NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Gnasher on the Loose: A Beano Outdoor Hunt Through Newcastle
An interactive, app-led walking game that sends families across Newcastle solving puzzles and following comic-character clues — this guide explains what to expect and how to plan your outing.
Gnasher on the Loose: A Beano Outdoor Hunt Through Newcastle.
Help Dennis track down his missing dog, Gnasher, on an interactive outdoor game that threads through Newcastle’s streets. The experience blends a pre‑set walking route, comic characters and family‑friendly puzzles; teams download the game via QR code, follow guided locations on their phones and solve challenges at their own pace.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A compact, on‑foot city route
The game follows a pre‑determined walking route through Newcastle, averaging about 2.5–3 miles and designed to be completed in roughly 90 minutes for a family with younger children; there is no time limit on the day, so you can pause for breaks as needed.
App‑led puzzles and comic characters
Teams are digitally assisted by characters from the Beano comic: clues, puzzles and photo tasks are delivered through the app after you download the game via a QR code, with hints available if you get stuck.
Family‑first, but open to everyone
Puzzles are pitched to keep 6–10‑year‑olds engaged, though the game can be played by anyone aged 4 and over when accompanied by a responsible adult; the experience is intentionally flexible so families can set their own pace.
What the day feels like
How the day unfolds
On arrival you use a supplied QR code to download the game to your phone, open the app and start at the designated bandstand. The app guides you to successive locations around Newcastle where you solve puzzles, take photos and answer questions as you work to find Gnasher. There’s no stopwatch: the scoring system rewards fewer hints, but you may stop for snacks and rests whenever you like.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Expect to spend roughly 90 minutes to two hours for the route; average route distance is about 2.5–3 miles. You choose a date when booking and may play at any time that day, preferably during daylight.
Bring a fully charged smartphone with the app and game downloaded, plus a backup battery/power bank and weather‑appropriate clothing such as a raincoat or umbrella.
Download the app and game via wifi before you arrive; the download is around 200MB. The app will request location access to guide you—if the app cannot access location the game will not function.
The game starts at the Victorian Bandstand in Exhibition Park and finishes at the Sir Bobby Robson Statue, Strawberry Place; no public transport is involved as the activity is entirely on foot.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the game take?
Approximately 90 minutes for a family with younger children; teams often take 90 minutes to two hours, and there is no enforced time limit on the day.
How far is the route?
On average the routes are 2.5–3 miles.
What age is the game suitable for?
The puzzles are aimed at keeping 6–10‑year‑olds engaged, but the game can be played by anyone aged 4 and over when accompanied by a responsible adult.
Is the game wheelchair accessible?
Yes: the terrain is generally flat with one small incline and the route does not use steps.
How do I access the game on the day?
You receive a QR code after booking to download the game; full instructions are included in your confirmation email and you should download the app and game before arrival if possible.
Do I need mobile data during the game?
If you download the app and game on wifi beforehand you should not need data while playing; otherwise you will need data to download the roughly 200MB game at the start point.
Is the game timed?
No — the game is not against the clock; scoring rewards fewer hints, but you can stop as long as you like during the route.