The Explorer's Field Guide
Every Explorer gets stuck occasionally.
Whether you're preparing to enter Gothicana for the first time, need a reminder of how something works or simply require a gentle nudge in the right direction, you'll find help here.
Don't worry. We won't spoil the adventure unless you specifically ask us to.
How to Explore Gothicana
Step 1: Enter the Castle
Begin with Day 1 and follow the story as the gates of Gothicana Castle open. When you complete a day's online activity, simply close the browser tab to return to Whimsical Charm to download that day's advent activity. (See more information about the advent activities below).
You can also ask a grown-up to join the Explorer Registry, so we know you're taking part and can send your digital Explore Gothicana thank-you pack.
Step 2: Explore Carefully
Click, tap and investigate your surroundings. Some objects are interactive, while others are simply part of the scenery.
Pay particular attention to suspicious objects.
Step 3: Solve Puzzles & Challenges
Look for clues in the environment, dialogue, pictures and sounds. You'll encounter different puzzles and activities as the story unfolds.
Don't worry if some days are shorter than others. That's deliberate!
Step 4: Remember What You Discover
Things you see, hear or learn may help you later in the adventure.
You don't need an inventory; just keep those curious Explorer eyes open.
Step 5: Return as the Story Unfolds
A new part of the adventure becomes available each day throughout October.
Missed a day? That's okay. Return when you can and continue your adventure from where you left off.
Step 6: Take the Adventure Beyond the Screen
Each day also has an optional Gothicana Advent activity, with crafts, recipes, nature activities, creative challenges and more.
These activities aren't required to continue the online story.
Step into the story. Then take the adventure with you.
Explorer Tips
Look Everywhere
Not every clue will be sitting conveniently in the middle of the room.
Listen Carefully
Sound can sometimes be part of the story or provide a clue.
Remember What You've Learned
Something you've discovered earlier may suddenly make sense later.
Be Curious
If something looks slightly out of place, investigate it. Gothicana rewards curious Explorers.
Don't Be Afraid to Explore
There's no penalty for investigating the environment. Click, look and experiment where appropriate.
Don't Stay Too Long!
Gothicana isn't designed to keep you staring at a screen all day.
Some chapters are deliberately short so you can take the adventure into the real world through making, exploring, observing and creating.
Explorer FAQs
What is Explore Gothicana?
Explore Gothicana is a free, interactive online adventure from Whimsical Charm, running throughout October 2026.
Explore Gothicana Castle, solve puzzles, uncover hidden secrets, meet its mysterious inhabitants and gradually discover the story behind the Lunar Convergence.
Alongside the online adventure, optional daily Advent activities take the story beyond the screen through crafts, nature, baking, making and creative discovery. You may even stumble across a few Whimsical Finds along the way. 👀
Can children play Explore Gothicana?
Absolutely! Explore Gothicana is a family-friendly experience and children are welcome to explore the castle with appropriate adult supervision.
The Explorer Registry should be completed by an adult aged 18 or over. If a child takes part in one of our optional competitions or creative submissions, their entry must also be submitted by an eligible adult on their behalf.
Do I have to explore every day?
Not at all! A new part of Explore Gothicana unfolds each day throughout October, but there's no need to visit every day.
If you miss a day, simply return when you can and catch up. We recommend exploring the story in order, as some discoveries may become important later.
Do I have to complete the Advent Activities?
Not at all! The Advent Activities are optional companions to each day's adventure, designed to take the story beyond the screen.
Make, bake, draw, explore nature, investigate and create as many or as few as you like. They don't affect your progress through the online adventure, they're simply another way to experience the world of Gothicana. 🌿✨
What are Whimsical Finds?
Whimsical Finds are optional products hidden throughout Gothicana. Discover one, and you can choose to take a closer look or simply carry on exploring.
You never need to find or purchase a Whimsical Find to enjoy or continue the adventure.
Purchases are simply one way you can choose to support Whimsical Charm and help us continue creating free adventures, activities and experiences.
Something catches your eye? Wonderful! If not, keep exploring.
You can discover Whimsical Finds from anywhere in the world, but please note that Whimsical Charm currently ships physical products within the UK only.
Does Explore Gothicana cost anything to play?
No. Explore Gothicana is completely free to explore, including the online adventure and Advent Activities.
You may discover optional Whimsical Finds along the way, but there's never any need to purchase anything to continue or enjoy the adventure.
Are the creative competitions part of Explore Gothicana?
The Belfry Bell Song and Gothicana Soundscape competitions are optional creative activities running alongside Explore Gothicana.
You don't need to enter either competition to enjoy or complete the main adventure. Each competition has its own entry instructions, closing date and terms.
Fancy joining in? Brilliant! Prefer to just explore? That's absolutely fine too. 🎵🏰
Can children enter the Bell Song or Soundscape competitions?
Yes! Children and young people are welcome to create or contribute to the Belfry Bell Song and Gothicana Soundscape competitions.
Entries involving children must be submitted by an eligible adult aged 18 or over on their behalf. Please don't include a child's personal contact information.
Full details can be found in our Event & Competition Terms.
I'm stuck on a puzzle. What should I do?
Take another look around, investigate anything unusual and listen carefully. Clues can sometimes be hidden in the environment, dialogue or sounds.
If you think something isn't working properly, rather than being part of the puzzle, visit Technical Help.
How do I know which objects I can interact with?
Explore! Click or tap objects that catch your attention and look for anything that seems unusual or out of place.
And remember one of Gothicana's most important Explorer rules:
Investigate suspicious objects. 👀
Sometimes the most ordinary-looking thing in the room may be hiding a secret.
Do I need sound turned on?
We recommend it! 🎧 Gothicana uses music, atmospheric sounds and audio effects throughout the adventure, and sometimes listening carefully may reveal a clue.
Headphones can make the castle particularly atmospheric, but keep the volume comfortable.
Where sound is important to the adventure, we aim to provide a visual or written alternative.
Can I take part outside the UK?
Yes! Explore Gothicana is a digital event, so Explorers from around the world are welcome to join the adventure and enjoy the digital activities and downloads.
Please note that any competitions offering physical prizes are open to UK residents only, unless otherwise stated. Check the individual competition terms before entering.
Can I replay parts of Gothicana?
Where the adventure allows it, absolutely!
Revisit rooms to look for things you may have missed, investigate optional discoveries or simply experience a favourite part of the story again.
Curious Explorers are always welcome back. 👀🏰
Where can I read the competition and event rules?
Our Event & Competition Terms contain general information about eligibility, creative submissions, permissions and participation in Whimsical Charm events and competitions.
Each individual competition may also have its own entry requirements, closing date and specific rules, which will be displayed alongside the competition.
Something isn't working. What should I do?
Try refreshing the page first and check that your internet connection is stable. If you're having trouble with sound, make sure your device and browser haven't muted the page.
Still having trouble? Visit Technical Help for troubleshooting tips.
If the problem continues, you can contact Whimsical Charm and let us know which part of Gothicana you were exploring, what device and browser you were using, and what happened.
I still need help. How can I contact Whimsical Charm?
If the Explorer Field Guide, Ask the Castle or Technical Help haven't solved the problem, you can get in touch with us through the Whimsical Charm Contact page.
If you're reporting a technical problem, please tell us which part of Gothicana you were exploring and what happened so we can help.
Can I explore on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Explore Gothicana can be accessed online on compatible phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.
However, the castle contains detailed scenes, small interactive objects and puzzles, so for the best experience we recommend using a desktop, laptop or larger tablet screen where possible.
If something doesn't seem to be working correctly on your device, visit our Technical Help page for troubleshooting tips.
Technical Help
Has the castle magic gone a little wonky?
Explore Gothicana is an interactive online experience, and occasionally browsers, devices or internet connections can behave in unexpected ways.
If something isn't working as expected, try the suggestions below.
Something isn't loading
Try refreshing the page and give the scene a few moments to load fully.
Check that your internet connection is stable before continuing. If the problem persists, try closing the page and reopening Explore Gothicana.
I can't click or interact with something
Not everything inside Gothicana is interactive. Some objects are clues, some are scenery and some may be hiding something rather interesting. 👀
Try clicking or tapping the object once and give the interaction a moment to respond.
If you're certain something should be interactive but it isn't responding, refresh the page and try again.
I can't hear any sound
Check that:
Your device volume is turned up.
Your browser tab isn't muted.
Your device isn't connected to another speaker or pair of headphones.
You've interacted with the page first, as some browsers may prevent audio from playing automatically.
We recommend exploring Gothicana with sound enabled. Music, atmospheric sounds and audio effects are part of the experience, and occasionally listening carefully may reveal a clue.
Gothicana doesn't look right on my device
Explore Gothicana contains detailed environments, small interactive objects and puzzles.
For the best experience, we recommend using a desktop, laptop or larger tablet where possible.
You can also explore on a compatible phone, although the smaller screen may make some details harder to see. Turning your device to landscape may provide a better view of some scenes.
Which browser should I use?
We recommend using a modern, up-to-date web browser.
If you're experiencing problems, check whether an update is available for your browser. If the problem continues, try opening Gothicana in another modern browser.
I'm stuck. Is the puzzle broken?
Stuck on a puzzle? Take another look around, listen carefully and investigate suspicious objects. If you're still stuck, check the relevant hints in the Explorer Field Guide.
A Gothicana Advent download isn't working
Try opening the download again and check your device's Downloads folder.
If the file still won't open or download correctly, please contact Whimsical Charm and tell us which Advent activity you're trying to access.
Still having trouble?
If you've tried the suggestions above and something still isn't working, please let us know.
When contacting us, it helps if you can tell us:
What device you're using
Which browser you're using
Which day or part of Explore Gothicana you were visiting
What you expected to happen
What happened instead
A screenshot can also be helpful, but please make sure it doesn't contain any private or sensitive information.
We'll do our best to get your expedition moving again.
Ready to return?
Castle magic behaving itself again?
Excellent. Gothicana is waiting.
Advent Activities
Day 1 - The Explorer Passport. To print, please set the printer settings to print in landscape, print on both sides, and flip on the short edge. More pages will become available throughout the event for you to add to your passport.
Day 2 - Moonphase Tracker. Each week during October, track the moon's phase. Keep a hold of your moon tracker, as you'll return to it towards the end of the event.
Day 3 - Moonflower Altar colouring page; time for some quiet, colourful fun.
Day 4 - Create your own stained glass window. Some craft supplies will be required for this activity.
Day 5 - Gothicana Wallpaper download for desktop or phone.
Details for more activities coming soon...