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How Mystery Guides Began

When I was just a small boy, I would wander the cobbled alleys of Old Portsmouth with my dad, captivated by the hidden corners, the weathered signs above ancient taverns, the quiet echoes of centuries past.

Even then, the thrill of discovery had me hooked - the kind of thrill that whispered, what if this place holds a secret? It’s this memory that really kick-started everything.

Growing up, I carried that fascination into everything I did. I studied history at University, diving into local archives, maps, old photographs - trying to understand not just dates and names, but stories: the human kind, hidden in plain sight.

After university I spent time abroad - working, living, observing. But always the draw of home, the draw of my childhood city, pulled me back. When I returned to Portsmouth, I saw the familiar streets differently: alive, waiting, full of story potential.

It was after that return that the spark really ignited. I asked myself: could I create something that would let others experience what I experienced as a kid - that sense of exploration, of uncovering the unseen, of solving puzzles and making memories?

I wanted to build more than a history walk; I wanted to craft an adventure that felt like an escape room, but outdoors. No booking, no fixed schedule - just you, a pen, a map, clues to crack, and a city to discover. That question led me to create the very first Mystery Guides book.

I launched from my spare room in 2019 - armed with drafts, maps, coffee, and a vision. I wrote the route, developed the story, tested the clues, sourced historic landmarks, tacked on optional stops at atmospheric pubs, and mapped out a walk of roughly two miles that would take about three hours.

The goal: turn an everyday city day out into something memorable, something for families, couples, friends, explorers of all ages.

And from that humble beginning, the company grew into what it is today - thousands of adventures sold nationwide, dozens of cities covered, a team based in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard writing new adventures from within the walls of an old Victorian prison.

But the heart of Mystery Guides has never changed: I care deeply about creating lasting memories with those we love. The kind of memory that rises not just from where you went, but how you felt - engaged, curious, delighted, surprised.

I still seek out the next new mystery location, scouting hidden alleys, spotting a plaque, mapping a clue in my mind. Because every new adventure begins with that same spark. The dream is simple: give people “adventures to treasure”.

Whether you’re a local who thinks you know your city, or a visitor who sees the streets for the first time, I hope Mystery Guides gives you something extra - a story to follow, a mystery to solve, and a walk you’ll remember.

I hope you’ll find yourself laughing, puzzling, looking up, pausing, exploring - and then sharing the experience. Because when you do, you’re doing more than just walking: you’re discovering.

Welcome to the adventure.


Jack Wells, Founder & CEO
 Mystery Guides
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