Hello, and thank you for purchasing your Christmas Quest A few rules here to help you with your game.

1: DO NOT close the page that contains the game. This will log you out completely and you will be taken back to the start. You can move through the quest by pressing next and previous however do not close the page it is on. You can swap tabs and switch pages with no problems. 

2: You will have to solve a series of clues and puzzles to work through the game. Please note; there are hints you can ask for to give you a nudge what to do however if you are well and truly stuck the downloadable answer sheet with the correct answers was emailed to you on purchase. (Only look if you are in desperate need - no peeking). The answers may be drop down answers, multiple choice or require you to write in a word/letters or numbers. Just make sure to always check the spelling.

3. You can go forward and backwards in between pages so you can check on orientation and where you have been.

4. If you click on an image to open it, it will open in a new tab. When you are completed it and want to shut it down just make sure you do not close the original page. You could also just zoom in on the picture instead of opening it. 

5. You will also learn lots of interesting facts about Lancaster as you progress through. Just make sure to tick the box after the fact to allow you to continue.

6: There is absolutely no time limit, so feel free to pop into any bars/pubs or shops that you want on your way around; sampling the delights that Lancaster has to offer. 

7. Lastly; have fun and good luck.

Welcome everyone, to this wonderful Christmas Quest.  We need your help. 

Can you help save Christmas this year?

Father Christmas visited Lancaster on his holiday; however somewhere on his journey he lost his magic key. This means he will not be able to get into any houses without a chimney. He really needs to find his key before he sets off on Christmas eve. 

Can you follow his journey around Lancaster, tracing his footsteps to see if you can find it in time for Christmas?

Think you can help? Excellent. We know he visited Lancaster Castle on his holiday. Go to the front of the entrance  of the Castle to begin your quest and then click on start.

     

“Why hello there, Father Christmas here. I do believe I have been very silly and managed to lose my Magic Key…oh dear oh dear; I dread to think what will happen if I cannot find it. I will do my best to help you follow my instructions, however I did have a little bit of sherry so you may have to help me solve some of the clues”

“I remember having a wonderful tour of the Castle, then walking around from the front entrance I headed clockwise to find some signs to see what else there was to do in Lancaster, however I can’t remember what I saw, Can you find the signs and spot the difference? Finding out what is missing on the picture?”

Well done, you have solved your first puzzle om the quest.

To continue, return to the front of the castle. Follow the path round slightly anticlockwise and then follow  the path right down Castle hill, staying on the road down towards Judges Lodgings.

When you come to the main road cross the road safely at the lights.

Continue onto Church Street, and then take a right onto Sun street.

Head towards the end of the street where you will see a square.
To open your next puzzle type in the three letters you can see attached to the lampposts.

Can you work out the maths puzzle to progress with your quest?

“Ho ho ho, that’s the one; I can remember where I went to next. I needed some new shoes desperately so went to a running shop; to make sure I could last the night.

I continued right down to the end of Sun street, passing through the alleyway onto Market street.

I took a right and then turned left when I reached King street, walking against all of the traffic. I kept going, until I reached some traffic lights. I crossed over the road safely at the lights and headed towards “The Runners Centre”. I seem to remember there being a puzzle in the window…can you work it out to help me continue?”

You pick them off the window and look at them. Can you spot the difference…..and solve the clue?

“Ahah. Yes I remember now. After buying some extremely comfortable shoes I wanted to buy a gift for Mrs Clause. I think I crossed the road safely and went forward onto Common Garden Street, then walking forward still onto Brock street. Can you find the homemade gift shop I went to?”

To progress onwards, you will have to find the shop name and use the decoder to work out the hidden code:

Now continue your quest by heading to wards the end of Brock Street, safely crossing the road at the lights and then turning right onto Thurnham Street/A6.

Walk up past the town hall and then you have a finding job ahead of you? Can you find the hidden knight in the area: and tell me what era he was from?

Well done team, you are one step closer.

Now head back the way you came; going back past the Town hall before you enter Dalton Square on your right-hand side.

Now, Father Christmas definitely came here to collect more of his post. To open the next clue can you find the name underneath Rowland Hill on the statue of Queen Victoria?

(if Dalton square is is use for this section click on the hint to find the answer

Can you follow Father Christmas' footsteps to get a 3 digit code?

“Excellent….excellent. I seem to be remembering where I was heading now. That’s it…I remember going to see a play during my stay here, but where was it?”

From Dalton square, head towards the Borough Pub and then onto Sulyard street, passing the pub on your right. Turn left onto Bryer Street and head to the bottom of the road. Cross the road safely then pass the Golden Lion pub (keeping it on your left) to continue onto Brewery Lane.

When you reach the bottom of it turn left onto Lodge Street to follow the road round to the front of the Theatre.

After watching a delightful play Father Christmas noted a couple of plaques on to wall on St. Leonards Gate. One near the Grand Theatre, and another near an old Writers Pub. Can you find the two….and work out the difference in dates between them to open up your next page?

“Ho, Ho, Ho. What a play it was as well. Now, after some food and another Sherry or two I went for a little walk to stretch my legs and stop myself falling asleep. I remember the sound of the river and I stood watching the water flow beneath me”

Follow the path down St. Leonard’s Gate into Lancaster, taking care to cross safely at the lights, before turning right onto Rosemary Lane and then continuing onto Chapel Street. Again, cross the road safely at the lights and continue straight forward onto Water Street, following it right to the very end where you will be able to join the riverside path before turning left. You will see Millennium Bridge in front of you.  Cross onto the Bridge and walk into the middle of it; gazing down the river as it heads out to sea.

Look at the houses you can see to your left, what colour door is not there any more?

“Aha; it’s all coming back to me now…before I travelled back to the North Pole I paid a visit to the Market to pick up a little snack for the journey home….quickly…quickly, I hope I can get to it before the key is lost”

Hurry now, before someone else finds the key! Head back exactly the way you came, back towards Water Street, and then following it across the traffic lights onto Chapel Street. This time however, take a right onto North Road and then follow the path upwards onto Cheapside. Keep heading up into the Centre until you reach Market street, then take a right to lead you to Market Square; where you will find the raised podium for your final clue.

Now a riddle for you to solve using the images scattered around the podium. You will end up with a word and 3 letters…so work wisely and work quickly.

“Ho Ho Ho, your nearly there,

Now take some time, and a little bit of care,

Follow these words to find my key.

One word and three letters shall come to thee

Now start by finding the symbol for Education

A life skill, not a job but a devoted vocation

Now go to the words: a record of Lancaster

And count across 7 symbols to find your next answer

Two letters left, so don’t’ now go missing

Find the symbol over “Committed for Kissing”.

Now a Pearly Nautilus will give you your last

Look for the letter above it, and work hand and fast.

Congratulations team, on your fantastic effort, and solving the clues to help Father Christmas find his key.

If you can find the hidden key on the bandstand, take a picture of it and please Tweet/Facebook/Instagram it to us to let us know you have solved your mission.

We look forward to going on many more quests with you in the future, so keep a look out as to what we have in stall.

Have a wonderful Christmas!