teams on a treasure hunt can work brilliantly!
If you are looking for a different vibe to Brighton, then a treasure hunt in Chichester or Lewes or even Rye and Hastings may be worth considering. More of Black Cat Treasure Hunts` bookings in 2025 compared to previous years have been in London though. This includes hen party bookings looking to familiarise themselves with the capital. Westminster has been my top area in 2025 with Shoreditch second.
Themes.
Black Cat has been contacted with a variety of requests for themed treasure hunts over the past twelve months. Birthday treasure hunts fall into this category with the year of birth often being the main focus. A Brighton team building treasure hunt recently asked for some Britpop to feature in their challenges. I was happy to oblige as I was able to view what they came up with when I was remote marking via WhatsApp. A surprise appearance of two team members from behind a tree singing `Parklife` was a particular highlight for me.
I also like to include a challenge for foreign student groups or, indeed, teams of adults from abroad to take a photo or video clip of their team with something that is typical or native to their home country. Austrian students were quick to produce a fine Waltz for high points whilst some Norwegian men sung a very moving, Norwegian love song with a connection to the sea whilst completing a treasure hunt around Hastings. I never fail to be impressed by what different teams will come up with when a theme is introduced.
London.
Ok...let`s address `the elephant in the room`! Black Cat Treasure Hunts is a Sussex based company... Brighton treasure hunts are top of the list for the whole range of treasure hunt options and yet London pops up as a treasure hunt choice!
This is true because some groups, companies and visitors prefer to stay in the capital but would like a Black Cat treasure hunt twist added to their exploration and discovery experience. Westminster has provided hen and stag parties some fun and fast paced treasure hunts this year whilst students and birthdays have also got in on the act. It`s really only in Westminster that on the same treasure hunt you can meet Shrek, Nelson Mandela, Paddington bear, a member of the Royal Household cavalry and Nelson within a couple of hours!
Last year Shoreditch was number one and indeed this year it has been home to some memorable hen party treasure hunts. I can stretch the boundaries sometimes to include the skyscrapers in the financial district or go slightly East for the iconic Brick Lane. Talking of extended treasure hunts I arranged one from Camden to Stratford a few years ago. If you fancy a bit of team building on the way over, then get in touch!
What`s with Hastings?
Each year I seem to have a town (or city) that attracts a good number of enquiries and bookings outside of Brighton/London. Last year was Chichester but this year a Hastings treasure hunt seemed to be on a lot of people`s minds.
The Old Town with its net shops, silvery chess pieces held by sea creatures and odd information about Mickey Mouse`s holiday accommodation is definitely an alternative place for you to consider in 2026. If you go a little bit further west from the Old Town you can discover how Hastings was the birthplace of television and then go slightly inland but upwards you get magnificent views from above and over to the castle ruins too.
Hastings has attracted lots of visitors from abroad. I organised 100 French students on one occasion and then about 30 Norwegians in the pouring rain (over half of the treasure hunt)...although, as Scandanavians, they barely noticed it.
One more idea? Inter- company treasure hunt?
I was thinking about this the other day. Maybe you work in a related business or have clients down from across the country meeting at a conference. Time to get out of the hotel and take each other on at a competitive treasure hunt for not only pride but of course, a magical Black Cat treasure hunt trophy and medals too. I am definitely up for writing an eventful team building treasure hunt that you will remember long after you are back at home basking in the glory of having seen off your work rivals.
Make your 2025 idea come to reality in 2026 by contacting Tim (Black Cat!) on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or call him on (01323) 655346. England is + 0044 for my landline from Europe.
This is true because some groups, companies and visitors prefer to stay in the capital but would like a Black Cat treasure hunt twist added to their exploration and discovery experience. Westminster has provided hen and stag parties some fun and fast paced treasure hunts this year whilst students and birthdays have also got in on the act. It`s really only in Westminster that on the same treasure hunt you can meet Shrek, Nelson Mandela, Paddington bear, a member of the Royal Household cavalry and Nelson within a couple of hours!
Last year Shoreditch was number one and indeed this year it has been home to some memorable hen party treasure hunts. I can stretch the boundaries sometimes to include the skyscrapers in the financial district or go slightly East for the iconic Brick Lane. Talking of extended treasure hunts I arranged one from Camden to Stratford a few years ago. If you fancy a bit of team building on the way over, then get in touch!
What`s with Hastings?
Each year I seem to have a town (or city) that attracts a good number of enquiries and bookings outside of Brighton/London. Last year was Chichester but this year a Hastings treasure hunt seemed to be on a lot of people`s minds.
The Old Town with its net shops, silvery chess pieces held by sea creatures and odd information about Mickey Mouse`s holiday accommodation is definitely an alternative place for you to consider in 2026. If you go a little bit further west from the Old Town you can discover how Hastings was the birthplace of television and then go slightly inland but upwards you get magnificent views from above and over to the castle ruins too.
Hastings has attracted lots of visitors from abroad. I organised 100 French students on one occasion and then about 30 Norwegians in the pouring rain (over half of the treasure hunt)...although, as Scandanavians, they barely noticed it.
One more idea? Inter- company treasure hunt?
I was thinking about this the other day. Maybe you work in a related business or have clients down from across the country meeting at a conference. Time to get out of the hotel and take each other on at a competitive treasure hunt for not only pride but of course, a magical Black Cat treasure hunt trophy and medals too. I am definitely up for writing an eventful team building treasure hunt that you will remember long after you are back at home basking in the glory of having seen off your work rivals.
Make your 2025 idea come to reality in 2026 by contacting Tim (Black Cat!) on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or call him on (01323) 655346. England is + 0044 for my landline from Europe.
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