Oxford and the Thief of Time
4.5155 Reviews186 people have played this questIn the heart of Oxford, time slips from your grasp—literally. You are the heir to Alfred Du Pont, the world’s most brilliant watchmaker, and bearer of his final creation: a mysterious timepiece etched with sigils and secrets. But moments after arriving, it’s stolen. Was it chance… or destiny?
As you race through ancient lanes and hidden courtyards, following clues left in the city’s architecture and whispers of your family’s past, one thing becomes clear: the watch was never just a watch.
Grab your friends or family, and begin a real-world chase through Oxford’s mysteries. Solve puzzles, discover forgotten places, and see if you can catch the one who stole time itself.
How many are playing?
Unlock · £10.99Live in Oxford, UK? The Annual Pass is how locals play · £59.99/yr. See the Annual Pass →
Places you will visit
15
It will take you
54-84 mins
You will walk
4200 steps
Total distance
3.2 km
What you'll actually do
Download the Questo app and unlock the quest. Walk to The Heads whenever you like · no guide, no group, no time slot.
Solve 15 puzzles hidden in the streets around you. Each one you crack unlocks the next location.
Finish at The Chalkboard and see where you land on the Oxford, UK leaderboard.
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
Oriel
The Gate
The Bridge
The Heads
Ratings and Reviews
55 ratings
Lee Perkins
Moerges
mum2nwlr
Laura Wallace
James Andrews
Made by Chris Poole
Chris Poole created this quest · the route, the puzzles and the story are theirs.
Meet the makerThe mission: Your story in Oxford, UK
You come to Oxford wearing your inheritance: his final watch, his masterwork. It is covered in ancient sigils and mathematical symbols. You study it as the crowd brushes by, listening to its irregular tick...why did he tell you to bring it here?
Someone bumps into you. You apologise. You look down at your wrist again. The watch is gone! You glimpse the thief push through the crowd. You give chase
Beat the best: Top Oxford, UK explorers
Frequently asked questions
Is Oxford and the Thief of Time self-guided?
Where does Oxford and the Thief of Time start and finish?
How many accesses does our group need?
What language is Oxford and the Thief of Time available in?
Compare Questo vs. Guided Walking Tours
Flexibility
Regular Guided Tours
Fixed schedules & no pausing
Questo
Start, pause, and resume anytime
Privacy
Regular Guided Tours
Crowds of up to 30 strangers
Questo
Private experience for your group only
Pricing
Regular Guided Tours
$30–$60 (€23–€50) per person
Questo
Transparent pricing shown before checkout
Availability
Regular Guided Tours
Requires advance booking
Questo
Instant access 24/7/365
Experience
Regular Guided Tours
Passive listening to a guide
Questo
Active gamification; you solve the mystery
| Feature | Regular Guided Tours | Questo |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Fixed schedules & no pausing | Start, pause, and resume anytime |
| Privacy | Crowds of up to 30 strangers | Private experience for your group only |
| Pricing | $30–$60 (€23–€50) per person | Transparent pricing shown before checkout |
| Availability | Requires advance booking | Instant access 24/7/365 |
| Experience | Passive listening to a guide | Active gamification; you solve the mystery |
Joined by 1,000,000+ explorers worldwide
Guided tour pricing: Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Guided Tour Pricing, EU and US markets, 2026. Standard 2–3 hour group walking tours.
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HISTORY AND CULTURE IN OXFORD, UK
A history-led way to explore Oxford, UK
Oxford and the Thief of Time is for visitors who want more context than a casual walk, but more freedom than a scheduled guided tour. The quest uses a route through Oxford, UK to connect clues, places and stories.
The route starts at The Heads and finishes at The Chalkboard over 3.2 km, with 15 challenge locations. Typical duration: 69 min; 3.2 km walking route; 15 challenge locations
Choose this for active, private discovery at your pace. Choose a guided historical tour or museum when expert live interpretation or curated exhibits matter more. Playable languages: English, French.
