Free Family Explorer Challenges
Looking for a fun and free way to explore Teesdale with your family?
Our printable Explorer Challenges transform historic towns, abbeys and landmarks into exciting adventures filled with clues, fascinating local history and details waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re solving clues around Barnard Castle or exploring the medieval ruins of Egglestone Abbey, every challenge encourages you to slow down, look more closely and uncover the stories that make each place unique.
Every challenge is free to download and includes a secret passcode that unlocks a printable Explorer Certificate when you’ve completed your adventure. More Explorer Challenges from across Teesdale are already in development, so there will always be another place waiting to be explored.
Barnard Castle Explorer Challenge
Turn your visit to Barnard Castle into a free family history adventure. Follow seven exciting clues as you explore the town, uncover fascinating stories, notice hidden details and discover landmarks you may have walked straight past before. Solve the final passcode to unlock your free Explorer Certificate.
Egglestone Abbey Explorer Challenge
Step back almost 900 years and explore the fascinating ruins of Egglestone Abbey. Solve seven family-friendly challenges, uncover medieval secrets and discover how monks once lived, worked and worshipped. Complete every clue to reveal the secret passcode and unlock your free Explorer Certificate.
What Are Explorer Challenges?
Explorer Challenges are free printable family activities created to help children and adults explore Teesdale more closely. Each challenge leads you around a historic place using questions, clues and local stories, with a secret passcode to solve and a printable Explorer Certificate waiting at the end.
They are free to download, require no booking or sign-up and can be completed at your own pace. Print the activity sheet at home or save it to your phone, then head out and begin exploring.
How an Explorer Challenge Works
1. Choose your challenge
Pick a location and download the free printable Explorer Pack.
2. Explore and solve the clues
Visit the location, read the information boards and look carefully at the buildings and details around you.
3. Recover the passcode
Take the first letter or number from each answer to reveal the secret code.
4. Unlock your certificate
Enter the passcode and download your printable Explorer Certificate.
Continue Exploring Teesdale
Explorer Challenges are only one way to discover the area. Use our wider guides to plan more days out, find historic places and explore Barnard Castle in more detail.
Discover Teesdale
Explore walks, waterfalls, reservoirs, historic places, geology and family days out across Teesdale.
Barnard Castle Town Guide
Discover Barnard Castle’s historic buildings, attractions, riverside places, parking and useful local information.